Ikea couch that does not do it anymore, how to reuse it

Question

I have this couch; ikea cheap couch that is uncomfortable and pillow cases wont zip anymore, too much washing. The back panel is too low but if there is a way to elevate the back panel I would gladly change the pillow cover to keep the couch. Any thoughts on how I can add a higher back panel?

Debbie Harris · Answer

You can definately change the back frame, but it would require reupholstering the whole thing. Do you want to put some elbow grease into it and money of course?

Susan Bates Fiano · Answer

I'd cover it. You can buy a cover or you could buy one of those canvas sheets (i forget what they call those) and cover the couch and if you sew you could cover the pillows and add some toss pillows of another color (yellow would be pretty against the blue walls) or a soft color to go with the taupe color of the painters sheets. There are so many things you could do...check out pininterest..some great ideas there!

Z · Answer

Are you talking about wanting to make the back cushions taller or the back of the sofa frame taller? You can also restuff the cushions, this tutorial by a fellow Hometalker @Living Rich on Less - Susan could help you. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/update-on-how-to-make-an-old-couch-new-for-10-3024134

Jeanette S · Answer

There comes the time when you just have to JUNK something no matter how badly it hurts the 'hold onto everything and reuse it' hearts out there! This is probably one of those times! Set it at the curb and put a sign on it 'take me'! The sign lets people know that you won't mind their stopping and picking it up. People looking for 'parts' cruise before the trash goes out just to pick up pieces they can use.

Hope Williams · Answer

I'm with Jeanette.  The money it would cost to extend the back far outweighs the cost of a new one.  
Put it out, or call habitat to come get it.

Sandy Slade · Answer

Hi ,If you are a fellow freegler or upcycler you could ask if anyone has old bed heads to add height and just either attach to the back of your sofa or maybe even freestanding then all you need to do is make higher cushions with new covers. Good luck look forward to hearing what you decide.

Mary Bennett · Answer

If the back is just pillows(it looks that way,) you could just open the seams of it, add a king size pillow to it, & cover with a different fabric to add some pizzaz to it Use the different fabric to make some throw pillows to match! Add something like covered buttons, or rick rack to cover the seam!

HeyRoper · Answer

I think it might be better to sell this one on craigslist or offerup and look for another one you want.

Marlene Serwinek · Answer

If the back pillows are loose (not attached to the sofa frame), you can buy some 6' thick foam and cut them into taller shapes than the current pillows are and then sew covers for them and put them in place of the current back pillows. So you'd be making new back cushions. You could make them as tall as you want and it would give the sofa a whole new look.

SchyeBlue · Answer

There are plenty of places that could use your 'old' couch. Maybe putting a higher back on it isn't a practical idea for you...depending how how handy you are, how physically able you are, if you have someone else do the hard part...stuff like that. You could either give the couch to a charitable organization, a church, or sell it!

Therese Ryan-Haas · Answer

I would take off the back pillows. Remove the back material to find the frame behind it. I would measure the size of frame. Cut holes for bolts in frame. Cut a sheet of plywood large enough to screw to frame. Put in bolts to match holes in frame. Then I would cover the plywood with heavy batting or foam ( found at any upholstery shop or Jo Ann's, or heck you can buy a bench seat cushion). Then use a staple gun and cover it all with a cheep fabric. There are numerous DIY for head boards. Pretty much the same thing. Bolt it to the frame. To cover get a cheep throw cover on ebay that matches your decor. Now this would NOT have the give and comfort the a spring box sofa would have. But you can add more cushion with pillows. If this is to much for you, go to 'Good Will' couches are cheep and some even deliver.

Tegma · Answer

I like the idea of screwing a head board or pc. of plywood to the back frame.... inexpensive, esp. if you can find a headboard at a curb side, or thrift store. Then just make your pillows larger, and add a slip cover to the whole thing if you want. Otherwise, look on Wayfair for one of their bargain sofas.

Kathy T. · Answer

Online JCP sold euro pillow inserts if you find Inexpensive fabric to cover. These are much larger pillows. A new sofa probably best choice for the long run. Make sure washable or the leather look. Seems you may have a reason to cover.

MARY CHRISTINA · Answer

Use your imagination!!! I'm sure you will come up with something. Or you can look on Craigslist 'free' Good luck!!!

Mélissa Desève · Answer

Thank you all for the ideas and suggestions. I will try to install a head board and make new cushion covers, using the old ones. Reuse is the key here. Thank you all again :)

Tegma · Answer

If the sofa is going to be against a wall as pictured, and you need to make the new cushions out of the same fabric, take the fabric from the back of the sofa before adding a headboard or plywood. Then you can add almost any fabric to the wood , or just paint it. No one need know when it's against the wall. However, the back cushions don't need to match the seat cushions totally. You could cut the present cushion covers in half across the middle, and add a co-ordinating pc. of fabric across the center, like a wide stripe, than attach the other half of the present cushion fabric. ' Wish I were there to help you.... I have tons of ideas and am a regular diy'er, even as a great grandma!

Tegma · Answer

Oh, by the way, if you need cheap slip covers which are well made, check out Brylane Homes.

Amanda W · Answer

Do put taller cushions on it and also, get pretty wooden legs at a home improvement store. The type that screw on would be easy to do. I had the same problem with two loveseats and sold them, but have always wished I had kept them and put new legs on them.

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