Choosing the most comfortable sectional for your living room comes down to three main factors: size, material, and features. While our list of most comfortable sectionals is gathered from customer reviews, not every one is going to work for every space and lifestyle. Considering your budget, how you want your living room to serve you and feel and the layout of your floor plan should also be key in your shopping journey!
How to Choose a Sectional
Size | Because sectionals provide abundant seating for large families and gatherings, it’s more important than ever to measure. From the actual design itself, to the space you plan to put it in, you want to get that measuring tape and ensure you record accurate numbers for the overall width, depth and height.
Material | Material makes the sectional. Here are your options:
- Linen: As a natural fabric, linen will be the most breathable and most comfortable in hotter weather.
- Performance fabric: This fabric is more durable and stain resistant than linen and works well in family households.
- Leather: Those who love hard-wearing materials often turn to leather sectionals. Full grain leather shows a natural patina over time, while top grain leather better resists stains.
- Faux leather: Similar in appearance to real leather, faux leather is more affordable and holds up well to stains
Cost | Shopping on a budget? Go for the simple sectionals; ones with chaises that are smaller in size and more similar to sofas will cost less than gigantic six-seaters with reclining and genuine leather upholstery. A little math, though, can also help you figure out if you are getting the best deal: if you need to seat six people anyways, for instance, purchasing one large sectional as opposed to six individual chairs can save you money in the long run!
Styles | Sectional couches come with all the trimmings: deciding between these allows you the opportunity to express your personality through interior design – explore different colors, textures and shapes as you browse these designs.
- Stationary Sectionals: If you prefer to leave your sofa in one layout, go with the classic stationary sofa - it won't let you move around individual sections, but will provide a timeless appeal.
- Modular Sectionals: If you prefer a bit more customization, modular is the way to go. Each piece detaches from the rest, letting you rotate the layout at will.
- Reclining Sectionals: The reclining sectionals let you stretch out to read, nap or watch TV.
- Sleeper Sectionals: Perfect for guests, sleeper sectionals offer a pullout mattress that you can easily fold away after use.
Burton Sectional
Dimensions: 132"W x 103"D x 31"H
Upholstery Material: 100% leather
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and MDF
Seating Capacity: 6
Best Features: Top grain leather - Power recliner
Top grain leather seats, an armless design and deep seat dimensions, and a supple honey color – it’s no wonder the Burton consistently rakes in the top customer reviews year after year. Small space dwellers also appreciate the design’s versatile size.
Why Our Staff Loves It
“As a designer, I love the versatility of the Burton’s shape. Armless designs make for placement possibilities that abound. (Another feature that makes the Burton stand out is its color: a warm, timeless hue you can’t not love!)” - Pamela Oleson, Living Spaces Interior Designer
Burton Sectional: Featured Customer Review
“I searched forever for a leather sectional that didn't look like every other couch and didn't cost the entire budget. This couch beat every expectation. It's GREAT quality with my pitbull and boxer bounding off it, looks modern and stylish.” - JdrabAspen Tranquil Foam 2 Piece Sleeper Sectional
Dimensions: 108"W x 83"D x 31"H
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood
Seating Capacity: 4
Best Features: Comfy seating - Neutral color
The Aspen Foam is a tour-de-force of comfort and a top-rated bestseller for a reason. Featuring a soft, cozy fabric over a comfort foam blend designed for total lounging bliss – it’s the perfect companion for lazy weekends.
Why Our Staff Loves It
“The Aspen is bigger than it seems, meaning its simple, unassuming style won’t crowd your living room — but will provide spacious seating. I, and many clients, really love the sleeper aspect. (Falling asleep on the couch takes on a whole new meaning when couch itself transforms into a hotel-worthy bed!)” - Pamela Oleson, Living Spaces Interior Designer
Aspen Sectional: Featured Customer Review
“A good size couch that can fit 3-4 comfortably. I purchased it in the Grey fabric as seen online. It's so soft yet sturdy. A contemporary classic! Love it!!” - ChicGirlAmherst 2 Piece Sectional
Dimensions: 113.4"W x 85.4"D x 34.6"H
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 4
Best Features: Foam cushions - Bold pillows
Featuring cozy beige upholstery designed for all-day lounging, it’s not hard to see why the Amherst deserves its ever-growing fanbase. Plus, it’s sturdy: like most of the sectionals on this list, the Amherst is built on a kiln-dried solid hardwood frame. But the real reason why it shines has to do with what’s not seen: a comfy foam composition that contours, cradles and supports, all at once.
