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I'm interested in actually trying to build a couch with a rising trundle bed with a chaise lounge that has storage inside (or maybe underneath) it. I saw this design from Ikea, and I was wondering if I could DIY something similar and more versatile for less. I want to do everything, including the upholstery work (my understanding is Ikea just uses slip covers).
Doubt you can get the materials for anywhere near as cheaply as a HUGE firm like Ikea can get the whole think made!
If you've ever seen an actual upholstery shop true custom fit create slip covers you'll understand why they cost so much. Lots of hard to execute measuring, cutting, and sewing to stitch together durable fabric and piping. If you use a thin material it will literally wear through so quickly that your efforts will be wasted. There are places online that are basically very enterprising work-from-home sellers that you can use for comparison shopping, Slipcover Plus | Couch Slipcover
Doubt you can get the materials for anywhere near as cheaply as a HUGE firm like Ikea can get the whole think made!
If you've ever seen an actual upholstery shop true custom fit create slip covers you'll understand why they cost so much. Lots of hard to execute measuring, cutting, and sewing to stitch together durable fabric and piping. If you use a thin material it will literally wear through so quickly that your efforts will be wasted. There are places online that are basically very enterprising work-from-home sellers that you can use for comparison shopping, Slipcover Plus | Couch Slipcover
I'm interested in actually trying to build a couch with a rising trundle bed with a chaise lounge that has storage inside (or maybe underneath) it. I saw this design from Ikea, and I was wondering if I could DIY something similar and more versatile for less. I want to do everything, including the upholstery work (my understanding is Ikea just uses slip covers).
Do you have an equipped wood shop available for use? Have you made furniture before?
Do you have a sewing machine? Do you know how to upholster, make cording, etc? Have you priced upholstery fabric lately?
If not, just get the IKEA one.
IKEA uses slip covers for a reason. They come off for easy laundering!
Agreed with all above. The equipment you would need (such as a special sewing machine that you can use with the heavy upholstery and thread needed (would be impossible to sew by hand, so don't even think about that), saws and wood, sanders, springs, mattress, etc. It would probably cost you thousands more to make then buy. Even just renting the right tools would cost hundreds of dollars.
Go to a discount furniture store or Big Lots and it will be cheaper than Ikea even. Big Lots does offer delivery, although there is a fee. Or go to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, they often have great furniture deals and even used furniture will look and wear 100x better than anything you could make with zero woodworking, upholstery or furniture making skills. Where would you even do the construction, in your studio apartment??? I'm sure your neighbors and landlady would love the sound of power saws at night, not to mention an apartment covered with sawdust and wood shavings. You're already on shaky ground with your landlady if I'm not mistaken.
Agreed with all above. The equipment you would need (such as a special sewing machine that you can use with the heavy upholstery and thread needed (would be impossible to sew by hand, so don't even think about that), saws and wood, sanders, springs, mattress, etc. It would probably cost you thousands more to make then buy. Even just renting the right tools would cost hundreds of dollars.
Go to a discount furniture store or Big Lots and it will be cheaper than Ikea even. Big Lots does offer delivery, although there is a fee. Or go to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, they often have great furniture deals and even used furniture will look and wear 100x better than anything you could make with zero woodworking, upholstery or furniture making skills. Where would you even do the construction, in your studio apartment??? I'm sure your neighbors and landlady would love the sound of power saws at night, not to mention an apartment covered with sawdust and wood shavings. You're already on shaky ground with your landlady if I'm not mistaken.
I guess you're right, but I was thinking more along the lines of pre-fab pieces from the home improvement store; they cut them for free if you know what you need, but maybe the project is out of my scope for now. As for upholstery, true, I know nothing about it, and I would probably mess up on a big project, but I was thinking about just sewing some box cushions and blanket-like slip covers, nothing fancy, just something like a futon probably, and I have made something like pillows before.
I guess you're right, but I was thinking more along the lines of pre-fab pieces from the home improvement store; they cut them for free if you know what you need, but maybe the project is out of my scope for now. As for upholstery, true, I know nothing about it, and I would probably mess up on a big project, but I was thinking about just sewing some box cushions and blanket-like slip covers, nothing fancy, just something like a futon probably, and I have made something like pillows before.
I've made box cushions, including making the cording. It's harder than you might think, especially since I made my own pattern, taking into consideration the nap on a solid colored fabric with a suede finish. Anything with a pattern would be trickier.
If you do not want to buy new, shop estate sales and consignment shops.
I've made box cushions, including making the cording. It's harder than you might think, especially since I made my own pattern, taking into consideration the nap on a solid colored fabric with a suede finish. Anything with a pattern would be trickier.
If you do not want to buy new, shop estate sales and consignment shops.
Box cushions are really hard. I ve made them and it is tricky to get the corners to line up..
It's not just about making the pillows, there's some springs or flexible woven straps that support the couch cushions so that you're not just sitting on a hard board or sinking into a pile of fiber fill.
You can probably find a couch on Craigslist a lot cheaper than the Ikea one and a whole lot cheaper than building your own.
That particular Ikea couch looks really uncomfortable. The low back, lack of padding on the side, no arm on the other side...I just got rid of a very nice-looking modern sectional that felt horrible to sit on and replaced it with a super-puffy overstuffed leather couch. I've decided to go with comfort over style.
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I guess you're right, but I was thinking more along the lines of pre-fab pieces from the home improvement store; they cut them for free if you know what you need, but maybe the project is out of my scope for now. As for upholstery, true, I know nothing about it, and I would probably mess up on a big project, but I was thinking about just sewing some box cushions and blanket-like slip covers, nothing fancy, just something like a futon probably, and I have made something like pillows before.
