Sectional sofa designs for living room


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.

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.

51 Sectional Sofas for Elegant and Functional Living Room Seating

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Sectional sofas are a powerhouse of living space utility. These pieces offer expansive space for seating and stretching out yet, because they are packaged as multiple pieces, they are so much easier to move and setup than a single-piece sofa of a similar size. They're also available in a dizzying array of formats – you can find sectional sofas with cozy chaise lounges attached, modular sofas that allow for endless layout formats, sectionals that include storage pieces, sleeper sectionals, and so many more. We've collected a style-forward selection of our favorite sectionals from around the web, each available online for your redecorating convenience.

Beige Mid-Century Sectional Sofa with Chaise: Chaise sections are ideal for casual living spaces where you might want to kick up your feet and relax with a good book – and in some cases, they can even help to save space by eliminating the need for a separate piece of lounging furniture. This design does it all with a compact footprint and a timeless mid-century modern aesthetic.

Modern Beige Reversible Sectional Sofa: The placement of a chaise sectional can influence the potential layout of your living space and its natural flow of foot traffic. A reversible sectional like this one allows you to place the chaise on either side for more flexibility. This piece is a stylish mid-century influenced design by Toronto-based luxury furniture company Gus Modern.

Off White Modern Sectional Sofa: Chic, clean, and ultra-minimalist. This 3-piece modular sofa boasts a simple blocky profile that makes the composition feel like a piece of modern sculpture for the living room. This design is fully reversible and, because it is modular, the center seat could even be used separately as a standalone chair.

Hem Palo Corner Sectional Sofa: With its bold supporting structure, the Palo sofa by Hem looks just as fantastic placed in the center of a room as it does against a wall. This piece is a fully modular design that can be expanded with additional Palo components whenever needed.

L Sectional Sofa With Tapered Legs: Blending classic and contemporary elements, this sectional sofa is a piece that can tie a transitional interior theme together. Light grey upholstery ensures easy coordination. Add your choice of accent pillows to make this piece your own.

Small Sectional Sofa in Light Grey Linen: Small space living doesn’t mean giving up on comfort. This convenient sectional by Mr. Kate maintains a relatively compact footprint at just over 80″ in width so that you can enjoy stretching out without sacrificing too much precious floorspace. By detaching the chaise and rearranging the cushions, the chaise can be transformed into a freestanding ottoman.

Fully Customizable L-Sectional Sofa: Are you looking for a sectional sofa with endless options for customization? This design starts simple with a low-profile look and cozy clean lines. Then, you can create the perfect match for your interior by selecting from the many dozens of upholstery colors and patterns offered within the Serena & Lily catalog. The exposed legs and framing are available in a variety of different finish options as well. Each one is made to order so you can get the exact look you desire.

Black Faux Leather Sectional Sofa: Sleek biscuit tufting and clean boxy lines allow this sectional sofa to carve a stunning silhouette in your living room, lounge, or office. The backrest offers multiple positioning options for custom comfort and can even lay flat to serve as a futon – a convenient option that can transform any room into a guest bedroom. This space-saving design is upholstered in black faux leather but is also available in a range of colorful fabrics.

Dark Grey Corner Sectional Sofa: Able to accommodate five to six people comfortably, this corner sectional provides ample seating space without taking up too much room. This set also includes a standalone ottoman – simply lift the top to reveal storage space within, ideal for throw blankets and other essentials. Add a tray to the ottoman and it can even double as a coffee table.

Dark Grey Sectional Sofa with Ottoman: Minimalist lines and low-profile design allow this sectional sofa to make the surrounding room feel larger, despite the fact the sofa itself takes up an impressive 123 inches in width. This piece offers exceptionally spacious seating with ample room to stretch out and relax. The modular design makes it easy to add other components later or to use each component on its own.

Develius Modular Sofa Sectional in Grey: Created by Dutch designer Edward van Vliet for &Tradition, the Develius sectional is part of a fully modular series with endless placement possibilities. This configuration includes an arm piece and a middle piece with decorative cushions included. Add individual modules as needed.

Fully Modular Deep Sectional Sofa: Low deep seating makes the HAY Mags sectional a treat for modern living rooms and casual relaxation areas. Select from multiple configurations – or add your own components to take advantage of its modular functionality. This piece is available in a wide range of upholstery options to suit any space.

Fabric Upholstered Kelston Sectional Sofa: Comfort takes top priority in the Kelston sectional sofa by English design studio Case. This piece features sumptuously thick cushions filled with a down blend for a cloud-like seating experience, the back of each seat equipped with a subtle articulated headrest that can flip up to provide more support.

Muuto Connect Modular Sectional Sofa: Created by design duo Anderssen & Voll for Scandinavian furniture powerhouse Muuto, the modular Connect sofa is a minimalist design informed by cozy Nordic aesthetics. This configuration includes a wide armless seat, a standard armless seat, and a standard seat with an arm. Add further components individually as needed.

Marcel Wanders BFF Grey Sectional Sofa: Decorative stitching gives the BFF sofa a distinctive geometric look sure to capture attention in any modern interior. This unique design by Marcel Wanders is available in both a left hand and right hand configuration to suit your specific living space layout.

Dark Grey Luxury Velvet Sectional Sofa: From the very first glance, this dramatic sectional sofa stands out as a true statement piece. The low-profile body boasts long continuous lines and subtle curves, uncomplicated yet expressive all at once. Take advantage of its L-shaped format to create an effective conversation area for family and guests.

3-Seat Gold and Grey Sectional Sofa: A classic silhouette is given an opulent upgrade with the addition of modern gold-finished legs. Use this sectional sofa to give your interior a luxe touch along with plenty of seating to go around. This piece is available in grey, blue, and pink velvet upholstery.

Dag Hjelle Modern Sectional Sofa: The striking Arena sectional by Dag Hjelle has become a fast favorite for its timeless aesthetic and sumptuously comfortable construction. Inside each cushion is a mixture of down, foam, and fiber filling to provide an unforgettable seating experience. Visually, the streamlined profile and slender metal legs promote a weightless aesthetic sure to make any room feel open and airy.

Tufted Reversible Sectional Sofa: Jane is an exceptionally versatile sectional sofa by Gus Modern. This piece features biscuit-tufted cushions for a classic look, the legs crafted from light ash or walnut for a natural pop. Position the chaise section on the left or the right to suit your living space layout – or let it stand on its own as an individual seat.

Apartment Size Sectional Sofa with Chaise: At just over 78 inches across, this simple sectional sofa is a workable choice for those who want flexible seating in a compact room or small apartment. The chaise is fully reversible so you can adjust the orientation as needed whenever you rearrange. This piece is available in four versatile neutrals to suit any interior theme.

Genuine Leather Sectional Sofa with Chaise: Upholstered in genuine top grain leather, this gorgeous sectional provides a high end look built to retain its charm for years to come. Tufted seats and round bolster pillows lend a mid-century look for classic appeal. Select from a wide range of leather colors for endless decor possibilities.

Faux Leather Sectional Sofa with Storage: This sectional sofa boasts impressive multipurpose functionality. First, the entire chaise cushion lifts to reveal an enormous storage compartment within. Second, the backrest can be reclined completely flat to transform this piece into a sleeper sofa for overnight guests.

Raleigh 3-Seat Sectional Sofa: Raleigh is an exquisitely crafted sectional inspired by mid-century Danish design. Its sculpted wood frame is attractively exposed along the bottom, perched atop stately solid wood legs for a lightweight look. Select from oak or walnut framing and a spectrum of gorgeous high-end upholstery options.

Yellow Sofa Sectional with Chaise: Why not add a dramatic pop of color to tie your living space together? The unique Bram sectional is available in a variety of bright upholstery options in addition to a small selection of versatile neutrals. This design draws heavy emphasis from mid-century modern styling for playful retro flair.

