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Living room ideas with a sectional couch


How to Style a Sectional Sofa to Perfection

Sectionals are equal parts comfortable and versatile, allowing you to create the perfect sofa configuration for your unique living space and lifestyle. They’re also typically the biggest pieces of furniture in a room, so how you style yours can help to make or break your aesthetic.

Fortunately, these expert-informed tips make styling this comfy piece of furniture a breeze, helping you determine everything from the right colors and upholstery material to the perfect placement.

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What Is a Sectional?

In a nutshell, sectional sofas consist of at least two sofa pieces, aka sections, that you can join together and use to create various configurations for your space. Below, professional interior designer and founder of Dōr Design House, Bri Ussery, shares easy tips for how to buy and style the perfect sectional sofa for your living space.

18 Sectional Living Room Ideas

1. Place it Against a Wall

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have a huge living space to enjoy a new sectional. If you have a small living room, you can often get sectionals to fit beautifully with the right furniture arrangement and sectional shape.

“If your living room is small, choose a configuration that doesn't take up too much floor space,” advises Rohr. “A good option is to place the sectional against a wall to save space; L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals are ideal for this purpose.”

2. Pair with Statement Art

Statement art is typically bigger, bolder, and/or more vibrant than other art pieces, making it a great fit for the large footprint of many sectionals. Placing a compelling piece of art above your sofa will create a strong focal point while helping to solidify your living room design.

“You can choose a big statement art piece to elevate the sectional, or you can opt for an asymmetrical art display to help balance the room,” recommends Rohr. And when it comes to art and design, there are no wrong answers so, “don't be afraid to get creative with your styling; mix and match different shapes and sizes.”

3. Use Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are an easy way to add texture and color to your sectional. They’re also relatively inexpensive compared to many other home decor pieces, so you can swap them out for new ones when a new season (or design mood) strikes.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. According to design expert Swanzy, “It is an absolute must to fill up the sectionals with pillows because sectionals tend to have a deeper seat than normal couches.”

Karen Rohr also shared some tips for styling sectionals with pillows:

4. Add Some Leather

Burrow Nomad Sofa in Leather

Review: Check our Burrow Nomad review here

Leather upholstery never goes out of style, and it comes in nearly infinite colors, so you should have no trouble finding a leather sectional that perfectly aligns with your aesthetic.

High-quality leather sectionals are also highly resistant to peeling, sagging, and cracking. And cleaning them is often as easy as simply wiping them down. This means they tend to last longer than many other upholstery types, so it’s a great investment for your next living room makeover.

5. Float the Sectional

Credit: CutlerSchulze

If you have an expansive living room you’re looking to fill or an awkwardly shaped living room, consider floating the sectional, aka placing the sectional at least a few feet from the wall. “In large rooms, we like to float sectionals in the center to create a buffer,” said Cutler. “Almost like a room within a room.”

Floating it off the wall also means you can add furniture pieces behind it to optimize your style. “If you are floating a sectional, you might want to consider adding a low console or bookcase to the back. Doing so can create a more attractive presentation, especially as you enter the room,” recommends Cutler.

6. Go Grey

We love a bold statement couch as much as the next person, but some spaces call for a more subtle sectional, especially since these sofas are often the largest pieces of furniture in a room. Grey is an amazing sectional color because it won’t overwhelm your look.

Grey sofas serve as sophisticated yet neutral foundations that will complement all kinds of color schemes and interior designs. You can pile on colorful throw pillows and blankets to give it a bolder look or more neutral pieces in rich textures to give it an organic, textural feel.

7. Frame a Space

Credit: Darlene Halaby, Design by SKD Studios.

Have an open floor plan? Sectionals are awesome when it comes to framing and defining uncertain spaces. “In a recent Newport Beach, California, project we used sectional couches to frame the living room from the dining room,” said Swanzy.

And you can use thoughtful styling elements to further define the space. For instance, if you want to turn your sectional frame into a cozy reading nook, you can take advice from Swanzy, who “added lamps in the corner of the sectional so our client could cuddle up and dive into a great book.”

