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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30 Responses to the perfect fit diy couch
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Little Green Bow is my journey of projects made, experiments tried, recipes tasted, business advice, and other life lessons learned along the way.
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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 @ http://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 !
[...] are the detailed plans of how to make your own couch. Last week when I posted the photos our our DIY “pull out” couch many of you requested more plans so these are for [...]
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!
[...] bed for cheap otherwise I am looking for projects that sleep two people. Maybe something like this simple sleeper couch made of mattress foam and ply [...]
I love this couch. So classic. Thank you so much for sharing at Furniture Friday.
xo…mONICa
[...] I know my DIY posts normally revolve around furniture, pillows, or other home decor, but why couldn’t DIY relate to any items you normally buy out, [...]
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
My recent post Comet, It Makes You Vomit
So happy I could help. Good luck making your couch. I'd love to see how it turns out.
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*