needing help with this question. I’m designing my own hamster house/hut. Which is from a (living room) unit! It’s massive tall wise. My plans are to have the first shelf with tons of borrowingjust full of wood shavings and the other 2 shelf’s with have everything from sand, a jungle, games! There will be no fall risk. Does this sound okay, as she won’t have the length but still does have more than enough space (it’s gonna be like a mansion) but it’s high. I’ve tried looking everywhere, but no answer other than height comes with a fall risk ( which won’t happen in my hammy home) side note the two levels will have more shelfs and climbing areas incorporated too
Needing advice about my diy hamster home
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Hello. That sounds exciting 
Dimensions are the key though - as in hamsters need enough floorspace on one level (even if there are additional levels). Recommended size is 100cm x 50cm deep. So they can dig tunnels and burrow in deep bedding. Some furniture units aren't very deep/wide. Would it be an option to lay it on it's back - so the height becomes the length, the width becomes the depth and the depth becomes the height?
What are the actual width and depth dimensions at the moment?
Dimensions are the key though - as in hamsters need enough floorspace on one level (even if there are additional levels). Recommended size is 100cm x 50cm deep. So they can dig tunnels and burrow in deep bedding. Some furniture units aren't very deep/wide. Would it be an option to lay it on it's back - so the height becomes the length, the width becomes the depth and the depth becomes the height?What are the actual width and depth dimensions at the moment?
Hey Maz, you’re right, my brain mustn’t have been thinking the right! Why didn’t I think I need at least a length size! I’ve some how lost my measuring tape, but just by looking at the unit, it’s too small length wise. Wouldn’t work laying it down! So I’m now thinking scrap the whole idea, (bought quite a few bits for it) and get a long deep glass tank, or add another unit to the side of this one so at least one floor has the length!
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Aw I'm sorry I've spoiled it! I've had ideas like that myself in the past and had to give them up 
People have made diy cages out Ikea furniture though - there are quite a few Ikea hacks - two large coffee tables (one on top of the other and perspex and mesh filling in the sides) etc. The most popular ones these days are the Pax and Platsa wardrobe frames (laid on their back) but then you need to make a lid.
To be sure, do you have a photo of the piece of furniture - maybe there is something could be done?
Adding another unit to the side might work - if you can cut end panels out at that level so it's unbroken floorspace (rather than say a tube between one and the other). That's the main thing - that they have one area of unbroken floor space at least approx 40" (36" maybe if it's deep enough). Anything else is a bonus - but they need all their main "stuff" in one large area - eg wheel, food, water, hides etc - so they can have a main habitat area and explore out further if they want to..
If the furniture isn't very deep front to back though it may still not work. Some furniture is only about 30 to 35cm deep.
People have made diy cages out Ikea furniture though - there are quite a few Ikea hacks - two large coffee tables (one on top of the other and perspex and mesh filling in the sides) etc. The most popular ones these days are the Pax and Platsa wardrobe frames (laid on their back) but then you need to make a lid.To be sure, do you have a photo of the piece of furniture - maybe there is something could be done?
Adding another unit to the side might work - if you can cut end panels out at that level so it's unbroken floorspace (rather than say a tube between one and the other). That's the main thing - that they have one area of unbroken floor space at least approx 40" (36" maybe if it's deep enough). Anything else is a bonus - but they need all their main "stuff" in one large area - eg wheel, food, water, hides etc - so they can have a main habitat area and explore out further if they want to..
If the furniture isn't very deep front to back though it may still not work. Some furniture is only about 30 to 35cm deep.
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That’s the unit Ive got, been doing work on it, when it came to me about the length! My artist drawing, is the new plan, attach another unit to the bottom, either have that unit and a clear unit on top for Freddy ( her house) or the unit underneath for storage and have like a huge tank attacking the the first shelf area. (Hope some of this makes sense)! Or give this unit to the boyfriend cause he keep stacking his Pokémon cards on it and come up with another idea!
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If they are both deep enough, the second unit could work, but I think they are maybe not deep enough. They look about 38 to 40 CM deep, maybe less? I've added a link we have about DIY cages which might help You want one big open space really
www.thehamsterforum.com
You want one big open space really
Large diy cage options
This thread is to show options for extra large diy cages. There are a few good cages big enough, as listed on our cages thread, but sometimes people want to go bigger and then it means making a cage. Ikea Hacks can be an easy way. DIY isn't always cheap. You need to have tools available (or...
www.thehamsterforum.com
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A tank on the second lower unit would work
Are you in the US?