Repurposed Suitcase To Dog Bed

While browsing etsy the other day, I saw the cutest dog bed ever. It was an old suitcase that they repurposed into a pet bed:

Esty Seller

Oh em gee! Who would have thought a vintage suitcase could ever look so cute? I wanted one. I don't know why...my dogs sleep on the couch. Let me rephrase that - they have taken over the couch and it has been like that for years. I'm ont going to change them now, but I still wanted this pet bed. However, my wallet won't let go of $50 bucks that easily, especially when I could DIY this.

So that is exactly what I did. I found a great olive green suitcase at a thrift store for $5. And when I was at my parents' house this past weekend, my sweet dad pried apart the hinges. Then we cut apart the binding and had two suitcase pieces. Then my dad used some left over staircase spindles to make legs. He drilled through the bottom of the suitcase into the legs and used a nut to attach them.

As for the cushion, I used a $2.50 pillow from Wal-Mart and sewed a cover for it. And I used velcro on one end so I can take the cover off to wash it. Can you ever guess what material I used for the cover? The same as the lamp shade and the stool....and I still have a little left over. Anyhoo, onto the finished dog bed pictures.

There it is. Cute, huh? And this is the top piece of the suitcase so I still have the bottom piece (the one with a handle) to make into another pet bed. I love that the spindle legs compliment the vintage suitcase. I could always spray paint the legs if I ever want a quick change.

And one final picture of the bed with Paris trying it out.

She looks like a possum in this picture! She had gotten her summer hair cut that morning and just got out of the bath when I took this picture. Please excuse her wet hairdo. Although, I think she is cute enough to pull it off.

Project Cost Breakdown:

Suitcase       $2.50 - since I can make two beds out of one

Legs             $.50 - had to buy a few nuts

Fabric           $0 - already owned

Pillow            $2.50

Total            $5.50

Double woot!  Everyone is getting suitcase pet beds for Christmas this year! Thanks etsy for a great idea! And much thanks to my super-dad for his help on this project for his grand-dogs.