The 16 Best Sectional Sofas of 2023: Tested and Reviewed
We shipped 16 sofas to Living Cozy contributors to live with them at home. Here are our top picks for 2023 from brands like Burrow, Apt2B, and Floyd — all tested and reviewed.
Every brand and product on Living Cozy is independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission for things you buy.
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Sectionals are more than just a piece of furniture, they're a gathering place — a place for enjoying family movie nights, snuggling up with a great book, or catching up with friends. And if you enjoy any of these things, you'll definitely understand the appeal of a sectional sofa.
"All the rage for many reasons, sectional sofas are large modular sofa pieces that connect together for maximum seating and ultimate comfort," says interior designer Courtney Robinson. "These pieces are great staples for people who have large families, entertain often, or love to lounge."
And if you're looking for a new sectional, you've landed in the right place.
Here at Living Cozy, we understand that a new sofa is a big investment. So we shipped 16 sofas to Living Cozy contributors across the country to give you true-to-life, first-hand reviews. We tested the online ordering experience, delivery and assembly, and most importantly what each sofa is like to live with — we sat, napped, ate, played with pets, and put these sofas to the test.
To get a professional perspective, we also asked interior design experts to share their thoughts and feedback. And in this guide, we'll also give you the inside scoop on what makes sectionals so great, what to look out for, some our picks for sectionals to buy in 2023.
How to Find the Perfect Sectional for Your Home: Three Things We Considered
Based on expert advice from professional interior designers we paid attention to three areas when assessing the best sectional couches to buy:
Ordering and manufacturing: From U-Shaped, Reversible, and Corner Sectionals to Modular, Chaise, and more, each of the sectionals we've included has customization possibilities. We also tracked the manufacturing timelines and processes.
Delivery and construction: What was the delivery process? Does the sofa ship fully assembled or in boxes? And, if any assembly is required, how simple was it to put together?
Life at home with the sofa: Here's what most people really want to know. What's the sofa like to live with? Is it comfortable? Good for naps? How easy is it to clean? And does it live up to the photos used on a brand's website?
Based on our own product reviews, expert insights, and consumer feedback, these are our picks for the best sectional sofas for your home in 2023:
Brand: Albany Park Price: From $2,895 Shipping: Shipping is always free and comes with complimentary white glove delivery.
Albany Park is radically changing the way people shop for sofas with only three models that satisfy everyone's needs, free delivery via UPS, and packaging that's apartment-friendly and space conscious.
The Kova is a modular sofa from Albany Park that offers deep, relaxing seats and is perfect for snuggling up with a good book or movie. The Kiva boasts seven fabric color options, removable seat cushions with a feather blend fill, a sturdy kiln-dried solid wood frame, and reversible back cushions.
Watch: Check out our video review of the Kova sectional couch below:
We shipped the Kova to one of our contributors to give it a thorough test and review at home. Read our Kova review here. "Solidly built, it's a great statement piece that adds comfort and style to your living space," says Sibylla Nash.
What we liked:
Comfortable, not too overstuffed so that you're sinking, but just firm enough so you can relax
Great size, the couch is pretty deep with 30" seating
Easy to configure with modular options to add more sections
Brand: 7th Avenue Price: Sectionals starting at around $2,950 Shipping: Flat rate shipping for all orders based on distance from its warehouse.
7th Avenue was founded on the mission to create the “world’s best modular sofa”. The result, its flagship product, is a sofa that’s endlessly modular, sustainable built (using OEKO-TEX certified fabrics to our FSC-certified solid wood), free from harmful chemicals and built to last. The brand operates a hybrid model with its sofas available online and in-person with showrooms in California and Nevada (with one soon to open in Texas).
The 7th Avenue sofa is design for the stresses and strains of life at home. Its water-repellent and stain-resistant fabrics help is rise to the challenge of even the toughest situations — easily repelling water, coffee, ketchup, and even red wine.
The sofa also comes with your choice of medium-soft or medium-firm cushions depending on what you prefer and its modular design means it can adapt and shift as your needs change.
We shipped this sofa to one of our contributors in LA to give a full and thorough test at their home, read our full review of the 7th Avenue sofa here. “Overall, I really love our 7th Avenue sofa, so much so that I would and have recommended it to others,” writes Marah Eakin. “I think it’s well-priced for what you’re getting and I love that you can transition it from space to space, design style to design style.”
What we liked:
I love how modular the sofa is, especially because we’ll probably move within five years.
