The best sectional sofa for your home is one that provides ample seating without taking up half the room and overshadowing your decor. It’s a big purchase—literally. Thankfully, there’s never been a better time to upgrade the seating situation in your living space. There’s an abundance of stylish sofas currently on the market, meaning you’ll have no problem finding one that fits both your style and budget.
There are a few things you should consider when sorting through all the options out there: how much space you have, whether you want your sofa to have bells and whistles like sleeper features and how much money you’re willing to spend, to name a few. These days, some sectionals even have customizable features; for example, some sofas can be upholstered with stain-resistant material to protect your seating from spills for years to come.
Not 100% sure what your needs are? Don’t fret—we have expert tips below to help you narrow down your options. Once you’ve figured out what you want, peruse our recommendations for the best sectional sofas on the market.
- Best Sectional Sofa Overall: Burrow Nomad Velvet Sofa With Chaise
- Best Customizable Sectional Sofa: BenchMade Modern Skinny Fat Sectional With Bumper
- Best Small Sectional Sofa: AllModern Luo Wide Reversible Sofa And Chaise
- Best Pet-Friendly Sectional Sofa: Burrow Range 4-Piece Open Sectional Lounger
- Best Sleeper Sectional Sofa: Mercury Row Nostrand Wide Left Hand Facing Sleeper Sofa And Chaise
- Best Sectional Sofa With Recliners: West Elm Axel Motion Leather Reclining Chaise Sectional
- Best Modular Sectional Sofa: Latitude Run Dawnelle Symmetrical Modular Sectional With Ottoman
- Best Large Sectional Sofa: Apt2B Melrose 3-Piece Sectional Sofa
- Best Sectional Sofa With Chaise: Floyd The Sofa
- Best Leather Sectional Sofa: Apt2B Jude Leather Sectional Sofa
- Best Budget-Friendly Sectional Sofa: Andover Mills Campbelltown Wide Reversible Sofa And Chaise with Ottoman
- Best Modern Sectional Sofa: AllModern Intention Reversible Modular Seating Component Sectional
Best Sectional Sofa Overall
A Modular Sectional In A Cozy, Plush Fabric
- Size: 33 H x 85 W x 61 D
- Fabric: Velvet
- Color options: Jade, midnight, graphite gray, dusk and feather
- Special features: Easy to assemble, movable chaise
This modular sectional from Burrow has a little of everything: It’s roomy without taking up too much space, has gorgeous velvet upholstery that’s just begging to be touched and is durable and easy to clean. (You’ll even get a velvet brush to keep its texture looking smooth). To ensure it fits in your space, the chaise is reversible, so you can put it on either side or place it in the middle. The final modern touch is a built-in USB outlet, a small feature that just adds a little more “wow” factor.
Best of all, the cushions are formulated for cozy nights in with a three-layer foam and fiber architecture. The overall vibe of the couch is both modern and classic, so it fits with plenty of different decor styles. Another pro to consider: The sofa is delivered in easy-to-carry boxes, which is a plus for apartment dwellers.
Pros:
- Movable chaise
- Built-in USB outlet
Cons:
- Assembly is somewhat difficult
Best Customizable Sectional Sofa
A Custom-Made Sofa That’s Handcrafted In The USA
- Size: 33 H x 75 W x 37 D
- Fabric: Leather, velvet or performance fabric
- Color options: More than 60 color options
- Special features: Handcrafted in the USA
If want to customize every detail of your sectional, this stylish option from BenchMade Modern is the one for you. Not only do you choose the size and configuration of the bumper—you also get to pick from dozens of leathers, velvets and performance fabrics for the upholstery. Then, you select the cushion stuffing and leg finish.
Another huge plus: Each sofa is handcrafted in the USA, and custom orders ship within five weeks. And if you don’t end up liking your sofa? You have 100 days to return it (and create a new one).
Pros:
- Endlessly customizable
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Some might find the customizations to be overwhelming
Best Small Sectional Sofa
A Jewel-Toned Cozy Seater That’s Perfect For Small Spaces
- Size: 37 H x 84 W x 37 D
- Fabric: Velvet or polyester
- Color options: Sapphire, beige, Copen blue, gold, gray, olive, platinum, blush, charcoal and emerald
- Special features: Removable seat cushions
Sometimes the best things come in smaller packages, and this compact AllModern sofa is prime example. This 84-inch sofa easily fits into small spaces, but offers up plenty of personality, thanks to a slew of different bold color options. Prefer something more understated? No problem—earthy tones are available, too. The couch features a single seat cushion with block-style tufting and two whimsical round bolster pillows at the arms. Tapered walnut-stained conical legs add to the modern vibe.
