Furniture Style Dog Crates: Do They Actually Work?

Yes, furniture style dog crates work well, but not for every dog, and not if you buy the wrong size. That is where most people come unstuck. The crate arrives, it looks beautiful, and then the dog either refuses to go in it or just about fits and is clearly uncomfortable. In almost every case, the problem is sizing: specifically, the difference between a crate's external dimensions (what you see in the listing) and its internal dimensions (the space your dog actually has). This guide covers both, along with an honest look at whether dogs actually like these things, when they are the right choice, and when they are not.

In this article

• What is a furniture style dog crate?
• Sizing: the section that prevents returns
• Internal vs external dimensions: the mistake most people make
• Crate size guide by breed
• Do dogs actually like furniture crates?
• Wire crate vs furniture crate: an honest comparison
• When a furniture crate is the right choice
• When a furniture crate is the wrong choice
• What to look for before you buy
• Frequently asked questions

What is a furniture style dog crate?

A furniture style dog crate is exactly what it sounds like: a dog crate designed to look like a piece of furniture rather than a cage. Most are made from wood or engineered wood with slatted or barred panels for ventilation, and they double as a side table, end table, or console. The idea is that instead of hiding a wire crate behind a sofa cushion or tucking it in the corner of the kitchen, your dog has a proper den that fits naturally into the room.

Done well, they are genuinely good. Done badly (or bought in the wrong size), they are an expensive disappointment.

Sizing: the section that prevents returns

If you take one thing from this article, take this: measure your dog before you look at crates. Not after. Not while browsing. Before. It takes three minutes and it is the single thing that separates a crate your dog loves from one that goes on Facebook Marketplace six weeks later.

How to measure your dog correctly:

1. Length: measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, not the tip of the tail. Add 10 to 15cm to this figure. That is the minimum internal length your crate needs.
2. Height: with your dog sitting upright, measure from the floor to the top of their head or ears. Add 10cm. That is the minimum internal height.
3. Write both numbers down before you look at a single product listing.

A few things that trip people up:

Weight is not a useful measurement for sizing. An 8kg French Bulldog is shaped completely differently from an 8kg Border Terrier. The Frenchie is wide and low; the Terrier is tall and lean. Their crate requirements are not the same. Ignore weight when sizing and focus on the measurements.

The crate must allow your dog to:

• Stand up without crouching or lowering their head
• Turn around fully without touching the sides
• Lie down fully stretched out

An inch or two too short sounds minor. In practice, if your dog cannot sit up straight without their head brushing the roof, that is not a small thing, it means they genuinely cannot sit normally in their own den. If the crate is too long, the dog may use one end as a toilet and sleep at the other, which undermines crate training entirely. The ideal fit is snug but comfortable: just enough room to do all three things above.

Buying for a puppy? Buy for the adult size, not the puppy you have now. A 12-week Labrador puppy that needs a 36cm crate today will need a 107cm crate in eight months. Either buy the adult size now and use a divider panel to make it feel smaller while they grow, or accept that you will be buying twice. Most good furniture crates do not come with dividers (unlike wire crates), so check the product listing before you buy if this matters to you.

Entry pick

Corner Dog Crate Side Table with Cushion, Grey

A compact corner design that doubles as a side table. Suits medium dogs up to 20kg. Always compare your dog's measurements to the internal dimensions listed on the product page before ordering.

£133.99 View this crate →

Internal vs external dimensions: the mistake most people make

This is the point that causes the most returns, and it is almost never explained clearly in product listings.

A furniture style crate is built from wooden panels, and those panels take up space. A crate that is 90cm long on the outside might be only 75 to 78cm on the inside once you account for the thickness of both end panels. If your dog needs 80cm of internal length, that crate will not fit them, even though it looked large enough in the listing.

The rule is simple but worth repeating: always compare your dog's measurements to the internal dimensions of the crate, not the external ones. If a listing only shows external dimensions, contact the seller and ask for the internal measurements before buying. Any reputable retailer will be able to provide them.

This matters more for furniture crates than wire crates, because wire crate bars are thin (a few millimetres) while wooden panels can be 12 to 18mm thick on each side. On a smaller crate, that adds up to a meaningful difference.

Crate size guide by breed

The table below uses internal crate length as the reference point. These are general guidelines, always measure your individual dog, as dogs of the same breed vary considerably in size.

One important note on size labels: "Large" from one brand is not the same as "Large" from another. The labels mean nothing without the measurements behind them. Two crates both labelled Large might differ by 10 to 15cm in internal length. Always go by the centimetre figures, not the label.

And if your dog sits between two sizes, go up. A crate that is slightly too big is manageable. A crate that is slightly too small is a welfare issue.

Do dogs actually like furniture crates?

Most dogs adapt well to a furniture crate, provided they have been introduced to it gradually and it is the right size. The den-like quality of a wooden crate, more enclosed and less visually exposed, actually suits many dogs better than a wire cage. Dogs are instinctively drawn to small, sheltered spaces. A wooden crate with solid panels on three or four sides can feel more secure than a wire one where the dog can see everything happening around them at all times.

That said, the transition from a wire crate to a furniture crate can take a little time, especially for dogs who are used to being able to see out in all directions. The first few days in a furniture crate, leave the door open and let the dog explore it in their own time. Put their usual bedding inside. Do not force them in. Most dogs come around quickly once they realise it smells like them and feels safe.

