Upgrade Your Pup's Digs with These DIY Dog Houses

Learn how to build your furry friend their dream home with these DIY dog houses.

Is your furry friend feeling cramped in their current living quarters? Or perhaps you’re looking to add a stylish and functional outdoor space for your canine companion.

For dog owners looking to provide their furry friends with a cozy and comfortable indoor or outdoor retreat, DIY dog houses offer a fun and cost-effective solution. We already spoil them with the best pet gifts so why not spoil them with a dream home?

Building your own dog house allows you to customize the design to suit your pup’s needs and personality, while also saving money compared to purchasing a pre-made option. With a little creativity and elbow grease, you can create a custom-made home that perfectly suits your dog’s needs and your home’s aesthetic.

So we’re exploring some creative and practical ideas for building your own DIY dog house that will keep your canine companion happy and content in any season.

Table of Contents

Best DIY Dog Houses

1 — Minimalist Modern Dog House

DIY Modern Dog House with Building Guide — Photo by Pinch Plate Party

Give your dog the modern home they deserve with this easy-to-build DIY modern dog house. This contemporary design boasts a minimalist aesthetic ideal for indoor lounging.

2 — Slatted Wood Dog House

Modern Indoor Doghouse — Photo by Daily Paws

Indulge your furry friend with this stylish and functional DIY slatted dog house. Featuring a shed roof for added protection, slatted walls for optimal airflow, and a shallow front porch for lounging, this design offers a comfortable and inviting space for your canine companion. The built-in feeding station, complete with water and food bowls, keeps mealtimes tidy and convenient. If you couldn’t already tell from our DIY toddler bed, we totally have a thing for slatted roofs!

3 — Raised DIY Dog House

DIY Doghouse Plans, Raised Doghouse, Luxury Doghouse Building Guide, Step by Step Construction Instructions, Beginner Doghouse

Etsy is a wonderful source for dog house plans, and this unique raised DIY dog house is one of our favorites. Raised dog houses offer several benefits, including protection from the elements, improved air circulation, easier cleaning, and enhanced visibility.

4 — Mid Century Modern Dog House

As complicated as it looks, this mid century DIY dog house simply only requires pine plywood, post caps, wood screws, a miter saw, nail gun and nails, pocket hole jig, paint and stain. Its base includes a fun artificial turf garden.

5 — Dog House with Deck

Keep your furry friend cozy and comfortable all winter long with this insulated dog house featuring a spacious deck. The insulated walls provide warmth and protection from the cold, while the deck offers a sunny spot for lounging and relaxation. This DIY project is perfect for pet owners who want to ensure their dogs stay warm and happy during the winter months.

6 — Plywood Dog House with Removable Roof

Is it possible to build your own dog house without an internal frame? Yes, as shown in this plywood dog house tutorial. If the idea of woodworking intimidates you, don’t fret. This guide offers detailed step by step instructions for using your tools and assembling all the pieces. Our favorite feature is the curved door opening (that’s typically a straight edge opening).

7 — Living Roof Dog House

Living Roof DIY Dog House — Photo by Hallmark

Create a sustainable and stylish retreat for your furry friend with this DIY dog house featuring a living roof. The lush greenery not only adds a touch of natural beauty but also helps to insulate the house, keeping your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This eco-friendly project is perfect for pet owners who want to provide their dogs with a comfortable and sustainable home.

8 — Contemporary Pitched Roof Dog House

Upgrade your dog’s outdoor living space with this contemporary dog house featuring a pitched roof. And don’t be fooled by its prettiness, this dog house is built to last. The sides are all attached with multiple 2-inch deck screws.

9 — Country Style Dog House

Bring a touch of rustic charm to your backyard with this charming country dog house featuring a covered porch. The classic siding design offers a cozy and inviting space for your furry friend, while the covered porch provides a shady spot for lounging and relaxation. This budget-friendly DIY cost only about $100.

10 — Mini Ranch House

Build a stylish and affordable ranch-style dog house for your furry friend for under $200. This beginner-friendly project uses plywood and redwood lattice to create a rustic look. The removable asphalt-shingle roof (which makes cleaning an ease) and arbor add charm and functionality, making it a perfect home for your canine companion.

11 — Outdoor Pet House

Create a stylish and functional outdoor retreat for your furry friend with this DIY pet house. A contrasting exterior trim gives it a finished cozy look while the flower pot hanger adds a touch of natural beauty. Pro tip: When building an outdoor house, treated lumber is best. But to save money, untreated lumber can be used (as in this tutorial) as long as an exterior finish is applied.

12 — Dog Kennel with Ramp & Rooftop

Dog kennel with ramp and rooftop — Photo by Bunnings Workshop

Indulge your furry friend with this ultimate DIY dog house featuring a rooftop lawn accessible by ramp. The innovative design includes wheels for easy mobility, a vent for optimal airflow, sensor lights for added convenience, and an opening roof for fresh air and sunlight. This luxurious dog house offers your canine companion the ultimate outdoor living experience.

13 — Bungalow Dog House

Build a charming bungalow-style dog house for your furry friend using simple tools and materials. This project can be completed without power tools, although a drop saw can speed up the process (especially with cutting smoother edges).

14 — Football Dog House

Show your team spirit and love for your furry friend with this fun and functional football DIY dog house. Inspired by the New England Patriots, this doghouse features a green roof, a mini football field, and a spacious interior with 3/4 inch OSB for the floor. Built with durable cedar and pressure-treated pine, this dog house is both stylish and practical. It’ll fit right in if you’re throwing an outdoor football watch party.

15 — Simple A-Frame Dog House

Keep your canine companion warm and dry with this A-frame dog house. This easy-to-build project uses a single sheet of plywood and dimensional lumber to create a sturdy and weather-resistant shelter.

16 — Hobbit Style Dog House

Create a magical and whimsical retreat for your furry friend with this Hobbit-style dog house. Featuring a curved roof, a repurposed coffee table base, and carpet tile flooring, this DIY project offers a cozy and inviting space for your canine companion. We especially love the recycling of scrap wood to recreate something so fun and functional.

17 — Pallet Dog House

Give your furry friend a cozy and sustainable home with this DIY pallet dog house. Made from recycled materials, this project is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. The rustic design offers a charming and inviting space for your canine companion. For more creative ways to upcycle pallets, check out our roundup of DIY pallet projects and ideas.

18 — Geometric Dog House

Create a modern and stylish retreat for your furry friend with this geometric DIY dog house that is made of equilateral triangles. This may look complicated to build. But all you need are plywood, angled support blocks, screws, and a cordless drill and circular saw.

19 — Dog House Gazebo

Although not truly weather protective, this “dogzebo” provides ample shaded and sheltered space for your canine companion to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The tutorial offers a free and detailed floor plan for you to download.

20 — DIY Dog Crate

This indoor wood dog house is both visually appealing and practical and purposely built to blend in with your home decor. As with our DIY litter cover (that could also work as a crate cover). Our design goal is to always make sure that the home necessities (like a pet house) aren’t eyesores and are cohesive with our style.

21 — Dog Crate Side Table

Easy Build: Dog Crate Side Table — Photo by The Palette Muse

Learn how to make a custom-built side table that doubles as a cozy dog house. This space-saving design is perfect for small living spaces and offers a stylish and functional solution for your canine companion.

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Upgrade Your Pup’s Digs with These DIY Dog Houses