Where to put dog crate furniture

Mark out the outside footprint

Use tape or paper to mark the listed width and depth on the floor. Walk around it and check nearby cupboards, sofas and room doors still work. The footprint is the outside size, not the space available to the dog.

Keep the entrance usable

A hinged door needs space to swing. Front-and-side access gives more placement options, but only if the relevant door remains reachable. Sliding doors avoid a swinging panel; the rail and the approach to the entrance still need to remain unobstructed.

Plan for cleaning and bedding

Check that you can reach the interior and take out any cushion without moving heavy furniture every time. Follow the supplied cleaning instructions for the boards, metalwork and bedding. Keep the unit indoors and do not assume the furniture surface is waterproof.

Choose a comfortable position

Keep clear of radiators, direct heat, trailing electrical cables and busy routes through the room. Leave ventilation openings unobstructed and choose a position where your dog can rest comfortably. Avoid placing unstable or spillable objects on the table top.

Measure before choosing a finish

Check the usable interior against your dog as well as the footprint against the room. Compare sliding-door models or browse the single-crate layouts.