It’s very comfortable and fits our whole family.
I like how wide the arms are. I can throw a water bottle on there while I watch TV, plus a phone or a remote. No more losing that clicker in the couch’s cushions!
Brand: Maiden Home Price: From $3,825 Shipping: Shipping is always free and comes with complimentary white glove delivery.
Maiden home offers a range of handcrafted, made-to-order sectionals designed for unparalleled comfort and longevity. Every piece ships free with easy returns and a lifetime warranty.
Every Maiden Home piece is made by some of the world's premier furniture craftsmen in North Carolina using techniques that have been passed down through generations. And because each sofa is made-to-order, Maiden Home can offer a range of customizations to each sofa.
The Jones is a modular sofa that can be configured to fit almost any living space. “The Jones Modular Sofa acts as an artistic centerpiece in the home. It features sculptural pillowy comfort matched with crisp modern detailing,” says Maiden Home designer advisor Hannah Rice.
We shipped the Jones Modular Sofa to one of our writers in New York, read the full Jones Sofa review here. Reviewer Zoe Roscoe writes: "After living with the sofa I would highly recommend it to someone looking for a modern and comfortable couch that won't wear out quickly."
What we liked:
The sofa is delivered in sections so it’s easy to move into a walk-up apartment or tight space.
Down-filled cushions make the sofa ultra-comfortable.
The removable back cushions make the sofa extra deep and comfortable for a night's sleep.
Brand: Allform Price: Starting from $2,645 (regular sofas from $1,345). Shipping: Shipping is always free, and Allform delivers its sofas in easy-to-move boxes.
You have a wide range of customization options available with Allform, including a choice of nine performance fabrics or leather, three leg finishes, and additional throw pillows and cushions.
Allform makes high-quality modular sectional couches that are designed for real life. And whatever you're looking for, it'll likely have a sectional perfect for your needs — with a wide range of configurations available from a loveseat to 4-seat corner sectionals, all the way up to 8-set U-shaped sectionals. Its modular design means you can add a new armless chair, or left arm or right arm piece at any time to change your sofa configuration.
"The modularity of our sofas, plus it ships to you in a box, are what make Allform sectionals unique. Unlike traditional sectional couches, you are not limited to certain configurations," says Allform co-founder and CEO Adam Tishman.
Watch: Check out Bri Ussery's overview of the sofa below:
We tested out the Allform 4-Seat Corner Sectional in our studio in Austin, TX. Wefound it to be very comfortable and well-made — check out our full Allform sofa review here.
What we liked:
Comfortable deep seats
Modular design so you can add/remove sections any time
Brand: Apt2B Price: 2-piece sectional from $3,698 Shipping: Shipping is always free.
Apt2B was founded to bring you more style for less money. The Los Angeles-based brand makes several stunning sectional sofas available in a range of bold and popular fabric options and sizing options for any space.
With Apt2B, you can shop with no worries. Each of its sectionals comes with a lifetime warranty, 100-day returns, and free in-home threshold delivery (you can also send back any item with the delivery team if it doesn't fit and/or it simply wasn't what they were hoping for).
The Melrose (named after the 90s TV show Melrose Place) is a versatile, modular sectional with a low-profile design and wide track arms. It’s available in nearly 40 fabric choices and made in the U.S. with a lifetime guarantee on frame and craftsmanship.
We shipped the Melrose Sectional to one of our contributors to review. "This couch has exceeded my family’s expectations; we expected it to be comfortable but we have been pleasantly surprised by how sturdy it also manages to be while also being soft and cozy," writes Cassandra Brooklyn.
What we liked:
The high level of customization means you can get exactly what you want.
No tools or assembly required, just cut off the plastic and slide sections into place.
Free fabric swatches help you determine the perfect color and fabric style.
Sofas are typically shipped in 3-5 weeks.
Free shipping (or opt for White Glove Room of Choice + Assembly for $129)
Hassle-free 100 day guarantee
Lifetime guarantee on the frame and craftsmanship
With Apt2B, you can shop with no worries. Each of its sectionals comes with a lifetime warranty, 100-day returns, and free in-home threshold delivery (you can also send back any item with the delivery team if it doesn't fit and/or it simply wasn't what they were hoping for).
Brand: Medley Price: From $5,226 Shipping: Free shipping and returns.
Founded in 2017, Medley offers furniture made of premium, eco-friendly materials that will make your home cozy for years to come.