8. Add a Rug

Speaking of defining spaces, placing a rug under your sectional is an easy way to do just that. Rugs also have a knack for making a room feel more complete, warm, and intentional. When pairing a sectional and a rug, you have a few options.

A popular option is to choose a small, vibrant rug that fits right in the middle of an L-shaped or U-shaped sectional. This is a fun way to add colors and patterns to your look without taking up too much visual real estate. You can also purchase a very large neutral rug that sits under all of your sectional’s legs. Doing so will help make your living space feel warm, cozy, and welcoming.

9. Use a sectional to anchor your space

Credit: CutlerSchulze

A sectional’s large size allows it to anchor your entire design. You can use it to soldifiy an already well-honed aesthetic or as a stylistic reference point that can inspire the rest of your look.

For instance, if you have a minimalist style sensibility, then a sectional featuring a pared-back silhouette and long airy legs can help punctuate your look. And if you’re at a loss for how to design a space, consider investing in a sectional that already has a strong design point of view, such as a luxe velvet sofa, that you can use to inform your aesthetic.

10. Embrace Flexibility with a Modular Sectional

Inside Weather Modular Bondi Sofa

Review: Read our Bondi Modular Sofa review here

Modular sofas are customizable by design, allowing you to pick the perfect configuration for your space, whether you want an expansive U-shaped sectional or a smaller L-shaped couch. But the right configuration for you largely depends on your existing space and lifestyle.

“No matter what arrangement you choose, make sure the sectional fits well with your space, and avoid compromising the good flow or closing too much of the area,” advises Rohr. For example, if you have a sectional in a living room that connects to the kitchen, you probably don’t want to configure your sectional in such a way that it blocks the path between these two rooms, since people naturally tend to flow to and from them.

11. Make a Statement

Looking for ways to make your living room makeover pop? Consider creating a statement-making focal point out of your sectional. You can easily do this by choosing upholstery in a bold color or vibrant pattern.

Or you can opt for a sectional in a more neutral color, such as beige or gray, then dress it up with all kinds of fun throw pillows and blankets. This option is perfect for anyone who wants to make a major style statement but isn’t keen on the idea of committing to a bold design style long-term.

12. Pair it with an Armchair

Interior Define Sloan Sectional with armchair.

Sectionals basically epitomize cozy, so they’re a great match for armchairs, which also have a special ability to create a relaxing environment. Armchairs work particularly well for L-shape sectionals since they can turn the L into a U-shaped seating arrangment.

But you can also pair an armchair with a U-shaped sectional, transforming the U into a circle that serves as a welcome invitation to enjoy conversations with loved ones.

13. Create a Pit

Kova Pit Sofa.

Review: Check out our review of the Kova Sofa here

If you really want to step up your relaxation game, consider creating a cozy pit out of your sectional. Pit sectional sofas feature at least two lines of seat cushions that are parallel and adjacent to each other as opposed to a single line of cushions.

The result is a bed-like appearance that will make movie nights that much more comfy and inviting. And if you don’t want to commit to a 24/7 pit, you can invest in a large modular sectional that allows you to create the ideal arrangement for any given situation.

14. Add an Ottoman

A potential drawback of L-shaped sectionals is that there’s only room to put your feet up on one side. Fortunately, this is a super easy fix—all you have to do is place an ottoman on the other side to create a makeshift chaise lounge.

Not only will an ottoman increase the comfort factor of your sectional, but it also provides additional styling opportunities. You can incorporate an ottoman in a different style than your sectional to create compelling contrast, or you can match the ottoman to add cohesion to your look.

15. Embrace Beige

You can pretty much never go wrong with beige living room furniture. The timeless hue is at once neutral and sophisticated, and you can incorporate it into virtually any aesthetic, from minimalism to maximalism and everything in between.

A beige sectional will add warmth to your look while offering a blank canvas for your living room design You can pair it with funky side tables, colorful throw pillows, and a vibrant area rug to create an eclectic look. Or you can pile on other neutral colors and textiles for a soft, organic appearance.

