DIY Projects & Crafts Rescue & Revamp How to Turn an Old Suitcase Into a Cozy Pet Bed Instead of tucking a basic pet bed out of sight, create a custom one that doubles as home décor. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 5, 2024 As any pet owner knows, a comfy place to lounge is a necessity for your furry friend. Even so, it can be difficult to find a pet bed that fits the design aesthetic of your home. Instead of tucking one away out of sight, custom build one that acts as both a bed for your four-legged companion and a unique piece of furniture for your home. In this easy DIY project, we turned an old suitcase into a cozy pet bed by elevating it with furniture legs and tucking a pillow inside. Ashley Poskin Pets What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Pencil Scissors Pliers Wrench Power drill and 5/16 drill bit Materials Vintage suitcase Pillow King size pillowcase Four furniture legs Four 5/16 lag screws 5/16 washers Rubber furniture pads Instructions Remove the hanger bolts: Ashley Poskin Use pliers to remove the existing hanger bolts from all four legs. Discard the hanger bolts and set the legs aside. Determine where the legs will go: Ashley Poskin Turn the suitcase upside down and determine where the legs will go. Trace around the placement of each leg. Mark the radius of each circle so you'll know where to pre-drill the hole for the lag screw. Pre-dill holes: Ashley Poskin Using a 5/16-inch drill bit, pre-drill four holes at each corner of the suitcase where you marked for the lag screw. If the interior of your suitcase is fabric, the bit may not go all the way through. If so, turn the suitcase right side up, feel for the hole, and punch the drill bit down from the interior through the bottom of the suitcase. Add lag screws and washers: Ashley Poskin Place a washer around the lag screw and begin to thread the screw down from the interior of the suitcase so that it sticks out of the bottom. Repeat the process for the remaining lag screws and washers. Add the legs: Ashley Poskin Once the screw is all the way through the bottom of the suitcase, thread the leg on from the bottom. (Note: This step is easier with an extra set of hands but is possible to accomplish on your own if you hold the bolt in place with a wrench while threading onto the leg.) Repeat the process for the remaining legs. Add the pillow: Ashley Poskin Place the pillowcase around the pillow and stuff it inside the suitcase. (Note: King pillowcases make it easy to fold the excess under, so if your pup ruffles up the fabric, the case won't slip off as easily. If you're using a larger suitcase or a trunk, consider various sizes and shapes of pillows that match the shape and size of your case.) Add rubber pads to the feet: Optional: To keep the suitcase from sliding around on a smooth floor, consider sticking rubber pads on the bottom of the feet on the suitcase. Turn an Old Trunk Into a Bar Cart With This DIY Project Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART