Here we will discuss the most common shapes and orientations of sectional sofas available today. Also, in this article, we will discuss how to make the best decision when purchasing a sectional sofa for your living space.
Table of Contents
Sectional Sofas – Shapes and Orientation
The following list describes the different shapes and orientations available for sectional sofas to give you ideas on what will work best in your home.
Chaise
If you like to put your feet up while on the sofa but don’t like a recliner, then a chaise style may be best for you. They are super comfortable, great for taking naps, and they give your space a classy look.
Curved
This type of sectional is exactly as it sounds. It is in the shape of a curve. This style has the benefit of being great for socializing, as do the U-shaped versions. However, they do take up a considerable amount of space.
They do not fit neatly into the corner of a room, so be sure your home can accommodate a large piece of furniture such as this before making the investment.
L-Shaped
This shape is one of the most common and is fairly self-explanatory as it is simply a sectional sofa configured to mimic the shape of an L where one side is longer than the other.
Modular
A modular sectional is quickly becoming the most popular on the market for the simple reason that it is modular. It can be moved around and rearranged in multiple configurations depending upon the space and your mood.
Reclining
This is simply any sectional that has recliners built-in. Adding a recliner to your sectional is a great way to get the best of both worlds and maximize precious floor space.
Sleeper
A sleeper sectional has a hidden bed that can be pulled out when the need arises for guests and sleepovers. Keep in mind these models tend to be on the heavier side and cost more, but if you have frequent guests, it may be worth the extra money to have a comfortable place for them to stay that can be hidden away when they are not visiting.
Symmetrical
This style is similar to that of the L-shape, with the exception that both sides are of equal length.
U-Shaped
As you can probably guess, this type of sectional comes together to form the shape of the letter U. This style is great for creating a super cozy and intimate feel for your living space as it allows everyone to face each other.
Orientation of a Sectional Sofa
Choosing the right orientation for your sectional sofa is important, especially if you are dealing with limited space or a room with multiple doorways and other obstacles. You need to decide if you need a left facing or right facing sectional. This will depend on the layout of your room.
Keep reading for tips on picking the right sectional for your living space.
What to Do Before Shopping for a Sectional Sofa
Here are some helpful tips to keep your thoughts organized so you can find the best sectional sofa for your home.
It’s important to put a lot of thought into this decision as it is not an inexpensive investment, and you want to invest in furniture that will last a long time without having to be replaced.
Measure Your Living Space Before Shopping
One of the most important steps you need to do before you even begin to look at sectional sofas is to measure your living space where you intend to set it up.
You don’t want to make the mistake of falling in love with a particular sectional only to discover when you get home that it won’t work in your space.
Be sure to measure more than one time and write the measurements down. It can even be helpful to sketch a small diagram of the space so you can have a better mental image of what you want to do.
What is Your Budget?
Aside from correctly measuring your living space to ensure the sectional fits, you need to know how much you can afford to spend before getting too excited and blowing your budget.
Sometimes you can finance your sectional sofa through the retail store where you are planning to purchase it. If you decide to finance your furniture, a good rule of thumb is that if you cannot pay it off within a year, don’t get it.
Choose a Fabric Type
There are many types of fabric available for sectional sofas including, but not limited to:
- Cotton materials
- Leather
- Linen
- Synthetic materials
- Tweed
- Velvet/Chenille
It is smart to consider the type of use and abuse your sectional will be enduring. For example, if you have children and/or pets, you will likely want to choose a material that is easy to clean and durable against paws, claws, and anything else that can be thrown at it.
Choose a Color, Print, or Pattern
Once you have decided what type of material you wish to have, you can begin the fun part of looking for a color, print, or pattern that will blend well with the theme of your home.
Select Add Ons
This is the fun part where you get to choose if you want to add anything special to your sectional sofa. As mentioned previously, many things can be added to take your lounging experience to the next level.
With all of the technology today, and cool customizations available, your sectional sofa will practically do things for you as you sit back and relax.
If you have questions about where to place a sectional sofa in your home, continue reading the next section for helpful tips.
