DIY folding sofa

Upholstered furniture is an integral attribute of the interior. Especially valuable, from a functional and aesthetic point of view, are products made by yourself.Folding sofa everyone can do it - for this you just need to acquire a simple tool, turn on your imagination and be patient.

How to make a folding sofa with your own hands

The process cannot be called easy, but competent planning will help. Before you start work, you should decide on the product design, folding mechanism, upholstery material, etc. As for the mechanism, here the choice is quite wide - “dolphin”, “book”, roll-out, etc., while taking into account the availability of free space in the room — some options require a lot of space for transformation. Roll-out models are more popular - they are preferred because of the simplicity of design and ease of use.

We prepare materials and tools

For a truly high-quality and reliable roll-out sofa you will need:

• chipboard or fiberboard;
• plywood, timber 30x50;
• special furniture fasteners;
• synthetic winterizer, dense foam rubber, batting;
• glue (for working with foam rubber, as well as carpentry);
• nails
• strong furniture fabric;
• retractable mechanism;
• furniture legs about 50 mm high.

Of the tools you will need: tape measure, pencil, saw, square, electric drill, wrenches, screwdriver, stapler for furniture. The final preparatory stage will be the development of a layout indicating all sizes.

REFERENCE! In addition to your own ideas, when designing a sofa, you can pay attention to ready-made projects, which are many on the Internet.

Step by step creation of a folding sofa

The key to an ideal result is a leisurely and careful implementation of each stage. It is recommended to periodically take measurements, and then check them with those specified in the project. So, we proceed:

1. We make armrests. To do this, take chipboard with bars and fasten the individual elements with nails, screws. The dimensions of the armrest are 550 mm high, 900 mm long, 200 mm wide. Each part on all sides should be glued with foam rubber, with the exception of the back wall, which is finished with batting.
2. Putting the left part. Particleboard constructions are fastened together with glue, screws (at least 4 pcs.), Plywood overlays. 2 racks are joined and the screed is made with bars. Next, the tiers are mounted - upper and lower, to a tight contact. At this stage, it is extremely important to constantly monitor the dimensions. The finished frame is mounted in a frame previously coated with glue, after which the fiberboard is fixed to the back with nails and glue, on which foam pillows are laid.
3. We do the right part. The process is identical to the previous stage, after which all parts are covered with a protective varnish, plywood plates are fixed to the elements of the chipboard, and the bars are installed around the perimeter, which subsequently hold the boxes. The bottom is fixed and holes for the transformation mechanism bolts are drilled, and 2 layers of foam rubber are laid.
4. We form the frame. According to the dimensions indicated in the drawing, details are cut out, foam elements are cut out and glued into place.
5. Upholstery work. Furniture fabric is cut in exact accordance with the specified dimensions for each element of the sofa with a small allowance of 50 mm. Be sure to consider all the convexity of the product, bends and angles. After trying on the result, if it came up, the final seams are made.

If you were lucky, your hand didn’t flinch and your eyes didn’t fail, then after a short time a solid spacious sofa will appear in the room, where you can comfortably spend time.

Another option is a sofa book

The design is one of the most versatile and oldest - its history goes back more than a dozen years. The sofa-book includes elements such as a seat, a back, 2 armrests and a linen box. Assembly sequence:

1. Arrangement of a linen box. 4 boards (2 - 25x40x1900 mm and 2 - 25x50x800 mm) are fastened together with glue and self-tapping screws, and 4 bars of 40x50x200 mm are fixed at the corners of the frame. To give the structure strength (it will succumb to the greatest pressure), another 2 rails 800 mm long and 200 mm wide are fixed inside the box. After this, the bottom is installed, the role of which is played by fiberboard 800x1800 mm.
2. Assembly of the seat and back. We use a bar of 40x60 mm, from which we assemble frames of 650x1890 mm, fastened with self-tapping screws and nails. In the center of each structure, stiffening ribs are installed, after which we mark and evenly fix on the frames the lamellas that will hold the mattress.
3. Making armrests. We will need 4 (2 left and right) blanks from fiberboard, to which we transfer the dimensions indicated in the diagram, and then cut them. Wooden frames are knocked down according to the shape of the armrests - in this case, the fiberboard should be 20 mm longer as a result, after which two additional trims are installed, as well as stiffening ribs in the center. Then, in the armrests, holes with a diameter of 8.5 mm are drilled for bolts, after which we drill holes of 10 mm in the linen drawers - 2 symmetrically on each side.
4. Assembly of the structure. The transformation mechanism is neatly installed (purchased in a furniture store), in compliance with the correct arrangement of all elements. Non-woven elements are installed on the lamellas, on top of which 60 mm foam rubber spreads, while for comfort, a small roller is made on the edges of the seat and back. Another 40 mm foam layer is laid on it, and is gently wrapped under the seat. The same manipulations are carried out with the back. Finally, the entire structure is covered with fabric covers.
5. The design of the armrests. 40 mm foam is laid along the edge of the elements, after which it is wrapped with another 20 mm foam layer on top, which is neatly fixed. Inside the armrests, we also finish with foam rubber, which we fix with glue, and after drying it we apply another foam layer, twist the edges and cut off the excess, if necessary. Further, the products are lined with furniture fabric and decorative elements are attached to them, if desired. The final stage will be the assembly of the entire structure, checking the proper operation of the mechanism.

Independent manufacture of the sofa will appeal to those who like to make crafts, as well as those who want to be sure of the quality of furniture, its durability. Completed with love, it will become a subject of general attention, will delight its owner for many years and cause him a sense of pride.