DIY Repurposed Couch

A new slipcover and throw pillows gives the sofa a totally new look.

If you're not quite ready to give up the couch that's been in your family's living room or den for years, but want to update the furniture, there are several inventive options for re-purposing. Changing the fabric pattern or color of the sofa as well as making the couch more comfortable will keep the item in your family for even longer. Make the piece much more attractive once you've added the modern touches of your choice.

Things You'll Need

• Slipcovers
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Paint
• Throw pillows
• Poly or down feather stuffing
• Studs
• Hammer

Instructions

Repurposing With Slipcovers

1. Turn the sofa on its side to paint the furniture's wooden legs a bright new shade. If the room is decorated in warm tones in the form of pomegranate red wall paneling and orange-brown end tables, select a deep orange hue for the legs. Or, update the clawfoot legs on your couch by painting them a bright white or black color to match the modern black, white and gray decor in the room.

2. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before turning the sofa back over and continuing the re-purposing project.

3. Purchase a slipcover in a stain-resistant fabric like twill or suede in a color that matches your living room decor. For instance, if you prefer modest color in the living room, choose a cocoa-colored slipcover that is darker than the sofa's original light brown hue. Or, make the sofa the feature of the room by choosing a turquoise or burnt orange slipcover to wake up a gray or medium brown den.

4. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to smooth the corners of the slipcover and tuck it neatly in between the cushions and crevices of the couch.

5. Add patterned throw pillows in a complementary hue to the re-purposed sofa. For instance, add pillows with navy blue and white stripes to the couch to complete the living room's nautical theme, or floral-print pillows for a Victorian-style den.

Repurposing With Stuffing

1. Purchase down feather or poly stuffing from your local home improvement store.

2. Grab each of the cushions from your sofa and unzip them.

3. Remove the stuffing from each of the cushions and replace it with the new stuffing.

4. Hammer the studs you've purchased from the hardware store onto the outline of the arms or bottom of the couch. There are several colors and metal finishes available that will give the sofa a modest but updated appearance or a colorful, art deco feel.

5. Place the cushions back onto the couch to provide comfortable, re-purposed seating for your family and guests.

References

• "The Arizona Republic"; Ways to Resuscitate, Reimagine Your Couch; Jaimee Rose; Oct. 1, 2007
• Simple Organic; How To: Repurpose, Reuse, Refinish Furniture; April 30, 2010
• Ideal Home Garden; How To Repurpose Furniture To Decorate Living Rooms; Michelle Tako; 2011