How to Configure a Sectional

Sectional sofas are ideal for those with large families or those who love to entertain, whether casually or formally. Find out which sectional configuration is best for you.

If you have a large family or entertain often, a sectional sofa is a great option for you. Since they’re modular, sectional sofas are also great for those with narrow door thresholds or entryways. Sectional sofas offer additional seating and lounging options than traditional sofas and come in a variety of sizes and configurations for you dependent on your needs. Here, an easy guide to finding the perfect sectional for you.

Sectional Sofa Configurations

One of the most common sectional sofas is the sofa with chaise. This design is perfect for those who want a sectional but have a small space. Typically seat three to four people, this style is, of course, great for entertaining small groups, but it also makes for comfortable lounging for singles or coubles, with its front-facing chaise. Sofas with chaises are available with either a left-side chaise or a right-side chaise. Look at the architecture and the traffic flow of the room you’ll be using it for and be sure the chaise isn’t blocking any natural traffic flow.

Best for large rooms and open-plan spaces, the L-shaped sectional, the traditional shape and size sectional, has a corner unit single seat at its axis and balanced seating on either side. This style of sectional typically seats four to five people and is great for families.

Love to entertain? You can accommodate even more guests with an oversized sectional; this is the traditional sectional with extra seats added. It typically seats six to seven people, but in theory, you can add as many seats as your space allows.

If you want more room for guests, but not quite as large of a piece of furniture as an oversized sectional, you can also expand your sectional by purchasing one length of the sectional that’s a little longer to accommodate more seating; this typically seats five to six.

Need room for more guests? Consider facing your sectional off by a pair of occasional chairs to allow for extra seating and create a more conversational space. This configuration is best for oversized rooms—and great for a party!

If you have an unusually shaped room, remember, you can also break up your sectional into essentially two sofas facing each other or adjacent to each other. Beyond that, you can also configure your sectional as a U-shaped sofa, with one armless sofa situated between two armed sofas. Look around at all of the options and be sure to measure your space before you order. The flexibility of sectional makes it a great investment piece that you can use in future homes to come.