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Dog Crate Furniture Ideas for Small Spaces & Apartments

Dog Crate Furniture Ideas for Small Spaces & Apartments

Small space + big dog gear can get messy, fast. If you’re in an apartment, townhouse or just a compact home, a standard wire crate often feels like it’s eating half the room.

The good news: with the right dog crate furniture, you can give your pup a proper den and claim back some visual and physical space.

Here are practical ways to make crates work beautifully in tight areas.

Idea 1: Bedside Crates Instead of Two Tables

One of the easiest small-space hacks:

  • Swap traditional bedside tables for bedside dog crate furniture
  • Your dog sleeps right next to you
  • You still get a proper top for lamps, books and a glass of water

Benefits:

  • No extra floor footprint—crate and bedside become one
  • Great for puppies and anxious dogs
  • Keeps ugly wire crates out of your main living area

If you’ve got one dog, use a crate on one side and a regular table on the other. Two dogs? Matching bed-crate combos on each side look seriously put-together.

Idea 2: Use a Crate as a Living Room Console

In small living rooms you often need:

  • TV storage
  • A bit of decor space
  • Somewhere for the dog to chill

A furniture-style single or double crate can double as a console:

  • Place it against the wall behind your sofa or under a TV
  • Style the top with plants, frames and decor
  • Your dog relaxes inside instead of taking up extra bed space elsewhere

This turns what was “that big metal thing in the corner” into a piece that genuinely earns its place in the room.

Idea 3: Multi-Use Entryway Crate

If your entryway is compact but you still want:

  • A landing spot for keys and bags
  • A safe zone for the dog when guests arrive

…a crate as an entry console is a smart move.

  • Pop hooks above for leads and collars
  • Store walking essentials in a basket on top
  • Dog can chill inside when deliveries or drop-ins happen

Functionally, it becomes a command centre for dog life and human life.

Idea 4: Pair Crate Furniture with Smart Storage

In tight spaces, clutter kills style fast. Make your crate area work harder with:

  • Baskets under or beside the crate for toys/blankets
  • Wall shelves above for decor and small storage
  • Matching food storage containers nearby if space allows

You’re not just adding a crate—you’re building a compact, organised dog hub.

Idea 5: Choose Lighter Visual Styles

In small homes, visual weight matters.

  • Opt for mesh or lighter bars if you want a softer, airier look
  • Choose natural or light timber over super-dark finishes in tight rooms
  • Keep decor on top simple: one lamp, one plant, one decor piece

This stops the crate from feeling like a heavy block dominating the room.

Idea 6: Make It a Design Feature, Not a Compromise

The secret weapon in small-space styling? Own the crate.

  • Align your crate with the rest of your decor style (coastal, modern, farmhouse)
  • Use wall hangings, shelf decor, pillows and blankets to visually tie it in
  • Add a comfy bed that matches your colour palette

Instead of trying to hide your crate, lean into it as a hero piece. It looks intentional, not squeezed in.

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