DIY toy guide
No-Sew T-Shirt Tent Bed
A cosy hideaway bed from an old t-shirt and wire hangers
Stretch an old t-shirt over a simple wire frame to make an enclosed tent bed where your cat can feel hidden and secure.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- Under £3
🧺 You will need
- One large old t-shirt (clean)
- Two wire coat hangers
- A piece of stiff cardboard for the base (about 35 x 35 cm)
- Strong tape and pliers
- A small blanket or towel for padding
🔧 How to make it
- Bend each wire hanger into a wide arch using pliers.
- Tape the ends of both arches to the four corners of the cardboard base so they cross over the centre, forming a dome frame.
- Pull the t-shirt over the frame so the neck hole becomes the tent's doorway at the front.
- Tuck and tape the loose fabric (sleeves and hem) neatly underneath the cardboard base.
- Lay a folded blanket inside for padding.
💡 Tips
- Position the neck-hole doorway facing a wall or quiet corner so your cat feels safely enclosed.
- Cover any sharp wire ends thoroughly with tape before adding the shirt.
Safety: Make sure every wire end is fully padded and taped so nothing can scratch your cat. Check the frame stays stable, and retire the bed if the wire begins to poke through.
📝 Notes
Enclosed, den-like beds appeal to a cat's instinct to hide in snug spaces, and reusing a worn t-shirt means the bed already smells reassuringly of home.