16. Go Low-Profile


Few pieces of furniture are more inviting than a great low-profile sofa. Featuring low-slung backs and an often deep-seated design, low-profile sectionals are endlessly comfortable and relaxing.

Plus, they’re super on trend and come in a variety of different styles. You can opt for a low-profile sectional with soft rounded edges for an organic, cloud-like look. Or choose a sectional with sharper lines and airy legs for a more futurustic feel.

17. Pair it with a Circular Coffee Table

Have a small space that you want to makeover with a great sectional? Consider adding a circular coffee table to the mix. “A circular coffee table is perfect for small spaces. It will fit in the small nook of the sectional, keeping circulation open,” advises Rohr.

But you can absolutely enjoy the benefits of a circular coffee table in larger spaces as well. Tucking it into your sectional’s nook means you’ll have even more room to play with other home decor elements and pieces of furniture.

18. Go Bold with a Chesterfield

Ms Chesterfield Sofa by Interior Define

What’s better than a classic Chesterfield sofa? A classic Chesterfield sectional! These pieces combine the ornate details for which Chesterfields are so beloved, like button tufts, with the comfort and flexibility of a gorgeous sectional.

Incorporating a Chesterfield sectional into your living room design also means you’ll have an instant statement piece around which you can create the rest of your style. These beauties are killer conversation pieces and can help elevate your design from good to unforgettable.

20 Gorgeous Sectional Living Room Ideas

Casa Watkins Living

People often talk about how important it is to invest in a mattress because apparently, you spend a third of your life sleeping. But what about the other two-thirds of your life? We like to think we’re probably spending a good chunk of that time lounging on our sofas, blissfully binging Netflix. Because of that, we’re pretty sure that finding the right couch is just as, if not more, important than finding a good mattress.

On one hand, you could go for aesthetics and invest in a high-quality leather sofa that skips on any comfort whatsoever. Or, you could go for all cushioning and settle on a sore eye that you’re afraid to show guests. But there’s a middle ground sofa that does it all: it’s aesthetically pleasing, it's endlessly cozy, and, if you try hard enough, it can double as a bed for those times when your mattress just won’t cut it. 

15 Sectional Sofas That'll Take Lounging to the Next Level

Yes, we’re talking about sectionals. And we’re pretty convinced that every living space needs one. Ready to find your perfect sofa? Keep scrolling for our favorite sectional ideas. Trust us, you’ll want to choose wisely when it comes to the piece of furniture you spend two-thirds of you life lounging around on.

01 of 20

D Burns Interior

There’s perhaps nothing more classic than this sectional. The modular design, the rectangular-cut cushions, the not-quite-gray-not-quite-white color, the small but beautifully crafted feet—what more could you ask for. It’s the kind of couch that could go in any room with any design style, but we happen to love how it fits so well into this minimal color palette.

02 of 20

JC Design

Unlike the leather couch you might find in an old guy cigar lounge, this one oozes comfort — and it’s all thanks to the mixing of textures. The sofa pillows, combined with the faux fur throw and lush rug all give the otherwise stuffy leather material a very homey feeling. It's a perfect fit for this boho-style space—it's a natural.

03 of 20

Dazey Den

Ask any millennial, and they’d probably tell you that millennial pink is, in fact, a neutral. The wonderful thing about the blush pink color is that it pairs well with almost any other color, whether that’s lavender, coral, or deep teal — or all three together. Combining the fun hue with such comfortable seating is a match made in heaven.

04 of 20

Emily Henderson

If you live in an apartment where painting your plain white walls is definitely out of the question, or you just like to stick to a neutral color palette, this bright royal blue sofa is a must. It's an easy way to add some color into your living room without it overpowering the space. The radiant tone truly is a work of art in itself.

05 of 20

Dazey Den

Have we mentioned we love texture? There’s just so much it can do for a room. Here, the leather pairs amazingly well with the stylish pillows and fluffy throw — not to mention the southwestern accents. Don’t you just want to dive in headfirst? 

06 of 20

Victoria Bell Design

One of the best parts of sectionals is their innate nature to build a conversation area. Whether you have just one extended side or a full wrap-around couch, sectionals bring people together. This one is no exception: the sofa invites people in with its soft material and gorgeous hue.

