Your Guide To Sectional Sofas
If you have a large family or regularly host a crowd, sectional sofas are a more sizable alternative to traditional couches. Not only are they convenient for seating a crowd, modern sectional sofas are sophisticated and stylish. You’ll have no trouble finding a sectional that suits your living room's aesthetic, as fabric sectional styles can range from luxuriously upholstered in velvet to comfy and earthy in slipcovered linen.
Nothing beats sectional furniture when it comes to functional seating, but it can also be much more versatile than it appears. Sectionals work just as well in a small study as they do in a spacious living room.
Why should you choose a sectional couch?
Sizable & Comfy
A sectional couch offers an ample amount of seating and is perfect for lounging and putting your feet up. Depending on their size, sectionals can offer room for several more people to sit than a traditional sofa can.
The larger size and striking angle of a sectional couch also makes it an excellent focal point for any living room or study.
Space-Saving Bed Alternative
A sectional couch is an ideal solution if you have overnight guests but no guest bedroom. Many sectional sofas are oversized and comfortable enough to be used as beds. Some sectionals have built-in sleeper beds, while others can be positioned for a spacious sleeping area.
Versatility
A sectional couch is an excellent addition to a large open space, providing a focal point as well as ample seating. Sectionals can help to maximize different seating options in a smaller space, without making the room feel cramped or overstuffed. They work especially well when placed in a corner.
Sectionals also offer versatility in design. A bold color choice like goldenrod or jade accentuates the shape of a sectional couch and defines the overall look of the space. Alternatively, a neutral toned sectional, made with natural fibers, will blend more seamlessly with the surrounding furniture or an organic and understated room.
Breaks Up an Open Floor Plan
If you have an open floor plan, it can be tricky to visualize how the space can be arranged. Ideally, furniture in an open floor plan should create the illusion of multiple rooms — such as kitchen, dining room, and living room — that are still cohesive and spacious. With broad and structural sectional couches, you can create distinct rooms within a larger area.
Considerations for Purchasing a Sectional Couch
Measure Your Space
Knowing how much space you have to play with is important when you’re buying a sectional couch. Make sure that your sectional won't extend past a wall or make the space in front or behind it difficult to traverse. If you’re working with a smaller room, you’ll have to carefully consider the configuration you need as well as the style.
Decide on Orientation
When buying an L-shape or chaise sofa sectional, decide whether you want a left-facing or a right-facing style. The distinction is simple, but it’s also a critical one. Before making your purchase, imagine you’re standing in front of your sofa, directly facing it. If you want the sectional to extend out at the right side, choose a right-facing sofa. And if you want it to extend out at the left, choose a left-facing sofa.
Keep the Material in Mind
Sectional sofas come in a wide variety of fabrics and materials including leather, linen, and velvet. If you have young children, you may want to select fabrics that are stain-resistant or machine-washable.
Types of Sectional Couches
L-shape
An L-shape sectional couch looks like two sofas merged together at the end to form a right angle. It’s the most versatile of sectionals, working well squeezed into a corner or floating in the middle of a room.
Chaise
A sectional with chaise looks like a traditional sofa with an ottoman on either the left or right side of the couch. You can place this couch with chaise pretty much anywhere you'd put a regular sofa. The perk of a sectional sofa with chaise is that you have a good spot to lay down with your feet up.
Curved
The curved sectional looks like a piece of art with its elegant silhouette. Mostly used in modern room designs, a curved sectional can act as a statement piece when positioned in the middle of a room. For this reason, they are not usually placed up against walls or in corners.
Modular
The modular style allows you to include multiple pieces that you can rearrange easily depending on your room space. It's a great choice if you like variety and want to get as much multi-purpose use out of your sectional.
Buying a sectional couch is a great investment if you want to maximize seating, comfort, and space, and are looking for functional furniture. Shop our selection above to find the perfect one for your space.