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)
Hey Kim, just found this post! Thanks :)
I'm just wondering- did you cut the wood yourself or did you have it cut for you at the lumber yard? I'm just trying to wrap my head around the math here to see if I can get them to cut all the wood to size, but I'm thinking it would be easier if I could just measure as I go along. Problem is I don't have any power tools besides a drill ha!
I have a bunch of tools at my house that are my boyfriend's, including a couple different saws so he did all the cutting at my place. You can probably rent a table saw or whatever the hell it was he used at Home Depot. I'd rather than do that then assume my math was right at the store (cause my math is never right).
OH AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, YOU DOOOOO HAVE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT STILL, PLEASE GIVE ME SOME SUGGESTIONS ANYWAY! THANKS!!!
Can I please have a supply list I want to make it this weekend !!! THANK YOU :)
Sorry, we made this ages ago (and have since scrapped it) so I don't have an exact supply list. You'll have to read through this post and figure it out (and it should be based on what sofa cushions you end up with)
I have a sofa I want to put on casters (to occasionally get at a drawer unit I want to keep behind it) but I have concern the lockable casters may not be enough to prevent it from moving slightly / jiggling when you sit down on it (particularly if you fling yourself at it with a bit of force). Could you offer any advice from someone who's already been down that road? Thanks!
It has been a while since I had this sofa but I recall us saying we should have built a back on it because it moved when we would lean back against the wall. Other than that I don't know what else you can do to avoid movement. I think that's what you have to live with when you use casters.