the perfect fit diy couch
When my mother-in-law came to visit back in October, my husband and I spent a really busy couple of weeks getting our apartment together. We had moved into a new 2-bedroom plus loft in August and pretty much ignored getting our place in order for the first two months while we were busy working. Then, time started running out and setting up our apartment became REALLY important. I mean, I couldn’t have my mother-in-law stay in an apartment that looked and felt as if we just graduated college.
So, we started a checklist and started making our way through it. One big project was figuring out where guests would sleep when they came to visit? The living room and loft do not provide enough privacy so they were out. And our second bedroom was already filled with desks, computers, and guitars so a real bed or even a futon would not fit. Then it hit me…we crafted our own dining table, so why not try to make our own sofa that could double as a guest bed? I headed to Ana White’s blog, but since the only couch was more of a storage couch, we took the basic idea and expanded on it.
And here’s how our couch turned out…
I LOVE IT! The color is neutral and it’s actually really comfy to sleep on. Mother-in-law approved!
Here are the supplies we used to complete this project and some photos of it coming together. (Update: the detailed plans are available!)
Supplies:
- 6 – 2×4 boards
- 2 – 2×6 boards
- 2 – 2×2 boards
- 24″ of 4×4 post
- 2 sheets of plywood
- 2 yards of batting
- 2 yards of burlap
- 2 paint drop cloths (9′x12′)
- sand paper
- stain
- screws
- staple gun
- mitre saw
- circular saw
- foam mattress
- 2 foam mattress toppers
The foam used for the seats - One foam hospital mattress cut to size and 2 foam queen mattress toppers cut in half
The frame of the couch - it's starting to come together
Burlap was attached to the back before the batting and fabric
The batting was attached to the back frame
The bottom seat gets upholstered with supports on the underside
I sewed around where the supports would be and cut out the inside square before stapling to the bottom
The top seat getting upholstered
Check back next week when I have the plans up. In fact, how about you subscribe so you don’t miss it? The plans are up! Check them out here.
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64 comments on “the perfect fit diy couch”
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Wow!!! that is amazing!!!
Awesome idea! My kids would much rather have this in their rooms than their beds! Love it!
~Angela
Functional Friday
Thanks Angela. Since the bed is in two pieces it would be great for sleepovers too.
Wow, what an amazing diy couch! This would be the perfect spot for guests to crash if you don’t have a designated guest room. I’d love it if you came to share this at the Head to Head Showdown link party, going up tonight at 10. I hope to see you there! Jen @ www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com
How big of a bed is it when it is laid out? Like a full size?
It's a queen size bed when laid out. In addition to one thick stiff foam mattress (on the top layer) used 2 queen size foam mattress toppers and cut them in half. One half was placed on the bottom and one half was placed on top so they would be even. The top one is actually memory foam so it's REALLY comfy.
Amazing! You are so talented. I love this!
Thanks Kristen! It just takes an idea and determination. All the best!
Very cool! I love that you made this all yourselves. The fabric for the cover is perfect.
Wow that is very impressive. Well done.
This is fabulous! I've pinned this and will be following you now.
This bed is amazing. Fantastic job!!
Ruth
Amazing! I would never thing to be so creative. Great job!
Awesome! Do you have a cost breakdown?
Thanks! I'm working on a more detailed instruction post for this week and will make sure I include a cost breakdown. Thanks for the suggestion.
That is so cool! What a great idea!
Great job ! I love it !
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Wow! That is fantastic! you are very ambitious and creative! Thanksf or sharing:)
about how much would this cost to make?
Hi Stacey,
This project was pretty affordable only because I was able to find the foam on Craigslist and at garage sales. Foam from the retail store it REALLY expensive! I think we figured out it cost us just under $200 for everything. The big thick foam was from an in-home hospital bed mattress that I cut down using an exacto knife – should have used a big bread knife – (craigslist for $20) and the two mattress toppers were found at a garage sale for $30.
Hi! I'm a Sitsta! This is absolutely amazing. I have always wondered how to build a couch that doesn't look like a caveman built it. I'm so impressed. I will be back, and I will be building one of these! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much! We had a lot of fun making it. I'd love to see how yours turns out! Nice to meet you SITSta!
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I love this couch. So classic. Thank you so much for sharing at Furniture Friday.
xo…mONICa
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This is EXACTLY what I was wanting to do with the Ana White storage couch plans as well!! My husband didn't seem to understand what I was talking about & said it couldn't be done….can't wait to show him your pictures
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So happy I could help. Good luck making your couch. I'd love to see how it turns out.
Your sofa bed looks fantastic – nice job!!! I have this linked to my sofas post as well today, you rock!
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Wow! I'm so impressed!! I could see us using something like that in our basement/playroom/guest room, for certain!
Enjoy your SITS day!
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Thanks Morgan. It's great to have in an extra room.
Happy SITS Day! What a great idea and I love that you used burlap!
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Thanks Jennifer! I was glad the burlap got covered up though because, to be honest, that stuff is a little stinky and messy.
Wow. You are much more ambitious in the DIY area than I am. The sofa is beautiful. You said it it comfy to sleep on but I wondered if it was comfy to sit on? Happy SITS day.
Thanks Laura. It is surprisingly comfortable to sit on. I will say it's squishier than a normal couch. Not sure I would want it as my main seating, but it's perfect in the office. I love to be able to read on it or have it for guests.
Hi! Stopping by from SITS today. I love that couch. That's a bit too much project for me though. I'm horrible at measuring. I'm impressed!
Y'all are amazing! I can't wait to show this to my husband. Hope you're enjoying your SITS day!
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Awesome idea!! Looks like a project my husband would love.
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How awesome!! Happy SITS Day!
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So clearly you're just much, much cooler than I am, because there's no way I would ever have pulled that off. Then again, I would have absolutely no problem inviting my mother in law to an apartment that looked like we just graduated college…
Happy SITS day!
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AWESOME project!
I cannot believe you guys made that! I would be so quick to buy something- never even imagining I could possible make something like that! Kudos to you guys!!!
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That is absolutely amazing. I always dream about doing things like this but never have the nerve because I always think that it won't turn out like I imagine it.
Happy SITS day! I wish I had the patience and time for this, I can't find the time to make jewelry and I love doing that.
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Wow, that couch looks awesome!! You could sell that if you wanted to! Happy SITS day!!
That is absolutely amazing! Happy SITS day!
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Wow, that is amazing! Looks very comfortable. Love it!
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What an amazing project. Totally cool and beautiful. Great job.
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What an amazing project. Totally cool and beautiful. Nice job!
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That’s so creative and completely awesome! Happy SITS day
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This is awesome! It actually looks like something I could tackle! Great job:) Happy SITS Day!
Thanks Kelly!
Wow, this is awesome! You did a great job. I'm a green blogger who loves to share DIY projects and tips, so I'm glad to connect with you. Happy SITS day!
So nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by.
This really does look amazing!! Any idea on the total cost to build?
Because we were able to find the foam on Craigslist and garage sales, we kept the cost under $200.
How COOL is that? And it has the mother-in-law stamp of approval, so it must be OK!
Thanks! I know…I was so happy she said it was comfortable.
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Incredible !!!!! You did a fantastic job of creating such a great looking couch / bed. And you couldn't receive a better endorsement than your mother-in-law's approval
Hannah
Thanks Rachel! Happy to link up. Loved your vanilla bean coffee recipe. Yum!
Thank you so much for the compliments and feature! I'm honored to be in such great company with the other projects. *smiles*