Indoor rabbit cage made from 2 IKEA storage tables

I made an indoor rabbit cage for Edward, my dwarf rabbit. (He was just a baby when I first made this!)  

The Bunny Palace aka indoor rabbit cage will be too small for larger rabbits if they will be kept in it for long periods.

A 2-level indoor rabbit cage hacked from the IKEA HOL storage boxes
IKEA items used:
  • 2 x HOL storage tables (on Amazon)
  • 4 IKEA castors (but these have since been discontinued)
Other Materials:
  • Wire mesh
  • Staples
  • Hardboard
  • Panel pins
  • Lino
  • No More Nails
  • Pine strips (14mm x 25mm)
  • Pine strips (14mm x 14mm)
  • Edging strips, pine (14mm x 3mm)
  • 8 x L-shaped brackets
  • 4 x thumb turns
  • 4 x small basic hinges
  • 2 x corner hinges
  • 1 x closed screw-in hook
  • String
  • Plastic litter tray
  • Shower curtain hooks
Tools
  • Jigsaw + goggles
  • Pencil
  • Hacksaw
  • Staple gun
  • Wire cutters
  • Stanley knife
  • Metre stick
  • Screwdriver(s)
  • Hammer

How to hack an indoor rabbit cage

Assemble the first HOL as per the instructions, with one change: wait until later to attach the stoppers to the lid. Use pine strips to fill short gaps between the corners, and screw castors into strips.

Using a jigsaw, remove inner wood from front and one end. Sand edges. Remove end panel, cut mesh to fit and staple on. Attach pine edging with panel pins. Screw panel back into place.

making the first level

Related: IKEA KALLAX rabbit house


Cut 14mm pine strip and use four L-shaped brackets to create door, then cut mesh to fit and staple onto inside. Attach door to HOL using three hinges. Screw in two thumb turns.

Cut two pieces of hardboard to fit floor, and one piece of lino. Attach lino to top layer of hardboard with staple gun. Floor will be removable for cleaning/replacement of hardboard if necessary.

separating the floors

Unpack second HOL and saw base panel in half lengthways to create stairway. Cut and glue on 14mm pine strip using No More Nails or similar adhesive to make edge. Cut and glue on 5mm pine strip to make steps, and another piece underneath the top. Then screw corner hinges into top of end panel and top of stairway. Attach small closed hook to base of edge pine. This will allow stairway to be raised (using a piece of string) to prevent access to top level.

Attach three out of four stoppers to lid, omitting the corner where the stairway is attached, and place lid on HOL. Jigsaw out an opening to allow access to second floor (it’s best if you switch the lid round and do the cutting away from the stairway to avoid cutting into it). Sand edges and attach pine edging with panel pins.

Making the second level

Assemble second HOL (apart from the base, which you’ve already used for the stairway) and saw down the bottom corners so it sits flush on top of the first one. Cut two hardboard panels to make the floor of second level. Double up to make these thicker. Glue them in position, then lift off the top HOL. Cut lino to fit the hardboard panels and attach with staple gun.

Using the jigsaw, remove inner wood from front and one end as with basement level, then take HOL apart, but this time make a door for the end and attach mesh (and edging) directly to the front. Attach door using 1-2 hinges, and screw in two thumb turns.

2-level indoor rabbit cage made from the IKEA HOL

Use hardboard and 5mm pine strip to create bedroom box measuring approx 43cmx37cm. Cut out doorway. Take litter 42cm long litter tray and use hacksaw to remove one long edge. Insert tray into bedroom.

Join five shower hooks together and attach to top of mesh on top level. Attach one hook to bottom of basement door. To use, join together.

Add bunny accessories and decorations.

Add bunny!

For more details and photos on my blog.

~ by Shona Craven