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Dog Crate Furniture Plans
Dog crate furniture that doubles as an end table or a console: a plywood box with a slatted door at the front, large windows cut in the sides for air and light, and a wood top for a lamp. The slats are spaced less than 50 mm (2 in) apart so paws and jaws cannot get caught. The defaults fit a medium to large dog, inside about 960 × 590 × 620 mm (38 × 23 × 24 in); enter the width, depth and height to size the crate for your dog.
- Default size
- 1000 × 710 × 610 mm
- Parts
- 21 pieces · 8 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 door + 2 carcass
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Build time
- About 8 hours
- Edge band
- 22.4 m

Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top | 1 | 1030 | 630 | 18 | Door board 18 mm (wood look) | |
| Side (cut a window) | 2 | 692 | 610 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Back | 1 | 964 | 642 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
How it is built
- Cut a window in each side with a jigsaw, leaving a 70 mm frame, and screw slats or metal mesh across it on the inside.
- Glue and screw the slats between the door rails, then hang the door on three hinges and fit a latch the dog cannot nose open.
- Round every edge the dog can reach and finish with a non-toxic paint or varnish.
Common mistakes
- Spacing the slats wider than 50 mm: a paw or a jaw gets stuck.
- Building it too small: the dog must stand, turn round and lie stretched out.
Tools you need
- Circular saw or table saw
- Jigsaw
- Drill/driver
- Clamps
Frequently asked questions
What size dog crate do I need?
Inside, about 4 in (100 mm) longer than your dog from nose to tail base and 4 in taller than its head when it sits or stands. The dog must be able to stand up, turn round and lie down stretched out.
Can a dog crate be made of wood?
Yes, for calm, crate-trained dogs. For a dog that chews or tries to escape, put a metal crate inside the furniture or line the inside with metal mesh.
How do I keep it ventilated?
Cut large windows in both sides, leaving a 70 mm (2 3/4 in) frame, and screw slats or metal mesh across them inside. With the slatted door, air flows straight through.
What finish is safe for dogs?
A water-based, non-toxic paint or varnish, fully cured before the dog moves in. Round every edge the dog can reach.