Urbia Green Sectional Sofa: The gorgeous Anderson chaise sectional by Urbia is a striking and elegant design, crafted with everyday practicality in mind to ensure those good looks last. This piece is upholstered in ICON fabric that readily resists stains and proves exceptionally easy to clean. This is an ideal selection for young families who still value designer aesthetics.

Dark Green Reversible Sectional Sofa: Dark green velvet upholstery gives this small sectional a luxurious classic look, opening the door for creative color coordination possibilities. The ottoman can be rearranged to either side or used separately.

Dark Blue Sectional Sofa with Chaise: Because of its track arm construction, this sofa can nestle easily against a wall – and because it measures at a conservative 80 inches in width, it serves as a smart solution for small space living areas. Select from a range of polyester upholstery colors to find the perfect fit for your decor theme.

Jonas Sectional Sofa in Multiple Colors: Created by Swedish designer Jonas Wagell in 2016, the Jonas sofa was always intended to be a piece that can be enjoyed every day while retaining an aesthetic that stands alone without depending on trends. This piece features clean lines and subtle arcs throughout, the body perched on slender stiletto legs for a strong modern punch.

Muuto Customizable Modern Sectional Sofa: Super low-profile design allows the Outline sectional to make a dramatic modern statement without feeling heavy or obtrusive. Oslo-based design studio Anderssen & Voll created this piece with deep seats for comfort, molded foam cushions for enduring support, and a range of beautiful fabric and leather upholstery options for versatile decor flexibility.

Dusty Rose Sectional Sleeper Sofa: This creative design packs unexpected functionality for a unique take on the classic sleeper sofa. Rather than a futon-style folding mechanism or a fold-out mattress, a sleeper platform slides out neatly from beneath the sofa to create a spacious bed for guests. Because this transformation is so quick and easy, this can also be used to simply create a pit-style seating area for weekend movie nights.

Small Sectional Sofa Bed: Simply slide the lower panel out from beneath this sofa and raise the sleeper platform to transform this multifunctional piece into a spacious lounge or guest bed. The full length of the chaise lifts to reveal a large storage compartment to hold throw blankets, bedding, or other accessories.

L-Shaped Convertible Sectional Sofa: Raise or lower the headrests, extend or collapse the sleeper platform, and rearrange the separate ottoman at will – this attractive sectional provides endless flexibility to suit your comfort requirements. Select from black or brown upholstery.

U-Shaped Modern Sofa Sectional: U-shaped sectional sofas are ideal for casual social gatherings and lounge-focused movie nights alike. Impressively, every portion of this sofa is completely modular and can be rearranged to suit your interior arrangement at will. Each seat lifts open to reveal a spacious storage compartment for double the functionality.

Large Dark Gray Sectional Sofa: This sectional sofa features a comfortable chaise and a freestanding ottoman for versatile lounging possibilities. Select from four versatile colorways, each with polished silver legs for a modern pop.

U-Shaped Bluish Grey Sectional Sofa: The New Standard is a Blu Dot creation that improves on proven success. This piece features a low-profile design, sleek clean lines, and then adds a unique twist with shapely metal legs. Select from a wide variety of versatile neutral colorways for effortless coordination possibilities.

Configurable Custom Sectional Sofa: Inspired by high-end furniture styles at a more accessible price point, this fully configurable sofa makes it a little easier to get the dream sectional configuration you’ve always wanted. Each configuration is fully modular, and each piece is also available individually in case you want to expand or reconfigure later.

Mix Modular Modern Curved Sectional Sofa: Mix Modular is a versatile sectional solution by Gus Modern that spans a range of components like seats with arms, a corner seat, an arched seat, a wedge, an ottoman, and a soft table component. This specific configuration includes three armless arched seats that can be arranged like a circle or in other creative ways.

White Leather Sectional Reclining Sofa: Genuine leather upholstery brings touchable comfort to the seats of this sectional while quality leather match continues the high-end look around to the sides. This piece offers luxurious functionality to match its sumptuous tactile experience, equipped with power recline functionality and fully adjustable headrests.

