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.”

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.

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.”

The Best Sectional Sofas of 2022 for Both Style and Comfort

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

The 12 Best Sectional Sofas of 2022 — 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.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Floyd The Sofa + Chaise at Floydhome.com

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Best Overall, Runner-Up:

Apt2B Melrose Chaise Sofa at Apt2b.com

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Best Budget:

Mercury Row Mercury Row Merwin Reversible Sectional at Wayfair

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Pottery Barn Dream Square Arm Modular Sectional at Pottery Barn

Jump to Review

Best for Small Spaces:

Walsunny L-Shaped Sectional Sofa at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Leather:

Burrow Nomad Leather Sectional at Burrow

Jump to Review

Best Sleeper:

Article Soma Sofa Bed at Article.com

Jump to Review

Best Modern:

AllModern Breanna Chaise Sectional at Wayfair

Jump to Review

Best Deep-Seated:

Inside Weather Modular Bondi Sofa at Insideweather.com

Jump to Review

Best Reversible:

Interior Define Marlow Chaise Sectional at Interiordefine.com

Jump to Review

Courtesy of West Elm

View On Floydhome.com

Floyd Three-Seater Sofa and Chaise Review

What We Like

Comfortable
Solid wood/steel frame
Stain-resistant upholstery

What We Don't Like

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 because it's designed to withstand stains and general wear over time, plus it can easily be taken apart and rebuilt for easy transport. This sectional earned a perfect 5 out of 5 overall score from our tester, who appreciated its stain-resistant upholstery materials and the thoughtful design with easy-to-follow assembly. While the assembly instructions were easy to follow, our tester noted that the sofa arrived in seven different boxes and with lots of packing materials, which may be a concern for environmentally conscious consumers. The metal frame for the sofa also arrived in a box that weighed 132 pounds, so you will definitely want help maneuvering the box into your home.

The couch only took 30 to 45 minutes for our tester to assemble, and she noted that the frame was virtually ding and scratch proof, which is especially helpful for pet owners. She also liked that the frame was compact enough to fit through doorways and in small living rooms. The accompanying chaise can be secured to either side of the frame, which makes the sofa even more customizable on top of the five upholstery and three base finishes offered.

In terms of comfort, our tester said that the cushions are soft, yet supportive, so this couch may not be best for people who like to sink into cushions. She also noted that the back cushions felt a little overstuffed, which led to the seat feeling slightly narrow. Despite this minor critique, it is possible that the cushions will soften over time. All in all, this sectional sofa is still our top pick because of its modern and customizable design that’s easy to build and maneuver through a smaller home.

Price at time of publish: $2,475

Dimensions: 87 x 61 x 32 inches | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Stain-resistant polyester-nylon blend | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 30 days

Floyd The Sofa Three-Seater Sofa and Chaise — The Spruce / Karen Tietjen

What Testers Say

"We had to keep a blanket on our former white and blue couch to avoid muddy pup paw prints. This fabric, which covers the majority of the sofa, is 95 percent polyester and 5 percent nylon, which is stain-resistant and easy to clean." — Karen Tietjen, Product Tester

Courtesy of Apt2B.

View On Apt2b.com

What We Like

Customizable
Solid wood frame
Generous return policy
Lifetime guarantee

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $2,948

Dimensions: 93 x 66 x 39 x 27 inches | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Various | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 100 days

4.2

Mercury Row Merwin Reversible Corner Sectional

Courtesy of Wayfair.

View On Wayfair

Our Ratings

Design

4/5
Comfort

4/5
Size

4/5
Effectiveness

4/5
Value

5/5

Mercury Row Morpheus Reversible Sectional Ottoman Review

What We Like

Affordable
Compact
Solid wood frame

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $930

Dimensions: 82 x 36 x 59 inches | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Microfiber, microsuede | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 30 days

Mercury Row Morpheus Reversible Sectional Ottoman — The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk

What Testers Say

"It is nice to recline on a sectional, but I also love that the right angle seating design promotes conversation since people can more comfortably face each other while sitting on the sofa. We already have one sofa and two armchairs in our living room, but I wanted to get another sofa so that we could all have space to stretch out." — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

These Are the Best Sofas for Small Spaces of 2022

Dream Square Arm Upholstered Modular Sofa Chaise Sectional

Courtesy of Pottery Barn.

View On Pottery Barn

What We Like

Customizable
Memory foam cushions
Great spring support
Mortise-and-tenon joinery

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $6,196

Dimensions: Varies | Seating Capacity: Up to 4 | Upholstery Material: 12 fabric options | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 30 days

Linen Convertible L-Shaped Sectional Sofa

Courtesy of Amazon.

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Solid wood frame
Modern aesthetic

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $370

Buying Tip

Before purchasing, map out the size of the couch you want by marking it off on the floor with painter’s tape, and then do a mock arrangement of your room. You’ll want to be sure there’s enough space on all sides of the couch (except for the back if it’s placed against the wall) for people to pass by without having to squeeze through.

Dimensions: 77.5 x 27.5 x 35.5 x 50 inches | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Linen | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 30 days

Burrow Nomad Leather 5-Seat Corner Sectional

Courtesy of Burrow

View On Burrow

What We Like

Top-grain Italian leather
Solid birch frame
Built-in USB charger

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $4,395

Dimensions: 88 x 88 x 35 x 33 inches | Seating Capacity: 5 | Upholstery Material: Italian leather | Chaise: None | Return Policy: 30 days

The Best Leather Sofas for Any Room in Your Home

Courtesy of Article

View On Article.com

What We Like

Memory foam mattress
Storage chaise
Kiln-dried wood/steel frame

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $2,229

Dimensions: 105 x 64 x 31.5 | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Fabric | Chaise: Fixed | Return Policy: 30 days

The 10 Best Sleeper Sofas for Every Decor and Budget

Courtesy of Wayfair.

View On Wayfair View On Allmodern.com

What We Like

Left or right-facing chaise
Solid wood frame
Low profile

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $1,800

Dimensions: 112 x 63 x 33 inches | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Polyester blend | Chaise: Fixed | Return Policy: 30 days

Courtesy of Inside Weather.

View On Insideweather.com

What We Like

36-inch-deep seats
Solid wood frame
Generous return policy

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $6,698

Dimensions: 118.25 x 33 x 36 x 77 inches | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Vegan leather, velvet, satin, microsuede, twill | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 365 days

Marlow 3-Seat Reversible Chaise Sectional

Courtesy of Interior Define.

View On Interiordefine.com

What We Like

Customizable
Performance upholstery available
Easy to reverse

What We Don't Like

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.

Price at time of publish: $2,945

Dimensions: Varies | Seating Capacity: 3 | Upholstery Material: Performance velvet, chenille, basket-weave, or bouclé | Chaise: Reversible | Return Policy: 60 days

Final Verdict

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.

Best Sectional Sofas — Lara Antal / The Spruce

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."

Infini Furnishings Reversible Sectional — The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk

FAQ

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.”
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.
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.”

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.

The Best Slipcovered Sofas to Customize Any Space