“Our focus is really on things that benefit our customers instead of hollow marketing gimmicks,” Medley Home co-founder Travis Nagle told Living Cozy. “What Medley does well results in products that are going to last longer, be healthier for the home and planet, and be made specifically for their needs for look and comfort.”
The Blumen Sofa is designed for lounging with friends and family while entertaining or just having a quiet night at home. The modern-inspired sofa has a clean, sharp appearance with wide arms. It can be customized with storage and cushion filling as well as being available in a range of colors.
We shipped this sofa to one of our contributors to give a full at-home test, read our full review of the Blumen Sofa here. "With a deep seat, wide arms, and an angled back, the Blumen is incredibly comfortable. The cushions are medium-firm with a good blend of support and give," says Shelby Golding.
What we liked:
The Blumen Sofa comes with optional arm storage, excellent for small spaces.
100+ fabrics to choose from in customization, including multiple machine-washable options.
Multiple size and depth options allow you to create a sofa that fits your space, no matter how much square footage you’re working with.
Zippered cushion and pillow covers for easy cleaning and care.
White Glove delivery service eliminates any assembly time, so you can focus on enjoying your purchase.
Burrow's sofas are handcrafted from sturdy, sustainably sourced hardwood and scratch- and stain-resistant, non-toxic fabrics. Each couch is also modular by design, with plenty of configuration options and opportunities to expand with extra seats, added tables, and more. "[Burrow focuses on] modularity not just because of the ease of assembly, but because of the opportunities it unlocks for expansion, customization, and moving," a company spokesperson told Living Cozy.
The Field is designed for comfort, convenience, and durability. The Field silhouette is simple yet structured, versatile enough to complement any home and interior style.
Field is constructed with wide seats and detached cushions, specifically designed to support endless hours of sitting, lounging, and napping. Its reversible cushions create a sense of versatility, easy styling, and seamlessly fit into any aesthetic from minimalist to maximalist and everything in between.
With numerous sectional and sofa configurations, the Field Collection offers the functionality and flexibility Burrow is known for. Plus, the Sleep Kit will transform the field into a sleeper sofa.
Brand: BenchMade Modern Price: From around $6,800. Shipping: $99 delivery fee.
BenchMade Modern is a high-end furniture company that offers a wide choice of sectionals in many configurations to fit any floor plan.
The brand was founded by Edgar Blazona, who believes that luxury handcrafted furniture should be designed to fit into your life, not the other way around.
The Skinny Fat is one of BenchMade Modern’s most popular sofas and it was even chosen as the Wirecutter’s best online sofa. Its sleek mid-century design makes it extremely easy on the eye and it’s comfortable and meticulously constructed.
New York-based lifestyle writer Zoë Roscoe reviewed the Skinny Fat for us. "The Skinny Fat sofa is extremely comfortable and looks sleek and modern in a space. Since the cushions are removable, it’s easy to clean the couch and also create more room if you have an overnight guest. There’s not one aspect of this couch I would change," explains Roscoe.
What we liked:
Cushions are removable to create a deeper area
You can customize the size and depth to fit unique spaces and layouts
Brand: Floyd Price: From $1,500. Shipping: $149 flat rate for orders over $149.
“The Sectional fills a need for endless seating modularity for where you live now and where you’ll live next,” Floyd co-founder Kyle Hoff told Living Cozy. “The sturdy frame is constructed from engineered wood with solid joints to prevent creaky movement while the ultra-deep cushions are structurally layered in 3 densities (like a mattress) so you can sit and sink in with ample support - or lay flat.”
The Floyd Sectional's deep seats allow plenty of seating space — making it perfect for movie nights. The sofa’s low profile and clean lines also give it a Mid-Century feel. Each piece is upholstered in a textured, tightly-woven, stain-resistant fabric, and heavy-duty alligator clips underneath each piece keep your seats together but make it easy to rearrange when you need to.
“This is my favorite sectional young couples/families. The look is perfect for bringing in extra comfort and creating a chill and cozy spot at home to watch TV,” says Interior Designer, Karen Gutierrez at Mackenzie Collier Interiors.
We shipped the Floyd Sectional contributors in Washington, DC. Read our full Floyd Sectional review here. "The sofa feels substantial, supportive, and well made. It feels like these cushions will stand the test of time, which is key given Floyd’s focus on longevity and sustainability of its pieces," writes Heather Bien.
