How to Choose a Sectional Sofa
Craving a cozy night in? A sectional sofa is the perfect way to cuddle up—with your feet up. Sectionals were invented when an unknown furniture designer decided to attach the ottoman to the sofa and make it one piece. They’ve increased in popularity in the past decade or so, as more and more family time is being spent in the great room viewing television shows and movies at home. A sectional’s design allows you to completely relax and recline in a horizontal position—as opposed to an upright arm chair or more classic, formal sofa style.
Choosing a Sectional Sofa
Choosing a Sectional SofaChoosing the right section is actually very simple. There are three sectional forms: the U-shape, the L-shape and the semicircular shape. So, the first step is to decide which setting is right for your lifestyle. The best way to find out this is to draw a floor plan. Draw your room to scale, then cut a few squares to the correct scale and experiment with different combinations. Maybe one side of the section needs to be longer because you have wall space and want extra seating. If you are working with a small space, you can only do a split sofa and apartment couch as opposed to a sofa and additional armchairs. Larger spaces allow for a full set of wells, which is a great option to accommodate your family when discovering your family room or finished basement.
Things to consider
Consider your room’s traffic pattern. A chaise sounds good, but if it’s on the wrong side, it can be more of a hassle if you should always walk around. A good rule of thumb is to put the chaise on the side with the least amount of traffic. Note: When a piece is labeled as the right arm (RAF), it means that the arm is to your right as you are looking at it. If a piece is labeled Left Arm (LAF), the arm is to your left while you are looking at it.
Once you’ve decided on your configuration, make sure the dimensions are correct. Most sections have a fairly substantial depth, so look at the width of your current sofa and ask yourself whether or not you want more space to stretch. Also, measure the length of the lounger. If you are taller, you do not want your feet to come out.
Final Tips
Lastly, make sure that the pieces of the couch section fit into the delivery path, and that they will fit into the doors, down a set of stairs (especially if there is a landing with a 90 degree curve) and hallways. The good news is that sections can be made of two or more pieces, which allows for easier transportation and offers plenty of versatility to create a configuration that works for your needs and for your space.