Multi-Function Day-Bed Couch

My old rented apartment at Upper East Side was such a cool but unusual space.  Ceiling height and finishes made it awesome, but the layout was a bit ridiculous.   I would have planned the layout quite differently, but this is where the DSTV and plug points were located.  I wanted to show you the space where my creation would have to sit, and this is the only photo I have of the area prior to this project.  Maybe one day I will blog about making an awesome painting with very little money and even less skill, but this post is about my sofa / daybed design.

The requirements were as follows.  I wanted a cushy comfy spot suitable for T.V watching and naps.  It had to be broad enough to facilitate spooning.  It should accommodate an overnight guest comfortably.  Some kind of storage would be cool.  I wanted it to relate to the industrial feel of the flat.

So it is a bit cliche, but castor wheels would go a long way to provide the industrial look, and it is always handy to to have mobile furniture.  Two wheels with strong locking mechanisms, two without. Plywood base, neat trim, and I will spare you further construction detail because it was as easy as it looks.  The base was 150mm high so that the finished seat height would be a little over 400mm.  Standard sofas range between 400mm and 450mm seat height.

Two sliding basket drawers beneath to hide away magazines and remote controls.

Primer, then enamel paint.

I have a couple of reliable upholsterers that will make custom pieces.  I found a durable grey fabric at one of the discount fabric houses.  I designed a thick cushy base / mattress and cushions that lean against the wall in couch-mode, or can be tossed aside for sleep mode, or as head and shoulder support for stretched out T.V-mode.  The mattress was almost 30cm thick filled with well packed chip-foam and unicurl.  My 100kg backside could never feel the hard base beneath.  I had them line the fabric with a thin foam liner and stitch a pattern of squares to give it a subtle textured quilted effect.

So here it is, looking the part in my unusual place. Total cost less than R2400.00  When I moved out of the flat, I sold it for R2000.00.  Loads of fun to make, comfort, style, and awesome versatility enjoyed for 18 months and it only cost me R400.00.  I love design and DIY.