Modern DIY Upholstered Couch

By Woodshop Diaries
diy-upholstered-couch-finished-image
diy-upholstered-couch-for-man-cave-above-shot
diy-upholstered-couch-shot-with-aquarium-cabinet
Kreg Academy Kreg Academy

Build this modern DIY couch/sofa for your living room, man cave, kid's playroom, or even for a sitting area in your bedroom. It's simple construction and clean lines give it a modern feel and make it easy to build. The exposed wood frame allows you to customize it with your own stain color and fabric.

Difficulty moderate

Tools

Kreg Tools

Other Tools

  • Circular Saw (corded)
    Circular Saw (corded)
  • Miter Saw
    Miter Saw
  • Square
    Square
  • Tape Measure
    Tape Measure
  • Drill (cordless)
    Drill (cordless)
  • Nail Gun
    Nail Gun
  • Sander
    Sander

Materials

Wood Products

  • 10 Board , 2x4 , 96"
  • 2 Plywood , 3/4" Thick , Full Sheet
  • 8 Couch Legs , Couch Legs , 6" long
  • 4 Cove Molding (optional) , 3/4" , 96"

Hardware & Supplies

  • 36 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
  • 62 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
  • 32 2 1/2" wood screws
  • 32 1 1/4" wood screws
  • 1 Wood Glue
See All Tools & Materials

Cut List & Parts

  • 4 Side panel top and bottom of frame , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 25" Mitered both ends 45 degrees
  • 4 Side panel left and right pieces of frame , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 20" Mitered at both ends 45 degrees
  • 2 Plywood in side panels , 3/4" x 13" x 18"
  • 1 Left Couch front piece of top frame , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 44"
  • 2 Left couch back frame pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 40 1/2"
  • 1 Left couch vertical back frame pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 20"
  • 1 Left couch outside top frame piece , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 22"
  • 2 Left Couch Bottom Frame long pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 45 1/2"
  • 2 Left Couch Bottom Frame short pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 18"
  • 8 Couch Legs , 6" tall
  • 1 Left Couch Back panel , 3/4" x 13" x 40 1/2"
  • 2 Left Couch Seat Supports , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 22"
  • 1 Left Couch Seat , 3/4" x 23 1/2" x 44"
  • 2 Right Couch top frame long pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 44"
  • 3 Right Couch Top frame back pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 20"
  • 1 Right Couch top frame outside piece , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 20 1/2"
  • 2 Right Couch Bottom Frame long pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 45 1/2"
  • 2 Right Couch Bottom Frame short pieces , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 16 1/2"
  • 1 Right Couch back panel , 3/4" x 13" x 20"
  • 2 Right Couch Seat Supports , 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 20 1/2"
  • 1 Right Couch Seat , 3/4" x 23 1/2" x 44"
See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

  • Create Couch Side Panels

    First cut your side panel frame. You don't have to miter the corners, but it looks cleaner if you do. Cut two 2x4 frame sides at 20" at the longest point (mitered 45 degrees on each end not parallel). Then cut two frame sides the same way only 25" long this time. Cut a 3/4" plywood panel to fit the inside hole of the frame. This should be about 13"x18". Drill 3/4" pocket holes in the plywood panel like shown and attach the frame together like the image shows. Put some glue in the mitered joints to help hold them. OR you could also use 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws to help hold the frame corners as well. Clamp together until the glue is dry.

    Step 1

  • Assemble Left Side Couch Top Frame

    Assemble the frame like shown in the image using 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws. The frame is made from 2x4s and the measurements for each piece are specified in the image.

    Step 2

  • Assemble Left Couch Bottom Frame

    Cut 2x4s at the measurements in the image and using 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws, assemble a frame like shown.

    Step 3

  • Attach Couch Legs to Frame

    I used these legs (part #6001) from Osborne Wood Products for the legs. Mark 1 3/4" in from each edge at the corner. Predrill through this mark and through the center of each leg. Using wood glue and a 2 1/2" wood screw (one screw per leg), attach the couch legs to the frame like shown.

    Step 4

  • Attach Bottom Frame to Top Frame

    Flip the piece from step 2 upside down and center the piece from step 4 onto the bottom of it like the image shown. Using 2 1/2" wood screws, attach the two frames together along the edges.

    Step 5

  • Add Back Panel

    Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to fit into the opening in the back frame. It should measure about 13"x40 1/2". Drill 3/4" pocket holes around the edges like shown and attach into the frame (flush to the INSIDE of the couch) using 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

    Step 6

  • Add Seat Supports

    Cut 2 pieces of 2x4 at 22" long and drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into both ends of each piece. Attach in the seat (space them out evenly) like shown using 2 1/2" pocket hole screws. On the far side, you can screw a scrap 2x4 board (or just cut a smaller one) into the side of the frame using 2 1/2" wood screws.

    Step 7

  • Add Plywood Seat

    Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood at 23 1/2"x 44" and use 1 1/4" wood screws to attach the plywood in place as shown. Screw the plywood along the edges and into the supports from step 7.

    Step 8

  • Build Right Side Couch Frame

    Because this couch is a sectional style, it made sense to make it in two separate pieces. After step 8, the left side is finished. Now it's time to make the right side. Create another panel identical to the one from step 1. Then assemble a frame like shown in the image. The frame is, again, made from 2x4s and the measurements are listed in the picture. Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes and use 2 1/2" pocket hole screws to attach everything together.

    Step 9

  • Built Right Couch Bottom Frame

    Repeat step 3 to build another bottom couch frame, except this time, the 18" pieces are actually 16 1/2" long. Then, repeat steps 4 and 5 to attach the legs to this frame and this frame to the top frame from step 9.

  • Add Seat Supports

    Just like in step 7, attach 2x4 seat supports in this frame like shown here. NOTE: I screwed a scrap 2x4 piece in the back side just like in step 7, I just forgot to retake the picture after I did it. You will need to add that 2x4 on the far side as well.

    Step 11

  • Add Plywood back and Seat

    Just like in step 6, cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to fit the opening in the back frame of the couch. This should be 13" x 20". Drill 3/4" pocket holes around the edges and use 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to attach like shown. Make sure it's flush to the INSIDE of the couch. Also, just like in step 8, cut a piece of 3/4" plywood at 23 1/2" x 44" and use 1 1/4" wood screws to attach to the frame.

    Step 12

  • Add Cove Molding (optional)

    As an optional step, add cove molding around the edge of the plwyood frames on the sides and back of the couches.

    Step 13

  • Finish

    Plug or putty any exposed pocket holes along the frame. Don't worry about any holes in the plywood back and side panels as these will be covered during upholstery. Then stain or paint as desired. Once your finish is dry, it's time to upholster. Check out the link in the Extras tab for upholstery instructions.

    Step 14