Your dog’s crate should be comfortable and safe, but it can look decorative too!
When it comes to dog crate decorating ideas, there are several dog crate hacks that you can use. However, whatever style you choose, the crate must still be safe for your pet.
So, what live plants can you use as crate decoration? What should you avoid when decorating your dog’s crate?
Read this listicle for some adorable dog crate decor ideas that you can try at home.
How Can I Make My Dog Crate More Attractive
Countertop Concealment
If you want to keep your dog’s crate in your mudroom or kitchen, you could try hiding the crate underneath your countertop.
Replace the cabinet door with crate metal mesh. That way, you can convert the crate space back into a cupboard if you need to in the future.
Use Crate Furniture
Crate furniture is extremely popular with pet parents these days. Although it’s not the cheapest option, investing in a crate end table, crate side table, or media console can be the perfect solution.
Your dog can enjoy spending his crate time surrounded by his human family, and you get a functional piece of furniture, too.
That said, wooden crates are not the best choice of crate furniture for dogs that chew.
Live Plants
Live plants can help promote calm in dogs, provided that you use the correct species. Draping live plants over your dog’s den can also be extremely effective in providing a crate makeover.
Ensure that any plants you use to create a jungle crate scene are nontoxic to dogs, and keep any trailing plants well out of your dog’s reach. If you decide to put planters on top of the pet crate, take care that your dog’s movement inside the crate won’t topple the pots over.
Pet-safe plants include:
- Boston fern
- Spider plant
- Marigold
- Rosemary
- Pineapple sage
- Polka dot plants
Plant species that are poisonous to pets and must be avoided include:
- Ivy
- Cyclamen
- Lilies
- Umbrella plants
If you’re not sure whether a plant is safe for use around dogs, ask your veterinarian for advice.
Soft Interior Materials
You can make a wire crate more comfortable and cozy for your dog by using soft interior fabrics to decorate it.
The material you choose must be washable and not so thick that your dog could overheat. Waterproof fabrics are also a good idea if you have a senior dog or a puppy.
If you have a dog that chews or a teething puppy, we recommend that you avoid using fabric to decorate your dog’s crate, as that could present a choking hazard to your pet.
Related:
What To Avoid When Decorating A Dog Crate
There are some items that are not safe to use around a dog crate and could present a danger to your pet.
Batteries or Toys With Small Components
If you’re decorating a crate for holidays or festivals, it might be tempting to use battery-operated lights or toys that could present a dangerous choking hazard for your dog.
Hooks
Although you might be tempted to hang decorations from the crate cover using hooks, the dog could eat those items, suffering internal injuries and possibly even death.
Also, you should leave the crate wires open for good air circulation.
Electrical Cords
Christmas lights might look beautiful, twinkling all over your dog’s crate, but those electrical cords can be fatal if a curious dog chews or bites through one.
Breakable, Heavy Objects
Don’t place heavy, unstable objects on top of your dog’s crate, even if you have a solid board as a crate cover.
An excited dog bouncing around inside the crate could be all it takes to topple things right over.
25 Adorable Dog Crate Decor Ideas
Here are 25 adorable dog crate decor ideas that you might want to try at home.
Dog Crate Countertops
You can hide your dog’s crate out of sight by incorporating it into your kitchen cabinetry.
1. Dog Crate Topper
This simple crate topper turns your dog’s crate into a handy tabletop.
2. Small Table Top Crate
This small crate is ideal for a toy or small dog breed.
3. Double Kennel Table Top
If you have two dogs, this double crate with a neat wooden frame and tabletop finish could be perfect for you.
4. White Countertop Dog Crate
This smart white countertop dog crate fits neatly underneath most kitchen units and is ideal for small to medium-sized dogs.
Crate Furniture
These days, dog crates disguised as regular furniture items are highly popular among pet parents. You can buy side table crates, end table crates, credenzas, and even media consoles that all double as functional household furniture items.
Furniture crates come in various sizes, including extra-large, and can be suitable for a very large breed. However, if your dog is a chewer, you might want to think carefully before housing him in a wooden crate.
Here are some excellent examples of crate furniture that you can use to convert a plain dog crate into a useful item of furniture.
5. End Table
6. Wooden Wire Double-Door End Table
7. White Wooden End Table Dog Crate
8. Dog Crate Credenza
This pretty chocolate extended crate credenza adds style to any room in the home.
9. Frisco Venice Dog Crate Credenza
10. Frisco Roma Dog Crate Credenza
Dog Crate Covers
There are many dog crate covers out there on the market that you can use to create a safe, fun dog crate look.
If your dog is prone to chewing, ensure that the cover can’t be dragged through the crate wiring and present a choking hazard to your pet.
Here’s a selection of our favorite crate covers.
11. Frisco Faux Linen Crate Cover
12. MidWest Quiet Time Crate Cover
13. Precision Pet Products Indoor/Outdoor Crate Cover
14. Star Wars The Mandalorian Grogu Aurebesh Crate Cover
15. Molly Mutt Everywhere Crate Cover
16. Molly Mutt Northwestern Girls Crate Cover
17. Ambesonne Succulent Wooden Dog Kennel Cover
Crate Bumpers
Crate bumpers are excellent for keeping drafts at bay, but they can also provide nice decorative touches to a plain wire crate.
However, if you have a dog that chews, a crate bumper might not be the best choice of decoration.
18. Pet Dreams Brushed Twill Dog Crate Bumper
Pet-Friendly Living Plants
As we mentioned earlier, there are plenty of beautiful plants that can be used safely around dogs and cats.
Always stand the plants in sturdy pots on a sound, flat surface so that they don’t fall over when your dog moves around inside his crate. Take care when watering the plants that you don’t inadvertently water your dog, too!
If you’re not sure whether the plant you want to use is safe around pets, a quick call to your vet clinic can put your mind at rest.
19. Spider Plant
20. Boston Fern
21. Rosemary
22. Marigolds
23. Pineapple Sage
24. Polka Dot Plants
25. Rattlesnake Plant
Final Thoughts
Did you enjoy our guide to decorating your dog’s crate? If you did, please share it!
Your dog’s crate should be safe for your pet to spend his time. So, you need to ensure that everything around the crate is safe if your dog nibbles or chews it. Ensure that the crate receives good airflow and isn’t too close to an air conditioning unit or heater that could cause temperature issues.
Now, get creative and have fun incorporating dog crate decorating ideas into your home decor scheme to make the crate blend in or even create a statement furniture piece.
How did you decorate your dog’s crate? Share your style tips with us in the comments box below!
