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The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang
A sectional offers more room to spread out than a traditional sofa. We researched and tested dozens of sectionals to find the best ones on the market, evaluating them on sturdiness, comfort, size, and value.
We found that the best overall model is the Floyd Three-Seater + Chaise thanks to its stain-resistant upholstery, sturdy solid wood and steel frame, and flexible configuration.
Here are the best sectionals for every type of living room.
Best Overall: Floyd The Sofa Three-Seater + Chaise
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Courtesy of West Elm
Comfortable
Solid wood/steel frame
Stain-resistant upholstery
Assembly required
Pricey shipping
Who else recommends it? Forbes also picked Floyd The Sofa.
What do buyers say? 500+ Floyd reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
Our best overall pick is the Floyd sofa, which not only holds up to spills and stains it is also aesthetically pleasing. It earned a perfect 5/5 overall score from our tester, who appreciated that the stain-resistant upholstery materials are made to withstand wear and tear. She also liked that it has a solid wood and steel frame and that it's compact enough to fit through doorways and in small living rooms.
What we love best about this product is the simple setup that you get from a "sofa-in-a-box." Plus, it is easy to take apart if you move, and you can use or move around the chaise part based on your needs. Basically, it's a sofa that will live and grow with you over time.
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The Spruce / Karen Tietjen
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Apt2B Melrose Reversible Chaise Sofa
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Customizable
Solid wood frame
Generous return policy
Lifetime guarantee
Weeks-long wait on made-to-order items
Another great pick is this beauty from Apt2B, which measures 93 inches wide with a 66-inch reversible chaise and 25-inch-deep seats. It boasts a solid wood frame and sturdy legs in your choice of three finishes. You can pick from over 60 upholstery options, including velvet, basket-weave, performance polyester, and microfiber—all of which are kid- and pet-friendly.
The seat cushions are filled with 2.0 density foam for a plush yet supportive feel. What's more, the zippered covers come off for easy cleaning. We also like that Apt2B has a generous 100-day return policy and backs its products with a lifetime guarantee on workmanship.
Best Budget: Mercury Row Merwin Reversible Sectional
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Affordable
Compact
Solid wood frame
Ottoman cushion slips forward
Assembly required
If you like the look and feel of a sectional but not the price tag, consider a more affordable, compact option like the Merwin. This sofa earned a 4.2 overall score from our tester, who appreciated the simple, sophisticated design and all-around comfortable feel. She also noted how easy it was to assemble and liked the quality of the linen-like fabric.
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The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Splurge: Pottery Barn Dream Square Arm Upholstered Modular Sofa Chaise Sectional
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Customizable
Memory foam cushions
Great spring support
Mortise-and-tenon joinery
Expensive
Weeks-long wait on made-to-order items
If you're open to shelling out the big bucks for a high-quality piece, you can't go wrong with Pottery Barn. The Dream Square Arm Sectional comes in two sizes (120 or 154 inches wide) and nearly 100 upholstery materials, including performance fabrics that will hold up to daily wear and tear.
The wood frame is reinforced with mortise-and-tenon joinery, and the sag-free sinuous springs offer extra support for the fiber-wrapped memory foam cushions.
Best for Small Spaces: Walsunny Linen Convertible L-Shaped Sectional Sofa
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Budget-friendly
Solid wood frame
Modern aesthetic
Assembly required
If you're tight on space, we recommend the Walsunny L-Shaped Sectional. Measuring 77.5 inches wide with a 50-inch chaise, it's conveniently compact with clean lines and a modern silhouette. We appreciate that it has a solid wood frame, linen fabric upholstery, and a reversible configuration.
Best Modular: Skyline Furniture Varick 5-Piece Linen Sectional Sofa
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Five upholstery colors
Versatile
Designer-recommended
Assembly required
Handcrafted in Illinois, Varick Sectional is a high-quality, American-made sectional that can seat up to five people. With tufted detailing and tapered wooden legs, it has an elegant appearance that would especially complement more traditional or midcentury modern decor. We also love the linen upholstery, which is soft and easy to spot clean.
