BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Photo: depositphotos.com
If you’re in the market for a sectional sofa, you probably already know it’s a significant investment of not only money but time, too. Since you’ll want to have the best sectional sofa for the long-term, it’s worthwhile to spend time researching to ensure you find the ideal product for your needs. Comfort, style, upholstery and material, size, function, construction, and cost are key to the big decision, and it can be downright overwhelming to navigate the choices out there! To help you with the hunt, we’ve rounded up some of the top options that hit these points.
- BEST OVERALL: Pawnee 84″ Symmetrical Corner Sectional with Ottoman
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sylvette 78.5″ Reversible Sofa & Chaise with Ottoman
- BEST UPHOLSTERED: Mauzy Left Hand Facing Sofa & Chaise with Ottoman
- BEST LEATHER: Courtdale Leather 105″ Sectional
- BEST SLEEPER: Kayden 84″ Chenille Reversible Sleeper Sofa & Chaise
- BEST MODULAR: Tucker Modular Sectional with Ottoman
- BEST FOR APARTMENTS: Ahmed 93″ Right Facing Sectional
Photo: wayfair.com
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Sectional Sofa
There are various considerations to take into account when selecting the best sectional sofa for your purposes. Primarily, you’ll need to keep in mind how much space you have to work with and how much seating you want to incorporate. The configuration of a sectional also needs to be taken into account to fit your area’s layout; you’ll want the room to flow well and feel as open as possible. Upholstery and material, style, and convertibility are key, as well.
Available Space
The amount of space you have available could be the most important factor in choosing the best sectional sofa. A small studio apartment will be suited to very different furniture than will a high-ceiling, 400 square-foot room. You’ll have several considerations to make in terms of space.
Ask yourself how much of the room your sectional sofa should fill and whether you plan to add other furniture like chairs, end tables, or a coffee table. This will impact the size and shape of the sectional you choose. You shouldn’t see a sectional sofa extending past things like walls, windows, or shelves or placed on its own in a large space. The best sectional sofas offer separation and space to rooms with open floor plans and define specific living spaces within them, like living and dining rooms.
Seating
Consider how many people will be using the sectional sofa at once, as this really will inform the size and shape of the piece you need. Will it be just you and your significant other? Will it be the spot your kids congregate multiple times a day? Do you want to entertain a few people at once? Don’t forget about the dog or cat, especially if your pet is larger in size; your pets need space, too!
Your sectional will likely look very different if you foresee yourself sprawling out solo with a good book than one you’d choose if you frequently invite friends and family over. Know how many seats you need, consider the comfort of those who will sit in them, and ensure the sectional generously accommodates those needs.
Configuration
Before making a purchase decision, you’ll need to know how you want your sectional to be set up and oriented. Your configuration needs help determine which sectional to choose—and your lifestyle largely determines this. There are a number of options for setting up your sectional, with some of the most common ones being:
- L-shape: This is a style in which both sides are equally long, or one side is longer. The L-shape setup works best in large rooms with lots of wall space.
- U-shape: This is just like the letter U, but sometimes one side is shorter than the other. A U-shape setup is great for large, square, or awkwardly shaped rooms.
- Chaise: Sectionals with a chaise lounge are quite common and suit smaller, open areas. Some models come with a chaise that only works on the left or the right side of the arrangement, but the best sectional sofa options will have the versatility to swap sides as needed when rearranging a room layout or moving.
- Curved: This is a rounded corner design that lends itself to a date night in and for snuggling or intimate conversation.
Fabric/Materials
While you may gravitate to a fabric or material based on its aesthetic and style, remember that functionality is at least as important, if not more. Natural fibers are usually softer but can easily pill or fade, while synthetics can be more stain-resistant and durable. Likewise, suede can get damaged easily, while dark leather wears well and is timeless and easy to clean.
A slipcover could be your best bet if you have small children or pets, or if you prefer white, as slipcovers can be machine washable.
A final consideration you don’t want to miss is texture. Rough or scratchy furniture just isn’t comfortable, which can make lounging around not as relaxing. If possible, try to feel the material against your arm or face before you purchase; your hands may not notice the roughness as much.
Style
Whether you’re attracted to a particular look or you find a broad range appealing, you’ll find a variety of styles from which to choose the best sectional sofa. To help narrow the choices down, think of the type that suits your home and the room, and go with your gut!
If you like:
- Minimalist and modern, look for sleek, clean lines; a boxy shape; metal legs; and vibrant, dramatic colors.
- Mid-century modern, you’ll find streamlined sectionals that look more lightweight and smaller-scale than other styles. Key features include metal, leather, and tufted accents.
- Eclectic, with a mix of decor, look for a combination of different styles, like a vintage reupholstered sectional sofa or something more modern with traditional features.
- Traditional, a classically structured piece with curved lines in a solid, neutral-colored fabric that blends with many colors and accent pieces might be right for you.
Convertibility
Modular sectionals are versatile since you can get seats in different depths and widths. This type of sectional, particularly those with five pieces, allows you to create the best shape for the room. A nice plus about modular sectionals is you aren’t limited to those that align with the room’s design or layout, since you can reconfigure and rearrange modular sectionals.
