Five amazing DIY cat bed ideas

DIY cat bed with cat laying in a basket
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A customizable DIY cat bed is a great way to give your furry friend a unique and comfortable place to rest. It also lets you use your imagination and creativity to make something that fits in perfectly with your home without having to scour the web for a suitable option. Sure, you can invest in one of our picks of the best cat beds without forking out too much cash, but the DIY option can be much cheaper as it lets you use items you may already have lying around not being used.

Creating a DIY cat bed lets you exactly match the materials, fabrics and colors you are already using in your home, allowing you to add a fun snuggle spot for your feline pal that complements your existing decor. You also have a chance to try out something quirky and fun - our list includes a kitty camper bed, suitcase bunk beds, and every cat's favourite home, a cardboard box. Many of our choices are customizable to fit the space you have, so soon you'll have the perfect DIY cat bed more than good enough to match even the best luxury cat beds.

1) Hanging window basket

DIY cat bed made from a woven basket hanging up at window with cat asleep inside it

(Image credit: Mad Paws)

Cat's love to have a place to laze while keeping one eye on the neighborhood. This stylish window-based hanging basket DIY cat bed lets them do just that, while adding a touch of class to any home. Easy to construct, and made from simple to source materials, why not give your feline friend a sophisticated bed with a view?

2) Suitcase bunk bed

Double bunk cat bed made from denim blue colored suitcases with red trim. One tabby cat lying in bottom bunk and one tabby cat lying in top bunk looking at camera.

(Image credit: odditymall)

Everyone has an old suitcase or two hanging around in the attic somewhere, so why not put your retro luggage to great use by turning them into an amazing bunk bed for your cat? Great for multiple cat households, or a single kitty that likes to have a choice of where to lay its head, this is an elegant solution for finding a cool use for suitcases whose travelling days are over.

3) Magic carpet cat hammock

DIY cat bed hammock under coffee table with black cat lying in it

(Image credit: Settle down Slinki Blog)

Bring a touch of Disney fun to your living room with this Aladdin-inspired magic carpet hammock, perfect for the kitty who likes to hang out wherever you are. This cozy hideaway provides a touch of privacy and security, while also letting your furkid be a part of the action. Cheap and cheerful, this hammock is great for those on a budget and can be whipped up in under 2 hours. If you don't have 2 hours to spare, take a look at the ready-made options in our round-up of the best cat hammocks.

4) No-sew pet teepee

DIY cat bed jute teepee with tabby cat peaking out

(Image credit: Coffee with Summer blog)

If you’ve ever found yourself admiring those luxury pet teepees that have been doing the rounds these past few years, then here’s a chance to make one for a fraction of the store price. This elegant teepee requires no sewing and you can easily swap out the neutral jute fabric for something a bit bolder if you’d prefer. It can also be painted or strung with fairy lights to add a special ambiance to your living space. 

5) Vintage kitty camper

DIY cat bed vintage kitty camper with mint green bottom, yellow trim, bunting flags strung above door, and tabby cat peeking out

(Image credit: Cuteness.com)

For an adorable and unique cat bed that will have every visitor to your home gushing over your creative talents, look no further than this sweet vintage kitty camper. This one is definitely more labor-intensive than the others, but the payoff is well worth it with the end result being a real showstopper. The materials themselves are inexpensive and we love that you can add some real glamping charm with bunting flags and mason jar lanterns. 

Have a canine companion and want to make them their very own bed too? Then check out our guide to the five best DIY dog beds with plenty of inspiration to get the creative juices flowing.

Kathryn Williams
Freelance writer

Kathryn is a freelance writer who has been a member of the PetsRadar family since it launched in 2020. Highly experienced in her field, she's driven by a desire to provide pet parents with accurate, timely, and informative content that enables them to provide their fur friends with everything they need to thrive. Kathryn works closely with vets and trainers to ensure all articles offer the most up-to-date information across a range of pet-related fields, from insights into health and behavior issues to tips on products and training. When she’s not busy crafting the perfect sentence for her features, buying guides and news pieces, she can be found hanging out with her family (which includes one super sassy cat), drinking copious amounts of Jasmine tea and reading all the books.