If you have ever looked at the metal crate in your living room and quietly sighed, you are exactly who we wrote this for.
We have rounded up our favorite IKEA Dog Crate Hack Ideas, real projects from real makers who turned humble flat-pack furniture into beautiful, hard-working dog dens.
From dressers and changing tables to TV units and crib rails, these IKEA dog crate ideas prove that a crate can be every bit as stylish as the rest of your home.
Each one below links straight back to its original tutorial, so you can follow the exact steps once you find your match.
Grab a coffee and let us find the perfect IKEA hack dog crate for your space.
And whatever you do, don’t skip ahead, because idea number 11 is the show-stopper we saved for last, and it looks so much like a custom-built-in that nobody can guess two crates are hiding inside.
Save this for Later!
Why IKEA Pieces Make Such Good Crate Bases
Before we get to the builds, we have a quick word on why these projects work so well.
IKEA furniture is flat-pack, affordable, and modular, which makes it ideal raw material for any IKEA hack dog crate furniture project.
Pieces like the Malm, Besta, Gulliver, and Sniglar arrive with pre-drilled holes and clean lines, so you often spend more time decorating than cutting.
The good news is that you can find second-hand units on Facebook Marketplace and in IKEA’s As-Is section, which keeps costs low and keeps good furniture out of landfill.
The other reason we love these IKEA dog furniture hacks is flexibility: you can dress up a crate you already own, or convert a unit into a fully enclosed den from scratch.
Whichever route you take, the goal is the same: a space that feels like home for your dog and like decor for you.
12 Easy IKEA Dog Crate Hacks Worth Trying
1. IKEA Malm Dresser Turned Modern Crate
We have always had a soft spot for a clever furniture flip, and this one from Lisa at Garrison Street Design Studio is the perfect place to start.
She took a spare three-drawer IKEA Malm dresser, pulled out the drawers and slides, built a plywood floor over the hollow base, and added a slatted door with a slide-bolt latch.
Two-tone wood and a peel-and-stick tile interior give it a real mid-century feel, so it reads as decor rather than a cage in her bedroom.
Because the footprint matches a nightstand, it tucks neatly against a wall and frees up floor space.
If you want one genuine modern dog crate to bookmark before you see the other exciting projects, then this is it.
If you think that flip was clever, wait until you see idea #2, because you won’t believe it needs zero power tools and no workshop at all.
2. Minimalist IKEA Malm Kennel
Over on Instructables, one maker from Las Vegas set out to solve a problem where kennels look terrible, cost too much, and take up valuable floor space.
Their answer is a tidy IKEA dog kennel hack that modifies inexpensive Malm furniture into something genuinely eye-pleasing.
By reworking the existing flat-pack shell instead of building from scratch, they kept the cuts and the budget down while ending up with an enclosure that actually suits a styled room.
We love that the whole approach is beginner-friendly and favors parts that are easy to source.
It is proof that you do not need a workshop full of tools to give your dog a handsome den.
3. IKEA Linnmon Crate Tabletop
Not every hack means you have to dismantle furniture. Sometimes you just need a smarter lid, like what we have here.
The Family RV Association crew faced the classic motorhome problem of a bulky wire crate hogging space near the door.
They did a piece on how to make a dog crate table by resting an IKEA Linnmon tabletop across the top of their dog Mushy’s existing crate.
Four L-brackets with rubber gaskets hold the lightweight top in place without permanently attaching it, so the crate still collapses when needed.
Gradually, the crate doubles as a solid surface for drinks and snacks, and the dog keeps his favorite nap spot.
It is the easiest way we know to turn dog crate into furniture, and it is brilliant for an entryway with dog crate duty.
You May Also Like
- 22 Stylish Dog Crate Furniture That Work in Any Room
- What Crate Size Do I Need for My Dog?
- How to Crate Train a Puppy
Here comes the lightbulb moment we wish we’d thought of first, because idea number 4 will completely change the way you look at a baby crib.
