Abstract
This study presents a value engineering study for sofa bed, which is an iconic/cultural furniture in Turkey, particularly based on the current trends among young customers. The aim is not only cost regulation but also to create value through design. During the design phase, mainly, the complaints and needs of the users are taken into account. The value engineering was implemented through preparation, implementation and evaluation phases. Participants responded to the data collection form including the features of the sofa bed through online methods. The survey data were collected and presented as graphs. A cost calculation was performed by determining the functions of the sofa bed and the cost of these functions. Following the cost calculation, a cost-benefit analysis was performed and the features with high-cost and low-benefit were determined. Customers’ preferences were presented with a QFD matrix and the preparation phase was completed after obtaining value indexes. During the evaluation phase, various factors such as developing ergonomic solutions in the sofa frame by taking the existing functions into account and consuming more sofa upholstery than demand were examined. Based on the customers’ complaints and requests, some solutions were presented such as adding a drawer and an openable mini coffee table to the product, disassembled frame, and an apparatus that allow end-users to assemble the frame. The value engineering and the phases of the study was applied to the alternative model. The data obtained were compared with a sample sofa bed product available in the market. In conclusion, a new highly preferable product was achieved that provides a cost reduction of $44 (equal to 370 TL at the current exchange rate) per product, as well as includes new functions and a new design that allows disassembled sales, unlike the disassembled sofas without base and bed available in the market. Keywords: Value engineering, furniture design, product development, sofa-bed, backed sofa.