You have to give credit to that guy who managed to think of this – turning an old dresser into a rabbit hutch! It’s a very creative idea not to throw away an old, unused dresser and turn it into a perfectly designed rabbit home. If you have a dresser to spare and you have rabbits in your home, I know why you are here!
But you don’t have a clean idea about how to turn a dresser into a rabbit hutch, right? Well, don’t worry! We are going to give you a step-by-step guideline on how you can do it yourself without being an expert carpenter.
Excited? Let’s hop in!
Why A Dresser?
Yes, why a dresser? Well, the reasons for a dresser to be considered as a rabbit house are a few. First of all, dressers have different layers that perfectly resemble a rabbit hutch. With a few fixes here and there, it can be transformed into a full-fledged rabbit house with no trace of its previous life.
The second reason for selecting a dresser is its durability. Most dressers are made from hardwood and oak that make them last pretty long. The design’s obsoleteness and a few wears and tears make it a better choice to go through a transformation to be reused as something useful.
How To Turn a Dresser into A Rabbit Hutch – Step-by-step Guide
Okay, so now we are going to walk you through the exact process that you need to follow to transform an old dresser into bunny heaven. So, follow the steps carefully, and start slowly and steadily.
What You Need:
The first step to any carpentry work is to get prepared with all the equipment. To make a rabbit hutch, you need to pick up the following items.
- Of course, the dresser
- Plywood pieces (To make the ramp and other parts)
- Handles, hinges, etc. for doors
- Sanding items
- Wood stain
- Contact paper
- Fabric for liner
The Process:
Step 1: Sanding the Dresser
Take the sanding item, let’s say the sandpaper, and sand down the entire dresser from inside out. This will smoothen the dresser’s total inner and outer walls and pave the way to paint it further with a better result.
Step 2: Change Anything You Need
Now, before you move on, you can try any structural change you need. For example, if you want to take off some of the shelves from the dresser, you can do it. Some dressers do have removable shelf options, which is absolutely great. It makes your job easier if you want to get rid of one or two shelves to make room for your bunny to play around.
Then again, you can remove any sides or repair any holes or cracks with glue and adhesives. You can simply use some plywood patch and cover the damages pretty easily.
Step 3: Craft the Ramps
It’s time to make some ramps for your bunny! Ramps help the little pets climb on different levels of the hutch and allow them to have a nice grip. So, it’s very crucial for you to add ramps inside the hutch.
To do this, you need to use the plywood and line cut it into a triangle shape. You can lime trim the board into as many pieces as you want, depending on how many ramps you are going to use and how many lines on each ramp you need to attach.
However, don’t make the ramps too high so that the bunny can’t even tackle them. Plus, it should be easier for them to cross with confidence. So, try to make them a bit shallow, depending on the size of the bunny.
You can use a strong adhesive to attach the trimmed boards to the ramp base. Don’t use nails, as they may be harmful to the tender feet of your rabbit.
Step 4: Make the Doors!
It’s time to craft the doors. You can choose between sliding and a panel door type. If you are building this whole thing by yourself, we would suggest you go for a panel door, as it’s much easier and simpler to build.
You can cut out the doors from the plywood after measuring the front side of the dresser. You can trim out the door’s square outline and put steel nets in the hollow middle part.
Next, use the L-shaped brackets and hinges to attach the doors to the sides of the hutch. Use simple locks to lock the doors together.
Step 5: Use the Contact Paper
Now, cover the entire interior with the contact paper. This will safeguard the bunny from getting hurt and keep the wooden hutch from frequent wear and tear.
Step 6: Stain the House
Finally, as it’s done, you can stain it with wood paints if you want. Then again, it totally depends on your taste and mood. You can entirely paint it white or just go for the classic wood color.
Step 7: Decorate it
Lastly, you need to decorate the hutch with rabbit essentials. Put soft bedding on the bottom of the hutch for the bunny to relax and sleep on. Place litter box and food pot on the sides and also place some of its favorite toys inside.
That’s it! You are ready to pick your furry friend and show him around his new house!
Final Words
If you have been wondering how to turn a dresser into a rabbit hutch, well, now you know it! It’s not that hard as it sounds, but it does take a lot of time. If you can follow the steps that we have described, it won’t take more than a day for you to set it up perfectly.
So, what are you waiting for? Bookmark this page and get started with your equipment! It’s time to surprise your little buddy!
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