I love rug DIYs, and I also enjoy reimagining rugs as materials for projects that aren’t rugs at all. Rugs can be an affordable, heavy-duty textile that adds sturdiness and weight to many projects—perfect for home accessories beyond the floor. Today I’m sharing a simple, stylish way to transform a small rug into a cozy cat bed for under $8.
This project is fast, budget-friendly, and produces a neutral, modern pet bed you won’t mind leaving out in your living space. It’s hand-stitched, doesn’t require a sewing machine, and takes about an hour to complete—ideal for beginners and experienced makers alike.
Finding a simple, attractive cat bed can be a challenge. Many ready-made beds are patterned in ways that don’t fit every home, and prices often seem much higher than they should be for a small pet bed. That’s why this DIY version is so appealing: it’s inexpensive, neutral, sturdy, and something you’ll be happy to keep out in the house.
It’s also a great opportunity to use a small woven rug as the main fabric. I used an inexpensive 2×3 rug, which provides just the right amount of thickness and durability for pet use while keeping the project affordable.
The rug I used is the SORTSO from IKEA, which is an affordable, neutral, and sturdy option—priced around $3.99 at the time of publishing. Below is a concise list of materials and step-by-step instructions to make your own.
Materials Needed for DIY Cat Bed
- Embroidery thread (for blanket stitch and tufting)
- Embroidery needle
- Regular sewing thread that matches the rug color
- Sewing needle
- 2×3 woven rug
- Polyfill (or fabric scraps) for stuffing
- Pencil or tailor’s chalk for marking
How to Make a DIY Cat Bed
1. Fold the rug in half and blanket stitch the two open sides. Fold the rug in half with the finished face out, then hand-sew a blanket stitch along the two raw edges. To make a blanket stitch: bring the needle up from the inside about 1/4″ from the edge, loop the thread, insert the needle back through that same spot or just beyond it, then pull the thread through the loop to create the classic barred edge. Continue stitching about every 1/4″ along the edge until both sides are sewn closed.
2. Stuff the bed. With two sides closed, fill the pouch with polyfill or fabric scraps until it reaches the desired plumpness. Add filling gradually so the bed remains evenly stuffed.
3. Close the tasseled end with an invisible stitch. Use matching sewing thread to sew the tasselled edge closed with a neat, nearly invisible stitch. Before finishing the last few stitches, adjust the filling if needed so the cushion looks and feels evenly plump.
4. Tuft the cushion with colorful Xs. To add tufting, find the center line of the cushion and mark three evenly spaced Xs along it with pencil or tailor’s chalk. Thread an embroidery needle with embroidery floss, push through from the top point of the X to the matching point on the opposite side, stitch back and forth through the same spots several times (4–6 passes) to create a secure tuft, then repeat for the second line of the X. Tie off and trim the thread. Repeat for the remaining Xs to create three tufted points down the center of the cushion.
If you prefer a completely neutral look, match your embroidery and sewing thread to the rug color so the blanket stitch and tufting blend in. The photos show examples of both neutral and colorful tufting options.
My cat Franz gave the finished beds a thorough inspection and approved—he’s a fairly large cat, so if he finds it comfortable, most cats will too. If your cat is hesitant to try a new bed, a light sprinkle of catnip can help encourage exploration.
Sewing by Casey Harper
This DIY cat bed is an affordable project—under $8 even if you need to buy every material. If you already have supplies like polyfill or embroidery floss at home, it will cost even less. It’s a simple, stylish, and practical way to give your cat a comfortable place of their own that fits your decor.