Pros:
- Fun color options
Cons:
- Not as sturdy as pricier options
Best Pet-Friendly Sectional Sofa
A High-Performance Couch For Pet Parents
- Size: 28 H x 90 W x 21 D
- Fabric: Stain-resistant olefin
- Color options: Navy blue, stone gray, heather charcoal and moss green
- Special features: Modular
Burrow specifically says on its website that it creates “pet-friendly sofas for sofa-friendly pets.” The company puts its couches through a series of tests, including one that involves a 3D-printed animal claw, to make sure its seating can stand up to your four-legged furry friend.
This one-armed modular sofa has a detachable ottoman in a chaise-like position so you—and your pet—can do plenty of lounging together. A supportive foam core and overstuffed pillow inserts help you get that just-right feel. You can set it up like a traditional three-seater couch or pull the pieces apart if needed. You can also add additional pieces down the road. Don’t stress about possible spills on wine night—the fabric is stain-resistant.
Pros:
- Stain-resistant
Cons:
- Some find the couch to be slightly uncomfortable
Best Sleeper Sectional Sofa
A Compact Sleeper Sofa That Makes The Most Of Small Spaces
- Size: 35 H x 82 W x 54 D
- Fabric: Polyester
- Color options: Gray
- Special features: Affordable, hardwood frame
Both sophisticated and functional, the Mercury Row Nostrand Sleeper Sofa is a great option for homes that are short on square footage. Though compact, the sectional’s roomy chaise provides plenty of space to stretch out; instead of housing a folded up mattress, its clever design folds down to create enough sleeping room for two. It’s also supported by a sturdy kiln-dried hardwood frame.
There are a few downfalls, though. It’s only available in one color (light gray), and the chaise is fixed, so it can’t be moved. That said, for anyone who’s short on space or on a budget, this pick is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Compact yet comfortable
Cons:
- Only comes in one color
Best Sectional Sofa With Recliners
A Stylish Yet Comfortable Sofa Made For Movie Nights
- Size: 33 H x 98.5 W x 22 D
- Fabric: Top-grain or vegan leather
- Color options: Nut, gray smoke, navy, mace, sesame and more
- Special features: Easy recline button, sustainably-sourced wood
This reclining chaise sectional sofa lets you enjoy the feel of modern-yet-homey luxury. Kick back with a power-reclining seat and adjustable headrest to find the perfect position for maximum comfort. The couch, which is swathed in your choice of buttery-soft top-grain or vegan leather in a slew of colors, features a sustainably-sourced solid pine and engineered wood frame with cool metal legs covered in a powder-coated antique bronze finish. Firm foam cushion seats help you get maximum support down below. Choose between left or right configurations.
Pros:
- Reclining feature
Cons:
- Leather requires special care
Best Modular Sectional Sofa
A Modular Sofa You Can Reconfigure And Rearrange
- Size: 34.5 H x 120 W x 90 D
- Fabric: Polyester velvet
- Color options: Gray, light blue, black, almond and purple
- Special features: Includes ottoman
Sometimes you don’t want to settle on just one layout for your couch, and that’s more than okay. A modular sectional lets you reconfigure and rearrange your seating all you want, and this sofa is no exception. It features several ottomans that can be used to create wide seats, sofa arms or simply to prop up your feet. A plush polyester velvet makes this couch soft to the touch. Sturdy tapered block feet ensure this sofa isn’t going anywhere you don’t want it to.