4. IKEA Sniglar Crib Crate
Robin and Ed at This DIY Life had a lightbulb moment we wish we had had first: a dog crate looks an awful lot like an upside-down baby crib.
They thrifted an IKEA Sniglar crib for about fifty dollars and reworked its pre-drilled, ready-made spindle panels into a sturdy wooden crate.
We also love how they fashioned the door and the slatted roof from the crib’s own offcuts.
Because the crib parts were already most of the way finished, the whole build came together in a single afternoon with very few cuts.
Their dog Indy now happily settles in during meals, which keeps him from looming over the table.
For anyone who wants a wallet-friendly dog crate in dining room territory, this is a brilliant template.
Get ready to watch a crate vanish completely, because idea number 5 hides in plain sight right inside the living room.
5. IKEA Besta TV-Unit Crate
Roel’s project, documented on TOSIZE, is a masterclass in making a crate disappear into the living room.
He started with a wall-hung IKEA Besta TV unit and added a custom oak overlap worktop on top, so the bench almost melts into the surrounding cabinetry.
The result is a contemporary, furniture-grade enclosure that doubles as media storage while giving the dog a tucked-away den below.
We love how this approach treats the crate as architecture rather than an afterthought.
If you want dog crates in living room settings to look intentional, a Besta base is a good, stylish place to begin.
6. IKEA Tärendö Lattice Crate Cover
Becky’s hack on IKEA Hackers is one of our go-to dog crate cover ideas because it keeps the metal crate she already owns and simply dresses it up.
She built an IKEA Tärendö table (now discontinued, so she suggests the Sandsberg as a swap) over her dog Peppermint Patty’s cage, then cut vinyl privacy lattice panels to clad the sides.
Cleverly, she attached the panels with strong magnets to the table’s metal legs, so the front cover lifts off whenever she needs to open the door.
The project ran about a hundred dollars and a single afternoon, and it added a handy extra tabletop too.
Best of all, Peppermint Patty did not skip a beat, which is the review you’ll want to consider.
7. Twin IKEA Malm Desk Crate System
When you have two dogs, you start thinking in systems, and Tina and Gregor built theirs entirely from IKEA parts for their pair of beagles.
They scored two IKEA Malm desks from the As-Is section, kept one intact, then used the second desk’s top and a side panel as a divider to create a two-bay frame.
With their existing crates slotted underneath, each beagle got its own room and the surface on top stayed useful.
We think this is one of the smartest large dog crate ideas for multi-dog homes that still want a clean look.
It also proves you can build around dog crate gear you already own instead of replacing it.
You May Also Like
- Dog Crate Decorating Ideas for Modern Homes
- 11 Easy DIY Large Dog Crate Ideas
- Do Crates Help Dogs with Anxiety?
If you’ve got more than one dog at home, the idea coming up next will blow your mind with how neatly it gives each pup its very own room.
8. IKEA Sniglar Double Crate Desk
This work-from-home build is pure ingenuity: a maker needed both a secure spot for two small dogs and a desk to teach from, all in one tight bedroom.
Using two IKEA Sniglar changing tables, Variera plastic-bag dispensers cut into side panels, and a Klimpen tabletop laid across the top, they created a double crate that doubles as a desk.
The Variera pieces even provided a natural hinge for the door, and a carabiner keeps it shut.
It is lightweight, easy to dismantle, and the changing-table ends double as little trays for desk supplies.
For anyone short on floor space, we think this idea might be the smartest two-in-one on our list.
If you want zero saws, zero fractions, and zero stress, you’ll be amazed at how simple idea number 9 really is.
9. IKEA Gulliver Bedside Crate
Leslie’s hack is the one we recommend most for the bedroom, because it is beginner-proof.
She assembled an IKEA Gulliver changing table, left out the middle shelf, slid her dog’s existing crate straight inside, and added a tension rod with cut-to-size Matilda sheer curtains.
