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Topic: Couch / dinette alternatives (Read 863 times) previous topic - next topic

Couch / dinette alternatives

I'm not thrilled with the arrangement of the couch and dinette we have.  The couch is the fold down type that makes into a fairly uncomfortable bed with a gap between the bottom and back cushions.  When sitting on it, there's no good way to see the TV mounted in the center, above the dash.  The dinette is a bit small, with not so much room between the table and seats, and just wide enough for two.

What have you seen or done or envisioned to better this arrangement?  I'd like something that is better for watching TV, especially with room for more than 1 to see it, something with a little more room around the table and hopefully a better bed option.  Looking for ideas.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #1 –
Our couch came with a cushion that can be inserted between the dinette and couch for watching TV. It's actually pretty comfortable.

There was a coach in Havasu last year where they replaced the jack knife with two big lazy boy recliners and the other side of the living room had a fake fireplace with hidden TV that slid up. It breaks the 6-4-2 policy but if you don't ever have company I guess it makes sense.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #2 –
I had a cushion shape like Elliotte's made and it is great for watching TV. I had
table and chairs which I didn't like and built a dinette which sits 4 comfortably
and in a pinch I could put a chair at the end as the table for one more person.
The bed will sleep someone 6 ft. comfortably.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #3 –
I was watching a celebrity RV walk through the other day and saw this setup in a Prevost.  I'm thinking this might be the way we go.  I hope there are some furniture reno/vendors at the Quartzsite show.

Anyway, I'm thinking to make the dinette seat a little larger on the one end, move the table slightly towards the front and then have a couch that goes from the front of the slide to where you would sit at the table.  I'd also like this to be a bit deeper than the current couch (extend further from the sidewall).  Then I'm thinking to use a pillow like Elliott has and add some snaps or velcro so it can be set in two positions.  Either against the table to make the couch as long as possible, or about 18" to 2' from the table, to act as a back for sitting at the table.  With the correct cushions, it could make for a much more comfortable lay down bed too.

Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #4 –
There's one seat in my rig that is comfortable for watching tv and it Karen's seat not mine. Tv is mounted to high to start with and we have facing sofas that she's not getting rid of. I sit on the street side sofa with my neck craned up and to the right to see the tv and it's not fun. She sits with her back leaned against the end of her sofa and feet and legs on the sofa and is quiet comfortable while she doesn't even notice the tv but instead surfs her phone. My sofa has no place to stack pillows so I can sit like the boss sits..I can get a pretty good straight view of the tv from the dining table but being a smaller tv it puts me to far from it. Only answer for me is a bigger tv with a swing down mount to get it at least half way down the windshield. Don't even recommend trading seats with Karen because that dog won't hunt.I'm the chief of most things concerning the coach but arranging interior is not one of them, pick my battles carefully.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #5 –
I think the "cushion" being referred to here is called a bolster.
I really like the one we got from the Laundry Shack at FOT that someone contributed. The DW uses the recliner on the passenger side and I (and Rocket) use the couch. Me with the bolster up against the end of the counter and cabinet because the 32" TV is in the middle of the front and just above the dash.
Our dinette I have changed from a small oval table with two chairs to a "harvest" counter that goes from the low wall by the entry rearward to the closet and we love it because it allows us to look outside while dining.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #6 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
I think the "cushion" being referred to here is called a bolster.
I really like the one we got from the Laundry Shack at FOT that someone contributed. The DW uses the recliner on the passenger side and I (and Rocket) use the couch. Me with the bolster up against the end of the counter and cabinet because the 32" TV is in the middle of the front and just above the dash.
Our dinette I have changed from a small oval table with two chairs to a "harvest" counter that goes from the low wall by the entry rearward to the closet and we love it because it allows us to look outside while dining.

Do you have a photo? I have a round table with 2 chairs and, in my case, it is a waste of space.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird
 

Re: Couch / dinette alternatives

Reply #7 –
This picture isn't that good, taken back in 2015 while in storage and was for our records only.
Things have changed a bit. I made a rack the length of the window above the "harvest table" so we didn't have to put all the napkins, spices, and misc away when we broke camp.
Being able to look out while eating is enjoyable, but the DW had me make a mount for a mirror so she could sit facing the window with her back to the TV (Our TV hangs down midpoint up front above the dash) and yet see the picture without having to turn around all the time. The table is the same height as the original oval table.
You might notice, that the "harvest table" goes from the stairwell low wall to the closet wall. I also built a slanting shelf back under the table to hold misc stuff, and yet far enough in that we could sit at the table without our knees hitting it or the chairs when they are all the way in.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD