If you pick the first one I'd definitely go with a brighter color. Right now it looks like a waiting room piece. And I agree, the cushions on the 2nd one look a little sloppy but much more comfortable. I would prefer to come home to #2

personally I prefer #1. I can't stand loose cushions they always look messy no matter what. Plus my expectation is that West elm is imported. I believe Joybird manufactures in the US and that would be a selling point for me. What other pieces do you have in the room?

Thank you so much for your suggestions. This is my first apartment and I really don't have much in my place. So basically starting from scratch. My style is more midcentury modern and joybird does just that. I have been researching and I did find much better reviews about joybird furniture. I couldn't find much for west elm.

I have been torn between style vs comfort. I want to get a grey sectional and as for the colors. I won't be doing the colors as shown on the couch in these pics. May be black and white with a pop of color. That will be my next step. Thanks everyone for helping.

The first. It has a nice tailored sophisticated look. Is it comfortable to sit in?

Yes, it's comfortable but #2 is more Comfortable. My husband prefers 2 as its more inviting. I prefer 1. Hence the dilemma. Thanks everyone for helping

I have a sofa with softer cushions. It is a year old and the cushions are already breaking down. The next sofa I purchase will be like #1 with a tighter back as we live well on our furniture. Both look great but I can guarantee you will be fluffing those pillows daily...I do. :)

Go with #1. It is a better style for MCM design. Maybe a different style from Joybird so the comfort is there along with the good reviews.

Make sure your apartment is big enough for a sectional. You're usually safer with a sofa and two chairs...more possibilities for arranging.

How big is your space. Sectionals can be a nightmare to arrange. Until I see your space I would not recommend either one. Have you measured the room and know exactly where you will place it. Will there be room for tables and lamps. Do you have a TV and do you know where it will go in the room. We see hundreds of questions every week on just this dilemma.

I understand that sectionals can be a nightmare. But I think I can have it in my space. My husband is hell-bent on getting a sectional. He loves to lay down and watch tv and that's one thing he really wants.
Here are pics of my empty space. I have also attached the floor plan. Red is marked with where I want the sectional to be.

Sorry here is where I want the sectional to be placed. Marked in red

This is your area with the West Elm sectional. And a dining table and 4 chairs.

AS 50" TV with console.

get a long couch (not black, not puffy) in a solid and 2 patterned chairs. a sectional is an entire room of furniture that is one spill away from craigslist. a couch and 2 chairs can be used in many arrangements, recovered, slipcovered, used in different rooms.

you'll feel so clever when you read all of the dilemmas that being with 'we bought this sectional and it doesnt fit', 'we had this sectional in our last house and it doesnt fit now' & etc.

My husband was the same about the sectional... He needed to be able to lay out on it, and he's tall. Sigh.

One thing I will say is that our sectional has moved with us to five different homes since we purchased it, and it doesn't always fit. We have had to get very creative, and I have wished for the opposite configuration more than once. Just something to keep in mind if you may be moving again in the future!

1st sofa for these reasons:

1) Style

2) Spinal Health, often not considered, very important

This piece gives you both Function and Form.

with a style like this for example, where you have a "tux arm" (same height and angle as the back) you can change the configuration anytime (of course we would have to move the "back" on the chaise all the way to the edge)

xoxo eva @ MONARCH SOFAS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HUNDREDS OF CUSTOM SOFA AND SECTIONAL PROJECTS

Thank you everyone for all the help. I understand the issues that come with sectionals. I'll try to talk to my husband about it. But if we do go ahead with a sectional, I'm leaning more towards 1 now. Like you said, it's style and function. Thanks

eva@monarchsofas - kudos for giving all of your time and help!

Thank you monarch sofas for all your help and suggestions about the sectionals you have. Unfortunately I don't want to buy furniture online. We have sat on both the sectionals I'm considering. I looked up your stores and they are in California. I'm on the east coast and can't visit your stores

I like the first one better. I'd worry that #2's back cushions would be saggy and lumpy in no time.

Here's another vote for #1.

The more fitted cushions of the first one are neat and modern. The cushions on #2 look squishy and may need to be fluffed and patted every twenty minutes. I go for #1.

If Hubby wants to lay down to watch TV, perhaps the best thing to do is put a TV in the bedroom. Or the other option is a recliner with a table to keep him supplied with his drinks and snacks.

Sectionals limit placement of furnishings. Before you actually buy either, invest in a pad of graph paper, draw your room to scale, including all windows and doors and anything else that is a fixed item. Then use index card stock to draw, also to scale, and cut out the total width and length of any furnishings you are considering. Note that some backs and arms of some furnishings extend beyond the feet. Use the index cards on the graph paper to get a good understanding of what will fit where and what will not -- do you have room for an end table with lamp or a floor lamp, etc.

just came across this post by chance again. wondering what you decided and if you went with joybird, how is it holding up for you?

xoxo eva @ MONARCH SOFAS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HUNDREDS OF CUSTOM SOFA AND SECTIONAL PROJECTS