Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]

Upcycled Dog Beds: 3 Ways to DIY

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 05/07/2025

A comfortable pet is a happy pet. But sometimes, pet furniture is not comfortable for your budget. Instead of overspending on a dog bed, consider the DIY approach. If you're interested in some clever ways to upcycle items into budget-friendly dog beds, here are some ideas to inspire you.

Wine Barrel Bed

Wine barrels are a favorite among the DIY community for their sturdiness, versatility and rustic charm. If you take half of a wine barrel and add a shallow cutout for your dog to climb in and out, it can make an excellent pet bed. Make sure you sand and treat the wood with non-toxic treatment and then add a comfy cushion or blanket of choice. If you have a smaller dog, opt for cutting the barrel lower down to make a shallower container.

Suitcase Bed

Do you have an old broken suitcase you haven't gotten rid of? Now's the perfect time to give it new use as a dog bed. If you have either a hard or soft shell suitcase, you can simply add a cushion and lay it open for your dog to sleep in. One of the advantages of this DIY idea is that due to the myriad choices of suitcase sizes, you can make a perfect bed for any breed and size of dog. Decorate and customize as you wish for a funky, upcycled bed your pet will love.

Dresser Drawer Bed

An unused dresser drawer can become a cute and funky dog bed with only a few DIY steps. Remove a drawer from an old dresser and add a soft piece of foam or cushion inside. Decorate or paint the outside and you have an instant dog bed ready for the bedroom or anywhere else in your home. If the drawer is made of wood, give the edges some extra sanding for safety and to protect your pet from splinters.

About the Author
Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

 Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include: 

  • ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
  • CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
  • e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
  • CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
  • CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
  • AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
  • TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
  • RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
  • GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009) 
  • SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009) 
  • SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
  • AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
  • SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

  • Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
  • Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
  • NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder 
  • Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
  • Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.