What we liked:
Countless configurations available, as well as build-from-scratch customization
Brand: Article Price: Starting from $1,599 Shipping: Front Door Delivery is free on orders $999 and over.
Article was founded in 2013 to offer consumers a simpler way to shop for furniture. Since then, the brand has delivered more than 1,000,000 orders across Canada and the U.S.
Article offers modern furniture and sells direct-to-consumer, enabling it to pass along considerable savings to customers. It also aims to get most orders from its warehouse to your front door in two weeks or less.
The Sven Collection is one of Article’s most popular furniture collections. The sofa is made from solid wood, foam, polyester, and duck feathers. It has a tufted bench seat for comfort, but it also has a sleek, sophisticated design with a single chic round bolster pillow at each side.
We shipped the Sven to one of our contributors to test at home and provide a thorough first-hand review. “It strikes just the right balance between ruggedness that can handle my household with kids and a cat, but with a sophisticated-enough look that my space looks pulled together and dressed up,” writes LA-based lifestyle editor and writer Alesandra Dubin, who reviewed the Sven for Living Cozy. “It’s also super comfortable with elegant proportions.”
Brand: Burrow Price: Sectionals from $2,090. Shipping: Free shipping.
Burrow's Block Nomad Sectional is handcrafted from sustainably sourced hardwood and scratch- and stain-resistant, non-toxic fabrics. The Nomad Sectional is also modular by design, with plenty of configuration options and opportunities to expand with extra seats, added tables, and more.
Its simple design blends the classic aesthetics of Mid-Century Modern, like clean lines and tapered legs with modern manufacturing, materials, and features. It also has some neat additions you can make to your sofa, like a USB adapter for charging devices and a sleep kit to convert your sofa into a sleeper sectional.
We shipped the Nomad sofa to Phoenix, Arizona, to be reviewed by the team at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. Read our full Nomad Sofa review here. "It's a good value piece and comfortable enough, plus it’s easy to put together with no extra assembly help. Not only is it lightweight and easy to move around for a growing family, but the Nomad sofa resists stains to make it ideal for little ones and pets," says Karen Rohr.
What we liked:
Timeless Style: The sofa can provide comfort and support for years to come. It's modern and casual but the look will still last forever!
Easy Assembly: The easy assembly of this sofa is one of the best perks about it.
Fabric and Color: An extra plus to the sofa is that it is stain resistant, especially for those with little ones running around or those who like to entertain and can’t resist a good get together with friends and family.
Brand: Maiden Home Price: From $5,150 Shipping: Shipping is always free and comes with complimentary white glove delivery.
One of Maiden Home’s latest sofa models, The Varick is a statement piece that’s designed for everyday life. Its oversized arms, low-slung profile, and deep 40” seats lend a relaxed, casual feel.
We shipped the Varick Sofa and matching ottoman to one of our contributors in Vermont to see what it’s like to live with. Read our full Varick sofa review here. "In short, I would recommend the Varick to anyone in the market for a sofa who’s willing to invest in a classic, premium piece of furniture," writes Natali Amato.
What we liked:
The sofa is very deep; great for curling up with a book and a blanket.
The ottoman makes a comfortable footrest or extra seat.
Brand: Sabai Price: Starting from $1,395. Shipping: Free of charge to the continental United States. Shipping is also plastic-free.Orders usually arrive within 2 weeks of confirmation.
Sabai is on a mission to make beautifully designed, affordable furniture using sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing.
Everything Sabai produces is made-to-order from recycled, natural, and FSC-certified materials to reduce waste and avoid overproduction. And each piece of its sofas is replaceable, so if something breaks, it can be replaced instead of thrown away.
The Essential Sectional features a reversible chaise extension that can be set up on either side and wide arms that invite lounging and perching. It's available with various fabric options, including upcycled poly and velvet.
“The Essential Sectional is of course sustainably made - recycled, upcycled, and non-toxic materials, ethical and domestic manufacturing - but also has a very sleek and modern aesthetic that brings a sense of design to any space,” Sabai’s co-founder Phantila Phataraprasit told Living Cozy. “It’s easily assembled and disassembled while not looking like a flat-packed piece of furniture,” adds Phataraprasit.
Interior designer Erica Reiner tested the Essential Sectional for us at her home in LA, check out the full review here. "As a conscious consumer, its versatility, plus the fact that Sabai has made great leaps forward in sustainability would make me choose this brand over another in a heartbeat," writes Reiner.
