What Is a Sectional Sofa?
A living room staple.
Whether you’re looking to fill space in a large living room or increase your seating capacity for family movie nights, a sectional sofa could be the answer. Read on to discover what a sectional sofa is and how it differs from standard sofas to bring more functionality and comfort to your home.
What Is a Sectional?
A sectional is a type of sofa made up of two or more sections joined to create a large furniture fixture with ample seating. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes with chaises, corner seats, and ottomans that impact their seating capacity, functionality, and how they fit in a space.
Sectionals can be L-shaped (corner), U-shaped (pit), curved, or a sofa-and-chaise configuration depending on your design preference and the layout of your living room. Standard sectionals are between 90" – 109" wide and seat three to more than six people comfortably, though this varies based on their overall size.
Tip!
Considering adding a sectional to your living space? Read How to Choose the Best Sectional Sofa for You to explore the available sizes, configurations, materials, and more.
Why Choose a Sectional?
Sectionals are a popular furniture fixture in many homes for their versatility and ample seating capacity. If you’re on the fence about purchasing a sectional, consider the following scenarios to determine if a sectional is right for your home and lifestyle:
- Sectionals can accommodate many people – perfect if you have a large family or frequently host groups of friends.
- Sectionals provide space for laying down – ideal if you like to indulge in midday naps or lounge about in the evenings.
- Sectionals are large pieces of furniture – great for taking up space in large living rooms or open-concept homes.
- Sectionals have a casual aesthetic – perfect for lounging in casual family spaces like finished basements and playrooms.
Sectionals and sofas are both great options for providing comfortable and stylish seating in your home. However, there are some key differences in their designs and functionality that you’ll want to compare before making a purchase. Consider the following:
Configuration: Sectionals come in a variety of shapes and configurations from L-shaped chaises to U-shaped and curved styles. Some sectionals have a modular design and can be reconfigured to your desired shape. Sofas, on the other hand, are typically fixed rectangles with a straight row of seats.
Tip!
Want to learn more about modular sectionals? Check out What Is a Modular Sectional: Your Guide to the Most Customizable Sofa for a breakdown of this adaptable furniture piece.
Seating Capacity: Sectionals generally have a larger seating capacity than sofas, offering space for three or more people. Large sectionals can even accommodate upwards of six people, whereas a sofa comfortably fits two to three people depending on the size of the sofa.
Footprint: Due to their larger seating capacity, sectionals will have a larger footprint and are best suited for spacious living rooms and open-concept homes. Sofas have a smaller footprint and can fit comfortably in small living rooms and closed floor plans. However, both come in a variety of sizes to fit in your home.
Tip!
Before buying a large piece of furniture like a sectional, it’s important to make sure it will fit in your home. Read How to Measure for a Sectional Sofa for additional guidance.
Uses: Sectionals often include chaises or extra seats that provide plenty of room to spread out – making them ideal for lounging with multiple people. While a sofa may be able to accommodate one person laying down, they are better suited for side-by-side, upright seating. For these reasons, sectionals may be found in converted basements or casual living spaces whereas sofas are common in more formal seating areas.