No saws, no woodworking, and no fractions required. By day, it is a tidy nightstand; by night, the curtains draw closed for a calm, private den.
This makes it a lovely dog crate in bedroom solution that you can improvise for your home.
The open Gulliver bars also keep airflow and light moving through, which we always like to see.
10. IKEA Besta Curtained Den
Maggie’s mom repurposed an old IKEA Besta TV unit, originally bought with the chrome-plated steel underframe, into a soft-fronted den that is all about dog kennel furniture decor.
She removed the center pegs and shelf, dropped in a cozy bed pad, and sewed two woven-cotton curtains backed with muslin to hang across the front.
The curtains attach with Velcro strips, so they pull off easily for washing, and they give the dog real privacy on demand.
We love that it is a gentle, fabric-forward take rather than a hard-edged build, which suits softer rooms beautifully.
It is a gorgeous reminder that a few yards of fabric can transform a plain unit into a retreat your dog will love.
11. IKEA Melltorp Canine Condo
This canine condo by Samantha is the show-stopper we had to save for last.
Faced with keeping two Shiba Inu puppies and running out of floor space, she assembled IKEA Melltorp kitchen tables and lined them up to form a base row.
She then topped them with Ferle rugs, and stacked smaller tables on top for a tidy two-tier build.
Standard wire crates slide perfectly underneath each table and pull straight out for easy cleaning, which gives every dog their own private room at lights-out.
The finished piece looks like a custom built-in unit, not a row of cages. This approach can also work well for breeders, fosters and busy multi-dog households.
You May Also Like
- 50 Stylish DIY Dog Crates for Comfort & Functionality
- 14 Best Dog Crates for High-Anxiety Dogs
- 9 Best Dog Crates for Golden Retrievers
How to Keep Your DIY Dog Crate Safe
A gorgeous crate is only a good crate if it is safe, so here are a few non-negotiables before you build.
When it comes to size, your dog should be able to stand up fully, turn around, and lie down stretched out. So, measure them standing, sitting, and lying before you commit.
Not sure what to aim for? Our guide on what crate size you need breaks it down for you.
Because the IKEA board is light, always anchor any tall unit to the wall, exactly as IKEA recommends, to remove any risk of tipping.
Use only pet-safe, fully cured paints and finishes, avoid fabric covers if you live with a determined chewer, and keep airflow and light moving with slats, bars, or mesh.
A built in dog crate should feel like a den, never a trap, so keep the door training gentle and reward-based from day one.
Choosing the Right Hack for Your Room
Before choosing your ideal hack, you also need to consider where the crate will be placed.
In open-plan spaces, a low TV-unit or console build keeps sightlines clear, and a slim behind the couch dog crate can use otherwise dead space along the back of a sofa.
For busy households, a dog crate entryway setup, such as a tabletop dropped over a crate by the door, gives you a landing pad for keys and bags while containing muddy paws.
In the dining room, a crib-based or sideboard build lets your dog settle during meals, and a buffet table dog crate look blends right in with the cabinetry.
Bedrooms suit quieter changing-table conversions with curtains, while bigger homes can go all-in on a stacked condo.
Match the piece to the room, and the hack will feel inevitable rather than added-on.
Your dog deserves a den, not a cage, and your home deserves to look like you. Pick your favorite hack above, pin it now, and start this weekend.
Conclusion
There you have it: a clutch of authentic IKEA hacks that prove a crate never has to be an eyesore at home.
Whether you flip a Malm, dress up a metal cage, or stack a canine condo, the magic is the same: a den your dog loves and a piece you are proud to show off.
Before picking on your ideal project, start by measuring your dog and your space, then choose the build that fits both.
Remember to anchor anything tall, choose pet-safe finishes, and take the door training slowly and kindly.
We cannot wait to see what you make, so pin your favorite and get hacking. Your dog’s dream den is just a flat-pack away.
Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
No responses yet