Whether you are looking to seat the whole family or want a cozy place to relax, sectional sofas are versatile, functional, and comfortable pieces of furniture. With ample seating, sophisticated designs, and the ability to fit into most spaces sectionals are perfect for entertaining guests or lounging.
If you want to purchase a sectional couch for your home, here’s everything you need to know to find your perfect match.
Sectionals are made from two or more sofa segments that attach and allow you to customize the size and shape of your seating. Sectionals seat at least six, providing more seating than a standard couch.
• Clean lines and plush comfort
• Consolidating clutter and maximizing space
• Versatile ways to arrange
• Enhance your decor while being comfortable and convenient
• Works well in smaller and larger spaces
• Breaks up an open floor plan
• Easier to assemble and maneuver than a traditional sofa
Different Types of Sectionals
Sectionals come in various styles and shapes to fit your home’s needs and aesthetic. Here are four of the most common types of sectionals.
L-Shaped Sectional
L-shaped sectionals include a main couch with two to three segments and a chaise off one end. They can also have two equal-length sofa segments that join at the corner.
• Fits comfortably in a corner and in the center of a room
• Comes in a variety of sizes that are excellent for smaller spaces
• Perfect for square living rooms where they will sit flush against the wall
• May not contain as much seating as a U-shaped sectional
U-Shaped Sectional
U-shaped sectionals are also known as three-sided sectionals. They include a main couch with three to five segments and a chaise or sofa coming off each end to form that U-shape.
• Perfect for larger rooms with a lot of space
• Great for fostering conversations and pairs excellently with a coffee table
• Provides ample seating with three full sides
• Are bulkier than L-shaped sectionals, and may close off the room
Modular Sectional
Most sectionals come in segments meant to be arranged in a certain way, but modular sectionals include as many as five segments that can be rearranged.
• Versatile for many room sizes and shapes
• Easy to disassemble and move through small spaces, such as doors and stairways
• Can be customized to fit any space
• Addresses many different comfort needs
Curved Sectional
These are characterized by a soft bending shape that acts as a beautiful statement piece for large rooms. Curved sectionals seat four to 10 people comfortably.
•Fits in open floor plans where it can sit in the middle of the space
•Adds an architectural element for bold designs and aesthetics
•The rounder style provides extra room for seating, legs, and coffee tables
•May not fit well in small or crowded spaces
Components & Configurations of a Sectional Sofa
Sectional couches are composed of many different segments. Here are the most common:
Right Arm Facing
If the segment’s right side is extended out when facing the sectional, it’s right arm facing.
Left Arm Facing
If the segment’s left side is extended out when facing the sectional, it’s left arm facing.
Armless
An armless segment is a center or corner piece of a sectional that doesn’t have arms.
Chaise
A chaise is an extended cushion that lets you stretch your legs and comes in right and left-facing configurations.
How To Choose the Best Sectional Couch for Your Space
1.
Pick the Right Configuration
When choosing which sectional will fit your space, consider the configuration of your sectional sofa. Answer the following questions to help you decide:
• How much seating space do you need?
L-shaped sectionals can be as small as a three-to-four-seater, while U-shaped sectionals seat at least seven. Think about how many people you need to accommodate.
• Where will you place the sectional?
If a sectional is going to be placed against a wall, you generally want the segment against the wall to be the longest, as it is the side with the least amount of traffic. For example, if it will be on the left side of your room, you will likely want a left-arm-facing sectional.
2.
Choosing a Fabric & Style
Fabric plays a big part in your decision-making process, whether you need a durable and stain-resistant fabric for kids and pets, a luxurious suede that is soft to the touch, or a classic leather that balances durability and comfort.
Leather
Suede
Fabric
Microfiber
It is also important to consider your decor. Sectionals come in various styles to fit any taste, including contemporary, mid-century, modern, traditional, and transitional.
Ensure the piece you choose is equally functional to fit your lifestyle, as well as aesthetically pleasing to align with your home’s interior.
3.
Measure Your Space
One of the most important considerations when buying your sofa is considering the size and shape of your room. Sectionals can easily overwhelm a room if you haven’t properly measured the space to see where the sectional will lay.
How To Measure for a Sectional
• Take note of the length and depth
• Measure the heights and widths of all entryways, stairways, and hallways to ensure the sectional can maneuver through them
• Factor in ceiling heights, architectural details of the room, banisters, or low-hanging fixtures that might get in the way
• Tape out the sectional’s exact shape and dimension in your room to see if it will extend past walls or walkways
• Consider the traffic patterns of the room as well as any other large furnishings the room may have
• Make sure you have enough room to properly move about the space
How to Position Your Sectional
With a Rug
• Avoid tiny rugs, as they tend to make the room feel smaller.
• Place the rug under only the front legs of all sides of your sectional couch. This placement centers the rug right in the crook, or L, of the sectional.
• For larger rooms, center your rug in the middle of the space to act as the focal point, and position your sectional around it in a way that feels natural.
• Consider a round rug for an unconventional twist. It can help draw the eye across the room and make spaces feel more connected to each other.
• Choose a coffee table that feels balanced and proportional to the size of your sectional.
• Place your coffee table 14 to 18 inches from the edge of your sectional.
• For L-shaped sectionals, you don’t want your coffee table to extend past the length of the sectional arm to avoid a blocky feel.
• Round coffee tables are a great option for Curved or U-Shaped sectionals, where they need to be easily navigated.
From a sophisticated centerpiece to a place where loved ones gather, a sectional couch provides extra seating, versatility, and a dash of style that a traditional couch does not.
If you are ready to maximize your comfort with a cozy and functional piece of furniture, search our curated collection of quality sectional sofas to find your perfect fit.