Hamsters are great pets, in no small part because of how affordable they are to own. However, they can still cost you a pretty penny up front, especially if you have to buy all the gear at once. Luckily, there are a few ways in which you can save some money, and perhaps the best way to stretch your hamster budget is by creating your own bin cage. These are often made from basic plastic storage bins, but as you’ll soon discover, you can class them up a bit more as well, provided you’re willing to put in the work. We’ve collected some of our favorite designs for you to check out, and you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for both you and your furry friend from the options below. Figuring out how to build a hamster bin cage is simpler than ever with these foolproof plans! Before we begin, though, it’s important to remind you that you absolutely have to include holes of some kind in your bin (that’s what the mesh is for). Otherwise, your hamster could suffocate, and that’s clearly not a good thing.
The 10 DIY Hamster Bin Cages You Can Build Today
- Wood Cage from HamsterHideout.com
Check Latest PriceThis classy cage from HamsterHideout.com gives you a clear view of your hamster at all times, so you can always have a steady stream of entertainment close by. It’s very large, but that just gives your pet more room to wander. And, given how beautiful this thing looks, it can function as a decoration just as much as a pet sanctuary. Project Details Difficulty Level: Moderate Skills Needed: Moderate woodworking skills
Tools
Wood Wire mesh Plexiglass Locking latch Glue Screws Drill Chop saw
- DIY Bin Cage from HamsterGuru.com
Check Instructions HereCourtesy of HamsterGuru.com, we have this inexpensive and easy-to-build plastic cage that gives your little rodent plenty of room to play. All you need is a large plastic bin (you probably have several lying around the house right now, as a matter of fact), a few other odds and ends, and a little bit of time to build your hamster his dream home. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Large plastic bin Wire mesh Zip ties Drill Scissors
- Hamster Cage from nolieclaire
Check Instruction HereYoutube hamster guru nolieclaire suggests this clever and colorful option. It uses a lid with locking handles, which makes securing the top easier to do and doesn’t require drilling. However, it does require you to be extra-sure that you closed it securely every time. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Plastic bin Mesh Box cutter Duct tape Zip ties
- Stackable Cage by HamsterHideout.com
Check Instructions HereYou can accommodate multiple pets with this stackable model, or if you’re really determined, you could give your hamster a giant, multi-level mansion to live in. The basic design is the same as just about any other bin cage, except you’re stacking them vertically and putting the mesh door on the side instead of the roof. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skill
Tools
Multiple plastic bins Box cutter Mesh Cable ties
- Interconnected Bins by HammyHappenings
Check Instructions HereThis extremely fun, multi-level enclosure is the creation of HammyHappenings, a hamster enthusiast on WordPress. The general structure is still basic and easy to build, but there’s a lot more decoration involved with this one, making it a colorful addition to any room of your home. We’re especially big fans of the tubes connecting the two levels — and we bet your hamster will be, too. Find out how to build a hamster bin cage with many levels today! Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Basic crafts skill
Tools
Multiple plastic bins Box cutter Mesh Plastic tubing Cable ties Decorations (as desired)
- DIY Three-Story House by consumerqueen
Check Instructions HereThis triple-story model from consumerqueen gives your pet plenty of room to explore, as well as providing you with the ability to give every level a specific purpose. One floor can be dedicated to his bedding, while another is his exercise room, and the final one can be his dining room. We bet we know which room he’ll spend the most time in. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Three plastic bins Box cutter Drill Mesh Cable ties
- Double Decker Cage by Hammy Time
Check Instructions HereFrom Hammy Time, we have this attractive two-story model that gives your hamster plenty of places to peek out — and plenty of opportunities for you to grab him when it’s snuggle time. This design gives your furry friend lots of room to stretch out without also taking up a ton of space in your house. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Two plastic bins Mesh Screws Washers Drill Box cutter
- Bin Cage by morganel
Check Instructions HereThis bin (courtesy of user morganel on hamsterhideout.com) manages to be both simple and elaborate at the same time. It’s made using only a single bin, but you can dress it up with multiple mesh portholes to make it both attractive and interesting to your hamster (not to mention guests). Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Plastic bin Wire mesh Box cutter Cable ties
- Extended Bin by Dog Paw Blog
Check Instructions HereThis extra-long model from Dog Paw Blog will give your hamster all the room in the world to run around (or at least, it will seem that way to him). This is a massive bin to be sure, but if you’re willing to let your pet have all the space he wants, it’s a fantastic option. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make. Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Long plastic bin Drill Cable ties Mesh
- Leopard Print by Lindsey Parker
Check Instructions HereThis exotic cage, courtesy of Pinterest user Lindsey Parker, is incredibly basic and easy to build, but you’d never guess it from the fierce design. It’s amazing how a little leopard print can really dress up the place, huh? Project Details Difficulty Level: Beginner Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
Tools
Plastic bin Mesh Cable ties Leopard print fabric Box cutter
Building the Perfect Bin for Your Hamster As you can see, most of the above bins follow the same basic formula. Take a bin (or build your own, if you want something other than plastic), cut some holes in it so you can fit the mesh inside, and decorate to your liking. While the formula may be basic, it allows for nearly infinite customization. You can stack as many as your ceilings will allow, connect them with tubing, and decorate them to your heart’s desire. Best of all, even the most elaborate bin won’t cost more than a few bucks. So, if you haven’t already made one for your hamster, what are you waiting for?
