Crafting a Cedar Bench/Sofa as a Replacement for an Old, Pine Sofa
Introduction:
One of the most rewarding aspects of DIY projects is creating something that both looks great and provides a functional use in the home. With this in mind, YouTuber Chris Salomone created a cedar bench/sofa to replace an old, pine sofa that had started to rot and deteriorate after just two years. In this article, we’ll explore Salomone’s process for crafting this new piece of furniture.
The Design:
At the start of Salomone’s video, he explains that his old pine sofa was not very sturdy and was also starting to deteriorate after just two years. He decided to make a new piece of furniture that was easier to make, used less material, and had a cleaner design. The cedar bench/sofa that he created looks just as good with cushions off as it does with them on, is just as sturdy, and requires less material overall.
To build the cedar bench/sofa, Salomone utilized a design that relies on upside-down, falcon-wing-looking supports to hold up the seat slats. The seat and back are at a 90-degree angle but angled slightly to keep the cushions and let water flow off.
Materials:
Salomone used seven two-by-fours and eight cedar seat pickets for this project. He also utilized a pocket hole jig, a miter saw, a circular saw, and a table saw in order to cut and shape the materials to fit his design. He also used wood glue, pocket hole screws, stainless steel screws, and brad nails to reinforce all the joints.
The Build:
Salomone started by milling the eight cedar seat pickets down to the correct size using a planer and table saw. He also cut the two-by-fours down to the correct size for his design. With all of the materials cut down, he began assembling the legs of the bench/sofa using pocket hole screws, glue, and some brad nails.
To create the Falcon wing supports, Salomone used extra-long pieces of the two-by-fours for more flexibility. He then joined the back and seat with pocket holes, and laid it out on a leg piece to see which angle would look best. Once he decided on the correct angle, he traced everything that needed to be cut and then used a circular saw to cut it down. He then clamped it down and used a circular saw to freehand the cuts.
Salomone sanded everything down to 150 grit, flushed up all the joints, and got rid of any excess glue. He then installed some plastic feet to keep the bench/sofa out of any standing water.
Conclusion:
This cedar bench/sofa provides a unique, clean design and functional use for any home. Chris Salomone’s design relies on simple—but sturdy—construction that can be assembled in a relatively short amount of time. By following his process and utilizing his materials, you can create your own long-lasting bench/sofa that will add to the beauty of your home for years to come.