Looking for the best way to keep your dogs away from under the bed? We understand the frustration!
Regardless of their size, animals love to crawl under the bed for various reasons. But it isn’t something we enjoy, especially at night when trying to sleep.
You might not find enough product options that can help with this issue. Also, we believe solving this problem doesn’t have to break the bank.
Therefore, we’ve found some ways to “do it yourself.” Here is a list of DIY under-bed blockers for dogs you can try to prevent your furry friends from going under the bed.
Table of contents
How to block dogs from going under bed?
Use Pipe Insulation And Zip Ties
Blocking your under-bed with pipe insulation is a straightforward method that requires minimal tools. All you need to do is determine how much pipe insulation your under-bed can fit and buy them and some zip ties.
Follow these steps if you’re unsure how to go about it. We bet you wouldn’t find a cheaper and more effective method!
1. Measure the gap between of your bed
You can use a measuring tape to find out the space. This project will require 5.1 cm (2 inches) thick pipe insulation, which you can buy from your local home improvement stores.
If the space height is around 2 inches, you’ll need only one level of pipe insulation for each side. For 3 to 4 inches in height, you’ll need two of them, and so on.
2. Find out how much pipe insulation you need
You’ll need five insulation tubes (76×2 inches each) for one level standard king or queen-sized bed. That’s one tube for four sides plus another one to use as extensions. If you need two levels, get nine tubes. And if you need three levels, get 13 tubes.
If your bed is larger than the standard king bed size, you can purchase the materials accordingly.
3. Cut 4-inches pieces to use as an extender
Standard-sized beds are 200 cm or 80 inches long. Since pipe insulation is available in a length of 76 inches, you’ll need extra four inches on each side of the bed. However, you should cut the pieces longer if your bed is longer than 80 inches.
4. Assemble 80-inch-long pieces
Join the insulation tubes with the extender by piercing both with a large needle. Attach them using zip ties.
5. Trim the tubes according to your bed’s width
If your bed is narrower than 80 inches, you can trim the insulation tubes to fit. It would be best if you did this before attaching the extenders because it’ll be tough to adjust them after joining both pieces.
6. Create holes on both ends to insert zip ties
These holes will help you attach the tube to the bed frame. You can make the holes using a utility knife.
7. Attach and secure the insulation tubes
Feed the zip ties through the holes you made, slide them around your bed’s legs, and tighten. Repeat the process on all ends.
8. Stack additional levels if required
If you need more than one level of protection, cut another set of tubes and follow the steps mentioned above. You can attach them using the zip ties as well.
Get Storage Containers
If you don’t mind spending some money on this DIY project, we suggest buying some storage containers online or from the store. Ensure you’re getting containers that fit snugly under your bed, leaving as little space as possible.
Store heavy items in the containers to keep them from sliding underneath the bed. Labeling the containers will make it easy for you to know their contents. Storing seasonal clothes or things you seldom use in these containers is ideal.
Make Your Own Bed Blocker
If you have wooden planks or boards at your disposal, building a blocker on your own is easy and a great idea. It comes at no cost if you have the building materials and tools required.
You’ll need four wood boards (preferably oak) with measurements according to your bed’s negative space, and twelve 8×2” wood screws, and a drill.
It is crucial that the boards are less than 7 to 8 inches in width, as taller ones will not stand upright. Once you assemble the materials, you just have to place them under the bed and screw them in position.
The under-bed blocker will hardly be visible after you put your blankets on the bed. However, if you want it to match your bed color or décor, feel free to do it.
Use Old Cardboard Boxes
Another excellent low-budget solution to keep your dogs away from your under-bed is storing cardboard boxes. Use your food boxes, shoe boxes, packaging boxes, or anything that you have. Line them up against your bed’s sides and add as many as you want to create little to no space for your pet to use.
If you don’t have enough cardboard boxes, you can ask the local stores or even your neighbors to see if they can spare some. We recommend keeping heavy items in these boxes, so they don’t move around under the bed.
You can use your creativity and personalize the boxes using wrapping paper or fabric. Adding handles to the boxes will also make it much easier to slide.
Using old cardboard boxes is a go-to for many pet owners trying to prevent their four-legged friends from going under the bed. It is one of the most cost-effective options for those who don’t want to spend money on this project.
You’d also be able to do some organizing and create space above the floor by storing away items that you don’t need regularly.
DIY Book Storage
Do you have a lot of books? Another perk of being an avid reader is that you can use your books as an under-bed blocker for dogs!
It cannot get simpler than this. All you need to do is collect some heavy books and stack them neatly. However, make sure you use books for this project that you won’t use for some time.
There are no extra materials or instructions required for this DIY project. But if your books need a little support, use wood pieces to keep them intact. You can make your under-bed look like a bookshelf using this idea.
If you have fewer books but still want to use this DIY, you can make a shelf to take up some empty space and place the books on it. It will require some materials and measurements, but if you’re considering building under-bed storage using planks, you might as well build a bookshelf.
The shelf will make the books look more organized and easy to find when you need them.
Diy Under Bed Dresser Drawers
The great thing about DIY is that you can create anything your heart desires. If the ideas mentioned above don’t sound exciting, you can also find other ways to make good use of the space underneath your bed and also keep your pets away.
Upcycle old dresser drawers and place them under your bed to double as a bed blocker and clothes or shoe storage. When you find the required dresser, ensure they are the right size for the under-bed. Depending on how invested you are, and how old the drawers are, you can revamp them to your liking.
If time is on your side, you can refurnish the drawers by sanding, priming, and painting them. Adding some rollers will create the difference between heaven and earth while sliding the drawers from under the bed, especially if you intend to use them regularly.
You have endless options when it comes to decorating the drawers. If they are very visible, you might want to consider crafting them to match your room décor and personal style. Attach new knobs and liners, and you will have a new drawer for your stuff.
Why Are DIY Under Bed Blockers For Dogs Necessary?
Dogs going under the bed for refuge or as an escape worry many owners. Therefore, making under-bed blockers proves as an ideal solution to this problem. They effectively keep dogs off your under-bed while also keeping your wallet intact!
DIY under-bed blockers are affordable compared to products available on the market. Even if you don’t have any of the materials needed to make the projects listed above, they are readily available in stores and relatively cheap too.
Also, making your own under-bed blocker allows you to customize and maximize its use. Since you’re building the blockers based on your bed’s measurements and requirements, installing them is easy.
Lastly, buying under-bed blockers online might not give you the perk of storing things under your bed. All in all, we suggest DIY-ing your under-bed blocker for the best results.
Conclusion – Diy Under Bed Blockers For Dogs
Making DIY under bed blockers for dogs is an exciting project because of its multiple uses. You can choose to simply attach some wooden planks to cover the space or maximize its use and make it into a storage place.
While dogs are a great addition to your life and home, having them crawling under the bed isn’t an enjoyable experience. Luckily, there are many ways you can stop it from happening, and they don’t have to cost you a fortune.
Try the DIY ideas we suggested above to bring an end to your problem. The best part is that you can achieve two things with these ideas- extra storage and a blocked under-bed.
