Sectional Sofas

What Is a Sectional Sofa?

A popular choice for living room seating, sectional sofas are parts of a sofa that can combine in different arrangements. These make filling any room with seating both easy and flexible.

Unlike traditional sofas, sectionals do not play by conventional home design rules. These are terrific for adapting to many different seating arrangements, fusing diverse seating styles into one comfortable, modular, harmonic creation.

For example, instead of a typical sofa end, your small-space sectional can transform into a romantic loveseat to share all those cuddly moments. Or, fill a living room with loads of seating with one of our U-shaped sectionals.

In fact, your new seating arrangement doesn't even have to be designed for sitting. Many favorite configurations include a chaise bed as one of the sectional end pieces. Others even come with a sleeper option.

What Shapes Do Sofa Sectionals Come In?

In addition to matching your favorite home design, our sectional sofas that are modular can also be assembled in many distinct shapes. Each shape has its advantages and delivers exceptional flexibility without sacrificing quality.

U-Shaped: If the goal is to seat as many people as possible, U-shaped sofa sectionals are the way to go. Spark an uproar of laughter and engaging conversations with friends and family with ample seating for the entire group. Combine a central sofa section with two- or three-seat sofa end pieces, and you'll almost have enough space to seat a full soccer team. This style of sectional works best in large rooms or spaces, like the center of a living room.

L-Shaped: This is the most common type of sectional. These combine a three-seat sofa with a two-seat end section in an L-shape sofa sectionals. Of course, the seat count is adjustable, as is the end piece. A chaise, for example, is a common substitute for the shorter end.

An L-shaped sectional is also extremely versatile. For example, these work well both tucked in the corner of a smaller room or as a centerpiece in medium and larger spaces.

Why opt for a Modular sectional? When you’re looking for design flexibility, a modular sectional can be your best ally in accommodating life’s dynamic demands. Comprised of multiple pieces that fit together in a number of configurations, this type of sectional can instantly adapt to your space and changing needs. Pieces for modular assembly can include armed and armless seats, ottomans, chaises, and corner pieces. Each piece can be added and attached as well as separated and moved to other parts of the room, creating endlessly variable seating arrangements.

If you have a small or awkward space to work with, regularly entertain, or enjoy changing up your design scheme to suit your mood, the modular sectional will maximize comfort while providing you a stylish answer for every need.

Curved: These are definitely the drama queens of the sectional universe. Stylish and elegant, curved sectionals resemble refined works of art more so than a conventional seating platform. These sofas scream to be placed in the middle of a room as an intriguing conversation piece.

Chaise: Compact and petite, the chaise sectional blends in a chaise sofa with a typical three-seater sofa. The small footprint means that these elegant pieces are a great option for rooms of any size. Chaise lounges also give you the option of stretching out.

Pit: Another great option for getting the conversation going is the pit sectional. The design in its most compact mode begs you to toss off your shoes and climb aboard to sit cross-legged on a large, pillowy surface. Perfect for movie nights, the pit sectional invites you to lay back and enjoy your evening. Open up the sectional by moving out the enclosed ottoman for more traditional seating arrangements.

When should I design my own sectional? If you have a specific vision or a challenging space to furnish, the Build Your Own sectional gives you the most freedom to shape a comfortable gathering space tailored to your unique needs. Start by choosing a style from one of our collections, then use our interactive sectional builder to select and configure your pieces. Assemble your custom design with pieces that include sofas and loveseats, arm chairs and chaises, ottomans and corner pieces.

The possibilities are as wide-ranging as your imagination. As with all our sectionals, you can choose from dozens of fabrics and leathers as well as seating depth and cushion comfort. Your custom sectional will then be built by Bassett artisans, the details all hand tailored to your personal specifications.

Are sectionals worth it?

It depends on what you mean by “worth it.” But generally, sectionals offer more seating room per dollar than other pieces. Because you can construct a sectional to fit your room exactly, you can better match the corners and curves in your space that might otherwise go unused with more traditional seating options.

Are sectionals out of style?

This all depends on who you ask, as there is no accounting for personal preference. However, the wide range of fabrics, colors, materials, arm & leg styles, and back types make sectionals as stylish as any other sofa.

What is the most comfortable seat depth for a sofa?

The most comfortable sofa seat depth depends a little on personal preference. Some people prefer the more relaxed and slouchy style some sofa’s cause, while others prefer to sit completely upright and have lots of neck and back support. However, the average sofa seat depth found on the market is somewhere around 21 to 24 inches.

Do sectionals make a room look small?

Any furniture can make a room look small if it’s not sized and planned correctly for a space. Sectionals do this no less than any other furniture type. Usually, when a room feels small, the furniture was not accurately measured. Or, it did not have its placement in the room planned well. Make sure to always account for foot traffic when you plan your space.

Is a sectional better than a sofa?

The question of sofa vs. sectional really comes down to the space they'll be in. For some, sectionals provide a unique advantage because they can be customized to the fit curves or angles in the room while not losing the corner space that would come with two sofas at a 90-degree angle from each other. However, if you have space, you can opt for multiple sofas and loveseats instead.