Dog Crate That Isn't Ugly: Furniture-Style Crates That Look Good
A bare wire cage can take over a living room. Hide it with a quick fix today, or swap it for a crate that doubles as an end table when your dog is ready.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- $150+
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
A crate looks ugly because it is a wire box in the middle of your room. You can hide it with a breathable cover, a corner spot and a table top. If you want it to look like furniture, a furniture-style crate with a wood-look frame and a metal door does that and doubles as an end table. Size it to your dog, and skip it if your dog chews or is still being house trained.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Hide it, move it, dress it
- Move the crate to a corner or an alcove
- Drape a breathable sheet over the top and back, leaving the front open
- Lay a board and a cloth on top for a side table
- Swap the worn pad for a neutral washable one
How long it lasts: As long as the dog does not chew or pull at the fabric. It hides the crate but the crate is still a cage, and a cover traps heat.
A furniture-style dog crate
A wire crate can only be hidden. A furniture-style crate is built to be seen: a wood-look frame, a metal door for airflow and a flat top that works as an end table or console. Your dog gets a den, and the room keeps its look.
What to get: Furniture-style dog crate
How long it lasts: Years. It is a piece of furniture, so you stop hiding it.
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What you'll need
-
Tape measure
For the dog and the space where the crate goes
You have it -
Old sheet or throw
A quick breathable cover while you decide
You have it - Illustration
Fitted crate cover for a wire crate
Looks neater than a sheet and keeps the front open
- Our pick Illustration
Furniture-style dog crate
Pick the size from your dog's measurements, not their weight alone
Why it happens
Wire crates are built for the dog, not the room
A basic crate is a metal box with a plastic tray. It is cheap and durable, but it has no thought for how it looks, so it stands out.
The crate sits in the middle of the room
Many people put the crate where the dog can see the family. Without a wall behind it, you see it from every angle.
Bulky size for a growing dog
Puppy owners often buy the adult-size crate. A big wire box with a divider is the most visible kind.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Measure the dog first
Tool used: Tape measureMeasure from nose to the base of the tail, and from the floor to the top of the head or ears when standing. A crate should be about 2 to 4 inches longer and taller than that, so your dog can stand, turn and lie down.
-
Move it to a corner or an alcove
Put it against a wall, in a nook, or beside a sofa or bookcase. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters, and leave the front where your dog can see you.
-
Cover the top and back with a breathable cloth
Tool used: Old sheet or throwDrape a light sheet or throw over the top and the back, and leave the front and one side open for air. Many dogs settle better in a den-like space. Skip the cover in summer, or if your dog pulls fabric through the bars.
-
Turn the top into a surface
A wire crate with a flat lid can hold a board cut to size and a tablecloth, so a lamp and a plant sit on top. Keep the weight light and never block the vents the dog needs.
When free fixes aren't enough
If you have done the sheet-and-board approach and you still wince when you look at it, or you need the crate in a main room long term, a furniture-style crate is the fix. It is built to look like a console or end table, and the door still gives your dog airflow and a view. It is not right for every dog. A strong chewer, an escape artist or a puppy who still has accidents is better off in a metal crate until the habits are settled.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Furniture-style dog crate | a crate that clashes with the room and has to sit in view | A house-trained adult dog that rests calmly in the crate, in a home where the crate lives in the main room. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Fitted crate cover for a wire crate | a crate that is fine for the dog but looks harsh | Puppy owners and people who plan to switch to a furniture crate later. | Check price |
Furniture-style dog crate
Fixes: a crate that clashes with the room and has to sit in view
Look for: A size chart that matches your dog's length and height, with room to stand and turn; Metal bars or a vented door, so air flows through; A removable, waterproof tray or bottom, for easy cleaning; A latch that closes firmly and cannot be pushed open from inside.
- Who it's for
- A house-trained adult dog that rests calmly in the crate, in a home where the crate lives in the main room.
- Honest downside
- Your dog chews wood, digs at corners, or has accidents in the crate. Wood and engineered-wood panels can be damaged by chewing and moisture.
Fitted crate cover for a wire crate
Fixes: a crate that is fine for the dog but looks harsh
Look for: Sized to your exact crate model or size; Breathable fabric with a roll-up front; Machine washable.
- Who it's for
- Puppy owners and people who plan to switch to a furniture crate later.
- Honest downside
- Your dog pulls fabric through the bars, or the crate sits in a hot room. Covers trap warmth.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on crate-sizing guidance from vets and trainers, product spec sheets from crate makers, and the problems and results owners report in reviews. We do not test products by hand.
Who should wait before buying a furniture crate
- Puppies: accidents damage wood-based bottoms, and they outgrow crates quickly.
- Chewers: bars, corners and edges are fair game.
- Escape artists and dogs with separation anxiety: these dogs need a strong metal crate, and may need a trainer first.
A wire crate with a cover is a fine stage until the dog is calm and reliable.
Where to put it
Choose a spot out of direct sun and away from vents, radiators and fireplaces. A corner near the family works for most dogs. Leave a few inches around the sides so air can move, and keep the door area clear.
What to skip
Painting the bars and heavy crate covers
Paint or stain on chewable bars raises a safety question that is not worth the risk. Thick covers that seal the crate hold in heat. A thin, breathable cover or a furniture crate is the safer way to improve the look.
Frequently asked questions
Are furniture-style dog crates safe?
What size crate does my dog need?
Can a dog crate be used as a table?
Is it okay to cover a crate at night?
Related problems
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