What we liked:
Quick lead times and US-made
Taking a lead on sustainable practices
A variety of colors and recycled/upcycled materials
Brand: BenchMade Modern Price: From around $6,300. Shipping: $99 delivery fee.
The OG Couch Potato features a relaxed feel and a mid-century modern design with current and sophisticated finishes. It also has deep seats that are perfect for lounging and relaxing.
Read our full review of the OG Couch Potato sofa here. "The high quality and elegance of the handcrafted couch make it a classic statement piece that will fit with ease in any room," writes Dana Rose Falcone.
What we liked:
The customizability lets you truly tailor the sofa to your space, down to the inch
Brand: Albany Park Price: From $2,895 Shipping: Shipping is always free and comes with complimentary white glove delivery.
The Park Sectional features modern design elements alongside its timeless style and sophistication. It's available in a range of colors and fabrics (including velvets and faux leather — for those who prefer a leather sofa) and comes with the option of either a left or right-facing chaise.
To test out the Park, we shipped the sofa to one of our contributors in Birmingham, AL. Check out our full Park Sectional review here. "The Park Sectional is versatile and comfortable enough to be used in any room in your home. And after using it for a good amount of time, it certainly feels durable enough for families and pets, and the timeless design allows it to look good for years to come," says Terri Williams.
What we liked:
The mid-century style and smart details make this a versatile sectional that can fit well in any home ranging from traditional to modern.
The sectional is made of foam wrapped in feathers, making it soft but not too soft.
Since the chaise can be configured for either the left or the right side, the sectional can be tailored to fit your room. Plus, you can choose from two leg colors and several fabrics.
The sectional ships right to your front door and is in several boxes, so you can easily move it by yourself.
Use code COZY10 for 10% off Albany Park at checkout.
Brand: Cozey Price: Starting from c$1,690. Shipping: Free and quick shipping in all 10 Canadian provinces.
Cozey is a Canadian direct-to-consumer sofa brand founded to make sofa shopping as easy as binge-watching.
Cozey customers can add corner and lounging chaise modules to their collection of customizable sofa modules. This allows customers to personalize large sectional and L-shaped sofas.
The Ciello is Cozey's newest sofa collection. It features modular design and deep seats perfect for lounging. Emily Major-Girard tested the Ciello sofa for Living Cozy, check out the full Cozey sofa review here or watch the video below. "Since receiving the Cozey sofa, we’ve been in love with and told everyone we know about it — my sister even picked one up off the back of our recommendation," explains Major-Girard.
What we liked:
The modular design is great for people who want flexible furniture
The sofa seems versatile and works well in a variety of situations
The cushions are comfortable for both sitting upright and laying down
Brand: Arhaus. Price: From $7,899. Shipping: From $199, standard shipping in 3-7 business days.
Founded in 1986 on environmentally conscious beliefs, Arhaus is committed to creating heirloom-quality pieces that can be passed down for generations. In a world prone to disposal, Arhaus is focused on making durable products that are great for customers and the environment.
The Beale four-piece sectional features a chic, minimalist silhouette that will slide seamlessly into most living spaces. It's also impossibly comfortable, with luxe goose-down seat cushions complemented by reversible memory fiber-padded backrests.
“I can't wait to come home to the Beale modular sectional sofa from Arhaus. Not only do I love the versatility it offers, but also the custom size options are great for any room. When I lay on it, I feel like I am laying in a cloud. It is the perfect sofa for napping, watching a movie, or reading a book,” says Amanda Sacy, Design Manager at Juniper Holiday + Home.
About: Lovesac Cost: A 2-seat Sactional starts at $2,850. Shipping: 100% free shipping on all orders within the contiguous United States.
In 1998, Lovesac started with one comfy bean bag chair that founder Shawn Nelson built in 1995, now its range of sectional sofas (called 'Sactionals') can be customized to meet your exact needs and evolve as you need more seating space. Each seat and side connects through its tool-free interlocking system, and whenever you'd like to add to your sofa, you simply attach a new armless or corner section.
Sactionals are also built to withstand everyday life at home. Its seats, cushions, and sides all have removable, machine-washable slipcovers that keep your couch always looking like new.
This is the perfect sectional for gatherings with family and friends. But you don’t have to start with a 10-seater and can add seats and sides over time.
As your home decor changes, you move home, or you just fancy a new seasonal color, Lovesac has 250+ cover options that allow you to reinvent the look of your couch over and over again. The Lovesac's versatility also means you could easily use it as a sofa bed if friends and family are in town.
