Sectional couches are large, customizable, cushioned sofas with enough seating to fit the whole family and then some. They are made up of interlocking sofa components, so they can be assembled in many different shapes and sizes to perfectly fit your space and seating needs. Read on for more information about sectional sizes, types, and how to choose the best sectional sofa for you.

What to Consider

The Size of Your Space

The most important consideration when buying a sectional for a living room is the size of your space. While a sectional is a great way to maximize seating, it shouldn't disrupt traffic flow or overwhelm the rest of your furniture and decor. Before you shop, check out our guide on how to measure for a sectional sofa to ensure you know what size sectional will fit best in your space.

Tip!

Knowing how much space you have is also extremely important when it comes to delivery – you don't want to purchase the perfect sectional only to be unable to fit it through the door!

Sectional Shape

The largest possible sectional layout isn't always the best one for your entertaining needs. Try to choose a sectional layout option that can comfortably accommodate you, your household, and maybe a couple guests – opting for a larger sectional than you need can be an expensive use of valuable space. Below, we outline the most common sectional layout options and their seating accommodations.

L-Shaped: These sectionals are made up of one large, two- to three-seat sofa and an adjacent one- to two-seat loveseat or ottoman that come together at a corner to form an L shape. Sofa chaises fall under this category. L-shaped sectionals are some of the smallest and most popular of the sectional orientations. These sectionals can fit snugly in the corner of a room to face a TV or coffee table and are excellent for smaller spaces.

U-Shaped: The large, three- to five-seat sofas of U-shaped sectionals are flanked by two outward facing arms. Usually one arm is a one- to two-seat loveseat and the other is a one- to two-person ottoman. Because the second arm protrudes into the room, U-shaped sectionals tend to feel a bit bulkier than L-shaped sectionals, so they're much better suited for larger spaces or open layouts. U-shaped layouts encourage conversation and pair excellently with a coffee table, as their seating surrounds a central space.

Curved: Characterized by one long, inwardly curling sofa, curved sectionals can seat anywhere from four to ten people. The soft bending shape makes it a bit difficult to place a curved sectional against a wall, but these statement pieces stun when they are placed in the center of a room around a round coffee table. Though curved sectionals aren't optimal for smaller spaces, they are prime examples of functional beauty.

Orientation

The customization of sectional sofas doesn't stop with shape – you can choose the orientation as well.

Left- and Right-Facing: When looking at L-shaped sectionals, you'll see these phrases – left-facing and right-facing – which refer to the arm placement when looking at it head on. Once you know where you want to place your sectional, narrow down your search to the orientation that works best with the layout of your living room.

Reversible: The shorter arm of these often L-shaped sectionals can be moved from one end to the other to convert the sectional from left-facing to right-facing (or vice versa) with ease.

Symmetrical: If you're interested in purchasing a sectional, you can choose a symmetrical orientation that has protruding arms of equal length. Symmetrical orientations are great at unifying a room's design and tend to provide more seating than asymmetrical options.

Modular: While some sectionals come in a preassembled shape, you can often customize your ideal layout using the components below. Modular sectionals allow you to mix and match components to create the layout and orientation you want. These styles are great for getting the most out of one piece of furniture.

Tip!

When putting together a modular sectional, pay close attention to left- and right-facing pieces to ensure you end up with a cohesive layout and orientation.

Additional Features

Reclining: One or more of the seats on these sofas recline, transforming your sectional from a place for conversation to a relaxation oasis.

Convertible/Sleeper: These sectionals can be converted from a seating arrangement to a sleeping arrangement, either by pulling a bed frame out of the sectional foundation or by flattening the back of the sofa into a mattress.

Material

Once you have a size and style of sectional picked out, it's time to consider the upholstery. Sectionals come in a wide variety of fabrics and colors. Need a material that stands up to sticky hands, dirty paws, or anything else life throws its way? For an in-depth look at all the different upholstery fabrics' characteristics and benefits, check out our Home Fabrics Guide.