How to Make a Roman Couch

The traditional Roman couch is a flat, low surface covered with a thin cushion or piled with thin blankets. The distinctive feature of these couches is angled sections of the couch that jut upward at each end. Presumably, these angled sections are suitable for lounging with your head against them while someone fans you and feeds you grapes. These sections are the most difficult part of the project, but can be made easier with a miter box or miter saw.

8 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-20-inches
Drill
Drill bits
Wood screws, 2 1/2 inches
5 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-44-inches
5 boards, 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-12-inches
Saw

Instructions

- 1
  Arrange two boards that are 1 1/2 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches tall by 20 inches long parallel to each other on a work surface. Spread them out about 13 inches apart with their largest surfaces against the work surface. Set on top two additional 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-20-inch boards perpendicular to them with the corners lined up together.
  
  Drill four holes into each corner with the holes going through the top boards and into the bottom boards, but not through to the working surface. Attach the boards with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Repeat on another set of four boards that are 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-20 inch to finish the two-leg setups.
- 2
  Position the two leg setups upright and parallel to each other with the help of an assistant. Lay five boards that are 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-44 inches over the top of the leg setups to serve as the seat of the couch.
  
  Space the seat boards flush with the front and back of the leg setups to have an even amount of space between the seat boards.
- 3
  Drill two holes through each seat board and into each leg setup to overlap for a total of 20 holes. Set 2 1/2-inch wood screws into each premade hole and tighten securely.
- 4
  Cut a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-12-inch board in half using a 45-degree angle. This can be done easily using a miter box or by setting the board in a vise with the board's long, thin side facing up. Mark a spot on one of the top edges 5 1/4 inches from the end. Mark a spot on the other top edge 6 3/4 inches from the same end.
  
  Connect the two spots with a straight line. Saw the board along that line. Repeat for four more boards to make 10 boards, each with one normal end and one 45-degree end.
- 5
  Position the 45-degree ends of one of the boards on top of a set board close to the end, with the other end of the short board pointing up and away from the couch. Position the 45-degree surface totally on top of the seat board, but right against the end of the seat board.
  
  Drill two holes through the short board and into the seat board. Attach the short board to the seat board with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Repeat for the other nine short boards.

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