Leather Small Sectional Sofa with Recliner: Sit, relax, and recline all wrapped in the luxury of genuine top grain Italian leather and a high quality leather match. This piece features one power reclining seat, one fixed seat, and one spacious chaise to accommodate all of your comfort preferences.

Vegan Leather Mix Modular Sofa Sectional: Mix and match to create the sectional sofa of your dreams! The Mix Modular collection by Gus Modern is available in rich black or classic cognac vegan leather for animal-friendly appeal. This sectional comes standard with a seat with a left arm, a seat with a right arm, an armless seat, and an ottoman. You can also choose to add a convenient storage console with a wooden tray tabletop. Rearrange your creation on a whim.

Large Modern Reclining Sectional Sofa: This sophisticated corner sectional is upholstered in black genuine leather with a bonded leather exterior. To lounge, simply raise the headrest and kick out the footrest to enjoy a supportive recline position.

7-Piece Corner Modular Sofa Set: This 7-piece modular sofa includes everything you need to create a relaxing conversation area and a comfortable everyday retreat. Five standard seats and a corner seat offer plenty of room for guests, while the freestanding ottoman can be used to create a chaise or can be used as a cocktail table. Six accent pillows are included.

Silverlake Large Corner Sectional Sofa: The spacious Silverlake XL Sectional is the ultimate addition to any lounge. Tuxedo track arms allow for easy placement either freestanding or against a wall. The frame is constructed from sustainably harvested hardwood for lasting durability, the frame situated on black-finished steel legs for a sleek modern look.

Minimalist Corner Sectional Sofa: Perfectly streamlined for striking minimalism, the Bonnie and Clyde sectional by Blu Dot lends a tailored look for well-curated interior environments. This piece features supportive bench cushions and a tight back construction for easy cleaning. Decorate with coordinated accent pillows and throws or let its simplicity shine.

Cubi Corner-Shaped White Sectional Sofa: Designed by Marcel Wanders for Basta, the Cubi modular sofa system offers endless versatility and ample seating space. While this minimalistic statement piece might look right at home in a gallery, the removable washable cushion covers make this collection perfect for families.

Egg Collective L Sectional Sofa: Expert woodworking and architectural construction ensure the Emmy Sectional provides satisfaction in every detail. Exposed wooden framing lends classic appeal while feather-silk blend cushioning ensures lasting comfort. This timeless sectional by Egg Collective is sure to satisfy design-minded guests and everyday loungers alike.

Reid Fully Modular Sectional Sofa Series: Designed by Jeffrey Bernett and Nicholas Dodziuk in 2007, the handsome Reid modular sofa collection boasts alluring comfort with down and feather that wraps each seat and fills each backrest cushion. Use each component on its own or pair multiple together to create a custom sectional seating arrangement.

Blu Dot J-Shape Deep Sectional Sofa: Extra-deep seating makes the Sunday J sectional a truly welcoming space to relax while its unique shape promotes conversation among guests. This low-profile design features resilient innerspring cushions softened by high-density foam, then finished with a sumptuous feather and down wrap for a luxurious touch.

Ethnicraft Modular Sofa Sectional: With its pillow-like aesthetic, this modular sofa by designer Jacques Deneef provides the ultimate in casual relaxation. Biscuit tufting adds a welcoming look while smooth curved edges seem to make the entire room look softer and more welcoming. Continue adding pieces to this modular set to make it your own.

Outdoor Sectional Sofa with Blue Cushions: Don’t forget the outdoors! This modular sectional sofa is made from powder-coated steel and UV-resistant cushions to withstand placement on a patio or balcony. Each seat can be separated and placed alone to provide more flexibility while entertaining.

Customizable Corner Patio Sectional Sofa: Treat your sunroom or patio to a high-end, fully customizable sectional sofa with the Pacifica set from Serena & Lily. This sectional is made from all-weather resin woven to mimic the look of classic wicker, the cushions available in a dazzling array of upholstery options so you can create the perfect crowning element for your outdoor entertainment space.


