A sofa that you can build with a fold out seat perfect for storing extra pillows and blankets. Based off a sleeping pad foam cushion, so seating surface doubles as a guest bed.
If you would have asked me even a few months ago about building your own sofa, I would have said, it's not worth it. Considering the high cost of foam (upwards of $50 a yard) and the cost of fabric (at least $10 a yard for an upholstery weight) I just couldn't see the economics of building your own sofa.
But then I walked past a pile of foam camping pads at a store we have in Alaska called Fred Meyer (owned by Kroger and is kind of a superstore) that were 30" wide, 72" long, and 3 1/2" deep. And the foam came in soft, medium and firm weights . . . for just $20! Instantly, the wheels were turning in my head.
Then when my sister Esther mentioned that she didn't have a sofa, and she couldn't find one that was inexpensive, square, and with storage, I was drawing up plans within minutes. My sister Lydia (we've reupholstered quite a few sofa's together, but never actually built one from scratch) was visiting, and she was just as excited as me. So we got to work.
And you all know how much I love using paint drop cloths for fabric. So with some 2x4s, 2x6s, some 2x10s, some 1/4" plywood and alot of worn out pillows and stuffed animals, my sister Lydia and I built a couch in less than 24 hours for about $120.
And by the time we were done, both Lydia and I were making plans to build our own sofas. Also pictured reclaimed wood carts.
And I just might . . .
Nice clean square design that is so popular right now. Notice the 2x4 feet. Please don't notice my messy garage, I was afraid to bring this one inside . . . my sister might not every get her sofa back! Also, the deep cushions are perfect for sleeping on.
It is after all made from a standard camping pad. And did anyone notice the little hinges on the front seams?
Big enough to sleep on and with built in storage for the bedding too! This is my favorite part of this sofa. You could build it for your office and use it as a reading sofa, then when guests are over, flip open the seat and get your bedding out. Not shown here, but I did add straps to keep the seat from hinging all the way open and also straps that tuck in the seam behind the seat for easily pulling the seat up. Just used an old dog leash.
Ready to build your own? You can do this.
Preparation
1 – 30″ x 72″ x 3 1/2″ Foam Camping Pad or Cushion
1 – 9×12 Paint Drop Cloth
6 yards upholstery batting
2 20 oz bags of pillow stuffing
2 1/2 yards of burlap
staples
3″ screws or 2″ pocket hole screws
1 1/4″ screws
wood glue
spray adhesive
2 – 2×4
2 – 2×6
2 – 2×2
4×4 (You only need about 2 feet for the sofa legs)
1 – 12′ AND 1-8′ 2×10
2 – sheets of 1/4″ plywood
1 – 2×4 @ 72″
1 – 2×6 @ 72″
4 – 2×6 @ 24″ (Tapered as shown in step 1)
3 – 2×4 @ 22″
1 – 1/4″ Plywood @ 17 5/8″ x 72″
2 – 1/4″ Plywood @ 72″ x 30″ (Top and Bottom of Seat)
2 – 2×10 @ 72″
3 – 2×10 @ 27″
2 – 2×2 @ 65″
2 – 2×2 @ 28 1/2″
4 – 4×4 @ 5″ (Sofa Feet)
Instructions
Step 1
Back
Screw the back together with 3″ screws or 2″ pocket hole screws as shown above. Use glue and adjust for square.
Step 2
Back
Now attach the 1/4″ plywood to the back with 1 1/4″ screws and glue as shown above.
Step 3
Back Batting
Now wrap the back that is not covered in plywood with the burlap and staple in place on the bottom edge. The burlap should be tight. Then use spray adhesive to glue the batting to the back as shown above. Read the direction on the can of the spray adhesive for the best adhesion.
Step 4
Side Batting
Now glue pieces to the ends with the spray adhesive and then trim to fit as shown above. Set the back aside.
