Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to make a surfboard rack

How to make a surfboard rack

How to choose the right glue

How to choose the right glue

How to install a doggie door

How to install a doggie door

How to make a timber panel feature wall

How to make a timber panel feature wall

{headline}

{headline}

How to make a birdcage flower planter

How to make a birdcage flower planter

Kmart hack: How to turn a $6 glass dome into a gorgeous cherry blossom display

Kmart hack: How to turn a $6 glass dome into a gorgeous cherry blossom display

Kmart hack: How to make pineapple-shaped door knobs with a $1.50 ice cube tray

Kmart hack: How to make pineapple-shaped door knobs with a $1.50 ice cube tray

{headline}

{headline}

Reader project: From old coffee table to Hamptons-style ottoman

Reader project: From old coffee table to Hamptons-style ottoman

How to make an easy rocking chair

How to make an easy rocking chair

One granddad made this pink playhouse on wheels for his granddaughter

One granddad made this pink playhouse on wheels for his granddaughter

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

Reader reno: A Scandi-style budget laundry makeover for $1300

Reader reno: A Scandi-style budget laundry makeover for $1300

How one mum made her son a cubby house bed for under $400

How one mum made her son a cubby house bed for under $400

How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

  1. Home
  2. Better Life

Reader project: A dog crate side table

Such an easy coastal-style DIY! - by Olivia Hart
  • 22 Sep 2020
 Reader project: A dog crate side table

When this New Zealand mum needed to crate train her pup Toby, she didn't want to compromise on style.

So she created a coastal-style crate that would complement her home - and it doubles as a side-table!

Better Homes and Gardens Online caught up with Kirsty to find out more.

Dog crate

Toby and his doggy crate/side table

Kirsty Dermer

What inspired your project?

Having a tidy home was the main reason as we have a lockdown puppy called Toby who we are crate training. I didn't want an unattractive crate in our open plan living area so I searched on Instagram for inspiration under #DIYDogCrateFurniture.

Eventually, I found a few options I thought we might be able to make that would meet our ability level as well as suit our decor. 

Have you made many things before?

Our interior projects have been limited to painting, upcycling furniture, and putting together Ikea style kit-set pieces. My husband enjoys spending his weekends on general household DIY but also loves outdoor projects like garden beds, decking areas, and fencing.

dog crate

An easily removable top

Kirsty Dermer

What kind of look were you after?

We were after a transitional coastal look to match our decor, which is a mix of modern and traditional furniture with coastal features like Duck Egg walls and white shutters. 

What were the biggest challenges?

Time! We have kids and our weekends get busy with sport so finding the time was the biggest challenge. It was also difficult getting the dimensions right to fit the size of the crate and the door for the puppy to use. We ended up using the short edge for aesthetic reasons. 

dog crate

All the details

Kirsty Dermer
Dog crate

Inside the dog crate

Kirsty Dermer

The process

  • Measure the height of your crate, including the door opening areas, and cut your long pieces of timber for the front, sides, and back. Make sure there's space for the crate. 
  • Paint these pieces before you put the table together, two coats if needed, and give yourself time for the paint to dry. 
  • Build the corners of the table frame to height. Clamp and glue the long edges of the corners then use screws at the top and bottom for extra strength. 
  • Frame the corners with the four long sides and four shorter end boards across the bottom and the top. Use a level to make sure your sides are even and nice and level before screwing into the corners. 
  • Cut the large hardwood panel to size. Make sure you leave enough lip at either end of the table and that the width of your table allows a little bit of a lip across the long edges. 
  • Add two pieces of timber to the base of the tabletop to slot it into the frame and keep it in place (pictured below). This allows you to take the top of the side table off but also keeps it secure without the need for unsightly screws/nails on top. 
  • Place in your room and decorate as desired.  
Nailing board

Timber pieces can be slotted into the frame

Kirsty Dermer

Budget breakdown

Top: Acacia Solid Oiled Hardwood Benchtop (cut to size) $99 from Bunnings

Sides: Premium pine 90x18mm dressed x 6 of these at 2.4m long, $27 each from Bunnings. 

Sides/frame painted white: Dulux Lexicon paint we already owned.

Screw: A handful of 30mm screws, $15.

Crate: Yours Droolly brand in medium (30') for a small/med dog - available from a variety of different online retailers for a range of prices.

Total cost

$270 excluding the crate or the paint. 

You may also like 

Reader project: A simple cabinet makeover with striking results

Reader project: A Kmart dog kennel makeover

Reader reno: From $79 Ikea bookcases to stunning custom library

  • DIY
  • Decorating
  • Craft
  • Pets
  • Better Life

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to make a surfboard rack

How to make a surfboard rack

How to choose the right glue

How to choose the right glue

How to install a doggie door

How to install a doggie door

How to make a timber panel feature wall

How to make a timber panel feature wall

{headline}

{headline}

How to make a birdcage flower planter

How to make a birdcage flower planter

Kmart hack: How to turn a $6 glass dome into a gorgeous cherry blossom display

Kmart hack: How to turn a $6 glass dome into a gorgeous cherry blossom display

Kmart hack: How to make pineapple-shaped door knobs with a $1.50 ice cube tray

Kmart hack: How to make pineapple-shaped door knobs with a $1.50 ice cube tray

{headline}

{headline}

Reader project: From old coffee table to Hamptons-style ottoman

Reader project: From old coffee table to Hamptons-style ottoman

How to make an easy rocking chair

How to make an easy rocking chair

One granddad made this pink playhouse on wheels for his granddaughter

One granddad made this pink playhouse on wheels for his granddaughter

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

Reader reno: A Scandi-style budget laundry makeover for $1300

Reader reno: A Scandi-style budget laundry makeover for $1300

How one mum made her son a cubby house bed for under $400

How one mum made her son a cubby house bed for under $400

How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!