A direct way to construct integrable couplings for discrete systems is presented by use of two semi-direct sum Lie algebras. As their applications, the discrete integrable couplings associated with modified Korteweg-de Vries (m-KdV) lattice and two hierarchies of discrete soliton equations are developed. It is also indicated that the study of integrable couplings using semi-direct sums of Lie algebras is an important step towards the complete classification of integrable couplings.