A Stylish Pup Hideaway You’ll Love (and So Will They)!
Wire Crates? Been there. Done that. Hid them in a corner.
We wanted something cute, functional, and crate-trained-dog-approved… so we built this indoor dog crate that doubles as a chic little dog house. It’s the perfect cozy corner for your pup, and bonus – it actually looks good in your home. (Yes, even in your living room.)
Here’s an overview of how we built ours – plus tips to customize it for your space. For full measurements, cut list, diagrams, and more detailed steps, be sure to grab our downloadable dog crate build plans!
This build uses plywood, cedar shingles, a few dowels, and some budget-friendly trim pieces to create a crate that looks like a mini house – pitched roof and all. The front includes a swinging gate with vertical dowel bars, and you can personalize the inside with paint or wallpaper (yes, we did!).
Materials:
- 3/4″ plywood (for walls, base, and roof)
- 1x2s (for gate frame)
- 3/8″ dowels (for gate bars)
- Cedar Shingles (for the roof)
- Hinges (2)
- Lock bolt (1)
- Wallpaper (optional)
Tools You’ll Need:
- Circular Saw
- Nail gun or pin nailer
- Jigsaw or Multi-tool
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Caulk gun + Construction adhesive
- Paint tools
Step One: Cut Your Plywood
Cut all main panels for the sides, front, back, roof, and base. The front and back have a pitched top to mimic a classic doghouse.
Step Two: Cut Openings for the Door & Windows
Use a jigsaw to carefully cut out the front door opening and the small windows on the sides. You could also use a multi-tool to make the cuts.
The front gate cut out is 15 3/8″ x 13″. The windows are four 2 1/2″ X 3″ cutouts.
Step Three: Finish the Panels
Finish the panels prior to assembling.
Wallpaper or paint the inside panels first—it’s way easier now than once it’s all nailed together. We painted the exterior and added added faux window pane details with paint and tape for that little extra charm.
Step Four: Build the Gate
This part looks fancy, but it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll drill holes into the gate frame pieces, insert dowels, and glue + screw everything together using pocket holes.
I painted the frame parts and dowels prior to assembly, but did do a dry fit to ensure all measurements and cuts were correct!
Step Five: Assemble the House!
Start with the base, then attach sides, back, and front using construction adhesive, nails, and clamps.
Then install the roof panels, first attach the smaller panel at the peak then the larger panel overlapping the first panel. A second set of hands helps here
To attach the front gate, use two hinges and a simple latch lock.
Step Six: Add the Shingles
This might be our favorite part. We cut and staggered cedar shingles for the roof, nailing them in rows to give it that real doghouse feel.
Ready to Build Your Own?
Ditch the bulky wire crate and upgrade to something your dog and your decor will love! Grab these downloadable build plans for step-by-step instructions!
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