How could I reuse this Ikea sandby couch?

Lea Grossman
by Lea Grossman
Hi Hometalkers! So we have this old Ikea sandby couch pictured below, and we just inherited a different, newer couch, so I want to get rid of this one... But I'm sort of emotionally attached to it - I've had so many good cups of coffee and read so many books on this couch... any ideas for repurposing it? I don't really have room for it and my new couch, but any ideas are welcome! And I am willing to spend money on materials because well I haven't spent money on my new couch! (not to mention that I disasembled, moved and will reassemble the couch all by myelf!)

  15 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 07, 2017

    Do you have an enclosed porch?

  • Sandra Sandra on Mar 07, 2017

    Since you are a reader, and you really don't have room, why not ask the local library if they could use a couch. Or a school library.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Mar 08, 2017

    Would it be too traumatizing to cut up the fabric and use it for a quilt or wall art? As a tribute to your many good couch memories? You could even hang it over the new couch, as a real nod to its predecessor.

  • Stephanie Stephanie on Mar 08, 2017

    Is there any way to take it apart and use a portion of it to make an ottoman for your new couch?

  • Nancy Gramm Nancy Gramm on Mar 08, 2017

    I was thinking similar, Stephanie: cut it in half and reassemble as a chair. Then make an ottoman out of the remainder.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Mar 08, 2017

    Won't fit in your BDRM I take it how about instead of chairs on one side of kitchen table or dining rm table use it there or is it too low? It looks like it's in good shape there must be someway to rearrange furniture so you can carve out a little reading spot. If kitchen isn't large enough for a table maybe you can just put this in there by a window any window in fact and it becomes a window seat. So unless you have tried rearranging all your furniture start there. You sound so sad,don't live with regret. See if you can get rid of something you have always hated and make room for something that is dear to your heart.

  • Mary Mary on Mar 09, 2017

    dont know the width but you could recover and use as a twin headboard

  • M. M.. M. M.. on Mar 11, 2017

    Since you know how it is assembled, can you take one of the arms off and use it as a chaise? or take both arms off and use it as a banquette-style seating?

  • Sherry Sherry on Mar 12, 2017

    Are you an animal lover? You could search for animal shelters near you and see if they could use a sofa. Some rescue groups have "home-like" shelters so animals are less stressed and are more adoptable because they're in a home like environment.

    If you are more into helping people, find a reputable charity to donate the couch to help people down on their luck.

  • Jam6834330 Jam6834330 on Mar 12, 2017

    If you have children place it in their bedroom. They will feel so grown up or take naps on it. You have kept it prestine so it is not scary to put it in another room. Cut the back and one arm and make it a lounge chair. Swap out half back to make it a perfect lounger.

  • Teddy Teddy on Mar 12, 2017

    If I were you I would paint it. It's already a blank canvas so theres nothing you need to do before you start. But don't paint it just one or two colors. It sounds like you're going to get rid of it anyways so go to town on it. Make it a masterpiece, go to the limits of your creativity, make it Your masterpiece! One of 3 things will happen ; either it will turn out horrible and you'll have no problem donating it to an animal shelter, thankfully most animals are colorblind, or it will be a masterpiece and there's always room for a piece de resistance as the French say. The 3rd is what happened to mine. I too was in the same situation only my piece was an big old deco dresser and thats what I did. I took bits and pieces of designs from my stained glass books and after 3 intense weeks, I had my masterpiece. It was so successful I kept getting offers to sell it which I refused. That is until I was offered an old pickup in exchange and I reluctantly caved in. I was no longer limited by the lack of space in my car to buy anything I wanted at the flea markets and garage sales, much to the dismay of my boyfriend. If you're having a problem coming up with a design use any of the adult coloring books which you can easily find these days. If you take my advice don't forget to take a picture to share with us. Lot's of luck!

  • Dee Dee on Mar 14, 2017

    That couch is the perfect shape for making a custom cover, or recovering. If it is comfy, keep it and use it, or send it to me.

  • Martha Earles Martha Earles on Mar 15, 2017

    I would recover it ( to match bedroom) to match the other one or put in sunroom If you have one or in the study

  • Carol Carol on Mar 16, 2017

    If your bedroom is big enough, use It at the foot of your bed for a reading bench.

  • Patricia phillips Patricia phillips on Mar 20, 2017

    Too bad you don't live in Ontario! My daughter is starting out in her first apartment and this would be ideal. If someone offers to take it, realize that they will be making wonderful memories sitting in it too!