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
Amber @ Classi… (not verified)
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 09:38
How cool! I think if I did
How cool! I think if I did this, I'd cut the foam and the plywood in half and make two squares that could be lifted off instead of hinging the one big piece to open (with a little lip that fit down inside the storage compartment so they didn't slide.) What a really great couch!
Farm Marm (not verified)
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 09:40
I agree with Jessica. This is
I agree with Jessica. This is Ana's site and she can do whatever she darn well pleases with it! I personally love it! I've been visiting it frequently for weeks and have many projects earmarked for building. I think it's easy to navigate and find the plans I need without having to weed through ALL of them. As for the girly-ness of the site..LOVE it! I think it gives some of the women who visit the feeling that they can do this! They, too, can be home "makers". I feel more comfortable here on this site than at some of the other diy sites that feel more like a "New Yankee Workshop" episode. I have several teen-agers at home who are taking a "woodworking" class now! We homeschool and these projects fit the bill for them as well.
Thanks Ana! Love your site! Love all the projects! Keep them coming!
Now off to build a couch....and some ledges....got a pallet to pull apart!!!
Ana White (not verified)
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:28
Thank you!
Thank you!
HammerTime (not verified)
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:35
HUH?? It's girly for a
HUH?? It's girly for a purpose. And that purpose is to show that building is something that girls and women can do. Ana's mission to inspire and empower women to pick up tools and reach beyond their traditional comfort zones has worked for countless followers, myself included.
ginny (not verified)
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 14:16
I love this.. now to
I love this.. now to decidewether to build or wait for a plan for a fold out to double couch ( as this is where my mother in law sleeps when she visits and our toddler likes to "camp out" with her)
Heidi (not verified)
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 04:58
This is just what I needed!
This is just what I needed! I'm so happy I found your site! My guest room needs something like this, I think I might be trying this in a few days! I'll let you know how it goes!
Karla (not verified)
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 07:07
Pssssssst.....a suggested
Pssssssst.....a suggested variation. If the flat platform is reduced in depth (front to back), it becomes the perfect, hard-to-find plan for a breakfast room banquette. So, thank you!
Kellie (not verified)
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 09:59
Thank you so much for posting
Thank you so much for posting this! My husband I have a very small family room and now we have a 20 month old. With that comes a lot of extra things you're just not sure what to do with. We have been considering buying a sectional for our family room, but can't find one to fit. This is great....we can modify the length and 3 of these will make a perfect sectional with a little modification. Plus the bonus of much needed storage! We thought we would use crib mattresses as our base cushion. These can be picked up for under $100 each. I am so excited. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You rock!
Petula (not verified)
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 16:46
This is fabulous! I've been
This is fabulous! I've been looking at daybeds for the room my three girls share. My two youngest (5 and 3), and their 19-year-old sister. It was her room, but since I only have one son I gave him the room alone. I want my 19 year old to have somewhere comfortable when she comes homes that's still somewhat spacious and personalized.
I'm hoping a girlfriend of mine will help me with this 'cause I really don't like to do stuff like this... LOL... love the idea of it, but not the execution.
Thanks for passing on such a great idea.
Farm Marm (not verified)
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 18:18
I think I can make the
I think I can make the sofa...it's the upholstering I'm not sure of. Does one 9x12 drop cloth really cover the whole thing? I wish you had a layout plan for that. Also, do you think scotchguard would be helpful? I love the off white look...but I have small kids and live in the country, so lots of dirt.