Ideas + Advice

Shopping Basics

16 Best Sectional Sofas According to Experts - The Official List 2024

The votes are in! Here are the year’s best sectional sofas, based on customer reviews.

Choosing the best sectional for your living room comes down to four main factors: size, material, cost and style. While our list of best 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 look 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.

Best Leather Sectional

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.” - Jdrab

Best Fabric Sectionals

Aspen 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!!” - ChicGirl

Amherst 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

Best Chaise Sofas

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 S

Best Affordable Sectionals

Arrowmask 2 Piece Sectional with Left Arm Facing 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 Features: Two-piecer - Modern design

If you’re on a tighter budget, the Arrowmask is eager to rise to the occasion. Features include modern track armrests, a chaise lounge and tufted back cushions. A low price tag just the cherry on top of this top-reviewed sectional design.

Arrowmask 2 Piece Sectional with Left Arm Facing Chaise: Featured Customer Review

"We found this set, and as a family, we fell in love. With a baby on the way, we felt all of us would have plenty of room; after we got the sofa and claimed our spots, we had more space then we needed. A few weeks in, we find ourselves still very comfortable (and Daddy will, on occasion, fall asleep!" - Patrick

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

Best Modern Sectional

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

Most Comfortable Sectional Sofa

Amherst 2 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Chaise

Upholstery Material: Fabric

Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood

Seating Capacity: 4

Best Features: Deep seats - Tweed-inspired fabric

‘Come for the style, stay for the feel,’ should be the motto of the Amherst. Features include luxe-to-the-touch fabric over comfort foam cushioning, and an attention-grabbing silhouette. We’ve long held the belief that the Amherst 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

Best L-Shaped Sectional

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!)

Amherst 2 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Chaise: Featured Customer Reviews

"We were long overdue for a good L-shaped couch, but struggled to find the right look, and especially, the feel. This had the right color, with enough gray in the white to cover small marks. Good support and space for two to comfortably lounge!" - JonB

Best Tufted Sectional

Arrowmask 2 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing 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 Features: Tufted back - Chaise

The Arrowmask features a cozy charcoal finish and comfy, spacious chaise – but the tufted upholstery steals the show. Also worth noting is its durability factor; “easy-to-clean” and “extra strong frame” are common motifs within the Arrowmask’s customer reviews.

Arrowmask 2 Piece Sectional with Right Arm Facing Chaise: Featured Customer Review

"The couch was relatively easy to put together, the only challenge was fitting the legs on the bottom. The comfort and style of the couch is perfect! It’s comfortable without sinking in and has so much room for more than one person." - Samantha

Best Reversible Sectional

Bonaterra Sofa with Reversible Chaise

Height: 95"

Width: 97"

Best Features: Reversible chaise - versatile size

The Bonaterra 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 chair that comes in the collection.

Bonaterra Sofa with Reversible Chaise: Featured Customer Review

Dimensions: 97"W x 65"D x 35"H

Upholstery Material: Fabric

Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood

Seating Capacity: 3

"We recently moved into a bigger home which was incredibly overwhelming to furnish. I needed a sofa for our downstairs more 'formal' seating area but didn’t want to spend a ton since we utilize our family room more. I ordered this sofa online and was so pleasantly surprised at how great it looks! Very soft fabric, extremely comfortable and stylish. I also love the color - a nice beige but the fabric is durable so you don’t feel like you’re going to ruin it. Amazing value!" - Marlaina Allen

Best Customizable Sectional

Aspen 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: Sleeper - Two-piece

A part of the Special Order program, the Aspen comes with 100+ fabric and configuration options, which means that the options for customization are virtually limitless. While there are hundreds of high-rated sectionals in the Special Order program, we’re singling the Aspen out for its unassuming style. Not completely modern, not completely traditional, but rather a “blank canvas” silhouette just waiting to come alive with customization.

Aspen Tranquil Foam 2 Piece Sleeper Sectional: Featured Customer Review

"We had been looking for the perfect couch for both ourselves and our pets. The material cleans well with a quick swipe of a lint brush and the couch itself is very comfortable." - Amie

Best Modular Sectional

Greer Sectional

Dimensions: 140"W x 105"D x 37"H

Upholstery Material: Leather

Frame Material: Engineered hardwood

Seating Capacity: 5

Best Features: Modular - Throw pillows

The Greer lets you choose your configuration, so you can shape your living room exactly as you wish. Of course, shape would be nothing without comfort; the Greer’s foam core feather blend cushions make this sectional everything.

Why Our Staff Loves It

“Even from the screen, the luxury of this real leather design jumps out at you. A timeless color combined with textured accent pillows, deep seats and down filling makes it perfect for anyone looking for something above average. I personally love its modular configuration, too!” - Emilie Navarro, Interior Designer

Greer Sectional: Featured Customer Review

"High quality leather and comfortable. The color can fit in with any room." - Fott (originally posted on Greer Dark Grey Sectional)

Best Sectional for Small Spaces

Ginger Sectional

Dimensions: 109.6"W x 83.07"D x 34.3"H

Upholstery Material: Fabric

Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood

Seating Capacity: 4

Best Features: Tapered legs - Tufted

If ‘small space sectional’ were a game, we wouldn’t want to go up against the Ginger Sectional, which has all  the advantages. Style (mid-century-inspired), color (shown here in blue), comfort (tufted foam cushions) and, of course, small-space dimensions (109” is very hard to beat)!

Ginger Sectional: Featured Customer Review

"This is a very comfortable and stylish couch. It has a 70s modern feel to it and goes well in a family or loft space." - BandB

Best Reclining Sectional

Kristen Sectional

Dimensions: 131"W x 118"D x 41"H

Upholstery Material: Leather

Frame Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood

Seating Capacity: 6

Best Features:Adjustable headrest - USB

Last on this list of best sectionals, but first in the hearts of many recliner-loving consumers. (See the Kristen’s reviews to get an idea of what we’re talking about here!) Star features include adjustable headrest, USB and, of course, power reclining technology.

Kristen Sectional: Featured Customer Review

“This sectional has been a great addition to our new home. It has the modern look we wanted and is very functional and comfortable. So far the quality seems good and the recliner motion is very quiet and works well.” - LHan

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

Roll Arms:
The rolled arm offers a bit of curve and can give your sectional a more traditional look.

Track Arms:
The track arm extends straight out and can have either a high profile or a low profile

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

Storage chaises are seats that lift up to a hollowed center. Oftentimes, storage chaises are used for blankets and extra pillows so that they can be easily reached when needed for lounging. Built to blend into the sectional design, these types of chaises look like a regular seat – the storage functionality is hidden and sleek.

— 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.
Watch: Best Sectionals

Read the Latest

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.