Last week I decided it was time for another DIY makeover and this time, it was Millie’s turn. She’s my pampered 4-legged fur baby. And just like the kids, she is super excited for anything new.
I wanted to make her a mod-style bed with sleek legs, but of course, short enough for her to easily hop into whenever she was ready for a nap–oh the joys of a dog’s life.
DIY Dog Bed
I love how it turned out and Millie loves it, too! She immediately hopped right up on it without me ever saying a word about it. It’s funny how she knows when something’s for her. From her Christmas stocking to birthday toys, she knows when the gifts are hers or when they’re for someone else. –smart girl
Building Millie’s Mod-Style Bed
As with all of my DIY projects, this one costs very little. I bought the cool mid-century legs and the paint. The wood came from Hubby’s scrap pile and then I used a fun patterned pillowcase to recover a pillow Millie already napped on–she has several napping spots according to where I’m working.
To build a similar bed, measure the dog. I just used Millie’s pillow as a guide to how big I wanted it. I sat the pillow on a sheet of plywood to decide just how deep and wide the bed should be.
So here’s the lowdown:
1- 24 x 16 sheet of plywood for the bottom
1 – 24″ 1×10 board for the back
2- 16 3/4″ 1×6 board for the sides
4- Waddell angle leg mounting plates
Here’s a quick tip:
Before assembling the boards with wood screws, drill pilot holes to prevent the wood from splitting.
Millie’s Pillow and Headboard
Millie is a Maltese, so a standard size pillow worked well. It also made it super easy because it didn’t require any sewing. I just slipped on the pillowcase and tucked under the ends. The pillowcase can then be easily removed and washed or changed if I decide I want to use another pattern or color for fun.
I chose this pillowcase for its fun geometrical pattern. To create the same larger version of the pattern, I simply scanned the pillowcase on my printer, enlarged the shape to the size I wanted, and then cut it out to create a tracing pattern.
I positioned the pattern to where I wanted it, and carefully traced over it using a Sharpie Paint Marker 
So find a pattern you like, SCAN-ENLARGE-PRINT, and trace any pattern you want.
What about you?
Do you have a pet? Share your pet projects with us!
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This is totally adorable. I can see why she enjoyed it and was eager to get into it. I am going to have to show Del this so that he can make them.
thanks, Crystal– it is soooo easy and cheap, too–that’s the best part. The little legs are about $3 each and just used scrap wood– had the rest.
I love, love, love the mid century modern dog bed! I’ve never seen one quite like it and I’m in love. Millie must be proud! Pinning. It’s too cute not to share!
thanks, Alli– yes, Millie jumped on it and didn’t move 🙂
seriously adorable, the kids would be all over one here.
Marie @ In Our Happy Place
I love this! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams, starts on Fridays 😀 Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party.
thanks for the invite- I’ll hop over for a visit 🙂
Stopping over from the Creative Spark Link Party. Absolutely love the dog bed. We’re looking to make one for our 150 lb mastiff, I guess we’d have to make a couple adjustments to this plan (har!). You have my creative juices flowing now!! Totally pinned for later!!
yep- I do think you may need to make some ‘teeny’ adjustments for your mastiff 🙂 would love to see your finished project, too
Adorable and functional…pinned and stumbled!
Love this bed – and not just because my name is Millie 🙂 I need to make one of these for my little chug, Macy. Love the enlarge/trace idea, could be used in so many applications!
oh, Millie and Macy meets Mitzi and Millie– I love it!
To get a dog bed this fancy and cute, Millie must be a spoiled pup. I love the design on the headboard.I would love it if you linked this up to my Motivate Me Monday linky party!
well. . . yes, Millie is spoiled 🙂 My boys say she’s Queen– she certainly believes it.
What a great little dog bed! We have a Jack Russell, and every time we work on projects he tries to “help”. I’m sure he’d love to have his very own bed like the one you made for your puppy! Thanks for linking up with Creative Spark!
I’m totally not a pet person, but I think this is the cutest little Dog Bed I’ve ever seen! Thank you for sharing at The Creative Exchange Link Party!
I love this Mitzi! I am featuring this on Do Tell Tuesday! Thanks for linking up 😀
Thank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream’s City of Links on Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week 🙂
This looks FABULOUS! #Pinning from the Wake Up Wednesday “Linky.” Stop by this week to see if you’re featured.
Great MCM idea! You must post a picture with Millie in it! Thanks for sharing!