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This kids' sofa is built entirely from mirror-image 2x4 leg pairs and slatted framing, sized specifically to a standard crib mattress rather than a custom foam cushion — a genuinely economical cushion source for a kids' furniture piece. Build the two leg sets in mirror image, not identical — the plan calls this out directly, since pocket holes need to face inward on both sides for the frame's fasteners to stay hidden, which means the two legs are true mirrors of each other, not two copies of the same piece.
Once the leg sets are built, horizontal supports and a back top support tie them into one sofa frame, and the slats attach inside the frame last, screwed at the frame and also into the last slat at each end for extra rack resistance. A single sofa stands complete on its own — the arm piece is a genuinely separate addition, built only if you want to join two sofas into an L-shaped sectional or want an armrest divider.
The arm uses the same pocket-hole construction as the sofa frames and, once attached, ties two sofa units together while also supporting their backrests — a real structural role, not just a decorative divider between two seats.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 6 each |
| 2x4, 12 ft (per arm) | 1 each |
| Self-tapping screws, 2-1/2" | 60 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2" | 60 each |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
| Crib mattress, for cushion | 1 each |
| Primer and paint, or stain and poly | 1 set |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Back legs (per sofa)2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 26" |
| Side apron (per sofa)2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 23 1/2" |
| Front legs (per sofa)2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 12" |
| Front/back rails (per sofa)2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 48 1/2" |
| Top back support (per sofa)2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 51 1/2" |
| Slats (per sofa)2x4, 9 ft (per sofa) | 10 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 25 1/2" |
| Arm legs2x4, 12 ft (per arm) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 26" |
| Arm sides2x4, 12 ft (per arm) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 27 1/2" |
| Arm top2x4, 12 ft (per arm) | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 30 1/2" |
Buy 9 boards at 8 ft.
9 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the side apron boards. Attach to the front and back legs with 2-1/2" pocket hole screws and glue. Build two leg sets in MIRROR image (pocket holes on the inside of each).
With pocket holes on the inside, attach the horizontal front/back rails to the leg sets with pocket holes.
Attach the back top support to the legs with 2-1/2" screws, predrilling holes to prevent splitting.
Drill two 1-1/2" pocket holes on each end of the slat boards. Attach inside the frame. Also screw the sides of the sofa to the last slats at each end for added structure.
Build the arm using 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws and glue. Attach the arm between two sofas to tie them together and support the backrests.
Sand all surfaces and apply primer and paint, or stain and poly. Add the crib mattress as the seat cushion.
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