Our Roscoe is pretty big. Even though he is a common breed, he is even larger than most Goldens. When it comes to buying things for him, he is considered XXL, which makes things hard to find and expensive. For our first 3 years with him, we struggled to find him a bed that wasn’t ugly and he could actually fit in. We went through so many “affordable” beds for him, but they would last about 3 months before getting lumpy. It was time for a DIY dog bed.
Actually, this can’t really be called a DIY, because it’s just a re-purpose. But it’s a far more effective bed for a large dog than any actual dog bed we’ve found: it’s a crib mattress. Here is our overjoyed model showing off his second, velvety sheet:
At Target, extra-large dog beds start at $60 (lumpy and stinky in no time) and go up to $350 (just, no).  Ours is from IKEA for about $35.  But you can get very affordable one from Amazon too (and if you’re a Prime member, the shipping is free too–if you’re not a Prime member, click here to get a free 30 day trial
 so you can take advantage of free shipping on something so huge.)
And of course, there are lots of good sheets for under $10. You can use a solid one, but obviously, the patterns are much better at hiding the fur and marks from dirty paws.
(Affiliate links above.)
Not only is the size of the mattress way better, it’s far higher quality, it’s not ugly and it’s so much easier to clean, since it’s covered with a machine-washable fitted sheet. For extra protection, a mattress pad is only a few dollars more. Another benefit of the inexpensive fitted sheets is that it takes about 20 seconds to put it on the bed. Putting covers back on actual dog beds usually took me forever–pretty annoying when you’re washing it weekly.
So, there you are: a quality, non-DIY large dog bed for under $40.
View all posts in this series:
- DIY paper light for under $15
- Easy update: the Ikea Tarno Painted
- DIY self-watering planter options
- How to spray paint a cork board
- Brass lamp makeover plus a colorful cord
- DIY birdcage chandelier
- Building in hidden storage
- Breakfast table makeover
- How to make a vessel sink from a serving bowl
- Easy shelf accessory: a painted toy
- Shred paper clutter, keep your house pretty
- A practical, $25 kitchen upgrade
- How to paint a range hood, from stainless steel to white
- Basement sneak peak: the old metal cabinet
- How to strip paint with a heat gun
- DIY wall art for the kitchen
- DIY industrial lamp to replace an ugly ceiling fan
- How to turn a plug-in light into a ceiling light (and save a lot of money)
- Jewelry on display
- Bathroom shelves
- A serious upgrade for the cheap cabinet
- DIY tie storage
- Free slate trays
- A free upgrade for a drab light fixture
- Staging the bedroom, and a DIY headboard
- My fix for a peeling chalkboard
- Turning Moroccan lanterns into hanging bedside lamps
- Can you really put contact paper on countertops?
- DIY dog bed
- DIY dog gate for cheap ($3.75)
- DIY Shoe Cabinet – For Free in Under 10 Minutes
Clever! I have always thought that from baby products the shops can ask what ever price they want, because parents buy ‘only the best for their little prins/princes’. But maybe with pets that goes even further.
Never thought about that, I think you’re right though.
This is so great! We have two boxers so I’m very familiar with the cost of dog beds. It can get pretty pricey. My best source is Costco. They have the best quality for about $30. But I did pick up some large cushions from the “as-is” section of IKEA for $5 each and I’m dying to give your DIY a try. Thanks for sharing!
Re-purposing things from IKEAs as-is is so much fun, good thinking.
Great idea! I use a baby pillow for one of my cat who is too big for any cat pillow in stores! I use pillow covers that I find on clearance so I can change them often.
That’s a great idea too!
Not to one-up you, but I got a crib mattress for free on Trashnothing.com. I have it covered with an old sheet for now with some disposable bed pads underneath (my dog is old and leaky). I need to get a few inexpensive crib sheets. I don’t know why I never thought of this before, but I saw it on Pinterest and it worked out great.
That’s awesome, Sarah, I’ve never heard of that site. We’d had an unused mattress laying around for years, I don’t know what took me so long to think of it.
Freaking genius.
😀 Thank you Dallis.
Get idea! Where did you find the sheet? I’m having trouble finding one like yours that doesn’t make it look like an obvious crib mattress
Thanks Tiffany! That one is actually from Target. IKEA has a few age-neutral patterns too.
We have a cheap twin size mattress for our 2 very heavy pits. It’s the only thing I’ve found big enough for both of them to sleep together and hold their weight.
That’s a great idea if they like to sleep together!
Goodwill sells crib mattresses for. cheap. Sheets as well.
Even better than new! Craigslist would probably be great too if buying/selling used mattresses is legal in your state.