DIY Network

Seating Area Two couches become one new seating area. From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-310

Host Samantha Gleisten joins together and recovers two thrift store couches to create a new seating area.

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Materials:

sectional couch
end table
standing lamp
large decorative glass bowl
hair dryer dome
fabric
upholstery tacks
1/2" plywood
3/4" plywood
wood glue
small rubber scraps
sandpaper
primer
paint
stain
polyurethane
metal hinge
decorative straws
red lamp shade
foam padding
staple gun
rubber gun
rubber mallet
table saw
band saw
nail gun
power drill
diamond tipped glass drill bit
metal drill bit
router
paint brush/roller

1. Reupholster the sectional couches by covering the pieces with new material directly over the old (figure A). Use a staple gun to attach the new fabric in unseen spots as it was done originally.

2. Attach new fabric to the two front armrest covers (figure B), and then glue them back on, covering the staples from the newly wrapped armrests. Use upholstery tacks to secure them in place.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

3. When recovering the cushions, cut the fabric slightly larger than the panels you are covering. Sew the pieces inside out, and then use fabric piping to dress up the seams.

4. Remove the old tabletop by hitting it from underneath with a rubber mallet.

5. Cut 1/2 inch plywood using a table saw to make an interior tray for the end table (figure C). The bottom piece will be 16" x 24", two side pieces will be 24" x 3" and the two end pieces will be 16" x 2-1/2".

6. Wood glue and nail gun the pieces together to form a long shallow box.

7. Cut out two 3/4 inch plywood strips 1" x 2" x 24".

8. Pre-drill holes in the strips and wood glue, and then screw them 10 inches below the tabletop parallel to each other on the inside. These strips will act as sliders for the interior storage tray to move on.

9. Replace the missing side panel with a new piece of plywood.

10. Cut a triangle out of 3/4 inch plywood and two small strips of wood to use as support brackets.

11. Pre-drill holes in the strips and glue and screw them in place below the back corner of the table surface. The triangle piece should fit sandwiched in between the lip of the table top surface and the new mounting strips. Screw the triangle to the mounting strips.

12. Mark and cut a triangle into the square metal base of the lamp so that it will sit into the back corner of the table on top of the small triangle sub-shelf.

Figure D

13. Drill 1/8 inch holes in the metal base using a metal drill bit. Screw the base to the plywood triangle (figure D).

14. Disassemble the light socket at the top of the lamp.

15. Using a 3/4 inch diamond tipped glass drill bit, carefully drill a hole through the center of the bowl.

16. Cut a piece of rubber for the lamp mounting plate, found at the top of the lamp stand to provide a non-slip surface for the bowl.

17. Screw the triangle into place around the lamp post.

18. Draw a puzzle piece design on the new table top, and then route a small, thin channel through the design.

19. Sand all the surfaces of the end table. Prime and paint the inside and outside, and then stain the table top two different shades to accent the puzzle design. Apply polyurethane to the table top.

20. Attach hinges to the large table top lid and corner triangle so that it can be lifted to access the interior sliding box. Attach a drawer pull to the front corner to allow easy lifting.

Figure E

21. Pad and upholster the side of the tabletop to create armrests for the sectional couch (figure E).

22. Add decorative straws to the holes on the dryer dome, and then place a red shade in between the glass bowl and dryer dome for accent color.

Project Cost:

Couches: Free
Fabric, foam: $65
End table: Free
Lighting, paint, materials: $45

Total: $110

RESOURCES :

The Brown Elephant
Website: www.howardbrown.org/hb_brownelephant.asp