07 of 20

Tina Ramchandani

Few things bring personality to a room quite like the contrast between extreme light and extreme dark. Here, we love the way the deep navy sectional juxtaposes with the soft, ivory walls. We’re pretty sure we could spend hours there reading a book.

08 of 20

Casa Watkins Living

For those who might shudder at the thought of a completely neutral room, it’s all about making a statement with brightly colored furniture. Select a sectional in an unexpected color, such as this rich green, and pair it with plenty of brightly colored accents and greenery. 

09 of 20

Bespoke Only

Sometimes, you buy a couch to fit the design of a room. Other times, such as for this room, the couch determines absolutely everything else. Here, the dark tone and style of the couch emulate everything else in the room, and the clean, masculine design extends well past the living space. We also love the grounded feel of the flat on the floor structure this sectional provides—it makes the space feel natural and relaxed.

10 of 20

Michelle Boudreau Design

The telltale sign of a great sofa is one that you can easily see yourself face-planting into after a long day. This one has that exact vibe. But it’s not just the deep cushioning that gives off that feeling. It’s also the entirely monochrome color scheme that feels like something you might see in a hygge handbook. 

11 of 20

Alvin Wayne

If — and only if — you have no pets, no kids, and no problem with constant cleaning, a white sofa can be so magical. The crisp colorless furniture makes such an impact in a room. This one works overtime with the excess white and cream pillows lining the entire length of the sofa.

12 of 20

Tina Ramchandani

The issue with most sectionals is that everyone always wants to lay down in the part that juts out, leaving others to settle for the sofa's much less fun middle section. We love seeing a unique sectional that opts for a wider, open area rather than extending into a solitary chaise meant for one person.

13 of 20

Ann Living

It’s honestly surprising that we got this far into a furniture round-up without selecting something greige. It’s the classic couch color, honestly. And with a sectional, you really can’t go wrong. If you’re trying to invest in a sofa that will stand the test of time (and trends), greige is your BFF.

14 of 20

Rebecca Rollins Interiors

We are fans of neutral color furniture—especially when it comes to focal points like sectionals. The rich chocolate color highlights other dark brown accents (check out those exposed beams on the ceilings, anyone?) while contrasting the light walls and floor. Additionally, brown sectionals—especially faux suede—work as a dream team to repel and hide stains that may try to make themselves known.

15 of 20

Tyler Karu

There is so much to admire about neutral tones in a living room, especially given how it works well with a vintage or contemporary style. This modern sectional still maintains a beige feel, with warmer tones that work exceptionally well with the warm wooden floors and tables. The space feels open and inviting—and you have the perfect seating option for everyone to congregate.

16 of 20

Cathie Hong

If you're a fan of cooler shades but don't want to go too dark, then a light gray sectional is ideal. This cloudy gray sectional sets the tone for a modern living room, complete with navy blue and deep green accents through the plants, pillows, and plush throw. It feels like the perfect space to relax and retreat from the outside world.

17 of 20

Burchard Design Co.

Truthfully, as much personality as your sectional can have, it can also be swayed by the items placed on it. Throw pillows make the perfect accent and can often help set the tone through patterns and colors. Plus, with a sectional, there is all the more room to add whatever catches your eye—it's a win-win.

18 of 20

JC Design

If you haven't noticed, we will always have a soft spot for green sectionals. This olive shade, in particular, really has our attention—it gives just the right amount of color to a neutral setting and makes a statement all its own. The white pillows and blanket draped across it pop, and the muted tone meshes well with the green plants in a natural way.

19 of 20

Kate Marker Interiors

Anyone who claims you can't have a style that is chic and comfortable clearly hasn't seen this living room. The off-white sectional looks equal parts sophisticated and cozy—no need to sacrifice anything here. The simple chandelier and pale pink accent chairs add a nice touch without causing a distraction.

20 of 20

Bespoke Only

If you want to try something a little dramatic, a deep brown sectional in a bright white room will do the trick. The neutral color scheme still reigns supreme in this living room, yet your eyes gravitate towards the sectional almost immediately. Truly, who can blame you?

How to Make the Most Out of a Living Room That Doubles As a Dining Room

Sectional sofa in modern interior design

Modular is the key word in this message! All rooms in the selection of photos show designer sectional sofas. Having looked at our gallery, you will be convinced that such furniture will decorate any space.

Sleek and modern

Sectional sofas are practical, very suitable for corner arrangements, and allow you to significantly increase the number of seating in the living room. From a variety of branded ranges, we chose to show the Flexform line with cushions in neutral tones.

White sectional sofas in a loft interior

Such furniture often emphasizes the power of straight lines, but it can sometimes show the effect of a smooth and dynamic curve. Curved leather sections are a great choice for modern white spaces with walls and windows.

Notice how the Arco floor lamp in the image below reflects the curved shape of the room's sofa. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Jones Snap It Photography)

Curved sections in contemporary living room

Many of today's most popular set-up sofas are covered in solid color fabrics. The sample, in this case, goes well with art crafts, pillows and other decorative details.

Below we see the Cielo II composite sofa, a 2-section piece of furniture from CB2, consisting of a two-seater sofa without armrests and a chaise longue.

2-piece sofa in a contemporary eclectic space

The gallery wall is the backdrop for the next modern living room, featuring the Walton3 sectional sofa. This chic piece from West Elm is an L-shaped 3-section sofa. Thanks to its many cushions, no doubt an attractive addition. Drape the armrest with a wrap for a comfortable touch.

L Shaped Sectional Sofa by West Elm

A Talent for Eclecticism

Sectional sofas really thrive in contemporary eclectic spaces, especially when the furniture is draped with textural elements such as pillows and fluffy bedspreads.

The modern look of many sectionals can be softened up with accessories such as a chic rug! In the following image, we see a 2-part sample called District, designed by Mermelada Estudio and available in CB2:

Gray sectional sofa in a contemporary eclectic space

Tillary 8-section quilted sofa from West Elm is the perfect addition to the warehouse style room pictured below. While the owners of the room may have gone to extremes with the industrial look in this space, a softer feel is achieved through the use of furniture – the quilted upholstery adds a graceful feminine touch to the decor.

Quilted sectional sofa in warehouse style space

Sectionals in bright colors can serve as the focal point of a room, like CB2's Ditto Peacock Sectional below. Note its blue accent in an eclectic space!

Quilted Sectional Peacock Blue by CB-2

The next room in our collection is filled with modern details, but plush blue sections add a soft touch, especially as this velvety texture beckons you and tries to turn you into an avid couch potato! (photo by Nanette Wong)

San Francisco apartment with plush blue sectional sofa

High style

Above, we saw how sectional sofas successfully fit into the interior of modern trendy living rooms, as well as quite eclectic spaces. But sectionals can also shine in chic, upscale interiors.

Add in some indirect ceiling lighting, intriguing artwork and dramatic floral motifs and you have a very charming room! Well, that is, full of glamour! Below we see Tillary, an 8-section example from West Elm:

Modern sectional in an elegant interior

Once again, we see the power of quilted upholstery. This time, a sectional sofa designed in this manner enhances the visual experience of a room in downtown Los Angeles, a Ritz-Carlton residence.

Old and new blocks come together to create a truly elegant space. And, in case you're curious, the room divider is made from chain links painted with Murano acrylic paint. Well, simply, very glamorous!

Quilted sectional sofa at the Ritz Carlton residence

So, you and I have seen that sectional sofas can serve as a true decoration of a room in any style.

20 gorgeous sofas for an elegant living room

A sofa is more than just a place to sit. It's one of the big pieces of furniture that can set the tone for your entire room, which is why people spend so much time choosing the right one. Stick to a neutral color and add pillow accent colors. Or do you choose a flamboyant statement? Lots of options to choose from…

While a large number of sofas on the market are celebrating the mid-century of modern style, other, outdated styles are making a comeback. Who would have thought that sectional sofas would return to the mainstream? And why not?