Dogs who are not yet crate trained are a different matter. Introducing a dog to crating for the first time in an enclosed wooden crate is harder than doing it in a wire one, where the dog can see you and feel less isolated. If your dog has never used a crate before, consider starting with a wire crate to build the positive association first, then transitioning to a furniture crate once they are comfortable. It is a small extra step but it saves a lot of stress, for the dog and for you.

Mid-range pick

Indoor Wooden Dog Crate Table with Magnetic Door, Grey

A clean, quiet magnetic door close, no clang when it shuts, which is a genuine benefit for sound-sensitive dogs. Suitable for medium and large dogs. Check the internal dimensions against your measurements before ordering.

£153.99 View this crate →

Wire crate vs furniture crate: an honest comparison

When a furniture crate is the right choice

A furniture crate makes the most sense when:

• Your dog is already comfortable with crating and sees their crate as a den rather than a punishment
• You want something that sits in the living room without making the room look like a kennels
• Your dog is a calm adult who is past the destructive chewing phase
• You are looking for a permanent fixture rather than something you move around
• Your dog has some anxiety and benefits from the more enclosed, private feel of a wooden crate compared to the open feel of a wire one

Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs deserve a specific mention here. They need good airflow more than most, and a furniture crate with well-spaced ventilation panels (bars or slats on multiple sides, not just the door) is important. Check that the crate you are considering has proper ventilation openings on at least two sides before buying.

When a furniture crate is the wrong choice

Be honest with yourself about your dog before you spend the money. A furniture crate is probably not right if:

• Your dog is a chewer. Wood does not survive a determined chewer. If your dog has eaten a sofa leg, do not buy a wooden crate.
• Your dog has not been crate trained yet. Introducing crating for the first time in an enclosed wooden crate is harder than starting with wire. Get the positive association established first.
• You need to move it regularly. Furniture crates are heavier than wire ones and are designed to stay put. They are not ideal for households that regularly rearrange.
• You have a very large breed. Furniture crates for breeds like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers exist, but the range is narrower and sizes can be harder to find. Check stock before assuming your dog's size is available.
• Your dog runs hot. In warm weather, solid wooden side panels offer less airflow than a wire crate. If your dog pants heavily and prefers cool spots, a wire crate with a cover might give you the den feel with better ventilation.

Larger dogs

Extra Large Dog Crate Furniture with Cushion and Storage Shelf, Grey

One of the larger furniture-style crates available. Cushion and storage shelf included. Check the internal dimensions on the product page before ordering, always measure first.

£191.99 View this crate →

What to look for before you buy

• Internal dimensions listed explicitly. If the listing only shows external dimensions, ask before you buy. No internal dimensions means no purchase.
• Ventilation on at least two sides. Bar or slat panels on the door plus at least one other side. Solid panels on all four sides are a welfare concern in warm weather.
• A removable, washable tray or base. Accidents happen. A crate with a pull-out tray is significantly easier to clean than one with a fixed base.
• Secure latches. Not decorative catches. Actual latches that a dog leaning or pawing at the door cannot open. Check reviews for any mention of escape.
• Solid construction. Furniture crates should feel sturdy, not flex when you press on the panels. Thin MDF with no reinforcement will not last.
• Non-toxic finish. Dogs lick things. Any paint, stain or varnish should be confirmed as pet-safe.

Frequently asked questions

Are furniture style dog crates safe?

Yes, provided they are well-made and the right size. Look for solid construction, secure latches, proper ventilation on multiple sides, and a non-toxic finish. A crate that is too small is a welfare concern regardless of how it looks. Furniture crates are not suitable for dogs who chew wood or who are not yet comfortable with being crated.

Do dogs like furniture crates?

Most do, particularly dogs who are already crate trained and appreciate a den-like space. The more enclosed feel of a wooden crate suits dogs who feel anxious in open wire crates. Dogs being introduced to crating for the first time may find the transition easier in a wire crate first, before moving to a furniture style.

How do I know what size furniture crate to get?

Measure your dog. Nose to the base of the tail for length, floor to the top of the head when sitting for height. Add 10 to 15cm to each measurement. Then compare those figures to the internal dimensions of the crate, not the external ones. Wooden panels reduce internal space by 2 to 4cm on each side, so always ask for internal measurements if they are not in the listing.

Can you crate train a dog in a wooden crate?

You can, but it is harder than using a wire crate. Wire crates allow the dog to see out in all directions, which helps them feel less isolated during the introduction phase. If your dog has never been crated before, starting with a wire crate to build the positive association first, then transitioning to a furniture crate, is the easier route for most dogs.

Are wooden dog crates chew proof?

No. Wood is not chew proof. A furniture crate is suitable for dogs who have moved past the destructive chewing phase, typically calm adult dogs. If your dog chews furniture, a wire or heavy-duty metal crate is the better choice until that behaviour is resolved.

What is the difference between a wire crate and a furniture crate?

Wire crates offer maximum ventilation and a full 360-degree view for the dog. They are easier to clean, more chew-resistant, better for dogs new to crating, and cheaper. Furniture crates look better in a living space, offer a more den-like environment, and double as usable furniture. The right choice depends on your dog's temperament, your home, and whether your dog is already comfortable with crating.

Can I use a furniture crate for a puppy?

With caution. Buy for the adult size, not the puppy, and check whether the crate comes with a divider panel to make the space feel smaller while they grow. Many owners use a wire crate for the first year and transition to a furniture crate once the dog is past the destructive stage.

What size furniture crate do I need for a Labrador?

A Labrador typically needs an internal crate length of around 100 to 107cm (42 inches) and an internal height of around 70 to 76cm (30 inches). Always measure your individual dog and compare to the internal dimensions of the crate. If in doubt, go up a size.