A sectional couch is the biggest piece most people buy for a living room, and the easiest one to get wrong. Too big and you lose your walkway. Wrong orientation and the chaise ends up facing the wall. This guide covers how to decide between a sectional sofa and a regular sofa, then how to measure, orient and choose one that fits your room, your family and your front door.
Sectional or sofa: which one fits your life?
A sectional is a sofa made of two or more joined pieces, most often in an L shape. A standard sofa is one piece, usually 72 to 90 inches wide.
Choose a sectional if:
- You regularly seat 5 or more people for movies or game day.
- You want to lie down fully while someone else sits.
- You have an open floor plan and need the couch to define the living area.
- Your room has a corner that is otherwise wasted.
Choose a sofa (plus a loveseat or chairs) if:
- Your room has several doors, a fireplace or windows that break up the walls.
- You rearrange often or expect to move soon.
- You want flexible seating that guests can pull closer to each other.
A sofa with a loveseat gives similar seat count with more layout options. Browse both in our sofa collection and our sectionals.
Step 1: Measure the room, not just the wall
Grab a tape measure and painter's tape. Measure:
- Every wall length, noting doors, windows, vents, radiators and outlets.
- The distance from the TV wall to where you will sit. A comfortable viewing distance is often 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen's diagonal.
- Where people walk through the room.
Then tape the sectional's footprint on the floor. Common sizes: an L shaped couch often runs about 95 to 120 inches on the long side and 75 to 95 inches on the short side, with a seat depth of 36 to 42 inches. Leave the tape down for a day. If you keep stepping around it, it is too big.
Step 2: Plan clearances
- Main walkways: 30 to 36 inches. Less than 30 feels cramped every time someone passes.
- Coffee table: 14 to 18 inches from the seat edge, close enough to reach a drink.
- Behind a floating sectional: 30 inches or more if it is a path, or a console table if it is not.
- Recliners: power and manual reclining seats need extra room behind or in front. Wall-hugger styles need only a few inches from the wall, standard recliners often 12 inches or more.
For smaller rooms, look at apartment-size sectionals under 90 inches, armless pieces, or a sofa with a reversible chaise. Those are the best sectionals for small spaces because they keep the lounge seat without eating the walkway.
Step 3: Get the orientation right (LAF vs RAF)
Sectionals are sold as left arm facing (LAF) or right arm facing (RAF). The rule: stand in front of the sectional and look at it. If the arm or chaise is on your left, it is LAF. If it is on your right, it is RAF.
Practical checks:
- Put the chaise on the side away from the main entry, so it does not block the path in.
- Face the long side toward the TV or the view.
- Keep the corner out of direct heat from radiators.
Not sure? Some sectionals have a reversible chaise you can switch to either side at home, which is a smart pick if you might move.
Step 4: Modular or fixed sectional?
Fixed sectional
Usually two or three large pieces that connect in one set shape. They often cost less per seat, feel solid, and have fewer seams. The downside: the shape is the shape, and big pieces are harder to move.
Modular sectional
Individual units (corner, armless, chaise, ottoman) that connect with brackets. You can build an L, a U, or split them into a sofa and chairs later. A modular sectional is easier to carry up stairs and adapts when you move. Expect more seams and, in many cases, a higher price per seat.
Step 5: Pick a fabric that survives your household
- Kids: performance fabrics and tightly woven polyester blends resist spills. Removable, washable cushion covers are a bonus.
- Dogs: microfiber and tight weaves release hair with a lint roller. Leather wipes clean but can show claw scratches.
- Cats: avoid loose weaves, boucle and anything with loops they can hook.
- Color: mid-tone grays, taupes and heathered weaves hide crumbs and fur better than pure white or black.
Ask about the cleaning code on the tag: W (water-based cleaner), S (solvent only), W/S (both) or X (vacuum only). Families usually want W or W/S.
Step 6: Check the delivery path before you buy
This is the step people skip. Measure every point the couch has to pass:
- Doorways: width of the opening with the door open. Many interior doors are 30 to 32 inches wide.
- Hallways and turns: tight 90-degree turns are where long pieces get stuck.
- Stairs: stair width, the ceiling height over the stairs and any landing turns.
- Elevators: door width, interior depth and height, especially in apartments.
A piece usually fits if its depth (or height, on its side) is smaller than the narrowest opening. Sectionals shipped in separate pieces make this much easier. Read our delivery and shipping info before you pick a delivery day.
Common sectional mistakes
- Buying for the showroom, not the room. Showrooms are big, so couches look smaller there.
- Ordering the wrong LAF or RAF piece.
- Ignoring seat depth. Deep seats (over 24 inches of usable depth) are great for lounging but hard for shorter people and older adults.
- Forgetting a sleeper option. If you host guests, a sleeper sectional can replace a guest bed; see our sleeper sofas.
Sit on them in Framingham or Saugus
Bring your room measurements and a photo of your doorway, and sit on a few sectionals and sofas side by side. Our team speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish and can help you check sizes and orientation before you order. Visit our Framingham showroom or our Saugus showroom at Square One Mall, open Monday to Saturday 10 am to 8 pm (open 7 days, see the store page for Sunday hours). Flexible financing, including no-credit-needed lease-to-own options, is available; ask our team or apply online for current programs.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I need for a sectional couch?
Measure the sectional's footprint, then add at least 30 inches, ideally 36, for every walkway that passes it. Leave 14 to 18 inches between the seat and a coffee table. For a typical L shaped couch around 100 x 80 inches, that usually means a living room of at least 11 x 12 feet.
What is the difference between left arm facing and right arm facing?
It is described as you stand facing the sectional. A left arm facing (LAF) piece has its arm on your left when you look at it. So on an LAF chaise sectional, the chaise sits on your left. Check this before ordering, because it decides which way the L turns.
Is a modular sectional worth it?
A modular sectional costs more per seat in many cases, but it rearranges into new shapes, fits through tight doorways in smaller pieces and grows or shrinks when you move. For renters, first homes and families that move every few years, the flexibility often pays off.
What sectional fabric is best for kids and pets?
Tightly woven performance fabrics and microfiber resist stains and pet hair, and top-grain or treated leather wipes clean. Skip loose weaves and chunky boucle that cats can snag. Darker or heathered colors hide daily wear.
Will a sectional fit up my stairs?
Measure the narrowest point on the path: doorway width, hallway turns, stair width and ceiling height at landings. The piece's depth usually has to be smaller than the doorway width. Sectionals that come in separate pieces are much easier to carry than a one-piece sofa.