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Just Said Yes September 2011

HAY BALE SOFAS - HOW TO??

Brandi, on July 28, 2011 at 9:48 AM Posted in Style and Décor 0 8

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I want to create hay bale recliners/sofas for my cocktail hour, but I'm having the problem of not really knowing how to structure them.

Has anyone made these before? If I create a chair that has a bottom and a back, are the bales heavy enough that the back won't move if you lean back against it?

If they aren't heavy enough, how did you tie them together to keep them from moving?

Pic for reference:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in6UwwHCZ8o/TbR6bc7AdoI/AAAAAAAAAU8/JkeidnOdjfE/s1600/018.jpg

To clarify, I only plan to make 3-4 sofas to add atmosphere to my cocktail hour and to have slightly more comfortable seating than the metal chairs I'll be using at the ceremony. Guests won't be required to sit on these. I have allergies, so I understand the effect this can have.

The bales will be covered top, front and sides with thick quilts to avoid pokiness.

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8 Comments

Latest activity by Running, on February 10, 2020 at 12:03 PM

Master August 2011
Meghan · on July 28, 2011 at 9:51 AM
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I'd rethink this. With allergies as bad as they are- almost all your guests will be miserable with runny noses and having breathing problems. They also hurt pretty bad to sit on...

I'd go spend an hour sitting on some hay and make your decision. Make sure you're doing it in a skirt and heels to be fair.
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Super August 2011
Rachel · on July 28, 2011 at 9:56 AM
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You can look under Craigslist under the farm/equipment and most hay bale farmers sell them in squares for about 5-6 dollars a bale.
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Master August 2011
Meghan · on July 28, 2011 at 10:05 AM
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Just so you know- it's cheaper to rent chairs- and alot cleaner.
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Super August 2011
Rachel · on July 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM
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LOL Meghan is probably right... but the blankets over the hay is a nice touch.
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Master February 2012
Kimi K · on July 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM
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I got this on ehow ...
Stack three hay bales into a couchlike formation with two bales on the ground side by side, and the third on top of them. Throw an old blanket over the three bales and use the hay bales as outdoor furniture.

To keep them one unit - if you've ever seen hay squares- they're already tied to keep them together. I would take some sturdy string and loop the strings through the already exsiting hay ties. Hay bale aren't too light (or at least not the one's I've tried moving) So you shouldn't have an issue with them moving...
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Super September 2012
Kristyn · on July 28, 2011 at 10:36 AM
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I think this is a super cute idea, but if I were to personally do it, I would do it solely for decoration, not to utilize them as seating. I've been around plenty of hay bales in my life (I do live in Indiana LOL) and no matter how hard you try to cover them, you're still going to have that stray piece of hay poking out. I surely wouldn't be excited about having that piece of hay poking through/up my skirt.
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Master February 2012
Kimi K · on July 28, 2011 at 10:41 AM
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In the picture you referenced above (I posed it below) it looks like they used some pretty thick quilts to place over it.

Krstyn: Do you think if she put a liner between the hay & thick quilt would there still be those stragglers?
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June 2022
Running · on February 10, 2020 at 12:03 PM
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Hello. This is a very old thread, but I would still like to reply.
I disagree with some of the opinions in the comments. I have a farm venue and do a lot of outdoor set-ups. If this is a look that you want, by all means, DO IT! But...
First, do not use HAY! Use Straw bales. Hay is used for animal food, so you never know who might come to dine on your furniture while you are away, or already be inside a bale. Hay is also very smelly and will trigger allergies. Straw bales are also 'softer' because of it's loft. If you need/want to anchor the backrest, it would be simple to pound a couple pieces of rebar through them into the ground. And, yes, you'll want to cover them, for sure. If people are wearing jeans, it should not be an issue.
On the 'high heels and skirt' issue, if you are going to a wedding in the country, just don't wear heels. It is not only not practical, it's risky. You don't want to be the go-to story when your heels sink into the ground and you wipe out and display your underwear for all the amature photographers! You know those photos will end up on the internet!
If you make straw bale seating prior to the day of the wedding, plan to cover them with tarps so that the rain or dew does not dampen them. Keep the quilts or blankets indoors until right before you decorate. Your 'couches' will be darling, functional and a lot of great memories will be made on them. Have fun!
Kelli
Running River Farm
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