This project was built and designed by Mark from Gunflint Designs. It’s a functional dog kennel that doubles as a classy piece of furniture, blending seamlessly into your living space.
Plastic crates may serve a purpose, but they rarely look good in a living room. Mark’s design offers a sleek, furniture-style alternative without sacrificing comfort or accessibility for your dog.
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Materials and Design
The main structure is built from black walnut, giving the piece a warm and modern look. HDPE plastic panels are used for ventilation and visibility, with decorative cutouts that add visual interest.
This kennel includes two access doors, allowing for flexible placement in any room. Whether it’s against a wall or centered in the space, the doors ensure easy entry and exit.
Preparing the Wood
The build begins by cutting rough lengths of black walnut. Leaving extra length helps account for snipe when planing, ensuring clean, consistent boards later on.
After rough cutting, the boards are jointed to flatten one face and square one edge. The remaining faces are planed down to create even, uniform thickness across all pieces.
Creating the Frames
Each side of the kennel is framed with square walnut sticks. Mark cuts them to identical lengths at the table saw, keeping the frame pieces clean and consistent.
HDPE plastic is used for the panels, and precision is important when cutting it. A laser cutter works well, though it requires care to prevent melting—masking tape can help produce cleaner edges.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery
Mortise and tenon joints are used throughout the build for strength and durability. Using the MortiseMate jig, Mark cuts each mortise cleanly and quickly with reliable alignment.
Each joint is test-fitted before gluing to confirm squareness. Glue and clamps bring the pieces together tightly, creating a solid base for the final structure.
Building in the Details
The legs are made slightly longer than the rest of the frame to help the kennel stay level on uneven floors. All mating surfaces are labeled during assembly to avoid mix-ups.
Plastic panels are inset using a rabbet instead of being captured between frame parts. This allows for easy replacement if needed and adds flexibility for future updates.
Routing rabbets is done with care to prevent tear-out. Mark feeds the router in the correct direction and uses CA glue for quick fixes if small errors occur.
Sanding and Finishing
With the kennel assembled, sanding begins using a surf prep sander and right-angle attachment. This helps smooth every edge, joint, and corner before applying a finish.
The walnut frame is finished with tongue oil for a natural, warm tone. For the top, General Finishes Armor Seal is used for added durability and protection.
Final Assembly
The bottom panel is attached with pocket screws, making it sturdy but removable if needed. Doors are fitted with hinges and latches to allow easy opening and secure closing.
Z-clips are used to attach the top, allowing for natural wood movement. Mark checks the clip direction carefully to accommodate shifts in humidity or temperature.
If additional grooves are needed, a biscuit joiner makes it easy to adjust and fit the clips. This adds a clean, flexible solution to securing the top without restricting movement.
A Stylish and Practical Result
This finished piece functions as both a side table and a dog kennel. It adds beauty to your home while offering your dog a cozy place to rest.
The modern aesthetic, thoughtful materials, and attention to detail make this a great project for woodworkers looking to combine style with function.
Want to See the Full Build?
Get Mark’s plans here: https://www.gunflintdesigns.com/product-page/dogkennelplans.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
This is exactly the kind of project that showcases why custom woodworking beats store-bought every time. Mark’s approach with the black walnut and HDPE combination is smart — walnut gives you that premium look while HDPE handles the practical side without warping or absorbing odors like traditional wood panels might.
The mortise and tenon joinery really makes this build shine. Those joints will hold up to years of use, which matters when you’re dealing with an active dog. I always appreciate seeing builders take the time for proper joinery rather than just screwing everything together. That MortiseMate jig is a solid choice for consistent results, especially when you’re cutting multiple identical mortises.
Smart detail work here too — making the legs slightly longer for leveling and using Z-clips for the top shows real thinking ahead. Wood movement is always a consideration with hardwood furniture, and those clips let the top expand and contract naturally. The rabbet approach for the plastic panels is clever as well, making future maintenance or panel replacement much easier than if they were permanently trapped in the frame.
The finish choices make sense for this application. Tung oil on the frame gives you that natural walnut beauty, while the Armor Seal on the top surface provides the durability you need for daily use as an actual side table.