Recommended Reading: 
51 Sectional Sleeper Sofas to Maximize Your Space with Style
Small Sectional Sofas That Show Just As Much Style As The Big Boys

Modular sofa in the living room - types, selection criteria, placement in the interior

Sofas belong to the category of furniture that is used most often, intensively and, often, in different functional qualities. During the day, they can act as a place for sitting, communicating with household members or guests, and in the evening they offer comfortable sleeping places. These functions largely determine consumer requirements for sofas, the main of which are their size, shape and the presence of layout mechanisms.

Speaking of upholstered furniture for living rooms, one has to take into account not only the availability of comfortable accommodation for all potential guests, but also the dimensions of the room, the location of the sofa, the presence of other interior items (tables, cabinets, etc. ) Sometimes such a room requires furniture of a non-standard shape or large enough, and in some cases it would not be superfluous to have a serious transformation of a soft headset, which would be perfect for both relaxing a large company at the same time and creating several separate beds. Too difficult a task? Not for modular furniture!

What is a modular set?

It is customary to call a module a separable, but relatively independent part of a certain system or structure, capable of ensuring its scalability. In the furniture industry, this concept has taken root perfectly in relation to furniture elements that are part of sets. Made in the same style and having a special design that allows you to connect with each other (complement each other), these parts can form a complex of modules of any required size and configuration.

Initially, modular furniture was represented by cabinets, walls and kitchen sets, which made it possible to use any required number of sections in a ready-made set. Today, exactly the same technologies are successfully used in the production of upholstered furniture, which offers modular sofas - products consisting of several independent, but complementary blocks. The most interesting thing is that their number can vary within any limits!

Photo: Cantata 9 modular sofa0013

Manufacturers have long found successful solutions that help to give individual modules universal properties. The basis of the design is the so-called. straight and corner elements, making up which you can get U-shaped, L-shaped or ordinary straight sofas. By adding modular parts to them with armrests, tables, built-in folding mechanisms, drawers for storing bed linen, shelves and even compartments in the form of mini-bars, you can get a “set” suitable for shaping upholstered furniture for every taste.

Types of modular sofas

Soft sets of this type can be divided into two large groups:

  • Sectional, where the models are fastened together, forming a kind of single (not intended for disassembly!) design.
  • Convertible, in which the components are not fastened, but simply arranged relative to each other in any desired order or combination.

The first category of sofas is represented by sets consisting of dozens of modules, each of which is equipped with a special mechanism designed to be connected to any other component. All these elements are made in the same style and design, so that after compiling the kit, a one-piece set of the required shape is formed. Many popular models of modular sofas include up to 40 different modules that help, like a designer, to compose a product of any desired size and configuration. At the same time, such separate parts always include modules that help to make a right angle or make a beautiful rounding of the sofa.

Transformable sets offer an easier way to compile a set: in this case, the modules are simply placed next to each other, which allows not only to assemble a sofa of the desired size and shape, but also to “disassemble” its parts at any time, obtaining, for example, several free-standing pouffes or beds.

In the photo: modular sofa Girro

Already within this classification, sofas can be distinguished that have certain mechanisms for their layout. Accordingly, models in such furniture can be equipped with the “book”, “dolphin”, “scissors, “puma”, “pantograph”, etc. systems. Also, modular headsets may or may not have backrest tilt controls, headrests, armrests built into the body of the modules boxes for storing linen - everything that allows you to distinguish between the types of ordinary monolithic sofas.

The main advantages of modular sofas

The main advantage of any modular design is that it does not limit your imagination, allowing you to create furniture of any size and shape. All that remains for the buyer of such a sofa to do is to calculate the required number of modules and select them in accordance with the invented project. From here, modular furniture will be the best solution for those who simply cannot find a monolithic sofa of the right size and shape for sale! Another important advantage is the transformation of furniture, which helps to change the situation to your liking or in connection with the circumstances. So, in a large living room there can be 2-3 separate soft pouffes, which, in the event of the arrival of a large number of guests, will instantly form a large U-shaped sofa. Finally, modular furniture is ideal for installation in non-standard sized rooms, filling niches, irregular corners, etc.

