Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with couch

searching for a small foldout couch/futon

waylaid — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:29:34 -0800

I'm looking for a small, comfortable couch futon that converts into a small fold out bed. I live in a small basement studio and space is at a premium. I'd like one no wider than 45 inches, that can unfold to a small bed, and that sits at a high level (no ground level ikea futons) Target has this futon, which is sort of ideal. I'd like one that folds outwards even more. However, every futon I look at is at least 5 feet plus, which is too wide for the narrow space I have. Any idea, MeFi-ites?

NYC upholsterers, pimp my yard sale sofa!

kenzi23 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:43:26 -0800

Help me find a good upholsterer in NYC, preferably Brooklyn I found a great couch at a yard sale and planned to reupholster it myself but 2 years later it's still sitting in my living room, spitting out its insides, so I am prepared to pay someone to do it. The springs will need to be retied, and it probably needs new stuffing and a new cushion. There may also be some woodwork to fix. I have my fabric picked out so now I just need someone who does good quality work.

Do you have recommendations for a place (preferably in Brooklyn) that does good work of this sort?

Help me fix my couch.

triggerfinger — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:50:33 -0800

Help me fix my Ikea couch. I have a 3-seater leather Ikea Ektorp couch, which I love. However, there is one point on the couch where everyone sits and now the cushions at that part have lost their firmness and are a little saggy. You can't tell from looking at it but it is noticeable when you sit on it. For some reason, the seat cushions (unlike the back cushions) are attached to the frame so I can't remove them to get new foam put in.

Has anyone else with an Ikea couch experienced this? How do I go about getting my sagging cushions replaced?

Custom Couch Not Customized Correctly

kirkaracha — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:08:14 -0800

Are we stuck with a custom-made couch we ordered that wasn't made to our specs? We ordered a custom-made couch that was delivered this morning. We paid an extra $150 to have the couch be 84" long. The couch they delivered was 78" long. The problem is, we signed a delivery receipt that says the furniture was in good condition "as ordered." Are we stuck?

If we're not stuck, should we ask them to make us a couch to the original specs or keep this couch and ask them to refund the $150 for the custom work? We could probably live with the couch they delivered.

How do I play PC games from the couch?

lattiboy — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:06:06 -0800

Looking for the best wireless keyboard/mouse/lapdesk solution to play PC games from my couch. I recently hooked up my PC to my 32" LCD and I would like to play some PC games (FEAR, Call of Duty 4) from my couch. I wanted to know if anybody else has a setup for this. It seems like it would be a growing market, but I can't seem to find anything on it.

Please tell me what couch will fit in our building!

sneakin — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:21:20 -0800

What couch will fit in our apartment building? Not the specific apartment, mind you, just in the front door and around the stairwell's odd and narrow corners. We recently bought a good-sized couch. I don't have exact measurements, but 3 people could squeeze relatively comfortably. It wasn't unreasonably huge, but big and awkwardly-dimensioned enough that it just couldn't be shoved into the door and around our apartment building's strange corners. The delivery guy recommended couches that "come apart." I can't really figure out what he means other than buying a few sectionals. My question is are there any specific couches you can recommend that can get into a tight space because they a) come apart, b) are sectionals (if those two things are different) c) is economical space-wise even though it seats 3 people? Oh, our budget is modest. This one we got was $380 with tax. Obviously we are willing to do floor models and clearance stuff. The paradox here is that our actual apartment is huge so we can have a football field-sized couch if we could get it through the door. Are there couches that...fold? Or something?

Wet couch needs help!

youngergirl44 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:29:14 -0800

Is there any hope for a couch that sat in the rain overnight? Due to a couple of bad decisions and lack of time to move things, a couch we were giving to a friend was left outside overnight in the rain. Is there any hope of letting it dry out and using it or is it ready for the dump? It is an older reclining model (both ends recline) and the fabric seems to be some thick woven cotton blend. The back rest comes off for ease of moving, so that could be brought inside to dry along with the seat cushions, but I'm not sure if my friend wants a whole sopping couch in his apartment. Ugh.

It is firm. We must break its spirit.

rbs — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:33:29 -0800

How can we make a futon mattress stay folded? My girlfriend just bought a really nice futon frame and mattress. It's firm and comfortable and wonderful. The only problem is that the futon doesn't like to fold into couch mode. If we press it down and sit on it, it's comfortable, but when we stand up, it'll pop back out.

How can we break its spirit?

