How To Choose Between a Sofa & Sectional
Whether you prioritize rest and relaxation or entertainment and lively conversations, the right sectional or sofa can create the perfect seating arrangement for your living room. Learn more about the pros and cons of choosing a sofa or a sectional to help you find the best fit for your preferences and needs.
Shop Sofas & Sectionals
What is a Sofa?
A single piece with two or three cushions, sofas are one-directional seating that come in a variety of sizes. Generally, sofas take up less space than a sectional and can easily be paired with a combination of seating options, such as a second sofa or accent chairs. Here are a few of the most common sofa types:
What is a Sectional?
Sectionals are made from two or more sofa segments that attach to each other, enabling you to customize the size and shape. Sectionals typically provide more seating than a standard sofa, with many accommodating at least six people comfortably. Here are a few of the most common sectional types:
L-Shaped Sectionals
An L-shaped sectional generally consists of two or more segments of a sofa that join at a corner to form an L-shape.
What’s the Difference Between a Sofa and a Sectional?
A sofa is a single, straight piece of furniture that accommodates anywhere from 2-3 cushions, whereas a sectional has multiple segments that combine into one large seating arrangement, available in a variety of shapes. Sectionals are generally larger than a standard couch, with many comfortably seating at least six people.
Sofas can vary from casual to formal and can include many styles such as mid century modern, chesterfield, or tuxedo. Sectionals tend to be more casual seating options and are beloved for family movie nights or enhanced relaxation.
Sofas can vary from casual to formal and can include many styles such as mid century modern, chesterfield, or tuxedo. Sectionals tend to be more casual seating options and are beloved for family movie nights or enhanced relaxation.
Sectional:
• Maximizes seating for six or more people
• Works well in larger spaces
• Comes in a variety of shapes and arrangements
• Breaks up an open floor plan
• Works well in larger spaces
• Comes in a variety of shapes and arrangements
• Breaks up an open floor plan
Sofa:
• Accommodates 2-3 people
• Works well in small- to medium-sized rooms
• Easy access to coffee and side tables
• Pairs well with other furniture
• Works well in small- to medium-sized rooms
• Easy access to coffee and side tables
• Pairs well with other furniture
Sectional:
•
Maximizes seating for six or more people
•
Works well in larger spaces
•
Comes in a variety of shapes and arrangements
•
Breaks up an open floor plan
Sofa:
•
Accommodates 2-3 people
•
Works well in small- to medium-sized rooms
•
Easy access to coffee and side tables
•
Pairs well with other furniture
What to Consider Before Purchasing a Sofa or Sectional
1.
Measure Your Floorspace
One of the most important considerations when choosing between a sectional and sofa is considering the size and shape of your room. Sectionals can easily overwhelm a small room whereas a small three-seater sofa can feel underwhelming in a large space.
First, decide on the area you would like your sofa or sectional to encompass and get a rough idea of the available floorspace. This will help you narrow down your search — and avoid having to return a large piece of furniture — by understanding what size sofa or sectional can fit in your space.
Take note of not only to measure the length but also the depth of the sofa or sectional you are considering. We recommend taping out the sofa’s exact shape and dimension on the floor of your room to see if it will extend past walls or walkways. For more measuring tips, check out our step-by-step guide for measuring a room for furniture.
First, decide on the area you would like your sofa or sectional to encompass and get a rough idea of the available floorspace. This will help you narrow down your search — and avoid having to return a large piece of furniture — by understanding what size sofa or sectional can fit in your space.
Take note of not only to measure the length but also the depth of the sofa or sectional you are considering. We recommend taping out the sofa’s exact shape and dimension on the floor of your room to see if it will extend past walls or walkways. For more measuring tips, check out our step-by-step guide for measuring a room for furniture.
2.
Determine the Function of the Room
When choosing whether a sofa or sectional will best fit your needs, you must first decide its primary purpose. If you live alone and would just like a place for guests to sit and chat when they come to visit, a traditional sofa paired with a few accent furniture pieces might be the best choice.
