I bought a sectional about 3 years ago and I don't regret it. I have a condo so space is tight but I was able to fit a sectional. The only thing I would have done different is I would have ordered the opposite lengths for each side so I could turn it another direction. I see other sectionals I would consider but my sectional isn't old enough yet to justify replacing it yet :-)

We have a sectional in our family room. I like it(I don't like that it's leather; but then it's very practical because my policy in the family room is "eat what you want while watching the TV"). But then, I'm that annoying adult that curls up in the angle, and considers it to be the best spot:)

It also has hide-a-bed-very useful when you have a couple additional guests after the "after party" that prefer to happily stay for a night, instead of driving.

It also has couple of throw pillows and throw blankets; very cozy to snuggle. We have an ottoman next to it, for trays and blankets, that can also serve as additional seating. In short, it gets a good use. And I like when things get used a lot. It means the room functions well.

The quality is not amazing I must add, even though it's imported from Italy; some parts sag just a bit (the ones that don't hide the bed). But we have it for 6 years already, and we might have it for several years more.

It's a pretty big sectional though; it's like a normal sofa and a chaise.

In the living room. we have more "official" setting-sofa plus two armchairs..it's easier to talk because not all of your visitors will be comfortable sharing a sectional to talk..sectional seems more casual to me, and implies closer relationships.

Of course we're extremely lucky to have both set ups.

But the most popular room is still the dining one:)

We have a very large sectional in the LR. It works for the space. Our LR is our TV room, and during the week it is comfortable for us to crash on to watch TV after dinner. It can also fit a bunch of people, and I guess since it's big, people don't feel cramped sitting in the middle. A sectional isn't right for every situation, but it works fir us.

I have a 108x108 L shaped leather sectional. Love it in the room. Actually makes the room look and feel larger, Sometimes a room can look too busy to me with too many funiture pieces with legs. I am not the type of person who rearranges furniture, like some people do. With a sectional you cant really do that. Anyway this is the first sectional I have owned and I am very pleased with it.

I had one in my family room. I never had more than 2 people sit on it at once. Maybe it's just my family but it felt claustrophobic. Maybe in a space meant for kids, but adults never liked it, guests would always pull in a chair from the dining room or perch on the hearth. I got rid of it and have a 3 person sofa, 2 leather chairs and an armchair in the same room, so much more inviting.

edit: upon further thought the rooms that had a sectional that I liked had one "leg" of the sectional up against a wall, so maybe in that set up it gives a different feel.

I am not a fan, mostly because I like to have end tables handy to place a beverage/book/snack/iPad/crossword etc. Just easier to use a side table then a cocktail table.

I'm also not a fan. I prefer two sofas with a table between them. the lack of arms in the corner, and a place for a lamp, to set things down, as Maddie also stated, I think makes sectionals uncomfortable.

We currently have two and really like them. They have three cushions and a chaise off the fourth portion. They also come in smaller sizes with two cushions and a chaise.

Thank you everyone...I hadn't considered the lack of arms in the center section. It's usually just my DH & myself in there watching TV, although we do occasionally have friends over for a movie. I've also been looking at Houzz to get ideas for furniture placement in rooms similar to ours.

I'm not a fan either. I like the look of them in certain rooms, but I wouldn't want that wasted deep corner. I also need an arm at a comfortable resting height and an end table for my wine, snack, etc. right beside me.

I have a sectional, 3 pieces with a curved center piece. Just as some dislike no arms, I love having no arms take up seating space! I would not like the kind that have a deep corner, or where you have to sit on a seam where the pieces meet. Mine seats 6 very generously, but have squished 8 onto it (for informal parties). Mostly, my close friends love that 2 people can stretch out and do some "social sleeping" on it while one or two more can sit upright.

This is the one I have from Thomasville:

This one does have some arms, aside from the ones on either end. But the corner seat would be awkward to me, as both the nearby arms are slanted toward the person seated on either side of the corner wedge. https://www.wolffurniture.com/furniture/reclining-sectional-sofa/reclining-sectional-sofa/18309464

We bought a big sectional with a chaise lounge on one end foe our family room, and we really like it. DH and our 5 year old knows that the deep corner is my spot because I think it's comfortable. Eventually we wI'll put a sofa table behind it so we can set down drinks and things easier.

We had a sectional when we had teenagers . As soon as the kids moved out so did the sectional. I was so glad to get rid of it....!

People either love them or hate them. I'm in the hate camp. It's very hard to find a truly high quality one and then the price is outrageous. I much prefer a reasonable size sofa (more than 2 people NEVER want to sit on a sofa together no matter how large) and a couple of comfortable club chairs with ottomans. Room for everyone, room for lamps etc.

Yes, I suppose a truly good quality sectional is hard to find

I saw one in a magazine..Living Etc if I'm not mistaken..I can't find the picture on their site because I don't remember what issue it was..:)

Anyway, it was on a smallish side, and looked basically like this sofa plus the chaise..