Pros:
- Deep seating
Cons:
- Some find the assembly difficult
Best Large Sectional Sofa
A Roomy Sectional That’s Perfect For The Entire Family
- Size: 27 H x 147 W x 84 D
- Fabric: Polyester, velvet and more
- Color options: Biloxi blue, charcoal, almond, clementine and many more
- Special features: 60 color options and three leg finishes to choose from, free fabric swatches to view in advance
Whether you have a large family or just love to host, ample seating is a must and Apt2B’s Melrose 3-piece sectional is up for the task. This sofa is a whopping 12 feet long with plenty of room for your loved ones to spread out. Customize your look by selecting one of 60 color options and a huge range of fabrics, along with your preferred couch legs. The sofa is modular, so you can use it as a condo sofa, armless sofa, chaise and more. Happen to spill something? Just unzip the removable cushion covers for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Ample seating
- Super comfortable
Cons:
- Too large for many spaces
Best Sectional Sofa With Chaise
A Sturdy, Urban Design With A Movable Chaise
- Size: 32 H x 87 W x 31 D
- Fabric: Polyester and nylon blend
- Color options: Lunar grey, saffron, mist, ocean dive and oat
- Special features: Stain-resistant material, easy to assemble and de-assemble
Fans of urban design will appreciate the industrial detailing of Floyd’s sofa frame combined with its plush cushions for a comfortable seat. True to its city style, The Sofa can be easily assembled and taken apart, making it easy to move up stairwells and through doorways (no matter how narrow they may be). And while many couches on this list have a chaise for lounging, The Sofa wins this spot because its chaise allows for sprawling on an otherwise compact couch; it can also be moved to either side to fit (almost) any space.
Beyond that, The Sofa is pet- and kid-friendly too, made with a tightly woven material—available in five muted hues—that resists stains. Additionally, its sturdy frame, complete with powder-coated steel legs (get it upholstered or in blonde birch), ensures that it can withstand any amount of jumping and roughhousing.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble and move
Cons:
- Not very deep
Best Leather Sectional Sofa
A Sectional Sofa That Blends Modern And Classic Style
- Size: 27 H x 116 W x 63 D
- Fabric: Full-grain leather
- Color options: Graphite and saddle brown
- Special features: Exposed hardwood frame with metal legs
Blending classic and modern style, Apt2B’s Jude Leather Sectional Sofa is striking with its exposed hardwood frame, metal legs and and overstuffed cushions. The full-grain leather upholstery is buttery soft and only gets better with time, as premium leather does.
This couch comes in graphite (black) or warm saddle brown leathers and the chaise can be configured on the left or right side to fit your space. And while that doesn’t leave you with many choices, for contemporary leather couch lovers, the Jude Sectional is pretty perfect as it is.
Pros:
- Leather is soft and durable
Cons:
- Only two color options
Best Budget-Friendly Sectional Sofa
A Reversible Sofa That Looks Way More Expensive Than It Is
- Size: 35 H x 78.5 W x 30.3 D
- Fabric: Polyester blend
- Color options: Bluish gray, gray, light gray and beige
- Special features: Easy assembly
Yes, you can get a quality sectional for less than $700. Case in point: this sleek sofa from Andover Mills. Supported by a hardwood frame, this option features a modern design and soft upholstery that will look great in just about any space. Plus, both the foam-filled cushions and covers are removable, so they couldn’t be easier to clean. Another big perk: Assembly is a breeze—you don’t even need tools.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Not as durable as pricier options
Best Modern Sectional Sofa
A Unique Sectional That’s Made For Cozying Up
- Size: 33 H x 124 W x 21 D
- Fabric: Polyester
- Color options: Gray
- Special features: Modular, extra pillows
The search for a truly unique couch stops here. This six-seater sectional manages to be minimalist yet attention-grabbing at once, with movable backrests and square-tufted seats. The sofa’s modular design allows you to mix and match however you please. It’s all encased in stain-resistant polyester fabric, allowing for easy cleanup when inevitable spills happen. The set includes two bolster and knife-edge pillows that you can use as a headrest or armrest.
Pros:
- Super versatile
- Stain-resistant
Cons:
- Not much back support
How To Choose The Best Sectional Sofa For You
Investing in a new sectional sofa is a big decision. Even budget-friendly options will cost you at least a few hundred dollars, and since this is major seating in your home, you don’t want to phone in this purchase. Try not to get overwhelmed—a little thought and planning will help you find the right sectional sofa for your living room.
