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Cutting Corners with Sectional Sofas
Manage most of your seating needs in one fell swoop with this surprisingly manageable furniture style
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
Sectionals tend to be large, bulky pieces of furniture, and balancing them within an arrangement can be intimidating. But their size is their strength: Because they tend to dominate the space and offer the majority of the seating, they generally do not need to be accompanied by too many other pieces. The end result depends on a number of factors: the size of the room, the needs of your situation, your design preferences and so on. Whether you’re determining how to edit existing pieces or researching what to buy in addition to your sectional, here are some layout ideas for inspiration.
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The key to any effective layout is balance. Placing a single chair across from the shorter end of the sectional strikes that balance.
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| Consider facing a chair across from the internal corner of the sectional. Draw imaginary lines from the sectional’s arms; where they meet is ideally where you should place the chair, as if it’s completing an invisible square. This sectional itself supplies plenty of seating; the one opposing seat rounds out the space for optimal conversation. |
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| If you have a narrower space and it’s the longer end of the sectional that you need to balance, consider facing it with two individual chairs. Using only one chair would be visually off-kilter. If you choose two fairly minimal chairs, like in this example, you will likely have room to include a coffee table. |
| If your sectional is equally long on both sides, you could balance it with two fairly minimal chairs or one bulky one. Place the chair on a diagonal close to the plane of the sectional’s back to keep the layout feeling open. |
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| This is an interesting layout, but it works. If you have both a sectional and a two-seater sofa, consider placing the sofa across from the shorter end of the sectional. The three poufs in front of the coffee table are key here: Because the two-seater is longer than the shorter end of the sectional, they create equilibrium. |
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If you have a large, open space that is divided into different areas, keep the sight lines open by accessorizing your sectional with a low-profile piece of furniture, like a chaise. It balances the arrangement while maintaining visual openness.
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| If a chaise is out of your budget, you can re-create the same idea with backless seats or benches. |
| If you’re working in a smaller space and want extra seating but don’t want to block, say, the television, ottomans placed across from the lengthwise portion will do the trick. A coffee table could hide the ottomans when they’re not in use. |
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by knowles ps
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| Long, narrow spaces can be tricky. Your instinct might have been to place the longer back end of the sectional parallel to the wall across from the fireplace here, with the two chairs across from the chaise end. However, grounding the space with a rug and facing the sectional and the chairs across from each other results in a much airier arrangement. |
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by Nicole Lanteri
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| This shot proves that sectionals can work in small spaces too. Just be sure to measure carefully! In this example, one chair and a small ottoman provide extra seating without causing the space to feel overcrowded. |
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Have a sizeable space and aren't sure how to fill it? Consider facing two sectionals across from each other. You’ll create a cozy atmosphere with a ton of seating.
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by Amy Lau Design
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| Or, consider creating an almost circular seating arrangement by adding a couch and several chairs, organized around one or two coffee tables. This is a great setup for entertaining, as it takes advantage of the large space by creating separate areas ideal for conversation. |
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| Love the openness of your large space? Keep it that way by allowing the sectional to fly solo. It’s best to include tables for drinks, books or lamps, but if the sectional provides enough seating and you’re happy with the look, then feel free to let it be. More: Browse sectionals Your Perfect Lounge Space: Great Ways With Sectionals The Sectional Sofa Gets a Modern Makeover |
Comments
lynne217 I never thought I would like a sectional but after I rented a vacation home that had one, and saw how many people I could comfortably seat on it, I went home and bought one immediately. I like the look and now everyone is comfortable when we gather in this room. 
15 months ago · Like
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Denise Vilim Thank you for these wonderful furniture arrangement tips. I've been struggling with finding an arrangement for my sectional and accent chair that I am happy with and your suggestions will definitely help with that.
15 months ago · Like
wallymcgill Who manufactures the knowles ps sectional?
15 months ago · Like
hiwolff I love the sectional in the picture below lynne217's comment. Where did you get it?
15 months ago · Like
Nat Perfect timing as I have just ordered a new leather sectional sofa so this helps with how to place it nicely in our room - thanks!
15 months ago · Like
centrd excellent design tutorial here. thank you!
15 months ago · Like
lynne217 Thanks - that's my living room in the picture below my first comment. I got it at Northwest Design Center in Poulsbo, WA (which I think has now changed names.) It's been a great piece - besides liking the look, it's been very comfortable and "user friendly" and my family loves it.
15 months ago · Like
chococon A sectional in front of a fireplace? That would work in my room. But is that a little weird?
15 months ago · Like
carlchriscat all the designs are great.. really love it 
15 months ago · Like
Alain Bidjerano I have put a small 2 black seaters in front of the sectionnal and it seems to work. The space was large but a bit narrow and I had two focus points: the big screen TV and the wood stove. 
15 months ago · Like
ellie48 Sectionals have become very important. Every other client who walks through the door is looking for a sectional. The unit which includes a 'sofa chaise' is even more important. As long as the space is available. We've all become nesters and a sectional is just the ticket. Thanks so much for the tutorial.
15 months ago · Like
Madison Modern Home We love how sectionals can soft-divide a room. We've used them in home staging to delineate difficult areas. We also like to split them up sometimes to keep things interesting, or when space is at a premium, like we did here. 
15 months ago · Like
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Ideabook updated on Feb. 19, 2012.
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