Amherst 2 Piece Sectional: Featured Customer Review
"I absolutely love this sofa, its look, the material, and comfort. A nice solid piece of furniture that will go with any decor. I am very happy with this purchase!" - Beachy
Bonaterra Sofa With Reversible Chaise
Dimensions: 115.5"W x 87"D x 38"H
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 3
Best Feature: Big size
Almost since the moment the Bonaterra was first introduced on the market a few years back, it’s proved to be a cult favorite among consumers. It's also proved that bigger is better: if you’re after roomy seating, it’s got it. Lots of it.Why Our Staff Loves It
“Customers love the Bonaterra, first and foremost because of its style. The second reason? Its three fabric color options! All told, this is a wildly popular design — a great lifestyle choice for homes and rentals alike.” - Pamela Oleson, Interior Designer
Bonaterra Sofa with Reversible Chaise: Featured Customer Review
"I ordered online without seeing them. What a wonderful surprise!!! The color is just the perfect beige. The material is great. The covers are removable, and the cushions are very firm ideally for every day use. The price is unbeatable. One of my best purchases." - Anonymous
Dante Sleeper Sectional
Dimensions: 103.2"W x 86"D x 32.3"H
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 3
Best Feature: Sofa bed
The Dante’s chaise isn’t just a chaise – it’s also a storage chaise. What’s more, it comes with a ratchet headrest back and adjustable positions for arrangement, designed for saving space or expanding, as needed. In other words, it’s everything one could ever hope for in a sectional; year after year, the customer reviews tend to agree.
Why Our Staff Loves It
“The Dante’s clean lines make it a modern sensation. So does its chaise, which is actually storage! Today’s trends are all about minimalism and functionality, and the Dante has both — plus really nice comfort.” - Pamela Oleson, Living Spaces Interior Designer
Dante Sectional: Featured Customer Review
“The couch is so comfortable and having the adjustable headrests is perfect! If you're a shorter person (like me) then the seat is a good depth, however, the seat cushions might not be long enough if you have longer legs.” - Patricia SHampstead Sectional
Dimensions: 97"W x 65"D x 35"H
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 3
Best Features: Two-piecer - Modern design
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Hampstead is eager to rise to the occasion. Features include modern rolled armrests, a reversible chaise lounge and loose cushions. A low price tag just the cherry on top of this top-reviewed sectional design.
Hampstead Sectional: Featured Customer Review
"Really comfortable sofa that is easy to adjust the right or left side facing. I have a smaller living room and this is the perfect size. Dress it up with decor pillows and blankets to make it match your space even more. I love this and it is the perfect place for a nap!" - Halima123
Hampstead Sectional
Dimensions: 97"W x 65"D x 35"H
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 3
Best Features: Big size - Affordability
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Hampstead is eager to rise to the occasion. Features include half roll arms, a spacious chaise and smooth back cushions. A low price tag is just the cherry on top of this top-reviewed sectional design.
Hampstead Sectional: Featured Customer Review
"Super comfy, amazing color. We really enjoy this loveseat in our new home. We got the matching couch too." - Hillyb12
Dante Sleeper Sectional
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 3
Best Features: Track arms - Sleeper sectional sofa
While the statement cushions and sleek lines of the Dante technically classify it as ‘modern,’ it’s anything but stuffy. Take one glance at its customer reviews, and you’ll see what we mean. All told, a total comfort design.
Dante Sectional: Featured Customer Review
“After months of searching for a couch, this one’s the one. It’s perfect in size, color, fabric, comfort, and so much more. Best couch to start out with in my opinion.” - Sosa R
Aspen Tranquil Foam 2 Piece Sleeper Sectional
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Kiln-dried 100% solid hardwood
Seating Capacity: approimately 4
Best Features: Firm - Sleeper
‘Come for the style, stay for the feel,’ should be the motto of the Aspen. Features include luxe-to-the-touch fabric over comfort foam cushioning, and an attention-grabbing silhouette. We’ve long held the belief that the Aspen makes a statement every possible way; its customer ratings tend to agree.
Amherst 2 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Chaise: Featured Customer Review
"A quality couch with firm yet comfortable pillows. The fabric is nice, too. The color is slightly darker in person, but still has that light-colored couch feel and will work in absolutely any type of home decor." - Lomclaugh3
Amherst 2 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Chaise
Upholstery Material: Fabric
Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Seating Capacity: 4
Best Feature: Corner sectional
For the best sectional sofa, what can we say? The Amherst’s customer reviews pretty much have it covered, so we’re just going to let them speak for themselves. (“Super comfortable,” “Best sofa ever,” and, simply, “Perfect” are just a few of our favorites!)
