Instructions for Making Reclaimed Wood Indian Sofa Beds

Indian sofa beds have a mattress with framework on three sides, such as a rear board and two armrest boards. These beds are stained in a deep brown or reddish brown and arrayed with bedding that features an Indian influence, such as bright, deep colors, rich brocades or madras. These beds make excellent additions to a guest bedroom or living room as they can provide short-term guest seating in a pinch or a sleeping area for overnight visitors.

Reclaimed wood boards
Tape measure
Saw
Drill
Drill bits
1 1/2-inch wood screws
Door or large wood board
3-inch L-brackets
Dark reddish-brown stain
Paintbrush
Polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Arrange reclaimed boards of any type of solid wood on their long, wide surfaces and parallel to each other so that they form a 36-by-36-inch square. Cut the boards to fit, if necessary, with a saw.
- 2
  Lay additional boards across the frame boards, perpendicular but flat, so that all of the original boards are overlapped by at least one of these cross-boards. Drill two holes through each cross-board and into each bottom board. Attach the boards together with 1 1/2-inch wood screws or whatever size of wood screw will securely connect the boards together without coming through the other side. This is the armrest panel.
- 3
  Repeat Step 2 with another set of reclaimed boards to create a second armrest panel.
- 4
  Repeat the armrest panel process with more boards to create a 36-by-80-inch panel. This will be the rear of the sofa bed.
- 5
  Position the three panels in a U-shape with the rear panel in the back and the armrest panels on either side of it. Have an assistant hold them in place.
- 6
  Set an old door or a similarly-sized panel or reclaimed board up against the U-shaped panel arrangement. Hold it about halfway up the panels. Position 3-inch L-brackets against the underside of the door against the panels and secure them in place with 1-inch wood screws. Space the brackets every 12 inches.
- 7
  Attach L-brackets against the top of the door. Add brackets, as well, between the rear and side panels underneath the door to keep them out of sight and behind the frame, if desired, for additional stability.
- 8
  Apply a dark, reddish-brown stain to the assembled sofa bed frame if desired. Apply the stain with smooth, even strokes of a brush. Let the first coat dry for two hours then reapply additional coats in the same method until the desired color is reached. Apply a polyurethane coat to the dried stain with the same procedure. Let it dry for two hours and reapply at least three coats. Let the bed frame dry overnight.
- 9
  Cover the frame with a mattress and bedding that reflects an Indian theme, with bright, rich fabrics. Rich brocades and madras are also appropriate, as are tassels and fringed, silky material.

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Couches