Weekend DIY & Upkeep: Five Budget Projects to Keep a Sofa Bed Looking New

Weekend DIY & Upkeep: Five Budget Projects to Keep a Sofa Bed Looking New

Start with a promise

Want to add years to your sofa bed without calling a repair service? These five projects take a weekend and deliver real returns.

Project list

1. Frame check and tightening — locate and tighten fasteners; replace any corroded screws with stainless alternatives.
2. Replace worn sliders — lubricate or swap metal sliders to reduce noise when converting.
3. Refill seat cushions — open seams and top up with targeted foam inserts for lost loft.
4. Removable cover refresh — sew in a zipper or Velcro to make covers machine washable.
5. Under-seat organization — install shallow drawers or caddies to store bedding and reduce friction during setups.

Design inspiration and staging

A few small decor projects dramatically alter perception. For easy, impactful ideas, the Weekend DIY guide for two has projects that transfer directly — simple shelf installs, cushion swaps, and lighting tweaks that cost little but improve guest reactions: see Weekend DIY: Five Budget Home Decor Projects for Two.

Maintenance schedule

Create a quarterly checklist: vacuum, tighten fasteners, check conversion mechanism, and launder removable covers. For hosts, document each service event for longevity and audit trails.

Final tip

Small, regular interventions beat big, infrequent fixes. Keep spares and a small toolkit by the sofa and you’ll extend the life of your investment significantly.