DIY Desk/couch combo - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ColMcWill · 08-20-2006, 02:08 PM

hey, I recently designed a combo of a desk and couch and wanted to see if anyone had any critiques of it, or problems I might run into in the process of building it. the attached drawing is not to scale, and is just what I could whip up while waiting for a download. I'm gonna try to make a working 3D graphics model of it to further test the design.

An added idea for it is to have an extra foot or so of desk behind it that you could keep a monitor on while it's set as a couch. That way you could keep the items on the desk without having to put the stuff from the desk elsewhere. The implementation is thought to be that of when you don't have much room for furniture, you can have two types in one location (bedroom probably).

Grancey · 08-20-2006, 02:38 PM

I know nothing about designing furniture, so this comment is purely from a "hey, that's neat" point of view.

Hey, that's neat

MexicanOnABike · 08-20-2006, 07:22 PM

eh. thats kinda cool. but would it be practical? i'm curious to see how it would look in 3d/real life.

Plaid13 · 08-25-2006, 01:57 AM

It would be more of a bench then a couch. Not nearly as comfortable as a real couch. A Real couch has the 6-10 inch thick cusions then springs under that that have about 6 inches of give to them. You need to make a couch real strong as well because when your totaly exhausted and kinda fall into the couch it can break stuff pretty easy if not built for it. I totaly understand wanting a couch/desk combo but i dont think thats a practical way to do it. the whole thing would weigh so much it would be a real pain to change back and forth.

As a design alternitive how about making it so the back of the couch folds down with the desk top on the back of it so when its folded down the desk top is on top.

Whatever you do make sure you do draw it to scale before building and check to make sure you have leg room under it.

Another option would be to make the couch as comfy as possable then just have the desk part hindge down from the side so you could use the desk while on the couch. Maybe have the middle back cusion swing down with a desk top on a swing arm on it so you can pull the desk out right over your lap.

Spend some time at one of those big home improvement stores just looking at the hardware. hinges drawer sliders and that sort of thing and i bet you can come up with a more practical way then needing to flip over a couch that most likely weighs 100+ lbs.

thingstodo · 08-25-2006, 05:39 PM

I'm sure there's a use for it, especially in a small apartment or dorm room situation.

Temporary_User · 08-25-2006, 06:01 PM

cool idea, but if the need you have a need for a desk, and don't have the space for it, i think a piece of wood attached to the wall would work best. (think hid-a-bed or ironing board)
I think a couch that the cussions remove for storage would be a cool idea.
I dunno though, as plaid pointed out that is probably why I havent seen something like it though.

genuinegirly · 08-26-2006, 10:31 AM

I definitely like this one. It would be handy in motor homes. When you get the real design together, PM me. I have a friend who designs electrical systems for Fleetwood. He might just have the connections to get your idea moving.

08-20-2006, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
ColMcWill Upright Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA	DIY Desk/couch combo hey, I recently designed a combo of a desk and couch and wanted to see if anyone had any critiques of it, or problems I might run into in the process of building it. the attached drawing is not to scale, and is just what I could whip up while waiting for a download. I'm gonna try to make a working 3D graphics model of it to further test the design. An added idea for it is to have an extra foot or so of desk behind it that you could keep a monitor on while it's set as a couch. That way you could keep the items on the desk without having to put the stuff from the desk elsewhere. The implementation is thought to be that of when you don't have much room for furniture, you can have two types in one location (bedroom probably). Last edited by ColMcWill; 08-20-2006 at 03:21 PM..

08-20-2006, 02:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Grancey Life's short, gotta hurry... Location: land of pit vipers	I know nothing about designing furniture, so this comment is purely from a "hey, that's neat" point of view. Hey, that's neat __________________ Quiet, mild-mannered souls might just turn out to be roaring lions of two-fisted cool.

08-20-2006, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
MexicanOnABike Location: up north	eh. thats kinda cool. but would it be practical? i'm curious to see how it would look in 3d/real life. __________________ - Movie Reviews - Ratings-

08-25-2006, 05:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I'm sure there's a use for it, especially in a small apartment or dorm room situation. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-26-2006, 10:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	I definitely like this one. It would be handy in motor homes. When you get the real design together, PM me. I have a friend who designs electrical systems for Fleetwood. He might just have the connections to get your idea moving. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

08-25-2006, 01:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	It would be more of a bench then a couch. Not nearly as comfortable as a real couch. A Real couch has the 6-10 inch thick cusions then springs under that that have about 6 inches of give to them. You need to make a couch real strong as well because when your totaly exhausted and kinda fall into the couch it can break stuff pretty easy if not built for it. I totaly understand wanting a couch/desk combo but i dont think thats a practical way to do it. the whole thing would weigh so much it would be a real pain to change back and forth. As a design alternitive how about making it so the back of the couch folds down with the desk top on the back of it so when its folded down the desk top is on top. Whatever you do make sure you do draw it to scale before building and check to make sure you have leg room under it. Another option would be to make the couch as comfy as possable then just have the desk part hindge down from the side so you could use the desk while on the couch. Maybe have the middle back cusion swing down with a desk top on a swing arm on it so you can pull the desk out right over your lap. Spend some time at one of those big home improvement stores just looking at the hardware. hinges drawer sliders and that sort of thing and i bet you can come up with a more practical way then needing to flip over a couch that most likely weighs 100+ lbs.

08-25-2006, 06:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Temporary_User Psycho	cool idea, but if the need you have a need for a desk, and don't have the space for it, i think a piece of wood attached to the wall would work best. (think hid-a-bed or ironing board) I think a couch that the cussions remove for storage would be a cool idea. I dunno though, as plaid pointed out that is probably why I havent seen something like it though.