Anyone ever made a sofa?

[MatthewRedStars]

I need a new sofa. Looking at a modern corner one. But that's going to cost me a grand. And I have all the kit to make something.

Assuming I can find an upholsterer to do the foam and covers, I'm guessing it'll be very easy to make a simple frame (with nice timber legs). S'all just boxes innit.

Anyone tried it? Are upholsterers expensive? More hassle than it's worth?

Something like:

 

[Geoff_S]

Yes, upholsterers are very expensive

 

[tomf]

Very easy to make, but you wont get it anywhere near to £1k. An upholsterers would charge your around 2-3k + for that size.

 

[Rorschach]

Assuming you don't have free foam and fabric on hand, there is no way you can make a sofa for less than a grand.

 

[MatthewRedStars]

Thanks guys! Doesn't sound financially worthwhile. Oh well!

 

[Homers double]

I've just had some new sofa seat and back cushions made for our Static caravan, total cost of £775.00.
judging by your picture it looks about the same size, we chose a mid range material, and good quality foam, best quality foam was a lot more.

 

[Rorschach]

Sounds like you got a good deal there.

 

[Woodmonkey]

You could make something like this with some off the shelf cushions...

 

[Racers]

I have never bought a settee I have always made them, this is Mk4.

DSC_0008-2 by pete maddex, on Flickr

DSC_0005-2 by pete maddex, on Flickr

DSC_0006 by pete maddex, on Flickr

Its a simple frame with bolt on arms it makes it a lot easer to get round corners.

It cost £1800 to upholster it with fabric rated as heavy domestic use, I made it in 2011 and it still looks good.

15th October by Pete Maddex, on Flickr

If you make one your self it will be exactly what you want and be unique.

Pete

 

[Jacob]

I've got a home made settee very like Pete's and similar colour cushions!
Mines a bit crude in comparison being made of cheap blockboard with no solid wood. The bottom is a box with hinged lids for bedding, so it turns into a single bed for visitors.
My wife sewed the cushions so the overall cost was low.
Ikea would be a lot cheaper but ours will last much longer.

 

[AndyT]

Surely the big risk here is that you could sink a lot of time and money into the project, only to find that the finished sofa is not comfortable.
When I have gone shopping for a sofa, I don't like most of what's on offer, but at least I can find out first.

What's the chance of getting it right first time?

(This is also the reason why I have an old sofa frame as a wood rack in the workshop - I stripped it, planning to recover it, but realised it might be an uncomfortable disappointment, so never finished it.)

 

[Racers]

If you take measurements from an existing one (or even one in a shop) you can get it right first time.

Pete

 

[Jacob]

Surely the big risk here is that you could sink a lot of time and money into the project, only to find that the finished sofa is not comfortable.
When I have gone shopping for a sofa, I don't like most of what's on offer, but at least I can find out first.

What's the chance of getting it right first time?

(This is also the reason why I have an old sofa frame as a wood rack in the workshop - I stripped it, planning to recover it, but realised it might be an uncomfortable disappointment, so never finished it.)

You are safe with foam cushions on a simple wooden frame or base as long as the basic geometry is sensible. Take some measurements from an IKEA example.
In fact I find heavily upholstered/sprung sofas and chairs uncomfortable - you sink in and have to call nurse to get you out!

 

[Jacob]

Catching up on my film studies and spotted this colourful sofa. I'm all for it! Sorry couldn't find an image without the leggy birds

 

[Selwyn]

If you actually want to save money there is often no end of second hand sofas on facebook local sites. A lot of people find corner sofas too big and get rid early on

 

[Sideways]

My wife suggests "go for it !" An upholstery course should cost you about £100. As long as you have the space to do it, why not