Reasons Why The Sectional Sofa Is So Popular
Buying new living room furniture can be a big decision as well as a large expense. If you are in the mood to redo your living room, you may be wondering if you should stick to a traditional seating arrangement or opt for a sectional sofa. This article will discuss why sectional sofas are so popular and how they can improve the function and aesthetics of your space.
Many reasons contribute to the popularity of the sectional sofa. Here are a few:
- Can be arranged in multiple ways
- More affordable than a traditional sofa
- They offer more seating
Other reasons as to why sectional sofas have become so popular will be discussed further along in the article.
If you would like to know more about how a sectional sofa can be a great addition to your living space, continue reading this article for helpful information and tips on purchasing the right one for your home.
9 Reasons Sectional Sofas are Popular
Here we will dive into the reasons that sectional sofas have become so popular and will likely remain a popular option for living spaces across the globe.
1) Additional Storage for a More Organized Home
Who can’t use some extra storage for all of the random things lying around that you don’t know what to do with?
To help you reduce visual clutter and free up valuable space, many sectional sofas come with hidden storage compartments to keep your living area looking nice and neat. These compartments are great if you have small children as you can store their toys out of sight.
2) Customizable Options and Add-ons Available
Although most furniture can be customized to fit the theme of your home, a sectional sofa offers many more options than some other types of traditional living room furniture.
Among some features of a sectional sofa that can be customized or added are:
- Convertible bed
- Cup holders
- Heat and massage features
- Reading and accent lighting
- Recliners
- Remote and magazine pockets
- Storage compartments
- Upholstery material, color, and pattern
3) Easy to Assemble
This may be a matter of personal opinion, but most of the sectional sofas made today are fairly easy to assemble and arrange. Many come with a scannable QR code with “How To” videos on assembling and arranging your sectional sofa.
4) Easy to Maintain
Nowadays, most fabrics used on a sectional sofa are designed to withstand heavy use and resist stains which means less maintenance for you. Sectionals are easy to clean and move around, so you can get all of the stuff that falls between and under the sections easier than with traditional sofas.
5) Extra Seating Means Less Arguing
Generally, a sectional sofa provides more seating. More seating means room for more friends and family to pile on. More seating also reduces the amount of arguing among siblings about who gets to sit on the couch. Now the only thing they can argue about is which spot to sit in or who gets the corner section.
6) More Available Floor Space and Great in Corners
Sectional sofas are great for fitting in an odd corner, especially if you are limited on space. They can fit snugly against the wall and leave the rest of the room open. They can free up some valuable floor space in some cases as well by eliminating the need for extra furniture for seating.
7) Sectionals Offer Extra Cozy Feeling and Comfort
The cozy, comfortable feeling that a sectional provides is another reason people prefer them, and for many people, the main reason for their purchase. No one can argue that an afternoon snuggled up on a sectional sofa binge-watching your favorite show isn’t one of life’s greatest little pleasures.
8) Sectionals Are Typically Less Expensive
More bang for your buck should be enough motivation to consider the purchase of a sectional sofa. Oftentimes they are less expensive than a traditional sofa, and with so many customizable options and configurations, they really are the best deal.
9) Versatility Makes Sectionals More Appealing
Let’s face it. As human beings, we like options. That is why a sectional sofa is so great. As mentioned earlier, they can be customized to fit in with the theme of your home as well as be reconfigured in multiple ways.
Perhaps you want to change the layout of your living room for each season to keep things looking fresh and new. You can’t get tired of a sectional because when you do, you can just rearrange the configuration until you are satisfied.
Minor Drawback of a Sectional Sofa
There are not too many disadvantages of owning a sectional sofa. The biggest drawback that some people have mentioned is that some models can be ultra-heavy and awkward.
Older pieces can be especially bulky and difficult to move or rearrange depending upon the type of space available.
Fortunately, newer sectional sofas are much more lightweight and designed to be arranged in multiple configurations to fit various spaces.
If you are unsure of how to pick the right sectional for your living space, continue reading the next section for some helpful tips to inspire your decision.
Sectional Sofas are a Great Fit for Many Homes
As you can see from the information in this article, there are many advantages of having a sectional sofa in your living space. Take your time reviewing your options, be careful that you measure correctly, and find a sectional that fits nicely into your space without feeling awkward.