We need a new couch. The cats have rendered ours some flayed fabric hanging off of a frame...

[Flaxbee]

I need something relatively cat-proof (Flintstone cement, anyone?).

I am also not willing to spend $1000 or more on a couch. Why is there such a huge markup on furniture? Why do couches cost as much as used cars?

Plus, I now hesitate to buy used because of the whole bedbug issue. Our now-flayed couch we found at a Salvation Army furniture store about 5 years ago but I don't think I'd feel comfortable buying used now. Tell me if I'm wrong.

And I would really, really like to buy something that has been sustainably produced - council for sustainable forestry approved items.

So, I'm in a bind: I won't buy anything that isn't used (but that means possible cooties and bugs) or eco-friendly (just way too horrendously $$$).

Futons are an alternative, I know, but I hate sitting at that tilt all the time.

How hard is it to build a wood-frame couch?

[Moondog]

1. Get it reupholstered every few years and feed their habit?

[Flaxbee]

3. yeah, but it's a loveseat; I can certainly do that but I want something a little bit bigger (so I

comfortably nap!)

Maybe I'll sacrifice the loveseat to the cats...

[riderinthestorm]

2. I know folks who have purchased used furniture and used the same method to "treat" potential bedbugs

They simply bought what they liked used, wrapped it in plastic with a thermostat clearly visible inside, and then left the item outside. I believe the temp has to be either 120 degrees hot for a week in the sun (if you live in a warm climate or can wait til the summer), or below freezing for a couple of weeks straight. It doesn't take long to kill them by exposing them to extreme temps but you have to be patient and wait it out without getting hasty. It has to be several straight days or a couple of weeks for sure.

They've never experienced any bed bug issues.

I admit, I've never given it a thought when I've picked up old furniture used. I even scavenged my two sofas in my living room off the curb 5 years ago and never gave bed bugs or any other critters a second thought. Of course I've now been told numerous times by friends and family how stupid that was but honestly, I've never thought about it which is why I finally asked others who I know have also bought used furniture how they managed.

[Flaxbee]

4. That does sound do-able, but I'd feel compelled to find a way to re-use that much plastic.

Hmm. Will think about it. Where the heck did they buy that much plastic? Lowe's or somewhere?

I have also been a bit devil-may-care about used items in the past but now that I am thoroughly repulsed by the whole bedbug problem, and know how tough (and expensive) it is to get rid of them, I really hesitate to buy used. Maybe bedbugs are a conspiracy by furniture makers to force everyone to shell out thousands of dollars for somewhere comfy to sit. Ha.

[2theleft]

5. Moving companies (U-Haul, etc) sell these HUGE garbage bag

type things. Great for if you have to store your furniture because they keep bugs, dust, etc. off your furniture. They have them in sofa size, mattress size, etc. I don't remember thinking they were crazy expensive either. Used them for all of my "soft" furniture when I had to have it in storage for about a year. They are clear plastic so you could see the thermometer.

[riderinthestorm]

6. Yup, that's what they used. They said you can find the big storage bags at Home Depot, UHaul,

even storage companies. Call around. They aren't too expensive, especially when you are dealing with cheap used furniture just factor in the cost of one of those bags in your consideration.

[alarimer]

7. Microfiber

My cat's claws cannot even dig into that. After more than a year, it looks like new (well, except for all the cat hair).

[hedgehog]

8. Check out these folks:

http://www.homereserve.com/index.cfm

[Flaxbee]

10. thanks! That looks interesting ... and they say they're green

Also was checking this out -- could be fun: http://offbeathome.com/2012/03/building-a-couch

[TrogL]

9. Duct tape is your friend