Modern Wood Storage Sofa

How to build a wood storage sofa with drawers using crib mattress cushions.

Specifications

Project type	Sofa
Room	living room
Style	Modern Style Furniture Plans
Difficulty	Advanced

Dimensions

Use the size-specific shopping and cut lists below.

Shopping List

SOFA

2-1/2 or 2-3/4” SPAX Self tapping wood screws (use to build 2x4 frames)
2” SPAX Self tapping wood screws (For attaching wood frames to arms/back)
1-1/4” brad nails
Wood glue
4 – 26” long drawer slides
1 – 1x2 @ 10 feet long (can use smaller scrap pieces)
4 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
6 – 2x4 @ 9 feet long or 9 foot stud length (cut 102-1/2” boards from these)
6 – 1x8 @ 8 feet long
9 – 1x6 boards @ 8 feet long
3 – 1x3 boards
1 – 1x10 @ 10 feet long
1 sheet of ¼” plywood or additional 1x boards for back if exposed 1x boards for seat slats or ripped ¾” plywood

PIPE RAIL -

7 1/2" flanges - 7
6" long 1/2" pipes - 4
1/2" elbows - 5
1/2" tees - 2
48" long 1/2" pipes - 2
18" long 1/2" pipes - 2
8" long 1/2" pipes - 2
3.5" long 1/2" pipes

Cut List

ARMS

4 – 2x4 @ 24”
4 – 2x4 @ 31-1/2”
1x boards @ 24” to cover ends (16 – 1x8 @ 24” and 4 – 1x6 @ 24” as shown)
4 – 1x6 @ 24”
2 – 1x6 @ 36”

SEAT FRAMES

10 – 2x4 @ 9”
4 – 2x4 @ 102-1/2”

BACK

2 – 2x4 @ 102-1/2”
3 – 2x4 @ 21”
1 – ¼” plywood @ 102-1/2” x 24” (if exposed back add 1x material at later step)
14 – 1x8 @ 12-3/4” both ends cut parallel at 15 degrees off square, long point to short point measurement (can use other 1x material)
1 – 1x2 @ 102-1/2” (can be spliced if using 8’ long 1x2s)

TRIM

2 – 1x3 @ 102-1/2” (can splice shorter boards together)
1 – 1x6 @ 102” (can splice shorter boards together)

DRAWERS – Cut to fit openings

8 – 1x6 @ 23-3/4”
8 – 1x6 @ 26”
4 – ¼” plywood @ 23-3/4” x 26”
2 – 1x10 @ 25-5/8”
2 – 1x10 @ 25-1/8”

SLATS

1x boards cut at about 23” long – should be able to use a bunch of scraps up here.

Tools

measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
kreg-jig
drill
circular saw
compound miter saw
nailer
sander
countersink drill bit

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1

Use the longer self tapping screws to build two frames for the arms. Check for square.

Step 2

Attach wood cladding to outsides of frames with wood glue and 1-1/4” nails.

Step 3

Attach trim to outsides to complete the arms. Use 1-1/4” nails and glue to attach. Set arms aside.

Step 4

Build two of the seat frames. If adding drawers, it is very important that the frames match each other. Use the longer self tapping screws to build.

Step 5

Step 6

Build the back frame and adjust for square, using the longer self tapping screws and wood glue. If you are using plywood for the back, splice the plywood together over the stud in the middle (plywood cuts would be 24” x 51-1/4”. Attach plywood to the back with 1-1/4” nails and glue (or shorter nails will work too). If back of sofa will be exposed, don’t attach a back yet.

Step 7

Attach back frame to sofa arms with the 2” screws. If back is exposed, add additional 1x boards to back and attach with 1-1/4” nails and glue.

Step 8

Place back boards inside sofa and nail down.

Step 9

Attach 1x2s at base of back board with 1-1/4” nails and glue. This will secure back boards.

Step 10

Use 1-1/4” nails and glue to trim front and top edges of the sofa.

Step 11

Build drawers to fit openings.

Step 12

Install drawers with slides inside openings, so front edge is flush to front edge of 2x4s.

Step 13

If you need to block inward to get drawer slides to fit, this is one way to do it with scrap wood.

Step 14

Use 1-1/4” nails and glue to attach drawer faces. Also attach from inside with 1-1/4” screws.

Step 15

Place scrap 1x material about 23” long inside sofa frame and nail and glue down.

Finishing

Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.

Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/modern-wood-storage-sofa