Conversely, if you have a large family or like to entertain guests, a sectional would be the perfect way to consolidate numerous chairs into one large furniture that maximizes seating space. Sectionals are also a great option for those who prefer reclining comfort and the potential for modular versatility.
Conversely, if you have a large family or like to entertain guests, a sectional would be the perfect way to consolidate numerous chairs into one large furniture that maximizes seating space. Sectionals are also a great option for those who prefer reclining comfort and the potential for modular versatility.
3.
Consider Room Layout & Other Furnishings
It is important to consider not just the sofa or sectional, but the larger configuration of your room. Will you be pairing your sofa with other design elements, such as accent chairs, rugs, or coffee tables? Consider the other furnishings in the room and how all the pieces work together — especially whether you have enough room to properly move about.
Finally, measure the heights and widths of all entryways, stairways, and hallways to ensure the sofa can easily maneuver through them during the delivery. Factor in ceiling heights, architectural details of the room, banisters, or low-hanging fixtures that might get in the way.
Finally, measure the heights and widths of all entryways, stairways, and hallways to ensure the sofa can easily maneuver through them during the delivery. Factor in ceiling heights, architectural details of the room, banisters, or low-hanging fixtures that might get in the way.
How to Lay Out a Room with a Sectional
Sectionals are incredibly versatile and comfortable seating options for many households. But when styled incorrectly, sectionals can easily take over or overwhelm a room. Here are a few easy tips for arranging your room around your sectional.
1.
Decide on Placement
A common placement for a sectional is against the wall or tucked into a corner. But in an open floor plan, we recommend positioning it away from the walls to help break up the space. Sectionals are the perfect way to create a natural boundary and delineation between two spaces.
2.
Change Sectional Layout
The great thing about a sectional is the flexibility in its layout. Play with the arrangement of your sectional to find the configuration that works for you. You can float a piece out to the side to foster conversation, or circle it around a TV, fireplace, or other focal point.
3.
Add Warmth with a Rug
A popular layout for L-shaped sectionals is to place the rug centrally, so that it’s under the front legs of the couch on the inner side of the L. 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 pleasing and natural.
4.
Balance with a Coffee Table
Place your coffee table 14-18 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 which can create a heavy, blocky feel. Round coffee tables are a great option for curved or U-Shaped sectionals as they are easily to navigate around.
How to Lay Out a Room with a Sofa
Sofas pair perfectly with many other types of living room furniture and are a great way to add balance and a lounging atmosphere to a space. While they may have less seating than a sectional, they can easily fit into many room sizes.
1.
Decide on Placement
First, decide on a focal point around which to place the sofa. To foster conversation, a good focal point might be a centrally placed coffee table or large rug. If your primary purpose is relaxation, your focal point may instead be a TV or entertainment system.
2.
Integrate Accent Chairs
A sofa pairs perfectly with a pair of accent chairs. Try different configurations, such as a pair of chairs directly across from the sofa, angled at a diagonal, or even flanking either side of the sofa.
3.
Center it with a Rug
A rug is a great finishing touch. To pull all your separate pieces together, place the rug under the front legs of all the living room seating or use an extra-large rug to entirely encompass the layout.
4.
Complement with a Coffee and Side Tables
Sofas pair easily with coffee and side tables. Simply place the coffee table in the center of the space, with equal distance between all sofas and chairs. For extra style and functionality, pair the coffee table with a pair of side tables on either.
Sit Comfortably with the Right Seat
From a sophisticated leather sofa to a comfy, oversized sectional, it’s time to outfit your living room with the seating, versatility, and style it needs.
If you are ready to maximize your comfort with a cozy and functional piece of furniture, start your search with our curated collection of quality sectionals and sofas.
If you are ready to maximize your comfort with a cozy and functional piece of furniture, start your search with our curated collection of quality sectionals and sofas.