Kim's Komfy Kouch
Wed, 25 Mar 2009So I finally got around to getting the instructions for my DIY sofa from my boyfriend and he took a few photos to illustrate some key points. Sorry for the delay folks but I have a terrible memory and have been super busy lately. These are in his words, including the title (which I don't want to take credit for LOL). (Thanks Jeff!!)
First thing is to measure the cushions you are going to use (we used the Ikea's Lillberg sofabed cushions). You want the cushions to fit tightly into the sofa. This will keep the cushions fluffy and in place as you get comfy. The pillows should sit 2-3” below your sides depending on the height of your pillows. You can see the difference in this picture:
The frame is made from 2x4's, the width ones that attach to the legs are first and then 2x4 lengths lay on top around the edges.
Another 2x4 is cut to fill in the gap so the 2x6’s on top sit evenly.
FYI – do not screw your wheels/legs to the couch like this. Use proper screws, something I forgot on the trip to Home Depot. And we're going to switch out 2 of the casters on each of the 2 moveable pieces to finials, because despite using lockable casters, they still move around too much.
Lay some 2x6’s lengthwise on top. You could use whatever width of wood you want, heavy is good so the couch won’t move around when you are. You can see in the first photo an end view without the MDF.
The ledge on the back was made by raising a 2x6 so it would make a space for pillows. If you are going to make a pillow ledge remember to take that into account when making the frame (it was an afterthought on this one).
The sides are finished with the MDF and cut at 45 degree angle at the corners.
The MDF we used (8") is the perfect height to reach from the top of the legs to 2-3” above the frame. The couch sits 12” high to the top of the MDF.
Fill the holes and cracks, prime (we bought pre-primed MDF), paint and accessorize as required (mine still require new pillows - hoping to tackle that ASAP).
Reader Comments (32)
i've seen this exact thing on trading spaces like 5 years ago - very cool :)
absolutely amazing!~
i love this. found a new summer project as i both need a new couch and just got a new house that can fit this marvelous sofa/bed creation! thank you. cheers!~
Love the sofa. Highly creative!
I am thrilled to see that I am not the only crazy person to have that exact same wall mural in my home....
Yah!
I don't know, Kim...? I don't think it looks so great really. Hmmm? What could make it look better? Hmmm? OOH! I KNOW! Me sitting on it!!! Oh yeah... perfect! ;) Or I could be whippin' up some tea and cupcakes while you sit on it and chat...? I guess it's really your choice.
(FABTASTIC!!!)
Of course.
Love the cushions and comfy, TV-friendly/book-friendly, ever-loungeable sofa. The all-white is a nice contrast to the colourful cushions (and also a dangerous magnet for food accidents?? But I'm sure you'll all be super-careful at balancing snacks after the effort it took to putting the sofa together.) Lovely. Lee Tran
Thanks O.I! Go for it - you won't regret it. Best couch I've ever had, and I average about 1 a year.
Dumbwit Tellher - my new mural buddy!! COOL!
Uncle Beefy, you've got it wrong. It would be ME whipping up tea and cupcakes and YOU sitting on the sofa and chatting (or passing out, like I just did now)!
Thanks Lee Tran! Since the dining table is ohhhh, 6' from the sofa, not much eating happens on it. And if there were a spill I'd just whip off the cover and toss in the laundry. Although due to the amount of cat fur collecting on them as a result of the cats uber-enjoyment of the sofas as well, I may opt for darker covers (and the bargellos are temporary - meant for the bedroom...still trying to decide what to do instead).
love love love it...tooo clever....I adore your cushion collection too !!
Did you also make the cushions?
The cushions are vintage bargello needlepoints I found on eBay.
this couch looks extreeemely comfy. Is it? Do you get enough back support from all the pillows?
I remember reading in your initial post that you purchased the base cushions from Ikea? Which model are they? I'm trying to think of a way to add a back to a similar couch - I love the look!
Virginia, there's tons of support because I can stack whatever pillows I need to behind me. The comfort level is ridiculous. :)
Cait the base cushions are from the Lillberg sofabed. But they come with all 4 together - 2 seats and 2 backs. I think it was $120, and another $60 for the cover, which zippered some sections together and others I had to cut the fabric to separate all 4 pieces.
LOVE this couch, but I'm afraid it goes way beyond my DIY skills!
what a great idea! i see the cats have found the comfy spots already :)
Hey Jeff great post! Welcome to the team ;)
You desperately need to paint the "ottoman" sides to match the rest of your configuration.
Looks tacky.
Iheartfashion, if we can build it anyone can I swear!
Samuel - HUH? The ottomans have finished sides, painted like the main sofa. If you are looking at the 2nd photo, it was taken while we were waiting to buy more wood because we didn't have enough for a couple side pieces.
This is completely rad. I want one soooooo bad.
Luv the background picture too.
Kim, you don't cease to amaze me!
i've loved this sofa for so long...great to see how it's done! awesome project!
I loved your old couch.
Hi Kim,
Is it possible for you to post specific measurements? Also, where did you get the legs? Can you please provide a link to the ikea pillows?
I am moving to a studio apartment and dont have room for a couch and bed and I think might do the trick!
Have looked at the photos and the instructions, but need alittle more as far as measurements and specifics.
Would appreciate any help you can provide! THANKS, Lyndsey
Lyndsey, the casters are fence post finials we used for legs are all from Home Depot. Here is a link to the sofa - but the price includes the frame so it will be cheaper because you can buy just the cushions, and then the covers if you want those too.
As for measurements I just took some quick. The main piece is about 38" deep (includes a 6" deep ledge for the back pillows), 78" long and 12" high. The side pieces are 20.5" deep and 40" long.
I will say that I don't know that I'd want to sleep on this thing every night. While it's really comfy, the base cushions are not totally flat (it's not foam) and drove me a bit nuts when I had to sleep on them for a few nights while I painted my bedroom floor. If you can find better cushions at Ikea then don't get the Lillberg ones and design the bases around them. (P.S. Put 2 non-swivel casters and 2 finials on each of the smaller pieces otherwise 4 casters on each makes them move around too much).</p>
wow this is soooooooo neat!!! how much do you think it cost total (without the pillows on the back)?? And also if you were to sit on the edge does your butt sink to the wood ledge? Dumb question but just curious lol.
leann, the seat cushions were close to $200 and the wood (and casters and finials for the feet) cost a few hundred. Depends on the wood you choose.
We built the base so that the cushions are only down into the frame by a couple inches so you never feel the wood ledge on your butt.