Step 5
Step 6
Slipcover
Use the spray adhesive to attach the foam pad to the remaining piece of plywood. Then use the spray adhesive to attach batting to the foam on the top, front and sides. Cut a piece of fabric 73″ long x 31″ wide. Cut two pieces 31″ long x 6″ wide, and two at 73″ long and 6″ wide. Sew together to create a box cushion (see this post for details on sewing). Place the cushion slipcover over top of the foam and staple the slip cover raw edges to the underside of the plywood, hiding edges. This is shown below.
Step 7
That one should be easy. Now cut strips of fabric as shown in the diagram above (step 6) and sew together and staple in place around the sides and front of the sofa. Should be easy to do. Turn edges under to hide raw seams.
Now the back was the most difficult part – certainly not impossible, but I thought was the most difficult part of sewing. To make this part easier, you could simply not put a taper in the back side of the sofa, and all your cuts are square. Anyway, cut out the side and back pieces and stitch together, and fit over the back. Turn under and staple to the underside of the legs. Reference the diagram in step 6 for exact measurements.
Step 8
Base
Build the base as shown above. Don’t worry about the 2x2s not being strong enough – their is no support required here (it’s all in the 2x10s). The 2×2 aprons are to keep the fabric tucked under and to give you something to screw your feet too. Paint or stain your base. If you choose to use 2x4s for the legs, remember, this does change the dimensions of the legs, and adjust the 2×2 cuts accordingly.
Step 9
Assembly
Assembly will be easy. Start by screwing the storage box to the back, through the 2×10 back boards into the supports in the back of the sofa. Use the 3″ screws. Then flip over and screw the base to the sofa underside with 3″ screws. Flip it back over and attach the cushion with hinges. Support the hinges with a strap to keep the cushion from collapsing all the way forward.
Step 10
Pillows
The pillows I sewed for this sofa are square box cushions measuring 36″ wide x 4″ deep x 18″ tall. Cut four pieces of fabric 37″ wide x 19″, four pieces 19″ x 5″ and four pieces 37″ x 5″. Stitch with right sides together, creating a box, but leaving an opening to insert foam. Stuff with loose stuffing. Hand stitch open seam closed.
Comments
AKMama (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 06:34
What firmness did you select
What firmness did you select for the foam on the couch you made Ana?
Heather (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 07:11
A dream come true! Really,
A dream come true! Really, truly. I have been eying the Karlstad sofas from Ikea for too long and this is almost there (save for the arms). Love it!
Farah (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 07:26
Looks amazing! Do you think
Looks amazing! Do you think it's easier to build this sofa or reupholster one? I'm not handy at all, haven't built anything OR sewed anything on that big of a scale (as far as reupholstering), so either one seems hard to me, but I AM going to do one or the other!
Jim Goepel (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 07:40
Ana, This is a great plan!
Ana,
This is a great plan! I was wondering if, instead of using the base as storage, you could make this into a futon-esque kind if arrangement that converts from a nice, comfy couch to a nice, wide bed by just folding out the second side. You'd need feet for support, but I wonder if you couldn't hide them inside the pillows that go along the back, or make them removable, with the holes/attachment points hidden by the pillows.
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 07:55
Really good idea here. What
Really good idea here. What I would do is do a double cushion, with no seam along the front, but each cushion individually upholstered so it could flip open. Then put the front apron on wheels so it pulls out and supports the cushions. Hmmm . . . maybe a plan?
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 07:57
There are so many smart
There are so many smart people out there! King pillows would work great, as this sofa is 72" wide and a king is 78" wide! Thanks for commenting. Ana
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 07:59
Leah, I think I did add this
Leah, I think I did add this to the plan, we did wrap the top cushion in batting, spray glued to the seat cushion. My sister wanted a very square look, but adding more batting or higher loft batting will achieve this look. Thanks so much for mentioning this. Ana
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 08:04
Farah, I've reupholstered
Farah, I've reupholstered before, and it can be easy, if you have a very square sofa that is in great condition. My experience? Building was much easier. Much much easier. Reupholstering can be so tricky!
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 08:05
My sister wanted firm, so we
My sister wanted firm, so we went firm . . . and this sofa is FIRM. I would go medium.
Ana White (not verified)
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 08:05
LOL at the Koolaid!
LOL at the Koolaid!