Make a box sofa using Pine, Meranti or reclaimed wood
If you desperately need a sofa but just don't have the money to buy new, this box sofa is trendy and can be made using Pine, Meranti or reclaimed wood. Using reclaimed wood means you pay less of timber and can spend more on a nice fabric for upholstery.
The method for assembling the sofa is easy enough, and if you don't own the tools needed you can always hire them for the day. Use Pine or Meranti (hardwood) that you can buy at your local Builders, or keep your eye out for reclaimed wood that you can get on the free or buy cheap.
instructables.com
What's nice about the design of the box sofa is that you can make it any size you want. This project shows how to make a 2-seater sofa, but you can extend the length of the boards to make a larger box sofa. However, bear in mind that for a length longer than 1800mm and you will need to add a centre support to the base.
Note: The box sofa shown here was made using 250mm wide planks. The cutting list and diagrams below allow for 140mm wide PAR Pine planks.
YOU WILL NEED:
5 of 20 x 140mm x 1200mm pine - back
10 x 20 x 140mm x 600mm pine - sides
2 of 32 x 44 (or 69) x 1800mm pine - seat support
4 of 20 x 140mm - pine - seat
4 x 45mm screws
Ponal wood glue
4 heavy-duty plastic or steel angle brackets
Interior sealer
Varnish brush
Steel wool
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits
Biscuit Joiner and #10 biscuits
Jigsaw, circular saw or table saw if cutting own lengths
Orbital sander plus 120- and 240-grit sanding pads
Tape measure and pencil
You can have all your wood cut the lengths at your local Builders.
HERE'S HOW:
Prep
Sand all the cut sections with 120- and then 240-grit sandpaper before assembly.
1. Use a biscuit joiner to cut slots in all the sections to join together. Fill the slots with wood glue and pop in the biscuits before joining the sections together. If you have long clamps, use these to hold the sections together overnight. Alternatively tape the sections tightly together.
2. With the side and back panels joined you use wood glue and 45mm screws to attach the seat supports to these sections. Allow a gap at the back of the side supports to allow for fitting the back panel.
3. Assemble the side and back panels using heavy-duty angle brackets. Drill through the side panels into the back panel and secure with 45mm screws. You can cover up the screws with screw caps or wood filler.
GOOD TO KNOW
If you plan on staining the finished box sofa, use a wood filler that matches the finished stain.
4. Finish by securing the seat panels to the top of the supports.
Finishing
You have a choice of finishing options. Use Woodoc 5 or 10 interior sealer for a washable finish, or apply Woodoc Antique Wax if you prefer to leave the piece as natural as possible.
You will find instructions here for making your own cushions for the box sofa.