A wooden dog crate that doubles as an end table, built in a weekend from 2x2, 1x2 and 1x4 boards, one 2x4 for the door sides and one sheet of 3/4 in plywood, with square cuts, glue and screws. The inside is 36 in wide, 24 in deep and 25 in high (floor to the underside of the top), about the inside of a standard 36 in wire crate. Measure your dog before you build: it should stand up inside without its head touching the top and turn around easily. The sides and the swing-out door are 2x2 slats with 1-1/2 in gaps, the door closes with a barrel bolt, the back is solid plywood so the crate sits flat against a wall, and the 40 x 26-3/4 in plywood top holds a lamp and a coffee cup. You need a helper for two steps: standing the sides up around the floor, and hanging the door.
Before you buy anything, it helps to know three things: how big the finished build is, what you’ll bring home from the store, and how the assembly goes. Here they are for the Dog Crate End Table, straight from the plan.
How big is it?
The finished size is 40 × 26-3/4 × 30 in (102 × 68 × 76 cm), width × depth × height. Measure the spot where it will stand before you start.
What you’ll buy
The shopping list comes to about $183 at the prices we saw (Sep 27 – Oct 8, 2026). Prices change, so check your own store.
| Qty | What | At the prices we saw |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1x2 SPF, 8 ft | $5.00 |
| 1 | 1x4 SPF, 8 ft | $8.98 |
| 9 | 2x2 SPF, 8 ft | $25.83 |
| 1 | 2x4 SPF, 8 ft | $4.25 |
| 1 | 3/4 in plywood, 4 × 8 ft | $68.98 |
| 2 | 3 in galvanized narrow utility hinge | $5.94 |
| 1 | Everbilt 3 in zinc-plated barrel bolt | $4.74 |
| 1 box | #8 x 1-1/4 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 box | #8 x 1-5/8 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 | Titebond III Ultimate wood glue | $9.98 |
| 1 | 3M Pro Grade Precision 9x11 in 120-grit medium sheets | $6.98 |
| 1 | 3M Pro Grade Precision 9x11 in 220-grit fine sheets | $4.27 |
| 1 | Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane | $15.97 |
The shopping list names what to buy; the cut list in the plan turns those boards and sheets into parts. Check both before your first cut.
Tools you need
- Tape measure
- Speed square
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Circular saw
- Straightedge cutting guide
- Drill/driver
- Countersink bit
- Drill bits (1/8 in and 5/32 in for pilot holes)
- T20 star driver bit
- Clamps (at least 2, bar clamps 24 in or longer)
- Sandpaper
- Small paintbrush
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
How the build goes
The plan has 8 steps, each with a drawing and the parts it uses. The plan’s own estimate is about 8–12 hours; treat it as an estimate.
- Cut and sand the parts
- Build the left side frame flat
- Build the right side frame flat
- Stand the sides up and fit the floor
- Fit the back panel
- Fit the top front rail and the table top
- Build the door flat
- Hang the door and fit the bolt
Before you start
- Compare the shopping list with the stock sizes your store actually carries.
- Check every measurement against your own materials before cutting.
- Read the safety notes at the front of the plan and wear the protective gear it lists.
What the plan includes
- Preparation packet PDF (shopping list, cut list, tools), 10 pages
- Build guide PDF, 29 pages
- Preparation packet PDF, metric (mm) (shopping list, cut list, tools), 11 pages
- Build guide PDF, metric (mm), 31 pages
- Offline animated 3D build guide (ZIP; open guide.html in a web browser; guide-metric.html for mm)
It is a digital build plan: nothing physical ships. See the plan.
These plans are for planning and personal use. They are not engineered drawings and do not claim compliance with any building code. Check local rules and use your own judgment on site.
General planning guidance. Follow your chosen plan and tools’ instructions; ask about unclear dimensions or substitutions before cutting.