10 DIY Pet Stairs, Ramps, & Steps You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

If you have senior pets at home, you know how difficult the simplest of movements can be for them sometimes, and their access to the bed or sofa can become severely restricted. Pet ramps or stairs can help solve the problem, and they are ideal for enabling an older cat or dog access to elevated parts of your home, such as the bed, sofa, or car.

Pre-made pet stairs and ramps are available, but they are expensive, unsteady, and uniformly sized; it can be tricky to find the exact height and design you need. So, why not build steps for beds, sofas, and more? Building your own pet stairs and ramps is inexpensive and can be assembled to your exact specifications and made the perfect height and size for your pet.

In this article, we’ll look at simple and quick DIY pet stair and ramp projects that even a novice DIY enthusiast can construct in a weekend or less. Let’s get started.

Build Your Own DIY Dog Stairs (10 Ways)

1. DIY Pet Stairs by Build Basic

These beautiful DIY pet steps from build-basic.com are easy to build and have a wood finish that we love. The detailed plans and building instructions are easy to follow, and the build should only take 3 or 4 hours. Depending on your pet, you can then line the steps with grippy material or leave the beautiful wood finish.

2. Upcycled Storage Crate steps by Hometalk

Using just two wooden crates, you can build a functional set of steps in under an hour. You can glue a smaller crate on top of a larger one or three small crates if it’s better for your pet, and then paint them the color you choose. These steps are free to build, customizable, and lightweight, making them one of our favorite DIY designs.

3. Scrap Wood Stairs by Instructables

Pallet furniture has become popular in the last few years since pallets can be found for free. Instead of using the entire pallet, you can easily take it apart and use the scraps to make a set of surprisingly attractive pet stairs.

The best part about this plan is that the stairs are reversible, and you can use the taller side for pets needing help or use it upright and have the braces be extra storage shelves!

4. Simple Two-Step Design by Live Laugh Rowe

This cute two-step design is easy to build, the materials cost next to nothing, and it looks great! According to the instructions, these dog steps for beds or a sofa are a cinch to build, even for the novice DIY enthusiast, and will only take a few hours to complete. A drill, a power saw, screws, and a few 2x4s are all that’s needed!

5. Easy Pet Stairs by Mild Mile

If you are looking for a quick option that requires no wood, screws, or power tools, this simple design is ideal. It’s also a good test run for building wood steps!

We all have cardboard boxes around the home, and with scissors and glue, you can create a perfectly safe set of pet stairs in less than an hour. For cats and small dogs, these steps are great.

6. Quick and Simple Pet Ramp by Kol's Notes

This pet ramp design is about as simple as it gets! A large ½ plank of wood and a smaller one for the stand, along with some carpeting and a hinge (even tough rope or chain will suffice), are all that’s needed to make this functional and stable pet ramp.

7. Inexpensive Pet Ramp by Instructables

Pet ramps can easily sell for over $100, but with this design that uses parts that can be found cheaply at Home Depot, you can build a stable, solid, and safe pet ramp for a fraction of the cost. With simple closet shelves, carpeting, and zip ties, you can build this pet ramp in less than an hour.

8. Pet Ramp and Perch by 100 Things 2 Do

This simple pet ramp design has a handy perch at the top, which is perfect for cats and useful even as a standalone perch. It has a simple four-legged table design with a ramp attached, and you can cover the ramp with your choice of carpeting or fabric. It’s also lightweight and easy to move, and your feline will love being above the action!

9. Super Simple Pet Ramp by Fox & Brie

This simple pet ramp will take you 30 minutes or less to complete and can be built for little to no cost. All you’ll need to build this DIY dog ramp is two 12-inch planks, six strips of wood beam, and screws and carpeting, and you have a simple and functional pet ramp. We like this ramp because it is large and can be incorporated for a wide variety of uses.

10. Collapsible Pet Stairs by Yourself Furniture

If you need a set of pet stairs, but storage is an issue, this DIY collapsible design is ideal. The stairs have a hinge on the base stand, allowing the steps to be folded flat and stored under the bed or upright in a closet. This design may be slightly complicated to build, but we think that the result is certainly worth it!

Final Thoughts: DIY Dog Stairs

Pet ramps and steps can be expensive, and there is no need to pay so much when you can build a stable, attractive ramp for a fraction of the cost. From simple cardboard steps to complicated storage ramps, there are designs for everyone, many of which will take you no more than an hour to build.

Featured Image Credit: Ljutikov-713, Shutterstock