Featured Image Credit: Zdeněk Chalupský from Pixabay
Hamsters are great pets, in no small part because of how affordable they are to own. However, they can still cost you a pretty penny up front, especially if you have to buy all the gear at once.
Luckily, there are a few ways in which you can save some money, and perhaps the best way to stretch your hamster budget is by creating your own bin cage. These are often made from basic plastic storage bins, but as you’ll soon discover, you can class them up a bit more as well, provided you’re willing to put in the work.
We’ve collected some of our favorite designs for you to check out, and you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for both you and your furry friend from the options below. Figuring out how to build a hamster bin cage is simpler than ever with these foolproof plans!
Before we begin, though, it’s important to remind you that you absolutely have to include holes of some kind in your bin (that’s what the mesh is for). Otherwise, your hamster could suffocate, and that’s clearly not a good thing.
The 10 DIY Hamster Bin Cages You Can Build Today
- Wood Cage from HamsterHideout.com
Check Latest PriceThis classy cage from HamsterHideout.com gives you a clear view of your hamster at all times, so you can always have a steady stream of entertainment close by.
It’s very large, but that just gives your pet more room to wander. And, given how beautiful this thing looks, it can function as a decoration just as much as a pet sanctuary.
Check Latest Price
This classy cage from HamsterHideout.com gives you a clear view of your hamster at all times, so you can always have a steady stream of entertainment close by.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skills Needed: Moderate woodworking skills
- Wood
- Wire mesh
- Plexiglass
- Locking latch
- Glue
- Screws
- Drill
- Chop saw
- DIY Bin Cage from HamsterGuru.com
Check Instructions HereCourtesy of HamsterGuru.com, we have this inexpensive and easy-to-build plastic cage that gives your little rodent plenty of room to play.
All you need is a large plastic bin (you probably have several lying around the house right now, as a matter of fact), a few other odds and ends, and a little bit of time to build your hamster his dream home.
Check Instructions Here
Courtesy of HamsterGuru.com, we have this inexpensive and easy-to-build plastic cage that gives your little rodent plenty of room to play.
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skills
- Large plastic bin
- Wire mesh
- Zip ties
- Drill
- Scissors
- Hamster Cage from nolieclaire
Check Instruction HereYoutube hamster guru nolieclaire suggests this clever and colorful option. It uses a lid with locking handles, which makes securing the top easier to do and doesn’t require drilling.
However, it does require you to be extra-sure that you closed it securely every time.
Check Instruction Here
Youtube hamster guru nolieclaire suggests this clever and colorful option. It uses a lid with locking handles, which makes securing the top easier to do and doesn’t require drilling.
- Plastic bin
- Mesh
- Box cutter
- Duct tape
- Zip ties
- Stackable Cage by HamsterHideout.com
Check Instructions HereYou can accommodate multiple pets with this stackable model, or if you’re really determined, you could give your hamster a giant, multi-level mansion to live in.
The basic design is the same as just about any other bin cage, except you’re stacking them vertically and putting the mesh door on the side instead of the roof.
