Sectional sofas are customizable and comfortable and come in a variety of shapes and styles. Consider these sectional sofa ideas for your home before you buy.
Sectional sofas can transform any room with innovative seating arrangements and expansive lounging guaranteed.
And, it can be found in large or small spaces, depending upon the individual configuration and size.
So how do you know if a sectional sofa is right for your living space?
Is a Sectional Sofa Right for You?
The truth is, it may or may not be right for your home, depending on a number of factors. But first a little history and a few key facts about sectional sofas.
Sectional sofas have been around since the 1800’s and have been used primarily as a way to define a living space, as well as, provide ample seating for friends and family.
Even so, they didn’t get fully appreciated until the 1950s, when this type of seating really caught on.
This was a time of elaborate entertaining and hosting large gatherings, so the need for extra seating was paramount. The design, however, was relatively basic and options for different room configurations was minimal.
That is in contrast to the 21st Century where sectional sofas boast maximum seating for both large and small spaces, along with a multitude of configurations to match whatever you need–or want.
And, since many modern homes offer open great rooms (large or small) and other living spaces like finished lower levels and recreation rooms, you might be thinking that a sectional sofa might be right for you.
As mentioned above, sectional sofas are timeless and can easily fit into a quite a number of different home designs and styles and comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, fabrics and leather.
So if you need to seat large groups of people, or want something that provides a mix of seating, sleeping or lounging, a sectional sofa might be just the ticket.
How to Work a Sectional into Your Space – Citytv (Video)
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Sectional
But before you make the leap to purchase a sectional couch, there are a couple of things to consider, including:
1. Comfort
When choosing a sectional, the first and foremost thing to consider is comfort. While looks do matter, if you cannot sit on the sectional and be comfortable, do you really want it for your home? Probably not.
That’s why it’s always best to do your homework and try out the sofa before buying it. And, while you’re at it, be sure to take accurate measurements of each one you try.
Design Tip: Keep in mind, that it’s always best to take the time to sit on a potential sofa rather than making a hasty decision from an image.
2. Style
From a design point of view, think about the overall look of your surrounding rooms. Is it formal or informal? Modern or traditional? Sophisticated or casual? You certainly don’t want to put a black modern sofa in a country chic room. It will only look out of place.
Besides the look and feel of a sectional, you will also want to consider who will be using it. Will your couch be located in a rec room or a main floor great room? If so, then the covering on the sofa needs to be appropriate for that area.
Design Tip: Make use of 21st Century technology by taking multiple view photos of each sectional you like to help you determine if the layout, color and design is something that will work with your living space.
Design Ideas with Sectional Sofas – One Sectional Sofa, Two Living Room Looks! (Video)
3. Cost
One consideration when thinking about purchasing a sectional sofa is cost. Sectionals may or may not be budget-friendly depending upon a number of factors, including:
Fabric. Keep in mind that there are varying price points for both fabric and leather–from the least expensive–low grade–(won’t wear well over time), to the most expensive–high grade– (will wear well over time).
That being said, fabric upholstery is generally less expensive than leather, but that isn’t always the case. And, depending upon the type of fabric, some fabric choices are more expensive than leather, as they might wear better than leather or the weave within the fabric warrants a price increase.
Your local furniture expert is equipped to answer any questions or concerns and to help you decide which option best suits your needs and budget.
Place. As a consumer, you do have choices as to where to purchase your sofa. So, it’s best to check both online, as well as your local brick-and-mortar furniture stores, to see which one offers the most bang for your buck.
Foundation. One of things you might not consider that could cost you money is the sofa foundation. Those made with solid wood or metal frames, seemingly offer longevity but it comes with a cost.
So, if you want to have your couch last for years to come, the best rule of thumb is to choose a couch with a good foundation.
Timing. When you buy your sofa can have a bearing on the amount you have to pay. Don’t be shy about waiting for those seasonal sales. Sometimes shops will also offer special deals or host a warehouse sale, based upon an abundance of furniture on the sales floor. Be a savvy shopper and you will be rewarded.
4. Upholstery
When looking at sectional sofas, you do have many choices. And, as mentioned above, there are differing price points for the many grades of upholstery, whether it is fabric or leather. Both choices offer potential for style and design.