Aspen Tranquil Foam 2 Piece Sleeper Sectional
Height: 31"
Width: 108"
Best Features: Customizable - versatile size
The Aspen wins at the versatility game. Its sleek size, neutral color and reversible configuration make it adaptable to almost any home style and floor plan. Customers also tend to appreciate the matching pillows that come in the collection.
Aspen Tranquil Foam 2 Piece Sleeper Sectional: Featured Customer Review
"Being a designer I come across hoards of different brands and styles of furniture weekly. I've purchased Living Spaces for a couple clients before and Living Spaces just so happens to be in my personal budget. I've wanted this custom Aspen sectional for over a year and finally pulled the trigger. Its as good as I hoped it would be! It's comfortable, built well, I was able to customize the fabric for the sofa and for the pillows so it could coordinate with the rest of my decor and the cuddle corner piece works perfectly in my very small, narrow living room. I'm super pleased with my purchase!" - Samantha Int Designer
Whether you want to replace a worn-out sofa or go all out and redesign your living room, purchasing a sectional sofa could be the ideal solution. Read on for a breakdown of the styles, designs and other features these functional pieces offer.
— Shape —
- L-shape Sectionals: This sectional extends in an L-shape, either to the left (left-arm facing or LAF) or to the right (right-arm facing or RAF). Sections often have two to five seats.
- U-shape Sectionals: This sofa features a shallow or deep U-shape, depending on the number of seats on each side.
- Curved Sectionals: The curved sectional lacks the sharp angles of other varieties. It is best for larger rooms due to the extra floor space required.
- Chaise Sectionals: Appearing on one or both sides of the L-shape or U-shape varieties, the chaise takes the place of several individual seats and allows for proper lounging.
What Is Right Arm Facing and Left Arm Facing?
When facing a piece of furniture, specifically a sectional, you will have a right side and a left side. If you notice that the furniture states "Sectional With Left Arm Facing Chaise" this will mean that the chaise will sit on the left side of the sectional. If you notice that the furniture states "Sectional With Right Arm Facing Chaise" then this will mean that the chaise will sit on the right side of the sectional. Please note this is based on the individual facing the piece of furniture.
— Design —
1. Back design
High back: The more traditional of the two, the high back supports your back without requiring extra cushions.
Low back: A more modern design, the low back works well in minimalist styles and/or as a sleeker couch without the bulk.
2. Back cushion type
Plush/Loose Cushions: These cushions are typically unattached and let you move them around. They have extra padding and often resemble pillows.
Standard Cushions: These cushions are semi-attached or fully attached and are not as padded as plush cushions.
Tight Cushions: These cushions work well for sleek designs but often need additional pillows for full comfort.
3. Arm Type
4. Leg Type
- Narrow: The narrow leg appears most often in mid-century modern styles, and it draws the eye to sleek, clean lines. It may or may not be tapered.
- Thick: The thick leg appears in many design styles and can be either high profile or low profile. Thick legs are often square, but can also be round.
5. Storage Chaise
— Sectional Sofa Care —
Do you know how to care for your sofa? Make sure to follow the cleaning tag instructions to avoid damaging the material.
Here are the main symbols you’ll see:
- W – Use distilled water/soap solution.
- WS – Use distilled water/soap solution or water-based cleaning solvents.
- S – Use water-free cleaning solvent, never water
- X – Vacuum only.
- E – Use a special leather cleaning kit.
What is the most comfortable fabric for a sectional?
- Microfiber:
- Pros:
- Soft and plush feel.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Highly durable and resistant to stains.
- Cons:
- Can trap heat, making it less ideal for warmer climates.
- Pros:
- Velvet:
- Pros:
- Luxuriously soft and elegant.
- Offers a rich, lush appearance.
- Cons:
- More challenging to clean.
- Can show wear and tear more easily.
- Pros:
- Cotton Blend:
- Pros:
- Breathable and comfortable.
- Affordable and available in various patterns and colors.
- Cons:
- Less durable than synthetic fabrics.
- More prone to staining.
- Pros:
- Leather:
- Pros:
- Timeless, sophisticated look.
- Easy to clean and hypoallergenic.
- Becomes softer with time.
- Cons:
- Can be expensive.
- May feel colder in winter and hotter in summer.
- Pros:
- Linen:
- Pros:
- Natural and eco-friendly.
- Breathable and cool to the touch.
- Cons:
- Wrinkles easily.
- Requires more maintenance.
- Pros:
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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.