I posted a couple weeks ago about a large couch that I cut in half with a sawzall. This is my ultimate DIY project yet since I have been blogging. Never in a million years did I think I would be tackling a DIY couch.
Here is the before when the couch was 2 feet longer.
![[How%2520to%2520make%2520a%2520large%2520couch%2520small%2520tutorial%2520pic%255B3%255D.jpg]](https://i2.wp.com/lh5.ggpht.com/-o-jP-Kj9b5w/T10VttCtQ7I/AAAAAAAABwI/X06EZj2Uruk/s1600/How%252520to%252520make%252520a%252520large%252520couch%252520small%252520tutorial%252520pic%25255B3%25255D.jpg?resize=686%2C459&ssl=1 "DIY couch, how to make a large couch small")
Oh my goodness the emails and comments I received were hilarious. Although, I did have a couple people seriously question my sanity. I kind of questioned it myself when it looked like this,
So, in all seriousness, this was by far one of the craziest things I have ever done. I will say though, she came out look-in pretty darn good.
This project cost me “zero” dollars.
I used 2 drapes that I purchased last summer from Pier 1 Imports and used them to reupholster the couch. They were actually hanging in this room until a couple days ago. I LOVE the paisley print and prayed it would look ok on the couch.
If you use drapes, you want to make sure you have a heavy cotton or canvas type material. These were perfect. I have never in my life reupholstered anything, never mind a couch. If you are a professional, I would stop reading because my method will probably make your stomach flip.
I used my power staple gun and 1/2” & 3/4” staples. I know you can use real upholstery staples and yes, they probably work better but I was trying to do this without purchasing anything so I used what I had.
There are tons of upholstery tutorials out there so I am not going to duplicate with another and honestly, they are much better than my method . Lots of tucking, folding and stapling. I just went with it and once I got it the way I liked, I stapled away!
I originally planned on making piping for the edges and I still may but I am happy with how the seams came out so for now, it will stay like this.
I used my hand stapler for the smaller areas but if you have a power staple gun, it will be your best friend for a project like this. This really was fairly simple. If you can cut fabric, place it on the couch and cut to fit, you can do this.
When I sawzalled the couch in half (you can see that post here ) there was a large gap. I cut up an old egg crate that I had for one of our beds and filled in the gap. You can purchase foam/batting at any fabric store but this worked and it was free!
I wanted a straight lined back and the original couch was a camel back so when I cut out the middle of the couch, I still had a bit of a hump so I slide in a 6” piece of MDF and covered with the foam/egg crate, batting and muslin.
It’s not professional and far from perfect but it is solid as a rock and pretty sassy look-in if I do say so myself 
! I am happy to say that I have a DIY couch under my belt. ha
You can see the tutorial of me sawzalling the couch in half in my previous DIY Couch post.
UPDATE: you can see this couch reupholstered in a pottery barn slip cover in our pool house as well.
thefinestkind says
you are my hero. 🙂 the ultimate in awesome!!!!!
Jessie @ Imperfectly Polished says
You rock. The couch turned out beautiful! Love the fabric and the change you made to the back:)
Linda says
You did such a great job. It looks wonderful!
Anonymous says
good for you!!! I have a very long couch…my daughter covered it in beautiful fabric that I love…but the couch is long and low…too modern for my 1930s high ceilinged home…I have thought about cutting it in half for years…I have extra fabric to finish off the cuts sides and make it into two half-couches…then one day I thought about putting large casters on it ( I covered a 2" thick board and screwed it one to each end then screwed the caster to that)…it changed the total appearance of the couch…plus it is so easy to move around!…but I do understand the urge to cut a couch in half!
Maury Kilgo says
Holy cow girl! You are so brave. I have been scared to tackle upholstering much less cutting a couch in half, fixing it and the reupholstering it. You're amazing!
Anonymous says
That turned out great! I live close I should just bring my great-grandmother's old chair over and leave at your place for some TLC or perhaps you have time to give lessons! No kidding, it looks great!
Danielle says
Wow! This looks great. You had me in stitches with your last post about this couch. Love the paisley and the upholstry looks fantastic.
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says
Simply amazing. It's impressive enough that this is your first time to upholster anything, but the fact that you sawzalled the couch in half first is just unbelievable! Very worth the effort. Your "new" sofa is beautiful.
- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Get out of town! Seriously? You cut your couch in half with a Sawzall? Wow, I'm impressed and it looks really great. I'm not sure which to be more excited by, the sawzall action or your upholstery skills. You go girl!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Wow! When I first saw this project, I had my doubts, but you made me a believer! It makes me want to go cut a couch in half! (But I think my husband would kill me!)
Lisa Scibilia says
Jeez Louise!!! I am ahhhhmazed by you, Jessica!! I love that you sawed your couch in half – you are the awesomeness thing ever in the land of DIY!!! I knew you would make it work somehow! Love the fabric and how you took out the camel back. Very impressive, girl!!!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you 🙂