About: Designer furniture that's good for people and the planet Cost: Sectionals from around $1,300 Shipping: Flat rate shipping of $149 or $249, depending on location. Some items ship in 2-3 weeks, custom pieces in 8-10 weeks.
West Elm has a range of sectionals in all shapes and sizes — including recliner options.
At West Elm, 95% of its products are designed in-house, and the brand aims to help you create a space that reflects you and what you love. That means forward-thinking, problem-solving design that unites value, quality, and responsible manufacturing.
One of the standout sectionals within the West Elm range is the versatile Enzo Sectional. The Enzo comes in a range of sizes from three-piece to five-piece and has many neat options features, including storage space in the chaise to hide away in living room clutter and option storage in the armrests. Its modular design means it can be arranged with the chaise on the left or right.
Brand: Castlery was founded to reinvent how furniture retail works. Price: Starting from $1,799 Shipping: Free shipping to selected cities on orders of $999 and above.
The Adams features sleek, mid-century inspired lines designed to work well in any home. Its deep seats also make it perfect for sitting back and enjoying some much needed downtime.
Each piece of Castlery furniture is produced with quality craftsmanship, quality materials, and time-tested for durability. Its designs are also versatile and created to work with all kinds of spaces from mid-century modern to contemporary.
The Adams has a couple of customization options to help make the sofa feel your own with your choice of right- or left-facing chaise orientation and black, brass or silver legs. You can also choose to add an ottoman. Its seat and cushion covers are removable for easy cleaning.
The Adams is available in four color options — Pearl Beige, Dove Gray, Indigo Blue, and Jet Black Velvet.
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Four Things to Consider When Choosing a Sectional Sofa
1. Living Space and Seating Needs
"The great thing about sectionals is they can truly be configured to work within nearly any kind of space limitation," says Thibault, a 5x best of Houzz award-winning designer.
And though sectionals can work almost anywhere, it's essential to consider your unique living room furniture needs to find that perfect new sofa.
If your sofa is just for you and your family to catch up on your favorite shows, then a smaller three-seater or chaise lounge could work wonderfully. But if you like to entertain and often have larger groups, you might want to think bigger and look at a U-shaped or longer L-shaped sectional (if space permits, of course).
You should also think about the extras you might like with your sofa—things like cup holders, chargers, USB ports can all make a difference to how much enjoyment you get out of your couch over time.
With this in mind, we focused on sectionals that offered a high level of customization.
2. Sectional Placement
Robinson, who is 1/2 of the dynamic duo in HGTV's newest series, Sister Fixers, advises: "Always measure your room before buying furniture to make sure you are considering scale and proportion." She also shared three questions to ask yourself whenever you place a sofa:
Is it obstructing a walkway?
Can I comfortably watch tv or hold conversations with this placement?
Does this piece add function to my space or clutter?
You can also use a sectional to "define" a space, as Burt explains: "One of my favorite design tricks is to define a space with a sectional. We place it floating in the room to create traffic pathways."
And if space is a premium in your home, you can also wisely use the space around your sofa. "Sectionals surprisingly can work perfectly in a small space," says Burt. "The L-shape creates the perfect nook for a coffee table, so side tables aren't necessary."
3. Upholstery and Materials
Do you want a leather sectional, or would you prefer performance fabric... or even velvet? The upholstery you choose can have a significant impact on how easy your new sofa is to maintain as well as how it fits in your living room. Always think carefully about the materials before you hit purchase.
"The best part about a sectional is, they will never go out of style when upholstered in neutral, stain-resistant fabric,' says Robinson.
If you have kids and/or pets, you might want to search for microfiber or something that's proven to be exceptionally stain-resistant.
Most sofa cushions are made from high-density foam, which is quite supportive. If you're craving super soft seats, it could be worth looking for memory foam seats, but these are harder to find and often more expensive.
4. Modular and Reversible Sectionals
Some sectionals are fixed in place. So if you buy a sofa with a right-sided chaise, it'll have to stay in that configuration. Whereas others, like the Burrow and Inside Weather examples above, are modular, reversible sectionals so you can alter your layout at any time.
A new sofa is a significant investment, so think carefully about your existing floor plans and any future plans you might have because the last thing you want is a sofa that doesn't work with your living space in 12 months.
A fixed position sectional will be perfect if you're reasonably settled and know what you want. But if you like to shuffle your rooms around a little or might even be moving house in a year or two, look for a sectional that offers a little more long-term flexibility.
