How To DIY a Stylish Futon That Doubles as Small Space Storage
In Brittany & Jordan’s newly renovated camper, a lot of DIY went a long way. To take the living space from floral to fabulous, Brittany proudly designed and built this storage futon herself.
When she couldn’t find the right futon/couch/storage solution for the camper, she used her knowledge from years of working in her dad’s shop to come up with the design, cut all the pieces, assemble, rework and reassemble the structure. Her dad did give advice on a few things but remained hands-off.
Her husband, Jordan, also helped hold the back piece up while she screwed it to the base. And, her mom sewed the navy cushion cover. Besides that, she did everything herself. “It’s not perfect by any means, but it was a huge accomplishment for me. It’s cozy and very functional, serving as our couch, guest bed (folds down into a double) and has three large drawers underneath for storage.”
What You Need
- 2x4s
- furring strips
- paneling
- screws
- 3 drawer handles
- drawer tracks
- 3 large hinges
- 3 small hinges
- futon cushion
- fabric to make cover
- Sewing machine
- drill
- table saw
- screwdriver
- hammer
- square
- 2 saw horses
- level
- Skill level – intermediate
- Time to complete – 4 days
- Cost ~$100
Instructions
1. Make the base structure with 2x4s. Make sure it’s strong for sitting on and measure appropriately for drawer openings. 2. Measure and build 3 drawers the same size and depth. Use furring to frame the structure. Cut paneling to size for bottom, sides and face of drawer and attach with screws. 3. Attach drawer handles at same point on drawer faces. 4. Measure and install drawer tracks. 5. Cut panels to cover all sides of the base structure and attach with screws. 6. Build back of futon from 2x4s and cut paneling to create flat surface. 7. Build back support legs from furring to hold up futon when it’s laid down for sleeping. 8. Paint outside of futon color of your choice. 9. Attach back to the base structure with hinges. 10. Purchase futon cushion and sew a cover to match your color palette.Have a really great DIY project or tutorial that you want to share with others? Let us know! We love checking out what you’re making these days, and learning from our readers. When you’re ready, click here to submit your project and photos.