A Bench for the Dogs
We created a simple window bench for our dogs using an old bench we found on Craigslist – now they can look out the window anytime they want!
Our dogs LOVE to look out the window. I’m assuming this is a normal dog behavior, but I swear that Ranger and Cullen take it to abnormal levels.
They did it in our old apartment…
And when we moved out of that apartment and into our duplex, they continued to do it on the daily. Only now, our window is much higher off the ground and the dogs have to stand on their hind legs to see out the window.
I was browsing Craigslist recently and stumbled on this beautiful old bench that I knew would be the absolute perfect solution to the problem.
DIY Dog Window Bench
(Photo via Craigslist, sorry for the blur!)
And to make it even better, this bench will be the perfect size to put at the end of our bed when we move into our new hours in a few months. Cullen, our smaller dog, has a hard time jumping up on the bed and having something at the foot of it will save a little bit of sanity for all of us.
As soon as I got the bench home, I gave it a quick coat of glossy white spray paint and ordered some bright yellow fabric. I popped the top off and reupholstered the bench, and just like that, it was a completely new piece of furniture.
I tried to take photos of the finished product right after I was done, but there was a minor problem.
For the first few days, I literally could not get the dogs off of the bench long enough to take photos of it. They are in LOVE. There is a dog on that bench at all times throughout the day, and Cullen is thrilled that he no longer has to stand on his hind legs to look out of the window.
Once the bench had been around for a few days, I finally caught a few minutes where neither of the dogs was on it so I managed to snap a few photos of the bench by itself.
I’m absolutely in love with it, and I can’t wait to see how it looks in our room at the new house. And I can’t wait to know what it’s like to have a dog that can get up on the bed by himself again.
Oh, and don’t worry – the windows in the new house go almost down to the floor, so hopefully the dogs won’t be too upset when there isn’t a bench by the front window anymore.
Have you ever bought or modified anything in your house to make life easier for your dogs? Or am I the only crazy/pathetic one that does this?
Love the bench, i need to put a window seat in my bay window, have you ever used :”puppy friendly” fabric. I have two cats and one dog.. they will be fighting for space. What fabric do you suggest
I would love to have this bench for my dog. Please give me the measurements of that bench. And where to get it. Thank you. [email protected]
Beautiful job! I’m very impressed with your creativity and the doggies are too cute! I’ have a question, where did you get your fabric? I’m always looking for new vendors I am currently looking for a solid navy velvet or cotton to upholster a chaise. Wishing you both continued happiness in your new home
Aw, thanks! I believe this fabric was from Fabric.com. It’s Premiere Prints brand. I’ve also had good luck with Tonic Living – our dining room chairs are a solid navy duck cloth and we got it from there! 🙂
I love the new pattern!! Those are some lucky lucky dogs! 🙂
I LOVE what you did with this bench. I would LOVE a step-by-step tutorial on how you did it. Maybe it is common sense, but I don’t know how you would take the cushion off and put it back on. Or what kind of paint you would use to paint the wood. I
Our cushion wasn’t actually attached (the bench wasn’t in the best shape), so we just pulled it off the top! But, usually there is some sort of screw or something holding it in. All you really need to do is flip your bench over and take a look at it to see what the underside looks like, and it should be pretty easy to figure out! As for the paint, I used spray paint for mine!
That was the cutest story. I bet your one dog will love that bench at the end of the bed so he can get up on the bed easier. That bench went from boring to chic, so darn cute!
I love the bench it looks fabulous. Dang! Now I have to start looking for a bench.
You are not crazy! After we bought new leather couches, we ended up keeping the old love seat so our dog could still lie on a couch. Now, I have THREE couches in my family room, two fabulous black, Italian leather couches and one old, ratty, drooled on love seat for THE DOG!
Our three dogs also NEED something to sit on in front of a window- recently it has been the leather ottoman that came with our sectional (sigh)
Glad I’m not the only dog enabler out there!
Love the bench re-do. I used the same fabric on a chair in our guest room. Glad someone else has good taste. 😛
Love how bright and happy the bench turned out! I haven’t bought any furniture specifically for our dog, but I did pick up something for our older cat. You see, the cat food sits on the bathroom sink to keep the dog out of it. With the cat not as agile as she used to be, I got a little side table about 18″ tall to help her make it up. I’ve thought about painting it a glossy purple, but for now it’s functional. Anyhoo, you’re not the only one who buys furniture for your pets!
Umm, yes please! I love this!! Completely love it!! I recently did a chair makeover and ALMOST chose yellow fabric – I went with blue instead, but this makes me want to find more chairs so I can do the white/yellow color combo! The fact that the dogs love it makes it even more adorable! So cute!!
Aw, I love that! Sunday’s not big on looking out the window unless she’s freaking out about something going on in the alley, at which point she’s whining and looking out the window with her paws up. Unfortunately there’s no way we have room for a bench like that! The cats would love it. They can just hop on the window sill, though.
I love the new bench! When we got new sofas we moved the ottoman from the living room to the end of our bed so that Max can get on the bed whenever he wants. That is so strange that Cullen won’t jump on the bed by himself anymore! Silly dog! 🙂
love the fabric, the paint, the puppys! so cute! i love furniture with some “feet” on it, hehe.
I love, love love it!! It looks fantastic! I want one of those!
Found you! Love the bench.
You did an awesome job with this!! I would totally do the same thing for my (future) dog or (really fat) cats!
My Dad cut a window on the side of his deck so our family dog could observe what was going on in the neighborhood. Our dog loves it when she’s over there. Izzy, our dog, has basically taken over the craft room as her own,
That is a super smart and really pretty solution!! I love it!
Ooooooooh! I adore this! Amazing work!!!
HA! My dog LOVES looking out the window. He also barks at anyone that walks past (even when he is sitting in our car!) Our windows are pretty high off the ground, but once we open the shade he will stand (his entire body) on the back of the couch and look out the window. It’s pretty ridiculous lol! He also loves my parents’ and in-laws’ houses because they have large windows he can easily look out!
Love it! Such gorgeous fabric, and I love the design if the legs, too.
It looks so great! It’s kind of amazing how much better it looks painted white than stained/unpainted. Also, I love the fabric choice (I bought it in the blue/ivory color scheme) 😀
Holy crap..I LOVE it! 🙂 We’ve been looking for a bench for the end of our bed for quite some time now – yours is a great find! Awesome. (And, yes, we often rearrange things to make things easier for our dogs, too!)
Love it! So cute.
Omg amazing! Youre right, this is more awesome than the dresser turned media cabinet. Didnt think that was possible. And how nice for your dogs 🙂
It’s SO cute!! Your chevron obsession is totally contagious because now I have it too!
I absolutely love what you guys did with it–A+!
Wow! You did an amazing job! That bench went from boring and dull to fresh and fun, and I bet the doggies love it! Bravo!