Sectional Sofa FAQs
What is a Sectional Sofa?
Over recent years, sectionals have become one of the more popular sofa styles. A sectional is made up of at least two pieces (or sections) that usually combine to create L or U-shaped seating area.
"They are extremely popular right now mostly because of their versatility and configuration options," says Allison Thibault, principal designer at Kaleidoscope Design Studio. "They also come in a wide variety of upholstery and price ranges, making them appealing to most buyers."
Watch: Interior designer Bri Ussery, founder of East co Studio, joined us in our studio in Austin, Texas, to share some expert tips on buying and styling sectionals. Check our Bri's insights below:
The versatility of sectional sofas means they can work no matter how much space you're working with. "The great thing about sectionals is they can truly be configured to work within nearly any kind of space limitation," adds Thibault.
"The great thing about sectionals is they can truly be configured to work within nearly any kind of space limitation."
Sectionals work great for creating a space to relax and unwind at home. "I love to use them in home designs because they really set the tone for a room. You know right away that this is a room meant to feel welcoming and comfortable," says designer Jennifer Burt.
And if you love nothing more than snuggling up with the latest Netflix release, "there is no better spot to binge a series at than on a sectional," adds Burt.
How Should You Measure a Sectional Sofa?
"As far as measuring, you'll need to know the width and length. Mark out with painter's tape on the floor your ideal sofa location to get a ballpark idea of your sectional measurements," says Burt. "Another issue you'll need to be aware of is the sectional fitting through doorways and elevators," she adds.
"When measuring the space, you'll need to add 24-30" for end tables and also travel space; that's where it gets tricky, says Anderson. "We always drop a sectional and components in a scaled floor plan to make sure we've allowed enough travel space in the furniture layout. Then, it's a fun puzzle to take available sizes of the modular pieces to fit available space."
Should You Place a Rug Under a Sectional?
"A rug elevates a sectional. It helps create a cozy, specific area. With a rug, bigger is better," says Burt. "If you can, have all the feet of the sectional on the area rug and include all feet of the other furniture (chairs, end tables, etc.). At the least, keep the front feet of furniture on the rug."
As sectionals take up a large amount of space, Anderson recommends that a "rug should be large enough to put the front legs plus a 1/3 of the depth of the front of the sectional on it at a minimum. Go larger if possible."
What Shape Coffee Table Goes with a Sectional?
"Since sectionals have such straight lines, balancing this with a circular coffee table works best. Plus, in a tight space, nobody will accidentally hit their knees on the edges of the coffee table. If you have space, a rectangular padded ottoman can be used," says Burt.
"The shape of a coffee table/ottoman will be dependent on the layout of the sectional, says Anderson, who recommends different style coffee tables depending on your sectional configuration.
Corner sectional: Round or square works. "However, if the inside corner is 90 degrees, a square works best," says Anderson.
L-shaped sectional: Should have a rectangle table or three ottoman cubes.
Sectional with a chaise: The type of table "depends on the open area if it's square or rectangle," says Anderson.
You should also focus as much on the scale as the shape of your table recommends Anderson. "The goal for a coffee table or ottoman should be 16" from the front edge of the sectional," she says. "The biggest mistake we see is coffee tables or ottomans that are too small. Everyone should be able to reach their drink or put their tootsies on the ottoman."
How Should You Arrange a Sectional in Your Living Room?
"Don't be afraid of floating the sectional in the center of the room,' says Burt. "The long lines are great at guiding traffic patterns, so think of how you'd like traffic to flow and arrange accordingly."
"There are only a few situations where it should be the only seating in a room," says Anderson. "If you are doing a sectional, it's a very large element. You'll need to keep the scale large on other chairs, end tables, lamps, rugs, etc. otherwise, you'll end up half the room looking miniaturized."
Anderson also shares a warning: "Double measure the room and your selections before ordering. Measure the doorways and tight transition hallways before ordering to prevent the dreaded 'it won't fit,'" she adds.
How Do Sectional Sofas Connect?
Sectionals tend to come as individual pieces or sections that are usually connected by hooks or clips that hold each piece together.
Ash is the founder of Living Cozy. He's been featured by publishers like MyDomaine, Realtor, Real Homes, Architectural Digest, The Spruce, Homes and Gardens, and more. As a writer his work has appeared in publications like FastCompany, TNW, and Entrepreneur.
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