Build a Sofa With Built-In Storage Under the Seat
This indoor or outdoor sofa has built-in storage in the arms, back and under the seat and you can make it yourself in a weekend or two.
02/04/2023
Got a weekend or two free? Grab your power tools and pop into Builders for all the supplies you need to build this storage sofa.
As you know, I love any opportunity to save money by doing it myself and this indoor or outdoor sofa is not only a DIY project that will save you money, it also incorporates plenty of hidden storage in the armrests, back of the sofa, and under the seat. I posted the video for this project on the home page this week but I am also loading this as a project so that it will be permanently on the website for anyone interested in saving money and making the sofa.
Modern and stylish, this wood storage sofa would look great on a patio or deck, or even a sunroom or family room.
Where to find the detailed plans for this project
This project is by Pneumatic Addict, one of my favourite DIY bloggers and she provides a step-by-step video of the project that I have included below. The detailed plans for this project can be purchased for R150, a bargain indeed, but you might be better off downloading the free versions of SketchUp Make to design this sofa to your requirements and also have metric measurements available to order to wood required and have it cut to size at your nearest Builders store. BTW... Let me know if the link is no longer working.
Integral storage in the back of the sofa, armrests, and storage drawer underneath make this DIY sofa a practical piece of furniture.
What wood to use for the DIY sofa?
Pine is an okay solution for making the DIY sofa, but do keep in mind that it will require regular application of exterior sealer to protect and preserve the wood. Meranti is a better choice but is slightly more expensive and it should also be treated with an exterior sealer or oil preservative.
Pine, meranti, saligna, or perhaps even bamboo, would be perfect for building this sofa, both for use indoors or outdoors.
Making cushions for the DIY sofa
Having previously made outdoor cushions for my own DIY outdoor sofa, I can tell you that they are fairly easy to make and you can adjust the size and quantity for a sofa of any dimension, plus you can select your own fabric to upholster the cushions. Here are additional instructions for how I recovered the cushions with a nicer print fabric. And you can click here if you are interested in seeing how easy and affordable it was to make my own outdoor sofa that I am still using 9 years.
For long-lasting cushion covers that will not fade in the sun and are not susceptible to mould, use outdoor fabric for the upholstery.
Keeping the cushions dry
Cushions that are stored in the back of the sofa, or supplies in the arm rests, are pretty much protected from the element, but I think it would be a good idea to staple heavy-duty plastic or tarp under the seat slats to protect anything stored under the seat area. My alternative would be to build a pullout box rather than an open drawer for storage, as this will keep everything dry.