Best Leather: Burrow Nomad Leather 5-Seat Corner Sectional
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Courtesy of Burrow
Top-grain Italian leather
Solid birch frame
Built-in USB charger
Expensive
Some assembly required
If you prefer leather, your best bet is Burrow's Block Nomad Sectional. This symmetrical five-seater spans 88 inches in each direction and has 22-inch-deep seats. The top-grain Italian leather upholstery is available in three colors, plus you can pick from six leg finishes and three arm styles—extra points for the built-in USB charger.
Best Customizable: Maiden Home The Warren Sectional
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Kiln-dried wood frame
White-glove delivery
Designer-recommended
Expensive
Maiden Home comes recommended by designer Nicole Fisher of BNR Interiors. "It's a custom piece without the custom price tag, and their fabric choices are wonderful," she says. The Warren Sectional Sofa has a kiln-dried wood frame and high-resiliency cushions. Available in several sizes and five configurations, it can seat up to seven people.
Best Sleeper: Article Soma Sofa Bed
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Courtesy of Article
Memory foam mattress
Storage chaise
Kiln-dried wood/steel frame
Some assembly required
The Soma is 105 inches wide with a 64-inch right-facing chaise lounge. It pulls out into a comfy bed, complete with a plush yet supportive memory foam mattress. The upholstery is soft, durable, and easy to clean, and the frame is constructed from kiln-dried wood and steel. While some assembly is required, it shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes.
Best Modern: AllModern Breanna Polyester Blend Stationary Sofa & Chaise Sectional
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Left or right-facing chaise
Solid wood frame
Low profile
Some assembly required
AllModern's Breanna Sectional has a solid walnut wood frame, foam cushions with web suspension, and poly-blend upholstery in your choice of six versatile hues. It's 112 inches wide with a 63-inch chaise lounge. Though the chaise is fixed, you can choose from a left or right orientation.
Best Deep-Seated: Inside Weather Modular Bondi 3-Seater Sofa
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36-inch-deep seats
Solid wood frame
Generous return policy
Expensive
The Bondi Sofa from Inside Weather has 36-inch-deep seat cushions, each filled with multiple layers of low- and medium-density foams and recycled down-alternative for a plush, lofty feel.
This spacious three-seater has a solid ash wood frame and a modular design. It's available in several upholstery options, including twill, velvet, and vegan leather.
Best Reversible: Interior Define Marlow 3-Seat Reversible Chaise Sectional
Customizable
Performance upholstery available
Easy to reverse
Expensive
The Marlow Sectional from Interior Define comes in five sizes ranging from 88 to 120 inches wide, several upholstery options, 18 leg styles, and three cushion fill materials. We like that you can configure the chaise to either side with user-friendly connector clips.
Our best overall pick is the Floyd Three-Seater Sofa and Chaise, which earned high marks from our tester for its easy setup, stain-resistant fabric, and overall quality. For something a bit more affordable, we recommend the Mercury Row Morpheus Sectional. It has a compact footprint that would work great in smaller spaces—without sacrificing comfort or design.
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What to Look for in Sectional Sofas
Seating Capacity
Sectionals aren’t just for large families and people who entertain frequently—there are smaller versions that comfortably fit just a few people for easy conversation and lounging. Of course, if you do entertain often, you may want to look for a larger sectional with four or more cushions and plenty of room for everyone to spread out. The largest sectionals are typically U-shaped or corner-shaped, while the smallest are the traditional L-shaped styles with a shorter width.
"Sectionals are made for lounging and can pack in many people at a time," says Fisher. "So, I would consider the largest seating for your space."
Upholstery
While you might love the look and size of a sectional, choose your upholstery wisely because it can affect the longevity and appearance of your sectional for years to come. You can choose from easy-to-clean fabrics (such as polyester) or bonded leather upholstery that can be wiped clean in the event of a spill, or go for something more unusual like canvas or denim. Materials like velvet are a bit more prone to wear and tear, so choose a performance option that mimics the feel of the material but is made of polyester.
