How to Make a Wooden Bed for a Cat

Making a wooden bed for a cat is an easily done home project that requires little time and only basic tools. After the lumber for the frames has been cut to the appropriate lengths, the boards need only be screwed together after pre-drilling with a countersink drill bit. The floor is then added screwing an appropriately sized sheet of plywood to the bottom of the frame, finishing or painting the wood, and placing a cushion in the bed. Your cat will derive hours of enjoyment from the comfort offered by a soft bed of its own.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 pieces of 1x6 lumber
  • 2 pieces of 1x4 lumber
  • Approximately 12 2.5-inch screws
  • 1 piece of plywood -- the size is determined by the dimensions of the bed
  • Sandpaper
  • Drill
  • Countersink drill bit, smaller in diameter than the screws
  • Cushion
  • Paint or stain
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the dimensions of the bed and cut three pieces of 2x6 and one piece of 2x4 lumber to the appropriate lengths. Two of the three pieces of 2x6 should be the same length. The remaining piece should be the same length as the 2x4.

    • 2

      Use sandpaper to abrade the ends of the pieces of lumber until all roughness and loose splinters have been removed.

    • 3

      Use a yard stick or t-square to measure 1 inch from each outside edge of the of the 2x4 and the 2x6 of the same length, then use a t-square and pencil to draw a straight line 1 inch from the outside edge of each board.

    • 4

      Measure along the line 1 inch from the top and bottom of the 2x4 and the 2x6, then use a pencil to mark those points.

    • 5

      Drill a whole on the points that you marked using a drill and with a countersink bit smaller in diameter than the screws that you will use to fasten the boards together. The countersink bit will leave a depression in the lumber, which will allow the screw head to be recessed.

    • 6

      Arrange the 4 pieces of lumber such that the 2x6 and 2x4 boards of the same length, and the two remaining two 2x6 boards are opposite one another, respectively.

    • 7

      Verify that the boards are perpendicular using a t-square, then stabilize the boards and drive a screw through each of the pre-drilled holes from the countersink bit, and into the ends of the two remaining 2x6 boards until the screw heads are recessed to assemble the bed frame.

    • 8

      Cut or (have cut for you) a sheet of plywood matching the dimensions of the bed frame.

    • 9

      Overturn the bed frame and overlay the piece of plywood, then use a pencil and t-square to draw a line 1 inch from the outermost edge of the plywood.

    • 10

      Use the drill and countersink bit to drill recessed holes in the plywood sheet at one quarter, then one half the length of each side of the bed frame. Drive a screw into each of the pre-drilled holes.

    • 11

      Turn the complete frame and bottom back over, then paint, decorate, or otherwise finish the bed frame to your taste.

    • 12

      Place an appropriately sized cushion in the frame.