How to Make a Suitcase Dog Bed

Creating a dog bed out of an old suitcase lets you stylishly provide a comfy place for your dog while being environmentally and budget friendly. Recycling a suitcase keeps it out of the landfill. You can use something that you already have on hand, or you can buy a cheap one at a thrift shop or flea market. You can use any hard shell suitcase. It should be size appropriate to the dog, so this is not the ideal project for large or giant breeds.

Things You'll Need

  • Hard shell suitcase
  • Foam insert
  • Dog bed cover
  • Screwdriver
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Utility knife
  • Washcloth
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the lid from the suitcase. This is a crucial step for safety purposes. You don't want a lid to come crashing down on your dog. You may be able to simply unscrew the top. However, hinge mechanisms vary suitcase to suitcase. Experiment with ways to undo the hinges, such as using a flat head screw driver to try prying the hinge apart, or needle-nose pliers to remove a pin from a pin mechanism.

    • 2

      Discard the lid, or set it aside to make a second dog bed.

    • 3

      Wipe out suitcase with a damp cloth.

    • 4

      Measure the inside of the suitcase.

    • 5

      Purchase or sew a dog bed cover to match the measurements. Purchase a piece of foam insert that is twice the size of the interior of the suitcase.

    • 6

      Cut the foam insert into 2-inch cubes using a utility knife. Make sure to do this on a surface that you can't damage.

    • 7

      Fill the bed cover with foam cubes. The cubes will be supportive, but also allow your dog to use it's natural digging and nesting tendencies without destroying the bed -- the cubes will move around and settle as your dog digs and spins.

    • 8

      Insert bed into suitcase.