Chaise
While some sectionals have a chaise that is fixed in place and can't be moved from one side to the other, other models allow you to switch which side this piece fits on. This is a major plus if you anticipate moving in the near future, as not all floor plans will accommodate a left- or right-facing chaise. On the other hand, if you're sold on a sectional with a fixed chaise, and it works in your home, don't let the lack of flexibility stop you from investing in this type of sofa. You can also buy a sofa with an oversized ottoman, which will allow you greater flexibility (and an easier set-up).
Merchant notes that chaise sectionals don't block walkways and help open up the seating arrangement. "For example, you wouldn't want to select a U-shaped sectional for a space that leaves one side with its back to the TV," she says. "You would rather select an L-shaped sectional for this space instead so that all viewers can easily see the focal point."
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How do you measure a sectional sofa?
Measuring for a sectional is about more than making sure it fits in your room—it’s about how you plan on arranging it (more tips on that below). First, determine where you intend to place your sofa, and then measure the floor space; now, you can take the dimensions of your top picks into consideration.
When laying down the groundwork, you'll want to look out for a few things. “In general, you want to avoid ‘pinch points’ where the clearance space between the sofa and anything else—such as a wall or a cabinet—is less than 36 inches,” says Courtney Sempliner, interior designer and founder of Courtney Sempliner Designs. “You want to allow enough space for someone to comfortably pass by. [The] only exception is for the coffee table, which should be roughly 18 inches from the sofa seat.”
Devin Shaffer, Lead Designer at Decorilla, adds a few other points on sizing. “If you want a sectional sofa with a chaise, then the chaise option should not extend more than halfway across the room. Leave 2 feet of open space around the sectional, unless it's placed against a wall. It is important to note that sectionals work well as room-dividers.”
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How do you place a rug under a sectional?
Accent rugs aren’t just cozy underfoot. They can also anchor an entire room—but correct placement and proportions are key. “When placing a rug under your sectional sofa, it should be large enough to unify and anchor all supporting accent pieces (accent chair, coffee table, side table, etc.),” Harris says.
The rug should be positioned at least 12 inches behind the front legs of the sectional. If you plan on placing your furniture in the center of a larger rug, be sure it creates an even border on all four sides—about 8 to 12 inches, according to the pros.
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How do you arrange a sectional sofa?
Try thinking of arranging your furniture in a “vignette” so that every piece is centered on a common purpose (reading nook, entertainment center, office area, etc.). To that end, you’ll also want an area rug to act as a frame for your scene. If you plan on placing the sectional in the center of a room, place another similar-sized piece opposite it to create balance. And whatever you do, be sure your seating area is easily accessible from all open sides.
“Arranging a sectional in the center of the room leaves empty space around it, which may cause the center of the room to appear weighted down,” says Jessica Harris, Manager of Product Design at Living Spaces Furniture. “Balance the room by positioning another large piece of furniture on the opposite side of the room. A great example would be to create a 'moment' like a reading area with two accent chairs. Maybe using a smaller settee or oversized chair would also work to balance the weight of the sectional.”
Shaffer shares one final tidbit. “Floating furniture—the act of pulling your furniture away from the walls—is the ultimate layout hack,” she says. “It immediately transforms a room and establishes walkways that help direct traffic flow. Sectionals will be the largest pieces of furniture in a room and, therefore, it's important to anchor the seating area, perhaps with a rug, to provide fluidity for guests and various walkways to other parts of the home.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in lifestyle and home design. To compile picks for this article, she looked at sectionals reviewed by our at-home testers, as well as dozens of models from various retailers. The chosen sectionals stood out in multiple ways, including versatility, durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal.
For added insight, Theresa spoke with Decorist designer Linzie Merchant and Nicole Fisher of BNR Interiors to hear more about what to look for in terms of sizing, configurations, and placement. Theresa has the sofa version of Article's Soma Sleeper and can speak to its attractive design and ultra-soft yet durable upholstery.
Camryn Rabideau contributed additional expert interviews and research to this article.