Dresser Drawer to Designer Dog Bed

Reggie is the heaviest of our five animals.  He’s only 26 pounds, but that hasn’t stopped our couch cushions from getting squished.  He likes to lay on the back rest.  He loves cushions, blankets, pillows, cheapo dog beds – anything that he can “nest” on.  Oh, and let’s not forget the LoveSac.  The dogs aren’t allowed in the basement because that’s the cat’s refuge, but since we got the Sac, he sneaks downstairs to nap on it.  He “makes a bed” just like the cats, but it’s hilarious because he’s much bigger than them.

So for Christmas, I wanted to make Reggie-bear something special.  Something just for him that he could lay on…. So I pulled out my giant 3-ring binder of clipped articles and found just the thing.  A dog-sized armchair!

Here’s what you need to get started:

(Above: If you don’t have a spare dresser drawer, you can make one out of scraps)

(more photos to be added later this morning…)

Take a drawer and knock out the bottom and sides

Make a new bottom that extends past the drawer sides

Screw 1×1’s or 1×2’s onto the inside of the drawers (the bottom/cushion will be attached to these)

Mark a line 1″ from the top of the sides all the way around, on both the inside and outside of the sides

Staple one side of foam to the outside line, staple the other side of the foam to the inside line.  (Now you have rolled arms!)

Cover each side individually with upholstery batting (I didn’t have any so I used 2 layers of medium loft quilters batting).  Spray adhesive is your friend here…

Now take a big piece and cover the whole thing with the one piece.  (This helps get rid of lines and gives you a good work surface for the next step.)

Cover with fabric!  This is where the tack strips come in handy, giving you a nice seam edge.

OK! The arms and back are done!

Now for the seat cushion…

Grab the seat bottom.  Measure and cut out more 2″ foam.  Spray adhere the two together.

Spray adhere batting to the foam, wrap around and staple on the bottom.

Spray adhere fabric to batting, wrap around and staple on the bottom.

Yay!  The seat cushion is done!

Set the cushion in the arms/back piece.  Flip over and screw through the 1×1’s or 1×2’s from earlier.

Attach the legs according to directions. (I painted and stained mine).

There you have it!  A designer-looking dog bed made in one day from a dresser drawer!

And all the animals had to come check it out…

(Below: Can you tell she’s “the queen” ?)

This article is happily shared with readers at DIY Day @ A Soft Place and Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage!  If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe or check out what I’ve been up to lately!