Because of the size, it’s important to keep in mind how your new sectional sofa will work in the available space—and how this may affect the furniture you choose to put around it. “Sectionals will be the largest pieces of furniture in a room,” says Devin Shaffer, Lead Designer at Decorilla. “[I]t’s important to anchor the seating area, perhaps with a rug, to provide fluidity for guests and various walkways to other parts of the home.” After hours of research and testing, our best overall pick is the Floyd Three-Seater + Chaise, thanks to its stain-resistant upholstery, sturdy solid wood and steel frame, and flexible configuration. Here are the best sectionals for every type of living room. What do buyers say? 500+ Floyd reviewers rated this product 5 stars. Our best overall pick is Floyd’s The Sofa because it’s designed to withstand stains and general wear over time, plus it can be taken apart and rebuilt for easy transport. This sectional earned a perfect overall score from our tester, who appreciated its stain-resistant upholstery materials and thoughtful design. While the assembly instructions were easy to follow, our tester noted that the sofa arrived in seven different boxes and with lots of packing materials, which may be a concern for environmentally conscious consumers. The metal frame for the sofa also arrived in a box that weighed 132 pounds, so you will definitely want help maneuvering the box into your home. The couch only took 30 to 45 minutes for our tester to assemble, and she noted that the frame was virtually ding and scratch-proof—especially helpful for pet owners. Despite its heavy weight, the frame was compact enough to fit through doorways and in small living rooms. The accompanying chaise can be secured to either side of the frame, which makes the sofa even more customizable (on top of the five upholstery and three base finishes offered). The sofa’s material also contributes to its overall durability. “We had to keep a blanket on our former white and blue couch to avoid muddy pup paw prints,” our tester said. “This fabric, which covers the majority of the sofa, is 95 percent polyester and 5 percent nylon, which is stain-resistant and easy to clean." In terms of comfort, we found the cushions on this section to be soft yet supportive; this couch may not be best for people who like to sink into cushions. In addition, the back cushions felt a little overstuffed, which led to the seat feeling slightly narrow. Despite this minor critique, it is possible that the cushions will soften over time. All in all, this sectional sofa is still our top pick because of its modern and customizable design that’s easy to build and maneuver through a smaller home. Price at time of publish: $1,980 The seat cushions are filled with 2.0 density foam for a plush yet supportive feel. What’s more, the zippered covers come off for easy cleaning. We also like that Apt2B has a generous 100-day return policy and backs its products with a lifetime guarantee on workmanship. Price at time of publish: $2,948 In addition to its functionality, our tester also noted just how comfortable the sofa felt. Its cushions, which are filled with synthetic fiber and foam, provide the perfect balance between firmness and softness. The linen-like fabric adds to its high-end look, as it provides a sturdy yet soft feel while adding some texture to the sofa. We were also blown away by just how easy it was to assemble the sofa; in fact, the only thing you need to do upon arrival is screw on the legs and put the seat cushions on. At under $1,000, the Merwin has a ton of high-end features that add a lot of value to this reasonably-priced pick. Price at time of publish: $949.99 Made with square arms, extra-deep seats, and espresso-finished wooden legs, this sofa will add an elegant and timeless touch to your living room. The construction of the sofa is impressive as well; the wood frame is reinforced with mortise-and-tenon joinery, and the sag-free sinuous springs offer extra support for the fiber-wrapped memory foam cushions. We also love that this couch is certified nontoxic, meaning it’s tested for harmful chemicals and VOCs. Plus, you won’t have to worry about a complicated and time-consuming assembly, as this product comes with white glove delivery for a flat fee, where a two-person crew will deliver, unpack, and assemble the couch for you so all you have to do is sit back and relax. Price at time of publish: $5,034 While this sectional doesn’t come cheap, we think its luxury features like the top-grain Italian leather upholstery and Baltic Birch frame make this model worth it. Plus, with 22-inch-deep seats cushioned by a three-layer foam and a plush crown, this couch proves you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. This sectional is more customizable than most, with three leather color options, six leg finish options, and three choices for arm styles so you’re easily able to tailor the appearance of the sofa to fit your home’s design style. For added convenience, Burrow offers fast and free shipping for this product, which will arrive in multiple lightweight and easy-to-move boxes. Considering its quality construction, stylish look, adaptable design, and overall convenience, you can’t go wrong with Burrow’s Block Nomad Sectional. Price at time of publish: $4,395 We love its linen fabric upholstery, slightly flared arms, and solid wood frame, which give the sofa a high-end look despite its budget-friendly price point. The seat cushions are constructed with extra strong steel coils encased in a foam shell that’s both comfortable and firm. In addition, all seat cushions are removable and the backrest is collapsible for added convenience. Available in dark gray, brown, black, khaki, and light gray, you’re sure to find a color option that works well in your space. This product also boasts easy assembly, as no tools are required to build it and you should be able to install it in just ten minutes, according to the manufacturer. Price at time of publish: $379.99 Constructed with a high-density foam wrapped in polyester, The Soma is made with comfort in mind even when it’s not being used as a bed. The upholstery is soft, durable, and easy to clean, and the frame is constructed from kiln-dried wood and steel. While some assembly is required, it shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes, according to Article. The Soma is available in both a left or right sectional arrangement depending on your room layout and comes in either dawn gray or midnight blue. Price at time of publish: $2,229 This sleek three-seater sectional is