I haven't built a couch, but from my experience, low cost almost never equals decent quality. That's not to say you can't build yourself a nice couch, but with material costs, even building it yourself will likely be expensive. Most cost savings come from building in bulk, not one offs...
You might try back issues of Readymade for decent ideas.
I've built a couch before (with Architnect's very own, Francisco David, that is...) Lots of fun, but not much cheaper.
This is a tough project for architects to do, I think. Since so much of the problem is about foam and sewing- two processes architecture school (at least mine,) don't teach you much about.
we made a couch that had a really weird shape that fit perfectly in a really weird corner, so it was worth it. But after paying for all the plywood and material and foam and someone to sew covers for us, the whole project probably cost about $1000. The couch wasn't too big, or comfortable but looked cool. A thousand dollars at IKEA will get you a super comfie sectional for you and 6 of your frattie friends.
Much more comfortable, but a little less high-style I say.
i used to like Readymade... then i saw that most of their projects were cheap imitations of better designs. most of the time i could think of something better.
actually try to check out this book by Todd Oldham i saw this weekend. It might not have an exact plan for a couch but will give you ideas on how to go about it better. Seemed less ghetto-y than readymade stuff.
haven't, but the current issue of frame has an interesting article about the bouroullec brothers and their latest furniture effort with ligne-roset. the print version has more photo's than the online spread unfortunately.
i've built a few pieces of furnitute (no couches). all of them have simple designs, but the actual production of them was very time consuming. also, compared w/ ikea, they turned out to be rather expensive.
overall, for me it was worth it, but if time and money are an issue, it is an extremely difficult problem.
Im in the process of designing a couch and also deciding whether its worth it to build or just buy... here are the two most helpful sites I found so far...
I'd recommend trying this: Go to a thrift store, aunt sally's basement, or check the side of a road (there's always one there, especially next to apartments). Find a clean,solid frame from the used piece, strip it & re-foam & re-upholster it. Or, do whatever finish you want, if it ain't foam/fabric.
By using a good frame, you're saving gobs of money, being a good green citizen & making your life easier. If you talk to a lot of furniture people, that's exactly what they do....then they make a nice new piece & make a big fat profit.
As for the foam & fabric. Those are not hard to do, but when I do a piece of furniture, my wife does the sewing. If you 'farm' that out, it'll cost you a fair amount. Let me say that I actually haven't done a sofa, so I'm spreading hearsay. But, my short experience making fixtures has been a lot of fun, and it can pay better than doing the dwgs alone. It's kind of a nice way to do a project.
Doesn't necessarily have to be more expensive, granted it usually is.
You will need friends, or at least people with some knowledge of other things - and the tools...lots of specialised tools to construct something so simple.
ikea is cheap. I was building a coffee table a while back, and I couldn't find a good set of metal legs for less than 70 bucks. It would have been almost cheaper to buy a table from ikea and just pull the legs off. I agree with mystery man's idea. If you can find a good frame or another used or junk piece of furniture that has something you need, use it.
building a couch
has anyone ever tried this? any tips and tricks?
i am looking to whip up a low cost but decent quality couch.
any help is appreciated.
you could try this: ;)
I haven't built a couch, but from my experience, low cost almost never equals decent quality. That's not to say you can't build yourself a nice couch, but with material costs, even building it yourself will likely be expensive. Most cost savings come from building in bulk, not one offs...
You might try back issues of Readymade for decent ideas.
I've built a couch before (with Architnect's very own, Francisco David, that is...) Lots of fun, but not much cheaper.
This is a tough project for architects to do, I think. Since so much of the problem is about foam and sewing- two processes architecture school (at least mine,) don't teach you much about.
we made a couch that had a really weird shape that fit perfectly in a really weird corner, so it was worth it. But after paying for all the plywood and material and foam and someone to sew covers for us, the whole project probably cost about $1000. The couch wasn't too big, or comfortable but looked cool. A thousand dollars at IKEA will get you a super comfie sectional for you and 6 of your frattie friends.
Much more comfortable, but a little less high-style I say.
i used to like Readymade... then i saw that most of their projects were cheap imitations of better designs. most of the time i could think of something better.
actually try to check out this book by Todd Oldham i saw this weekend. It might not have an exact plan for a couch but will give you ideas on how to go about it better. Seemed less ghetto-y than readymade stuff.
haven't, but the current issue of frame has an interesting article about the bouroullec brothers and their latest furniture effort with ligne-roset. the print version has more photo's than the online spread unfortunately.
i've built a few pieces of furnitute (no couches). all of them have simple designs, but the actual production of them was very time consuming. also, compared w/ ikea, they turned out to be rather expensive.
overall, for me it was worth it, but if time and money are an issue, it is an extremely difficult problem.
awwwww maaan!!!!!!
i thought this was about building a CROTCH. now there is something i could sink my teeth into.
Im in the process of designing a couch and also deciding whether its worth it to build or just buy... here are the two most helpful sites I found so far...
Couch Springs
Crap-load of products for building stuff
I'd recommend trying this: Go to a thrift store, aunt sally's basement, or check the side of a road (there's always one there, especially next to apartments). Find a clean,solid frame from the used piece, strip it & re-foam & re-upholster it. Or, do whatever finish you want, if it ain't foam/fabric.
By using a good frame, you're saving gobs of money, being a good green citizen & making your life easier. If you talk to a lot of furniture people, that's exactly what they do....then they make a nice new piece & make a big fat profit.
As for the foam & fabric. Those are not hard to do, but when I do a piece of furniture, my wife does the sewing. If you 'farm' that out, it'll cost you a fair amount. Let me say that I actually haven't done a sofa, so I'm spreading hearsay. But, my short experience making fixtures has been a lot of fun, and it can pay better than doing the dwgs alone. It's kind of a nice way to do a project.
hmm what kind of couch are you building?
Doesn't necessarily have to be more expensive, granted it usually is.
You will need friends, or at least people with some knowledge of other things - and the tools...lots of specialised tools to construct something so simple.
I've done a few - rarely easy
ikea is cheap. I was building a coffee table a while back, and I couldn't find a good set of metal legs for less than 70 bucks. It would have been almost cheaper to buy a table from ikea and just pull the legs off. I agree with mystery man's idea. If you can find a good frame or another used or junk piece of furniture that has something you need, use it.
or use 3/4" plywood, cut out the frame, buy foam and make cusions.
Seen it done before - but cant find pics...
johnprolly- the daybed approach. i was thinking about that. if i could find a good set of metal legs for it.
This one http://www.minima.us/seating/extrawall_1.html is a cheap and easy DIY-project - done it and the result is great.
peru, looks like it is just foam on a piece of wood with a cover. correct? that would be fairly easy.
Yes, I can mail you the drawings and photos if you´re interessted.
i would be. email? or p.o.?
peru will you please e mail me the photos and drawings as well...
Pyrex & ElTomas
Mail me here: architurbo_at_gmail_dot_com and I will send you the stuff.
I would be interested to see this as well. Is it ok if I mail you?
thats fine
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