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    • I'm Christina, a full-time web developer with a dog sitting business, home renovations, and a blog on the side.

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You are here: Home / Interior Decorating / DIY / Decor / Our non-DIY, DIY large dog bed

Our non-DIY, DIY large dog bed

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Decor, DIY, Homekeeping, Pets

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.

DIY large 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:
DIY large dog bed

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.

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  1. Leena

    February 12, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Christina

      February 14, 2014 at 8:05 am

      Never thought about that, I think you’re right though.

  2. Danielle @Storypiece

    February 12, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Christina

      February 14, 2014 at 8:02 am

      Re-purposing things from IKEAs as-is is so much fun, good thinking.

  3. Anonymous

    February 13, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Christina

      February 14, 2014 at 8:01 am

      That’s a great idea too!

  4. Sarah

    October 15, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Christina

      October 21, 2014 at 12:28 am

      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.

  5. Dallis

    October 16, 2014 at 7:56 am

    Freaking genius.

    Reply
    • Christina

      December 3, 2015 at 3:34 pm

      😀 Thank you Dallis.

  6. Tiffany

    December 1, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Christina

      December 3, 2015 at 3:33 pm

      Thanks Tiffany! That one is actually from Target. IKEA has a few age-neutral patterns too.

  7. Katy

    August 24, 2018 at 10:27 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Christina

      August 26, 2018 at 8:08 am

      That’s a great idea if they like to sleep together!

  8. Cindi

    July 22, 2019 at 11:09 pm

    Goodwill sells crib mattresses for. cheap. Sheets as well.

    Reply
    • Christina

      July 26, 2019 at 2:20 pm

      Even better than new! Craigslist would probably be great too if buying/selling used mattresses is legal in your state.

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But we're once again with a realtor that calls our house "unique" instead of calling it a Mid Century Modern. 🤦‍♀️
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Still can't really identify with people in this area. 🤷‍♀️ SO happy to be going back home to the East coast TOMORROW!
Right? We're getting back into the house restorat Right? 
We're getting back into the house restoration and we'll be working on the powder room in the master bed. 
Guys. It's bad. Swipe to see.
And we're going to try to make it pretty with a super tiny budget of $100 in 4 weeks and we're joining the #100roomchallenge to keep us (me) motivated.
@little.victorian

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Update: the MCM is officially sold! We did eventua Update: the MCM is officially sold! We did eventually finish most of our restoration/renovation projects. I'll share the updates in the coming months as we get settled in to our new place. 😁
House update! The realtor is still confused about House update! The realtor is still confused about why "it's such a popular house." When she arrived yesterday for a showing, there were 8 cars in the driveway. 😃

We had three offers the first day, one of whom hadn't even seen the house in person yet.
Surprise! The house is going on the market today. Surprise! The house is going on the market today. (Long story that I'll fill you in on when I have more than 2 seconds.)
.
But we're once again with a realtor that calls our house "unique" instead of calling it a Mid Century Modern. 🤦‍♀️
.
We can't count how many locals came into this house and mentioned that those windows should be removed and walled up and the beams cut off. And then it would be a "normal" house. 🤯
.
Still can't really identify with people in this area. 🤷‍♀️ SO happy to be going back home to the East coast TOMORROW!
Right? We're getting back into the house restorat Right? 
We're getting back into the house restoration and we'll be working on the powder room in the master bed. 
Guys. It's bad. Swipe to see.
And we're going to try to make it pretty with a super tiny budget of $100 in 4 weeks and we're joining the #100roomchallenge to keep us (me) motivated.
The bedroom design is starting to come together th The bedroom design is starting to come together thanks to Craigslist and Goodwill. 
#OneRoomChallenge
Our poor aloe plant is so gnarly and gangly. But a Our poor aloe plant is so gnarly and gangly. But at least I haven't killed it in the last 4 years! Anyone know why it's growing so ugly? 
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Roscoe got his (pretty bad) spring haircut today. Roscoe got his (pretty bad) spring haircut today. Good thing he still has a gorgeous face. #baddogmom
When you try to comment on Instagram and your phon When you try to comment on Instagram and your phone is sure you meant excrement instead of excellent.... #Lovely #ThanksPhone This picture isn't too lovely either, but I'm sharing it anyway.  It's the still-in-progress dog bed we made this week during the #OneRoomChallenge Details about it are on the blog!
@little.victorian

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