How to Make Your Own Pet Bed

In 2018, the pet furniture industry was valued at around $2.1 billion, a figure largely driven by demand for fashionable, innovative and sleek pet accessories. Designed with the owner's tastes in mind, these pieces are increasingly made to complement home décor – but customised furniture isn't an option for everyone, as it can come at significant cost. That's why pet furniture DIY is on the rise, and making your own pet bed could be the solution.

As pets are so often treated as part of the family, owners love to spoil them, and many turn their hands to DIY to create a hand-made pet bed. You might wonder where to start, but pet items now come in many materials and sizes, so the creative possibilities are endless – from exclusive prints and premium non-toxic fabrics to raw materials like jute and banana leaves. Making your own, though, needn't be complicated.

Choosing your foam

First, choose the size of bed and your cover material, then consider the foam. Closed-cell polyethylene is a suitable choice thanks to its antibacterial, anti-rot and mildew-resistant properties, all of which can otherwise harm your pet. It's highly resistant to wear and tear and waterproof, so it wipes clean, and being rigid it needn't be too thick. Alternatively, for a more luxurious bed, egg crate foam suits pets that prefer a cooler, softer surface or have joint or back issues.

Ordering and assembling the bed

Now order your foam insert using our easy cut to size tool, selecting a square, rectangular or rounded-edge cushion. When you stitch your cover and stuff the bed, the insert should slot in seamlessly. If you've chosen a bed with a supportive edge, order two separate inserts – one to fill the outer edge as the bolster cushion and another for the main body – and stuff each separately before stitching them together. For help getting the shape right, see our guide to making a template for foam.

If you're stuck for ideas or prefer a set template, there are plenty of simple patterns online. For help choosing and measuring your foam insert, please contact one of our friendly advisers.

Frequently asked questions

What foam is best for a pet bed?

Closed-cell polyethylene is a great choice, being antibacterial, anti-rot and mildew-resistant (all of which can harm a pet), highly wear-resistant and waterproof, so it wipes clean. As a rigid foam it needn't be too thick. For a more luxurious bed, egg crate foam suits pets that prefer a cooler, softer surface or have joint or back issues.

How do I make a bolstered pet bed?

For a bed with a supportive raised edge, order two separate foam inserts: one to fill the outer edge as the bolster cushion, and another for the main body of the bed. Stuff each component separately before stitching them together.

Can I get pet bed foam cut to size?

Yes. Using the cut-to-size tool you can select your shape, from square and rectangular cushions to rounded-edge ones, and the insert should slot seamlessly into your stitched cover.