The Couch I’m Not Buying (Yet) | Budgeting & Choosing DIY

The Couch I’m Not Buying (Yet)

I wanted to buy a couch.

But as 2026 got closer and I looked at my finances again and again, I realized it’s not realistic to get it at the moment. Maybe not this year. Not without forcing it. And I don’t want to force anything.

Still, I don’t want to leave my living room empty again. I'm beginning to feel the desire to equip and decorate.

There’s something about an empty living room that makes a house feel unfinished, like you’re still passing through your own life. And lately, I’ve been feeling this quiet desire to decorate, to make my space feel cozy, to make my home feel intentional. That’s new for me. I’ve never really decorated before. 

Now I want comfort. Even if it’s modest.

So I started thinking: what if I make something?

I have scrap fabric — old clothes I’m cutting into pieces. My first idea was to use what I already have and spend nothing. That felt responsible. Creative. Very “make do with what you have.” I started looking for DIY couch ideas that don’t require wood or money.

But honestly?
Most of the ideas I found didn’t feel like what I wanted. I want my DIY to look like the couch I want to buy.

But the DIY projects I've seen look temporary. Or too rough. Or not something I could love in the long run. And while I’m okay with humble beginnings, I still want something that feels considered. Something I can be proud of. Something that doesn’t make me feel like I’m settling.

Then came the second idea: what if I spend a small amount? Maybe get pallets, or a simple wooden base, and then use my scrap fabric to make cushions or throws. That version looks more refined. More “real couch adjacent.” More aligned with the kind of home I’m trying to build.

But every time I think about spending that money, something in me pauses.

Because the truth is, I have other priorities right now. Things that matter more in the long run. And part of my growth has been learning not to rush aesthetics at the expense of stability. I keep reminding myself: I can save this money now and buy the couch I really want later.

So I am in between.

I don’t want to forcefully buy a couch.
I don’t want to leave my living room empty either.
I don’t want to spend money I’ll need elsewhere.
But I still want beauty. Comfort. Intention.

Lately, I’ve been looking at pouffes too. Maybe that’s the compromise. Something small. Flexible. Soft. Something that says, this space is lived in, without pretending it’s finished. I don't know.

But I’ve found one DIY idea I’m willing to try. It's not perfect, not exactly what I imagined, but good enough to start. I don’t know yet how it will turn out. I’m hoping it looks like something. I’m hoping it feels right. And if it doesn’t, I’ll adjust.

While fingers are crossed for that, I'll share how I navigate this with you. Stay tuned.