You can accommodate multiple pets with this stackable model, or if you’re really determined, you could give your hamster a giant, multi-level mansion to live in.
Skills Needed: Beginner crafts skill
- Multiple plastic bins
- Box cutter
- Mesh
- Cable ties
- Interconnected Bins by HammyHappenings
Check Instructions HereThis extremely fun, multi-level enclosure is the creation of HammyHappenings, a hamster enthusiast on WordPress. The general structure is still basic and easy to build, but there’s a lot more decoration involved with this one, making it a colorful addition to any room of your home.
We’re especially big fans of the tubes connecting the two levels — and we bet your hamster will be, too. Find out how to build a hamster bin cage with many levels today!
This extremely fun, multi-level enclosure is the creation of HammyHappenings, a hamster enthusiast on WordPress. The general structure is still basic and easy to build, but there’s a lot more decoration involved with this one, making it a colorful addition to any room of your home.
Skills Needed: Basic crafts skill
- Multiple plastic bins
- Box cutter
- Mesh
- Plastic tubing
- Cable ties
- Decorations (as desired)
- DIY Three-Story House by consumerqueen
Check Instructions HereThis triple-story model from consumerqueen gives your pet plenty of room to explore, as well as providing you with the ability to give every level a specific purpose.
One floor can be dedicated to his bedding, while another is his exercise room, and the final one can be his dining room. We bet we know which room he’ll spend the most time in.
This triple-story model from consumerqueen gives your pet plenty of room to explore, as well as providing you with the ability to give every level a specific purpose.
- Three plastic bins
- Box cutter
- Drill
- Mesh
- Cable ties
- Double Decker Cage by Hammy Time
Check Instructions HereFrom Hammy Time, we have this attractive two-story model that gives your hamster plenty of places to peek out — and plenty of opportunities for you to grab him when it’s snuggle time.
This design gives your furry friend lots of room to stretch out without also taking up a ton of space in your house.
From Hammy Time, we have this attractive two-story model that gives your hamster plenty of places to peek out — and plenty of opportunities for you to grab him when it’s snuggle time.
- Two plastic bins
- Mesh
- Screws
- Washers
- Drill
- Box cutter
- Bin Cage by morganel
Check Instructions HereThis bin (courtesy of user morganel on hamsterhideout.com) manages to be both simple and elaborate at the same time.
It’s made using only a single bin, but you can dress it up with multiple mesh portholes to make it both attractive and interesting to your hamster (not to mention guests).
This bin (courtesy of user morganel on hamsterhideout.com) manages to be both simple and elaborate at the same time.
- Plastic bin
- Wire mesh
- Box cutter
- Cable ties
- Extended Bin by Dog Paw Blog
Check Instructions HereThis extra-long model from Dog Paw Blog will give your hamster all the room in the world to run around (or at least, it will seem that way to him).
This is a massive bin to be sure, but if you’re willing to let your pet have all the space he wants, it’s a fantastic option. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make.
This extra-long model from Dog Paw Blog will give your hamster all the room in the world to run around (or at least, it will seem that way to him).
- Long plastic bin
- Drill
- Cable ties
- Mesh
- Leopard Print by Lindsey Parker
Check Instructions HereThis exotic cage, courtesy of Pinterest user Lindsey Parker, is incredibly basic and easy to build, but you’d never guess it from the fierce design.
It’s amazing how a little leopard print can really dress up the place, huh?
This exotic cage, courtesy of Pinterest user Lindsey Parker, is incredibly basic and easy to build, but you’d never guess it from the fierce design.
- Plastic bin
- Mesh
- Cable ties
- Leopard print fabric
- Box cutter
Building the Perfect Bin for Your Hamster
As you can see, most of the above bins follow the same basic formula. Take a bin (or build your own, if you want something other than plastic), cut some holes in it so you can fit the mesh inside, and decorate to your liking.
While the formula may be basic, it allows for nearly infinite customization. You can stack as many as your ceilings will allow, connect them with tubing, and decorate them to your heart’s desire.
Best of all, even the most elaborate bin won’t cost more than a few bucks. So, if you haven’t already made one for your hamster, what are you waiting for?
Featured Image Credit: Zdeněk Chalupský from Pixabay
