Comfortable seats in habitation

[delicagirl]

Hi - my Delica has very "upright-vertical-horizontal" deep foam seating either side of my dining table/lounge (when table is removed). It is not fabulously comfortable for lounging in because of the upright back. ~i have a satisfactory method of putting my feet up, which helps for reading in the evening, but, the Vertical back...... mmm ... i have devised all sorts of angular supportive bits n bobs to try to "angleise" my back support.... a sausage type long cushion at bum level / a pilates blue rubber ball at mid back level / a variety of cushions at the back and at the side of my thighs for arm-supports... but i have not quite cracked the final design for real comfort.

Lockers are underneath all the seating and so there's a flat hard board under the foam to protect the batteries/water tank etc etc.

i have more space upwards from the seats if that helps those clever designers who hang round here to come up with a new angle on this...... (sorry re pun just could not resist!)

Has anyone else had a go at this type of internal chair re-design - or do i just need another £50k+ for a new van :lol-053::lol-053::lol-053:?

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Similar

Hi, we have similar issues....need cushions to relax in hab area....Maja

 

[wildebus]

Hi - my Delica has very "upright-vertical-horizontal" deep foam seating either side of my dining table/lounge (when table is removed). It is not fabulously comfortable for lounging in because of the upright back. ~i have a satisfactory method of putting my feet up, which helps for reading in the evening, but, the Vertical back...... mmm ... i have devised all sorts of angular supportive bits n bobs to try to "angleise" my back support.... a sausage type long cushion at bum level / a pilates blue rubber ball at mid back level / a variety of cushions at the back and at the side of my thighs for arm-supports... but i have not quite cracked the final design for real comfort.

Lockers are underneath all the seating and so there's a flat hard board under the foam to protect the batteries/water tank etc etc.

i have more space upwards from the seats if that helps those clever designers who hang round here to come up with a new angle on this...... (sorry re pun just could not resist!)

Has anyone else had a go at this type of internal chair re-design - or do i just need another £50k+ for a new van :lol-053::lol-053::lol-053:?

I was watching various youtubers in last couple of days mooching around brand new vans at the NEC and I was actually thinking that just about every seat in the various lounge areas looked uncomfortable for exactly the same reason yours are not comfortable, so save your money!
I tend to put a cushion or two to support and push my lower back out a bit to make it more comfy

 

[delicagirl]

I was watching various youtubers in last couple of days mooching around brand new vans at the NEC and I was actually thinking that just about every seat in the various lounge areas looked uncomfortable for exactly the same reason yours are not comfortable, so save your money!
I tend to put a cushion or two to support and push my lower back out a bit to make it more comfy

i have a wide variety of different density cushions which can help.. but on those evenings when you just "cant get comfy" it is irritating !!

i have adapted a piece of very light bit of 6" high insulation board, (which i have covered in curtain-matching fabric) which is the right height for an arm-rest and which i can use when flat for a coffee cup, or with the addition of a small cushion gives me a comfy forearm rest. i can move this to any of my seats so its not taking up too much space.

 

[Deleted member 58274]

....couldn't you get a piece of cushion foam cut/moulded to the shape you need.. ? Maja

 

[delicagirl]

....couldn't you get a piece of cushion foam cut/moulded to the shape you need.. ? Maja

how would i get that done ?

 

[Deleted member 58274]

...not entirely sure....an upholstering firm like those that re-do the bench seats in vans maybe ? Maja

 

[delicagirl]

Have never found any comfortable seating in any van apart from the sofa in the Winnebago

Thanks maybe i will stop searching for the impossible ... i change my cushion configuration regularly and one day i will just go BINGO thats it.... but till then.... i move around the different seats in the van and get different views... so that's a bonus

 

[Les Haro]

how would i get that done ?

You can use a sharp knife (long blade) electric carving knife or something like below to shape foam.
Measure H W L B of the most comfortable chair at home and check the relevant angles and springs, make it's profile out of cardboard, take to van.
Realise you have to make a compromise.

Foam Cutter Electric Hot Wire Polystyrene Cutting Machine Pen Tools with Adaptor | eBay

 

[mistericeman]

We just use a IKEA sofa with matching storage box underneath... Cheap and comfortable.

