DIY dog crate cover that looks good and works even better

Peppermint Patty is part of our family. With that, her cage needs to be convenient in our living space and she enjoys having her own den handy. 

I looked to order a decorative cage but they were pricey and made of wood. And I wanted a metal cage like the one I already had.

I saw some dog crate covers online but nothing gave me the look I was going for so I was going to opt to build a table. 

Like so many things, why build when there is IKEA?

I found this affordable table with metal legs and knew I could jazz it up. I found the lattice pieces on clearance at Menards.com for $15 each. 

DIY Dog crate cover - ikea table over dog cage hack
DIY dog crate cover using an IKEA table

Materials:

  • IKEA TÄRENDÖ Table, Black (or SANDSBERG table)
  • Dog Cage
  • Extra Strength Magnets
  • ZipSnip Tool or saw to cut lattice to size
  • 4 panels – 32″ x 4′ Roman Vinyl Privacy Lattice Panel
lattice panel
Source: Menards.com

Instructions for DIY decorative dog crate cover

The TÄRENDÖ table from IKEA is perfect since it has metal magnetic legs.

(Update: The TÄRENDÖ table seems to be discontinued. Use the IKEA SANDSBERG table instead. It has similar dimensions and metal legs which is key for this IKEA hack.)

IKEA TARENDO table
TÄRENDÖ table | IKEA.com

First, build the table according to the IKEA instructions.

Measure each side of the table. You’ll want to cut the lattice panels to this size. 

I wanted the panel’s straight edge to be at the bottom, so I cut the top of the lattice pieces.

DIY Dog crate cover - ikea table over dog cage hack
Back of dog cage cover

Then, I measured from the center of the panel, so the main design is included on each panel.  

Next, I cut 3 pieces of the lattice so they fit on the outside of the table. You want the pieces cut so they can connect to the table with the magnets.

Apply magnets to one side only of the lattice with hot glue or Krazy glue. One lattice side will want to be placed on the interior side of the table. This will allow the table to have an exposed metal top rail to place the door lattice cover piece when you want to be able to open the dog cage door.  

cage cover open
Magnets to hold the cover piece for the door

Not only will this add some delight to your home but it is always handy to have another flat surface table around too! 

How long did this DIY dog crate cover hack take? And costs?

I cut the lattice pieces with a ZipSnip because I really wanted to complete this project on my own without help.  The whole project (not including the cage which I already had) cost me about 100 dollars. Once I started it took me about 4-5 hours.  Using the ZipSnip I had to stop and recharge so that added to my time. 

DIY Dog crate cover - ikea table over dog cage hack

I have gotten some really great compliments from my friends and family.  Peppermint Patty didn’t skip a beat using this new cage so I would call it a success.

~ by Becky

Here are more ideas for DIY dog crate covers

Cover it with curtains

Meggie’s mom repurposed an old BESTÅ TV unit (which they originally bought with the optional steel, chrome-plated underframe). She removed the center pegs and shelf and added a cozy bed pad inside the frame.

To complete the dog bed with curtains, she made two separate curtains from woven-cotton fabric backed with muslin. She cut a piece of fabric to cover the width of the BESTÅ frame and assembled the pair of curtains with her sewing machine. The curtains are fixed to the top of the kennel with Velcro strips. It works superbly and can be easily removed for washing. Meggie loves the privacy and easy access to her little den.

Hide it in a bedside table

The dimensions of the GULLIVER changing table are a perfect fit for Leslie’s dog crate (which sleeps dogs up to 40lbs). And, the open bars on the side allow for great air circulation and light. Plus, the best part is this is a super simple DIY project.

She assembled the changing table, without the middle shelf. Then she added a tension curtain rod under the top shelf. The curtains are the same ones she used on her window — the IKEA MATILDA sheer curtains. All she did was cut the curtain to size and iron hemmed them. No sewing skills necessary! Once the curtains are drawn, the crate cover blends seamlessly with the decor as a bedside table with a hidden dog crate.