Size
First, it’s a good idea to settle on a size, taking your room capacity into consideration. “If it’s a smaller space, do a lower back and lower arms, that way it won’t feel too big—it will feel cozy and inviting,” says interior designer Becki Owens. Owens recommends actually taping out where the sofa would go on your floor, “so that there is room around the sectional to walk around.” In fact, interior designer, Lisa Cini recommends that you measure the space out twice. “You don’t want to buy an item and bring it back home to learn that it’s too big or small for the space,” she says.
Placement
As for where to place your sectional, it’s a good idea to think about how you’d get on it in the first place, adds Cini. “Always make sure you can get come in from two sides if possible, so people can enter and not have to scoot,” she says.
Material
When it comes to picking the best fabric, experts recommend considering your lifestyle and whether you have pets or children. “I tend to use a durable fabric, like a soft performance fabric that can be easily cleaned, because having a sectional just invites people to sit and stay,” Owens says. If you have kids or pets in your home, you’ll definitely want to select a fabric that won’t pill and is stain-resistant, just to be on the safe side. That doesn’t mean you have to opt for uninviting fabric, though. “Leather is wonderful and velvet is surprisingly kid/pet-friendly,” says interior designer Emily Henderson.
Cost
There’s no hard and fast rule on how much you should spend on a sectional sofa to get great results, but even the less expensive options usually cost more than $500. Most, however, are $1,000 or more.
Additional Features
Not everyone needs these, but plenty of sectionals now have added bonuses to enhance your seating experience and maximize your storage. “There are great sectionals now that have hidden compartments for blankets, books, remotes and gaming controls,” Cini says. “They can also become recliners without looking like one and have lighting for reading, as well cup holders.” Cini recommends thinking of it like investing in a luxury car for your home. “The better sectionals have all the added features to make your entertainment experience more enjoyable,” she says.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sectional Sofas
You’re not born knowing how to pick out a sectional sofa, and it’s understandable to have questions about how to navigate the experience. Keep these expert tips in mind while shopping.
How Should You Measure A Sectional Sofa?
There are a lot of different dimensions to consider with a sectional. You’ll want to take into account height, width and depth to get a full picture of what you’re working with. “I’m a big fan of taping things out,” Henderson says. “This is the easiest way to show you what size is best for you.”
Bria Hammel, creative director and CEO of Bria Hammel Interiors, recommends looking at the full picture of what you’re going for. “Make sure it allows for enough space in a room for other furniture pieces,” she says. “We typically design sectional sofas with walkways around them, paired with two accent chairs adjacent to the sofa or a single chair with an ottoman.”
Interior designer Christina Cole, founder of Christina Cole & Co., offers up these suggestions for spacing: “We usually allow approximately one foot, 8 inches from the edge of the sofa to the edge of the coffee table. Two to three feet is a suitable distance for a footpath between and around furniture pieces. Once clearances are determined, you can understand the floor area available for the sectional.”
How Should You Place A Sectional Sofa In Your Living Room?
Placement can make all the difference between your new sectional overshadowing your space and being a perfect compliment to what you’ve already got going on. Figuring out where you’ll want to put your new sofa in your living room in advance of buying one can help you determine what size is best. “A sectional never looks great shoved into a corner, so consider a more central placement in the room if you have the space,” says Victoria Sass of the Minneapolis-based Prospect Refuge Studio.
At the same time, Hammel suggests making sure that your sectional doesn’t break up the flow of your space. “When you walk into a home and you can walk directly to the living room, the sectional sofa should be open-facing so it's inviting guests to take a seat instead of closing off the sight line and blocking traffic flow,” she says. “Our design preference is laying out your sectional sofa against two walls and facing the TV or fireplace.”
Sectional Sofa Deals You Can Shop Right Now
A Cool Option That’s Resistant To All Spills
A Roomy Sofa That’s Perfect For Stretching Out
A Super Sleek Option That’s Allergy-Friendly
No question about it: This sofa is cool. One oversized cushion makes up the bulk of the seating space, before pouring into an attached chaise. The whole thing is swathed in hypoallergenic fabric. Bonus: The cushion covers are removable for easy cleaning.
A Luxurious Sofa That’ll Make Y Room More Elegant
A Reversible Sectional Made From The Softest Italian Leather
The Wilco sectional is covered in 100% natural Italian leather for a buttery-soft feel. It has a reversible configuration, so you can move things around as you please. High density foam cushions provide plenty of padding, while removable legs allow you to rest this sofa firmly on the ground.