 

[Tezza33]

Wedge shape cushions are available

Amazon.co.uk: wedge support cushion

Other places either sell the cushions or will cut the foam for you to cover

cushions

 

[Deleted member 62288]

swivel seats

Althoughit's not possible in all vans, have you considered fitting swivel bases on the cab seats (drivers/passenger) ?

On the Hymer, I can swivel the seats to point into the hab area. I'm lucky to have ISRI seats with lots of adjustments,
this option provides two comfy reclining arm-chairs.

I do agree that the typical m-home bench type seats are not so comfy for long term loafing.

james

 

[delicagirl]

Althoughit's not possible in all vans, have you considered fitting swivel bases on the cab seats (drivers/passenger) ?

On the Hymer, I can swivel the seats to point into the hab area. I'm lucky to have ISRI seats with lots of adjustments,
this option provides two comfy reclining arm-chairs.

I do agree that the typical m-home bench type seats are not so comfy for long term loafing.

james

thanks james... sadly my van cant use the cab seats... even if it could the cab is FREEZING - tis a mitsubishi truck.... so my curtains and insulation between cab-hab is really thick...

 

[davep10000]

For a very personal shape, you could use one of these kits - but it would require replacing the deli flat cushions with some sort of seat 'shell' (like a fibreglass bucket seat) before using the kit.
Two Part Competition Seat Expanding Foam Kit | JJC Race & Rally

Another option is to ditch the flat cushions (unless they are needed for a bed) and buy a really nice 2nd hand leather car seat from ebay, and mount it to the base board.

A bit off the wall suggestions, but you already have an 'alternative' and characterful vehicle!

Just loving our new Deli as well!

Dave.
EG...

CAR SEATS Nissan Primera (2000) Leather & vinyl. campervan conversion | eBay

 

[Nabsim]

Back rest

What about something like this, can be folded out the way when not in use.

http://https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/beds-and-bedding/bed-supports-and-hoists/deluxe-bed-rest-view-large?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI257xn-G82QIVUUkZCh0wAQ8CEAQYBCABEgLBmvD_BwE

 

[delicagirl]

For a very personal shape, you could use one of these kits - but it would require replacing the deli flat cushions with some sort of seat 'shell' (like a fibreglass bucket seat) before using the kit.
Two Part Competition Seat Expanding Foam Kit | JJC Race & Rally

Another option is to ditch the flat cushions (unless they are needed for a bed) and buy a really nice 2nd hand leather car seat from ebay, and mount it to the base board.

A bit off the wall suggestions, but you already have an 'alternative' and characterful vehicle!

Just loving our new Deli as well!

Dave.
EG...

CAR SEATS Nissan Primera (2000) Leather & vinyl. campervan conversion | eBay

Thanks for the ideas.... i do need the delica cushions for a bed... mostly i sleep above the cab but in severe weather i do sleep downstairs so i can switch the gas fire on before i get out of bed !! You're right its an unusual and character van... i get a lot of folks wanting to have a look at it when i travel... it looks macho and rugged and 4WD and manly on the outside - but inside it is predominantly pink !!!

have you got pictures of yours on your profile?

 

[Derekoak]

2 degree back lean to one degree seat tilt

Many years ago I did an ergonomics degree, i remember a formula as in my title. This is a side view of the settee I am building in my little doblo xl camper. When its a bed the ply goes like the second photo. There will be 75mm dense foam cushions on the settee and when a bed a 25mm memory foam topper over everything. This is a copy of what I did in my previous doblo. It was comfortable to lounge in. I hope it gives ideas of how to get to comfort. Flat and vertical is too common and still they charge 50000 pounds or more!! Diy is one answer.

 

[delicagirl]

What about something like this, can be folded out the way when not in use.

http://https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/beds-and-bedding/bed-supports-and-hoists/deluxe-bed-rest-view-large?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI257xn-G82QIVUUkZCh0wAQ8CEAQYBCABEgLBmvD_BwE

Now - that's an interesting item...... i will take some measurements in the van and may well consider this...... i love guys' abilities to do lateral thinking !!!! i can always cover it in pink !!

 

[delicagirl]

Wedge shape cushions are available

Amazon.co.uk: wedge support cushion

Other places either sell the cushions or will cut the foam for you to cover

cushions

there are interesting possibilities on here also .... thanks

 

[2cv]

This is not my van, but similar. If you look closely the front of te seat cushion is slightly raised.. I find that this makes the seat much more comfortanble than if the base were flat.