For example, here are two photos of the same couch, one upholstered in fabric, the other leather. As you can see from the photos, each offers a different look and feel, even though they both offer the same modern design.
Keep in mind each fabric choice has it’s pros and cons, so it’s always best to speak with a furniture expert before deciding which one to go with.
5. Size
As stated above, sectionals come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so when you are ready to purchase one, you will want to measure twice–both your room, as well as the sectional.
And, allow ample space for end tables, floor lamps, etc, if you don’t have any currently in your room.
Design Tip: Be as savvy as a designer and use painter’s tape to “map” out the outline of your soon-to-be sectional sofa so that you get the right one for your space.
Sectional Ideas for Small Rooms – Marc & Mandy (Video)
6. Layout
Another thing to consider when purchasing a sectional, is layout. You certainly don’t want to run into a chaise or an extended sofa arm, when it actually should be on the opposite side of the sectional.
Basically, it comes down to traffic flow within your living space and the walls and other physical barriers that might impede this flow negatively.
Again, the beauty of mapping out your couch takes the guesswork out of which configuration will work best for your space.
Sectional Sofa Arrangement Ideas – How to Organize an Open Floor Plan – Southern Living (Video)
7. Weight
Sectional sofas are manufactured with a variety of materials, and as such, they also come in a variety of weights. Which means for homeowners, this is one couch that you will want to set it into place and leave it, because it is a behemoth to move on a regular basis–unlike a standard sofa. Keep this in mind when purchasing one for your home.
8. Delivery
Unless you own a large vehicle, you might be better off using a delivery service. This is especially important when you are buying a sleeper unit, as these are extremely heavy and awkward to maneuver in and out of tight spaces.
Also, take into consideration if your sofa comes preassembled or needs to be assembled onsite. If you are not mechanically inclined or feel that this might be somethings you’d rather have someone else do—then the delivery—especially “white glove options” are what you might want to choose—over doing it yourself.
9. Configuration
The final thing to consider when purchasing a sectional sofa is to decide upon the best configurations that will fit your living space.
The truth is, in as much as there are different configurations for one’s living space, the same holds true for sectional sofas. That is why sectionals are so desirable for many homes. In many cases, they can grow or reduce with the size of one’s room. And, with so many options, finding the perfect one for your room is easy.
Here are some of the more popular configurations for sectional sofas:
L-Shaped
L-shaped sectional sofas form an “L” with one long side and an extended piece on the other. It may offer a chaise lounge or further seating. They are very popular in that it offers a classic shape that goes with many design styles.
U-Shaped
When you want or need more seating for family and friends, the u-shaped sectional sofa might be just the ticket. Most options allow for a table to be placed in the center of the arrangement, making this both a compact option for those rooms short on space and an intimate arrangement for entertaining.
Curved
Curved sectionals offer an organic feel to any room. With smooth lines and soft edges, this type of sectional works well in both traditional and modern homes.
Sleeper
Sometime you need your furniture to multi-task. That is the benefit of sleeper sectionals. They offer both seating and sleeping options without the need for an extra bedroom or living space.
Reclining
Reclining sectionals offer a leg up (no pun intended) to relaxation. Many of these sofas can extend into quite large units, or fit comfortably in smaller spaces. What they offer is a continuity of style that also doubles as a comfortable seating arrangement.
Convertible
Convertible sectionals are probably the most hard-working of all the sofa types in that you can enjoy a variety of seating and sleeping positions without leaving the relaxing environment of your living space.
Pit
Pit sectional sofas offer the exclusive experience of extensive lounging at the same time multi seating spaces. They usually come with an ottoman that can double as an extension of the chair, forming a chaise lounge or even a bed—in a pinch.
Reversible
Reversible sectional sofas are great for small spaces and for those folks who find themselves moving often. The reason is because this type of sofa offers a reversible configuration should the room require either a right or left L-shaped sectional. Most of these units interchange with little sweat on your part—but gives you the ultimate flexibility in seating arrangements.
I hope you’ve found these sectional sofa ideas and tips to be helpful and that that you’ve been inspired to purchase one for your home.
For more home design ideas to make a home you’ll love, be sure to check out Wisconsin Homemaker’s Home Decor Section.
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