In the photo: modular sofa Belluno

Are there any cons?

In pursuit of the versatility of individual elements of modular sofas, many manufacturers continue to make them extremely simple geometric shapes, which clearly does not contribute to giving the furniture, and with it the interior of the room, individuality. Fortunately, this problem is being successfully solved, as you can see by looking at the latest collections: constructors and designers are constantly improving their models, trying to offer the market a product that is different from competitors' furniture, which leads to unconventional solutions. On the other hand, the modules are clearly not suitable for classic interiors, where standard monolithic structures would look better, which, as you know, put serious restrictions on the choice of their shapes and sizes. The disadvantage of modular sofas can be considered their relative high cost, but it should be borne in mind that such furniture does not belong to the budget category.

Features of choosing a modular sofa

The primary issues when buying a modular upholstered set should be its final size and shape, which will help determine the type and number of required modules. Further, the criteria will be reduced to the list of "ordinary", where you will need to select the type and color of the upholstery, as well as the type of layout mechanism. Right now, it is important to take into account all the nuances, up to the presence of children and pets in the house, which can ruin the upholstery, or the high frequency of using a bed, because in this case, more reliable transformation designs should be preferred.

In the photo: modular sofa Calpe

Do not lose sight of such an important factor as the filling material of the sofa. He, like upholstery, largely determines the cost of furniture, so giving preference to inexpensive models, be prepared for low quality materials, and in some cases also assembly.

How to properly place a sofa in the living room

Any furniture, including upholstered furniture, is selected in such a way as to create the most comfortable living space. Convenience most often comes down to the presence of a sufficient amount of free space, that is, the selected furniture should not interfere with movement around the room. Conversely, too large a room requires such furniture that would not leave a feeling of emptiness. Both problems are perfectly solved with the help of modular sets: for spacious living rooms, you can always assemble a U-shaped structure that occupies the center of the room, for small ones, use corner options that are installed against the walls and visually expand the space.

Pictured: Stelvio modular sofa

The modular sofa is also a great zoning tool, so it's easy to organize a reception area, for example, in a studio apartment or in a room where the living room and kitchen are combined. And, of course, using transformable modules, you can resort to different schemes for arranging upholstered furniture in the room and use those that are more convenient or simply more pleasant at the current time!

Benefits of sectional sofas

Sectional sofas have many advantages over other types of living room sofas and can usually also fit into any decor style. This dual functionality is one of the reasons why segmented sofas have been so popular in the last decade or so. With sectional sofas, you'll get the most bang for your buck if you know where to find the really good deals.

You can buy a sofa in Gomel for your home through the website https://mersi.by.

Here are some advantages of sectional sofas over other types of living room sofas:

The most obvious advantage of sectional sofas over regular sofas is that they have several positions in which they can be placed. Sectional sofas can be made into a longer sofa type, a corner sofa, and any shape in between. This allows you to tailor the furniture to your space rather than trying to create a room around the sofa. Sectional sofas are very versatile in this regard.

Another great advantage of segmented sofas over conventional sofas is that they can be easily adapted to fill empty spaces. If you have a large living room, a sectional sofa can be manipulated to fill the space much more easily than a standard sofa. With a regular sofa or settee, you generally get what you see. Visually, the size of the sofa is not adjustable. With a sectional sofa, you can at least visually change the amount of space the sofa takes up by moving the pieces into different positions. This gives you a completely different look in a large room and also gives you more options for decoration.

Without a doubt, the biggest advantage of sectional sofas over conventional sofas is that they are much easier to move around. Not only can you carry them piece by piece, but you can usually place them in a small apartment or space that wouldn't otherwise have a sofa or daybed. If you have a narrow doorway, stairs, or space, then a standard sofa usually won't fit. With a segmented sofa, the pieces tend to be able to get into tighter spaces. This allows you to have a great option for even the most cramped living spaces.

Sectional sofas can really save you money in the long run. Many people who go with a standard sofa end up needing to add a chair or two seater to fill their living room.


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