Couch backrest into table June 03, 2016, 10:33:05 pm Has anyone figured out a way to prop up the twin couch backrest so that it becomes a mini table or shelf ? seems like it would make a great place to work on a laptop or hold a cold drink.ThanksRick
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #1 – June 06, 2016, 12:36:49 pm This would certainly depend on floorplan and year, but I find it hard to understand how it would be useful as you describe with the couch seat in the way. In our FL I built storage behind the seatback, so I prop it up temporarily for access. For that I use a bamboo pasta server / backscratcher braced on the shelf I built behind. You could similarly screw a 1X2x(length of backrest) to the wall horizontally and attach folding props to that.Steve
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #2 – June 06, 2016, 02:48:35 pm Steve said: "I find it hard to understand how it would be useful as you describe with the couch seat in the way."-----Ditto; I don't see a practical use in trying to prop up the cushion backrest for possible use as a "mini table" or shelf. Access to the propped-up shelf from any angle would be inconvenient and/or very awkward. I have a TK and can certainly understand wanting to create more useful/versatile horizontal surfaces, but I wouldn't use the backrest for this purpose.As ever, YMMV.
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #3 – June 06, 2016, 05:41:12 pm I have been toying with how to do something similar to what the OP is talking about. At 5'2" for DW and 5'6" for me we are short enough that we don't fit well on the two couches in the mid bath. Also, I really like the little bit of a shelf on the starboard (right) side makes a nice catch all for cell phones and stuff. I have often thought it would be nice to have a similar shelf on the port (drivers) side. This is smaller than what the OP talked about but not really that different in execution. I have thought about trying to move the backrest out a bit so the port side mirrors the starboard. The problem is that doing this and accomplishing the work in such a way that it is to the same standard as original. That is likely beyond my ability. And I am not sure it would bring the back out enough to solve the seating issue. Now I believe that perhaps just two peaces of plywood that slip fit together would make a shelf and back while sitting on the existing back and cushion but lay flat under the mattress when asleep (still doesn't solve the cell phone holder issue for the person sleeping port-side). Such a box would allow the op to have a place for his laptop while sitting legs out on the couch.Now please understand that this is a very minor issue for us. I am not sure I would be willing to tackle the job if it required a lot of time or any cutting or the original wood.
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #4 – June 06, 2016, 07:22:34 pm I'm sitting here on the couch in my MB, thinking about ways to accomplish what you are after. I think I would be much more inclined to make a shelf that was anchored on a hinge system below the REAR window, with a fold in-fold out pair of supports to hold it up. It looks like a shelf width of about 12" would clear the couch cushion in the down position when the couch is pulled out to make a bed, and you could make it so it spans the space between the couch fronts when they are in the couch, rather than bed configuration. I think that would get you a shelf of about 1' x 3', accessible with a fair degree of comfort while seated on the couch, and out of the way when not in use. (Round the corners to avoid painful reminders that the shelf is up.) If memory serves, I think Cool Delta Mike may have done something similar. Perhaps he could provide some input if I am not imagining this?Ken F in OR
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #5 – June 07, 2016, 03:49:29 pm I have a '98 - 26 MB which has the wider body but my passenger and drivers side storage bays under the couches are to shallow to fit our reclining chairs and folding table. The solution was to expand the passenger side inward to fit 32 inches wide items in that bay. This has made the couch deeper to sit on but did not affect the room size greatly. We have also gained more size for that bed. In fact we have picked up a piece of foam 10" x 6" x 76" to add to the wall side to make the bed 60" wide when folded out with a slight overhang of 2" thus Queen size and there is still room to get between the two couches when the queen is made. This gives us the queen we want with one side you can walk along side of and the 33" we need for the under couch bay storage. I have toyed with the idea of making the couch back supporter into a table since we now have more seating area. First I would need to add a new supporter for the couch back cushion which would have to fold away when we want to make the bed. Also since we need that area for the bed the shelf would go away when the bed was deployed and then you would have to move all of that stuff from on the shelf which would be inconvenient. I could see setting it up if you went with the King option but I think you would have to change the hinges to allow for more angle to swing all of the way up and a place to lock the pins in the upright position would do it. For us having the queen which we roll out a queen topper on with the walking space is what we need and it is nice to have the other couch to put clothes and what not on. ~Liam
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #6 – June 07, 2016, 08:27:32 pm A little off topic. I saw the space behind the couch backrest as wasted, so it was turned into storage space.Couch storage tray | Flickr - Photo Sharing!The backrest was removed, flipped over and hinged at the bottom of a new frame.To provide low security storage, a keyed window lock prevents the backrest from opening, without the key.Larry
Re: Couch backrest into table Reply #7 – June 07, 2016, 09:05:39 pm Quote from: Larry Wade - June 07, 2016, 08:27:32 pmA little off topic. I saw the space behind the couch backrest as wasted, so it was turned into storage space.Couch storage tray | Flickr - Photo Sharing!The backrest was removed, flipped over and hinged at the bottom of a new frame.To provide low security storage, a keyed window lock prevents the backrest from opening, without the key.LarryI like that idea for my drivers side couch, Although the passenger side will be utilized as a queen bed so will need all of that space for the bed. ~Liam
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