Large size will only be an advantage in your living room, as additional furniture can be used to a minimum. Take a look at the current offerings below, complete with helpful links to guide you to the point of purchase. You never know when you'll find your new living room centerpiece!

Hard sofas

We start with hard, sturdy sofas. They are the anchor of space with one strong color. The simplicity of one shade attracts to the shape of the product. Grab the Avec tweed sofa below. Who can resist its retro style, elongated shape and bronze legs?

Somehow, this amazing sofa manages to be elegant. [From CB2]

Some sofas make you want to sink into the middle of the soft cushions and sink into the furry place! Five plump back cushions make the Walton sofa extraordinarily comfortable. There is nothing better than enjoying TV programs while enjoying such a decadent place. [From West Elm]]

Speaking of comfort, the Oasis sofa also boasts an assortment of soft, large back cushions as well as a light linen cover. [From Crate & Barrel]

The Jack sofa is distinguished by its rust red, cotton velvet finish. While some design experts recommend a neutral wall color, when placing this color of furniture, it's hard to resist a red sofa in front of a wall of the same accent color, as shown below. [From Z Gallerie]

What about gray on gray? Deep textured walls covered in faux silk are the perfect complement to the Harrison sofa. Plush furniture and ornate walls? Perfection! [from Z Gallerie]

Long and narrow. It's a Lorimer sofa! Wide armrests and a low back are two reasons that make for an ultra-modern statement. And who doesn't love the elegance of a blue sofa? [from West Elm]

Go bold behind the Movie Pool sofa. Yes, its color evokes the feeling of the water depth of the pool! What prevents this sofa from being in the first place? Mid-Century Retro Legs, Fits in with Modern Design Clearly! [from CB2]

Patterned Sofas

Patterned sofas aren't just for outdated living rooms these days! A new range of modern printed fabrics for furniture made them irresistible, not to mention attractive. Grab the Bancroft sofa below. The thistle-like pattern makes it modern, while the tapered legs give it a wonderful retro effect. [From Dwell Studio]

The Larkin sofa shown here in the sample, Freja Citrine, is available in a variety of fabrics. Recessed legs smooth out the boxy look and create a fabulous floating effect. [from Dwell Studio]

Below we see the Larkin sofa again, this time in the Medallion Band Mineral pattern. Note how this large patterned sofa upholstery is complemented by smaller patterned wallpaper in a similar color scheme. [From Dwell Studio]

And now let's take a look at the Blanche combination sofa with a patterned front. The unconventional shape, interchangeable floral seat cover, and white back give it a new look. Talk about unexpected lightness! We now see the Blanche sofa, with a changeable cover in a fancy wool fabric.

But why is it impossible to look away from such a striking specimen? Dalmatian not included. [From Bruehl]

Leather sofas

Previously, such furniture was used for bachelor apartments and men's offices. Thanks to new structures and the strategic use of tarting, leather sofas have been transformed. Take the Chester Leather sofa, which incorporates mid-century modern leg styling and button quilting. [From Dwell Studio]

Tan Petrie leather sofa. Who can resist its 60s style shape and overall individual look? [from Crate & Barrel]

Next we have a more seductive version of the 50s style leather sofa in a charming silhouette. Mid-Century-style leather sofa, stunning with its rounded back, dainty wedge-shaped legs and rich Italian leather. [From West Elm]

It's funny how the wide, padded armrests make this Domino sofa super modern. White restored skin won't hurt anyone...[from Z Gallerie]

Sectional sofas

Ah, the sectional sofa is an eyesore for an outdated living room! This model is back with a vengeance! The Edward Angled Sectional Sofa with quilted back is perfect for maximum comfort when it comes to entertaining or just relaxing at home. [From Dwell Studio]

Oasis sectional sofa complete with additional white linen cover. An abundance of white fabric and bulging cushions tempt you to sink into comfort…[from Crate & Barrel ]

Modern grandeur of the 50's style, the Dual Pebble sectional sofa consists of three parts that can be easily swapped, left or right. [From CB2]

We end with modular sofas, which stand out for their functionality and versatility.

Learn more