Will a (Steam) Radiator Ruin My Rattan Couch?

jimmyjimjim — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:52:52 -0800

I found a relative bargain on a super comfortable rattan couch. It's still real expensive, but, at half price, it's conceivably within my splurge budget. And I love the couch. The problem is it's going in a room with a steam-powered radiator, and will sit quite close to that radiator. And someone knowledgable tells me that the moist heat of a radiator will ruin (or at least hasten the demise of) the rattan. I'd hate to see that happen, particularly at this price! This is, fwiw, steam-bent rattan, wrapped over a mahogany frame. There's a light protective finish on the ratan. Rooms with radiators, in my experience, tend to be downright dry. So I'm hoping this warning is hogwash, and that if the valve on the radiator is well-functioning (i.e. little geysers of hot water don't shoot out), I'll be ok. But if not, I suppose I could 1. turn off radiator in that room and buy an electric heater (it's a tiny room I won't use that often...and, again, I really want this couch!) or 2. Put some sort of block between radiator and couch, or 3. Somehow further coat/treat the ratan, or 4. ??????

How to take apart a couch

MattS — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:01:15 -0800

How can I easily destroy my couch? I've got an old Ikea couch in my apartment that was left my the previous owners. I live in a weird NYC building and apparently to get the couch into the apartment the movers had to remove the window and somehow pull it through that, even though it's 2 stories up.

I can't push it out the window and I'm moving, so can I easily pull apart the couch so I can throw it out? Are there any services that do this?

Help us find a couch with a tall back and good head support

lorrer — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:29:22 -0800

Sofas for tall people in NYC I just spent a day with my boyfriend looking at furniture stores and we only found one sofa that fit us. We're tall people, and he is a long-waisted six-foot-three, and I'd like to find something that cradles us from bottom to head.

The most comfortable couch we found, and the only we'd consider buying, is a Stratolounger Camalot sectional. The height is 38 inches, so while the back is not extremely tall, the head rest bends forward and helps increase the amount of space for us to sink in with our backs and also allows us to lean our heads back without feeling like they'll snap off.

Please help us find more options in NYC! We tried a bunch of European-style places in Brooklyn, a few random discount stores, and Levitz to no avail. Looking for a sleeper sofa and recliner chair or recliner loveseat (minus the console that the Camalot has in its loveseat).

Help Finding Slipcover for a Sectional Couch

terrapin — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:50:27 -0800

I am having trouble finding slipcovers for sectional couches. Does anyone have any recommendations for places I can buy them online? We are taking delivery on a new sectional fabric couch in the middle of May and We'd like to find some casual slipcovers. We have two small dogs who we like to have access to the couch, and so we'd like to protect the couch from dirt and mud. Ideally we want something that fits the couch well, can be easily removed when we entertain or have guests over, and is machine washable.

Does anyone make such things or should I start looking for someone locally who can custom make them?

Where can I find an accordion chair?

Human Flesh — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:34:21 -0800

Where can I buy the chair featured in this video?

Yes I went to a furniture showroom, no the salesperson didn't offer help. Twice.

sLevi — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:22:27 -0800

Is a microfiber sofa with a 'W' actually washable? Will I need to wash it? I'm considering buying a microfiber sofa...I like the 'stone' (sort of a light grey-beige) and the chocolate brown. I don't want to get a really pretty couch just to have to slipcover it...so how well would the 'stone' stand up to normal wear? Will it get grimey? What about when the dog sits in the same spot everyday? The cushion covers appear to zip off, and the tag says W, which apparently means I can use water-based cleaners. Does that mean I can actually wash it?

Qualities of a good sofa?

rongorongo — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:02:32 -0800

What makes for a comfortable, long-lasting sofa, and where can I get hold of one (in the UK)? About 3 years ago we bought a new sofa at what seemed like a keen price. Alas it now developed the sort of sag that leaves its occupants staring out at their kneecaps. We are considering replacing it with another - preferably leather with, hopefuly,greater longevity. We could opt for another cheap sofa- perhaps from Ikea or DFS, we could seek out a model from a more obscure supplier or we could go for something high-end. The problem is that I don't know what clues to look for in frame construction, filling, covers, manufacturing, etc. I don't even know how long a good quality sofa may be expected to last. Finally I don't know the extent to which paying a price premium might help get a better product.

We do have a (reasonably non-scratchy) cat and I have seen the previous discussion on potential leather carnage.

sofa scam or good deal?

_sirmissalot_ — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:47:31 -0800

If you search for sofas or sofa sets on Seattle's Craigslist, you see a lot of new sofas--many leather--being sold "out of the box," "original packaging," etc. for well below retail. Though the sellers are different, often the pictures are similar, like a scan out of a brochure. Anyone have any experience with this, or know what the deal is?