constructed with a hand-built solid walnut wood frame, cushions with web suspension, and poly-blend upholstery. We also love that the pet- and family-friendly fabric is both water- and stain-resistant, which will help ensure the sofa looks good for years to come. The cushions are made with a three-layer foam and synthetic fiber, offering a firm yet cozy feel. AllModern’s Breanna Sectional measures 112 inches wide with a 63-inch chaise lounge. Though the chaise is fixed, you’re able to choose from a left or right orientation depending on your room layout. The upholstery is available in colors including white, cream, beige, gray, and blue, while the material comes as either a polyester blend or velvet material depending on the color you choose. We’re not the only ones impressed with this modern sectional–with hundreds of five-star reviews, you know you’re getting a beloved product when you order AllModern’s Breanna Sectional. Price at time of publish: $1,662 This spacious three-seater has a solid ash wood frame and is available in several upholstery options, including twill, velvet, and vegan leather. With endless color options including unique ones like tangerine, teal, and blush, you’re sure to find one that matches your design preferences. We love just how customizable this product is, as it gives shoppers the option to alter the configuration, frame finish, and filling in addition to the upholstery and color. Plus, the entire Bondi Collection is completely modular, and each seat block can be used interchangeably as a middle, end, or corner piece. If you plan to expand your sectional in the future, all you have to do is purchase the additional attachments. If you prioritize sustainable manufacturing processes, Inside Weather is tough to beat. We love that the frame is FSC Certified, meaning it comes from responsibly-managed forests. Additionally, the down alternative used in their cushions and pillows is also made of 100 percent recycled materials and every order placed with them is one tree planted via the National Forest Foundation, so you can feel good about your purchase. Price at time of publish: $4,025 Just about every aspect of this sectional is customizable, including the size, depth, chaise length, and seat cushion type. From linen weave to plush velvet, Interior Define offers over 100 color and material choices for your upholstery, while you can also choose from several leg finish options including natural oak and oiled walnut. If you prioritize comfort, you can also upgrade your cushion fill from the standard down blend to the double down blend or down alternative. With so many options to choose from, you can ensure you’re getting the sectional that’s specifically tailored to your living space—down to every last detail. Price at time of publish: $2,945 “Sectionals are made for lounging and can pack in many people at a time,” says Fisher. “So, I would consider the largest seating for your space.”
Upholstery
While you might love the look and size of a sectional, choose your upholstery wisely because it can affect the longevity and appearance of your sectional for years to come. You can choose from easy-to-clean fabrics (such as polyester) or bonded leather upholstery that can be wiped clean in the event of a spill, or go for something more unusual like canvas or denim. Materials like velvet are a bit more prone to wear and tear, so choose a performance option that mimics the feel of the material but is made of polyester.
Chaise
While some sectionals have a chaise that is fixed in place and can’t be moved from one side to the other, other models allow you to switch which side this piece fits on. This is a major plus if you anticipate moving in the near future, as not all floor plans will accommodate a left- or right-facing chaise. On the other hand, if you’re sold on a sectional with a fixed chaise, and it works in your home, don’t let the lack of flexibility stop you from investing in this type of sofa. You can also buy a sofa with an oversized ottoman, which will allow you greater flexibility (and an easier set-up). Merchant notes that chaise sectionals don’t block walkways and help open up the seating arrangement. “For example, you wouldn’t want to select a U-shaped sectional for a space that leaves one side with its back to the TV,” she says. “You would rather select an L-shaped sectional for this space instead so that all viewers can easily see the focal point.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in lifestyle and home design. To compile picks for this article, she looked at sectionals reviewed by our at-home testers, as well as dozens of models from various retailers. The chosen sectionals stood out in multiple ways, including versatility, durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal. When laying down the groundwork, you’ll want to look out for a few things. “In general, you want to avoid ‘pinch points’ where the clearance space between the sofa and anything else—such as a wall or a cabinet—is less than 36 inches,” says Courtney Sempliner, interior designer and founder of Courtney Sempliner Designs. “You want to allow enough space for someone to comfortably pass by. [The] only exception is for the coffee table, which should be roughly 18 inches from the sofa seat.” Devin Shaffer, Lead Designer at Decorilla, adds a few other points on sizing. “If you want a sectional sofa with a chaise, then the chaise option should not extend more than halfway across the room. Leave 2 feet of open space around the sectional, unless it’s placed against a wall. It is important to note that sectionals work well as room-dividers.” The rug should be positioned at least 12 inches behind the front legs of the sectional. If you plan on placing your furniture in the center of a larger rug, be sure it creates an even border on all four sides—about 8 to 12 inches, according to the pros. And whatever you do, be sure your seating area is easily accessible from all open sides. “Floating furniture—the act of pulling your furniture away from the walls—is the ultimate layout hack,” says Shaffer. “It immediately transforms a room and establishes walkways that help direct traffic flow.” For added insight, Theresa spoke with Decorist designer Linzie Merchant and Nicole Fisher of BNR Interiors to hear more about what to look for in terms of sizing, configurations, and placement. Theresa has the sofa version of Article’s Soma Sleeper and can speak to its attractive design and ultra-soft yet durable upholstery. Camryn Rabideau and Bianca Pineda contributed additional expert interviews and research to this article.
