Has anyone removed a wood base from sofa and attached legs?

Glenda
by Glenda

Instead of purchasing a new sofa, I was hoping to give my old one a make over. Has anyone removed a wooden base as the one shown in the photo below and added legs? Just wondering. Thanks!

  22 answers
  • I would be concerned that the wood may be an important part of the structure of the sofa.

  • William William on Jun 01, 2021

    The wood base holds the springs, the armrests and back. It's all structural. You can add feet to the sofa without removing anything


    https://www.instructables.com/Couch-Legs-Adding-or-Changing/


    https://www.livingspaces.com/inspiration/ideas-advice/how-tos/how-to-attach-sofa-legs-a-step-by-step-video

  • Personally, it's really hard to remove the wood base from the sofa since it's really important for the sofa to preserve its structure. I totally agree with William's suggestion to just add feet.

  • Janice Janice on Jun 02, 2021

    Hi Glenda, William is spot on about the wood being a part of the sofa's structure. If you dislike the look of the wood along the bottom, you cold take a cushion to the paint store and have it color matched & paint the wood so it is less noticeable and then add as many legs as you like in the style of your choice.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 02, 2021

    Agree with above could the base be painted to match upholstery fabric there by camouflage base being wood by removing the conflicting yellow wood tone? Might bean easier job.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 02, 2021

    Hello Glenda,

    Why remove the base, just add the legs!

    • Glenda Glenda on Jun 02, 2021

      The legs are attached to the wood base. It's one piece. We removed it when we moved so it could fit in the elevator.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jun 02, 2021

    Your wood base looks to be part of the structure and integrity of the couch, Not exactly sure why you want to remove it. If too low, add legs. Or if you don't care for the appearance of the couch with it, you could cover it with a fabric that would complement your decor, maybe make matching throw pillows. Paint is an option.

    Or if someone keeps banging into the wood and is bruising themselves. You could add in items around the corners to prevent this, like a plant or a side table.

    Our recliner couch was too low for our liking, was easy to set down on but hard to get up from. I added 6"lifters in the front & 8" lifters in the back as a means to raise it. Granted, they are not the most attractive, but cheap and functional. Adding legs would have had to been done by someone with more strength than I have.


  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Jun 02, 2021

    the wood base is basically the foundation for the sofa I would not remove it- you can always add legs to the bottom of it for a new look

  • William William on Jun 02, 2021

    If you did remove the base what would you attach the legs to?! Also the base does add structural support to the sofa. Why remove the base to anyway. If you don't like the the wood you can paint it same color as the sofa or get some similar fabric and cover it up.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 02, 2021

    Hello again.

    Fit the legs and the base back in place the same way you removed it in the first place!

  • Dee Dee on Jun 02, 2021

    Home Depot and Lowes sell some very nice legs. If you do not like the color of the wood, stian it a different color and then stain the legs the same color. Taking off the wood, will destroy the support of the sofa.

  • Looks like the wood is an integral part of the couch’s construction so unless you’re prepared to rebuild the base, you likely can’t remove it. It does look like you could potentially change the feet. You can paint the wood or wrap it in fabric if that helps.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 03, 2021

    Glenda,

    When you removed the base at the time of moving in, do you remember what sort of material was in the upper corners?

    How is the base attached to the rest of the sofa? If there is wood in the corners, you should be able to screw in new legs up into it.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 03, 2021

    If you like the shape and height of the legs, but just do not like the centre wood any more, then remove the base, cut the centre portions of the base away from the legs, then reattach the legs to the couch.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 03, 2021

    Folks, please read the entire thread before posting. Glenda has said several times that the legs are attached to the base and the one-piece unit is removeable.

    • Glenda Glenda on Jun 03, 2021

      I was hoping to be able to attach new legs in the same space where the base screws into (each corner of the sofa).

  • Pat Pat on Jun 03, 2021


    When the base was off, did the sofa look okay without it? Then just put the new legs in the corners like you want to. If your sofa is long you may have to put a leg in the middle front and middle back also. If the sofa needs finishing on the bottom, get some cording at the fabric shop that matches your sofa and glue or tack that around the bottom of your sofa. Will look very good. I have a skirted sofa and have contemplated taking the skirt off....but so far..nada.

  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Jun 04, 2021

    You could also add a skirt along the bottom to hide the whole base.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Jun 05, 2021

    I wouldn't recommend removing the wood, but you might be able to paint it. That wood is there for stability and some other structure work

  • I don't think you'd be able to remove the wooden base on this sofa as it is the solid base. If you don't like the color of the wood, you could paint it a brighter color, such as white, add some throw pillows and a throw to add some color/patterns/textures.

  • Em Em on Jun 05, 2021

    Saw the legs off even with the wooden frame and attach new legs to that. You can fill with wood putty, stain or paint all to match.

  • Amy Amy on Sep 02, 2022

    HI Glenda! I hope you're still able to get notifications for this post. I have a similar couch to yours and would need to remove the leg/wood part off. Did you cut the cloth in the bottom to unscreen the legs/wooden base?

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 14, 2023

    You would be removing some of the support for the piece Why not call the manufacturer and ask them. They know the specs and details regarding these types of questions.