Comfortable IKEA-esque couches?

shaun — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 22:37:49 -0800

Help me choose a cheap IKEA (or similar) couch without actually sitting on it first. This week I'll be moving from a tiny-as-a-closet studio apartment to a slightly bigger one bedroom, and I'd like to buy a comfortable couch or loveseat. When I first moved here I rented a van and got a bunch of stuff at IKEA (Seattle). Unfortunately that's not an option this time around, and I'll have to order online.

I'm looking for suggestions for cheap, comfortable couches and loveseats that can be easily acquired in the Seattle area. My budget is about $400 plus shipping. I don't have a car, and I don't have easy access to either Target or IKEA. I've checked their online offerings, but would appreciate pointers to comfortable couches that others have enjoyed. Thanks!

Fine, funky, filthy.

jammer — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:24:54 -0800

Help me clean my adopted couch. One of our neighbors in the apartment complex tossed out a perfectly good used couch -- it's in fine physical shape, fairly new, and looks alot nicer than my 7 year old Heilig Meyers monstrosity.

We "adopted" it.

There's just one problem -- it's filthy. Mostly it looks like ground-in surface dirt, but there are a few stains on it that could be food or drink or... something I care not to think about. No blood or wine or anything like that, at least. It's not horribly stained, just grungy. And it does not smell, like sweat or dog or anything else unpleasant.

Mrs. Jammer has decided that we will rent a Rug Doctor and give the thing a good steam cleaning to de-filth and freshen it up a bit. Anyone recouperated a rather well-used couch with one of these before? Which of the 37 different flavors of ~~snake oil~~ cleaning fluid should we use? Any other tips?

Is the SlingBox crap?

keep it tight — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:21:22 -0800

Has anyone had any experience with the Sling Box? I heard about this device any was curious in anyone had any real world experiences with it....

Thanks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=product&id=1142290455625

Upholstery "screws"?

Joleta — Wed, 24 May 2006 05:10:08 -0800

Where can I find screws to temporarily attach fabric to upholstery? (Description inside) We got tired of vacuuming cat hair from the couch, so I cut some pieces of fleece to put down where the cats like to sit. But the fleece shifts around, and I'd like to secure it somehow. I remember my mother used to use some screwlike things to keep a couch cover from shifting around, but I don't know what they're really called, and searching through upholstery supply places turned up nothing. These items had a plastic head about 3/8" diameter (possibly knurled for a better grip) with about a 5/8" twisted point coming out the bottom. They were used by gently screwing them through the covering fabric and into the fabric of the couch. Does anyone remember these things, know what they're really called, or know where I can buy a couple dozen?

Wax off my couch?

sandrapbrady — Wed, 03 May 2006 09:44:18 -0800

HELP ME WITH WAX ON MY COUCH. A few days ago some candles leaked from their rightful place resting on a shelf above my couch. A very good amount of wax melted onto the cotton based covers of this couch before the candle was blown out. I've managed to peel off some of the bigger spots of the cooled and now hardened wax. Please help me with any tricks to get the rest off. How does one go about getting wax splatters and hardened wax spots off the material??

Where's the best place to get furniture online?

petah — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:06:33 -0800

Where's the best place to get furniture online? I'm looking to get a cheap couch/futon contraption for around 150-200 dollars, and so far I'm looking at kmart.com. I don't know where else to look.

Buying a couch when you have a dog

hokie409 — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 12:38:12 -0800

Dog safe couches and buying on the internet? I’m in the market for a new couch or living room set. I have a large dog that I frankly don’t feel like training to stay off the new couches. I went to a store and looked at the leather couches there. When I took my fingernail to the cushions it left a scratch. That would not work for me at all. Are some couches more durable than others? I’d like to get something contemporary.

I can get a pretty large discount from La-Z-Boy so I was looking the Todd Oldham stuff online:
http://www.la-z-boy.com/ourfurniture/product.aspx?pid=137
Does anyone know how durable that line is?

Finally, can anyone recommend any online stores that I should be looking at?

couchfilter

b1tr0t — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 00:37:46 -0800

Where should I look for a nice couch? I need a couch for a medium-sized apartment or small house. I looked at Dania, and found a cool couch, then Ikea, and found similar couches that were smaller but not much less expensive. If I'm willing to spend around US$1000 for a good couch, where should I look?

Leather is nice, but not a requirement. I like minimal design, but don't want and can't afford anything too exotic. Used is an option, but in the last five years I have made it to less than five garage sales.

I need to clean my couch

tweak — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 10:28:26 -0800

One of our couches was peed on at a party last night. A lot. What is the best way to get the urine out of a couch or sofa? Most results on Google just bring up pet products and no actual help. Anyway, this sofa has a fabric cover, and the part that got peed on is actually a sectional recliner. Oh, and we're not talking about just a little bit of urine here. Yeah. What are good products and methods to use? Thanks!