You may not have known that sectionals come in a sleeper style, which is useful for putting up guests. Keep in mind that some sleeper sectionals can be much heavier than other sectional types because of the weight of the bed tucked inside. Others simply fold down into a bed but still use the sofa cushion, so they may not offer the support of a traditional mattress. However, this versatile option meets two needs with one solution, and you may not have an issue with either setup.
Our Top Picks
Selected with the considerations, features, and tips mentioned above, the following recommendations include some of the best sectional sofa options online. These plush pieces of furniture will help boost comfort and create a focal point in your living space.
Photo: wayfair.com
This four-seater, L-shaped sectional is made on a solid pine wood frame and features a slanted backrest, track arms, corded edges, button tufting, and tapered block feet. Throw cushions are included, and medium-firm support is provided from this piece’s suspension and removable foam and synthetic fiber-filled seat and back cushions.
The linen-blend fabric looks classic and stylish, yet it is relatively easy to maintain by spot cleaning. This sectional features a neutral and contemporary style. The included ottoman can be used as extra seating, a coffee table, or a place to stretch out your legs at the end of a long day.
Photo: wayfair.com
This reversible sectional sofa seats three and has a clean, simple, and modern look that works well in many living rooms. It features soft, breathable, and durable fabric on a hardwood frame with overstuffed back cushions and foam seat cushions.
Although assembly is required, this sectional comes with user-friendly instructions, and no tools are needed. A great feature is that the ottoman can be placed on either side of the sofa to accommodate different layouts and spaces. A possible downside is its narrow arm—although this maximizes seating space, it may not make the most comfortable armrest.
Photo: wayfair.com
This L-shaped, left-facing sectional has square arms, tufted detailing, and a clean, simple, and modern look. It’s upholstered in a high-quality, neutral linen, and the solid colors are versatile for any color scheme in your home. This piece has removable cushions and seats four people on comfortable foam seating and backfilling.
Throw cushions and an ottoman with a lift-top lid for extra storage are included with this sectional. Because it’s upholstered in 100 percent linen, it isn’t washable and may not be the easiest to keep clean if you have an active household with small children or pets. Instead, it’s suggested to steam clean with water only and avoid chemicals. Keep in mind that assembly is required.
Photo: wayfair.com
This top grain leather sectional is built on an oak wood frame, and its metal, angled legs—along with tufts in the seats—give it a very modern look, which can accommodate mid-century modern design and eclectic styles as well. It comes in six solid color options and offers seating for three.
Leather is one of the most durable fabrics out there, so you’ll get a ton of wear out of this piece. Plus, you can choose a left- or right-facing model with this sectional, so it will fit well in many room layouts. Although this sectional is an investment, as with most leather furniture, it comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, which reduces your risk for quite a while.
Photo: wayfair.com
This modern sleeper sectional comes in five solid color options and features tapered legs and clean lines. It’s made from both solid and manufactured wood. The back can be moved into numerous positions, and the chaise is interchangeable. A major plus to this sectional is its extra functions: The back reclines to create a spare bed that’s a bit wider than twin size, plus the chaise top lifts to offer out-of-sight storage. However, if you’re considering this sofa, keep in mind that the chenille material is soft and delicate, so it won’t be the most durable or easiest to clean. It seats three, and you will need to assemble the sofa yourself.
Photo: wayfair.com
This low-profile, modular sectional is right-facing and features a low back and piping with polyester upholstery. It seats five, comes with throw pillows, and offers a simple and neutral look that goes well with most interior decor and style preferences.
Great things about this sectional are its spacious size and ottoman that can be used as an extra seat or a footrest. However, you will need to assemble this sofa yourself, and it might require a little more TLC than others, as frequent vacuuming or brushing is recommended to remove dirt and dust. Additionally, machine washing cushion covers is not advised.
Photo: wayfair.com
This compact, right-facing, apartment-size sectional seats three and is made from a cotton-blend fabric that can be easily cleaned with wipes. It’s maximized for comfort and durability, with seat cushions filled with foam and innerspring. It even comes with throw cushions. With its clean lines and two solid color options, this piece is versatile enough for most tastes and styles. If you need a bit more support, this may not be the right choice for you, as the arms are rounded and narrow, but this detail helps give the piece its small scale.
FAQs About Sectional Sofas
You may still have some questions about how to choose the best sectional sofas, which is completely understandable. With so many considerations and options out there, it can be a daunting task to sift through the information. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about the best sectional sofas to help you make the best choice.
Q. Is an L-shaped couch the same as a sectional sofa?
Sectional sofas can comprise many different furniture elements and layouts. An L-shaped couch is just one example.
Q. How do you know if you need a right- or left-facing sectional?
Look at the sectional. If the chaise is on your right, the sectional is right-facing, and vice versa. Choose what flows and looks best (usually the most open) in your space.
Q. Where do you place a sectional in a living room?
Since sectionals are usually more oversized and deeper than other furniture, the middle of the room can be the best spot so the rest of the open space can be utilized.
Q. Where do you place a coffee table with a sectional?
Leave 14 to 18 inches between the sofa’s edge and the table. Don’t extend the table past either arm of an L-shaped sectional to avoid imbalance and blocking traffic flow.