(you can see the price here https://www.thefutureperfect.com/seating/claude-sofa.html)

So. That one I loved:)

Mine, I kinda sorta like because it's functional for our family, comfy, and can take a lot of abuse. It's not too bulky. Also, it is red. Uplifts one's mood..to a certain extent, lol.

Why is a good quality sectional hard to find?

Most companies that sell upholstered furniture include sectionals as an option. I don't understand the thinking that you can't find one of quality. I am happy with pieces from Norwalk (made in America), I know that they have sectionals in their line.

Because good quality furniture, and goods in general, is hard to find now. Made as cheaply as possible and for the highest price possible.

"Yes, I suppose a truly good quality sectional is hard to find"

The comment made above is specifically about sectionals not furniture in general.

Well, I meant furniture in general)) easy to find, hard to afford. What tibbrix said.

I have a Jasper sectional from Room and Board, have had it for several years and I'm generally pleased with how it has held up, considering I chose light aqua velvet upholstery. Maybe not super high quality but generally quite good for the middle of the road price I could afford (a $5000 sofa is not going to happen for me, just isn't).

We ended up with a small sectional because the husbear insisted on a sofa long enough he could nap on but we lived in a third floor walk up with a twisty staircase. A full length sofa would not fit up those stairs. Two shorter pieces would. So rather than the 96" Jasper sofa, I ended up with the sofa plus chaise.

Would I pick it now that we live in an elevator building and delivery wouldn't be a problem? Probably not, but the husbear still loves it. He claimed the chaise end, of course, and it's still his favorite seat in the house. We use the sectional in our tv room/secondary living room now that we've moved.

http://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/living/sectionals/jasper-sofas-with-chaise

I would consider one if we had more space. With our window and vent placement, they just don't work in our LR.

I bought my Thomasville 21 years ago - it was very good quality at the time and has held up amazingly well. I doubt a similar one would be the same quality these days, although their webpage says they still manufacture in NC, SOME of their products come from other countries.

For me they're just too big and bulky; they dominate the room unless the room is very large. They also seem to have an inherently informal look that doesn't go with my decor style i.e. lots of oil paintings/watercolors/drawings and Chinese porcelain. I'm also not really sure that they're all that comfortable. My husband and I each prefer an arm rest, and kitty gets the middle cushion.

Aprilneverends, may I ask what brand your Italian sectional is? I am in the process of moving and was thinking a sectional from B&B Italia would be a good choice for the media room.

LOVE ours! But it's in a room den that measures 24x26. It's big but the room and furnishings can handle it. It's (the den) is full of color and texture and pattern and a LARGE Austin Chopped fireplace. Of the 6 it can seat more than comfortably, all but one has arm rests. It has 4 recliners and one section that has storage and cup holders. We have a large coffee table to accomodate drinks and there are end tables and lamps at both ends as well as recessed lighting on dimmers. 100% of everyone that's ever been in the den comments on how comfortable and inviting it is. AND...the corner section of the sectional IS the best seat in the house ;) I don't know for sure what the fabric is. I'm pretty sure it's a type of microfiber but until you get right up on it and touch it, it looks like leather. (That I know of) there has never been anything spilled on it) but a damp cloth is supposed to take out any stain. It's not a top of the line piece but it fits our lifestyle and budget :)

Yes, of course, Abby..I had Natuzzi before and I knew they're good, so I went for Natuzzi again-but it's not Natuzzi itself but their cheaper, "younger" line..Italsofa I think? So yes, I didn't expect it would be much difference-but real Natuzzi I knew was better.

Not that mine is bad, yes? It's okay. Nice lines, not bulky, rich color, holds pretty well. It's just not the same as Natuzzi as I knew it.

Maybe Natuzzi as I knew it is not the same these days as well, who knows. We bought our first Natuzzi 20 years ago. It's a relatively long time.

I find that quality is generally decreasing while prices go up..

Not only with furniture.

Thank you so much, aprilneverends. I appreciate the information. As for the quality to value ratio. I remember being dragged from store to store in 1980 as my parents shopped for a new sofa- it was torture- I was 12. After sitting on every available sofa in Dallas they finally found a Henredon, camel back with rolled arms. It cost $3000- a staggering price for a 12 year old to understand. Well, my mother gave me and my husband that sofa for our first apartment in 1994. Here we are 22 years and four boys later and it is just now starting to give up the ghost- it looks practically new and everything is as solid on it as the first day it was bought. I don't think Henredon makes anything like that anymore. I don't even know if Baker or Hickory Chair would be any better.

I am embarrassed to admit this, but in our primary residence we have 4 sectional sofas. Our living/dining room has a high end sectional from NC. We have oriental rugs, oil paintings and antiques in that room as well..it was just a challenge to find a sectional that would fit that style. Our family and rec rooms have leather sectionals. Our sunroom has windows on three sides with views of the back yard and future plans to open up to our kitchen. This is where we spend most of our time, and where our friends hang out with us as well. What I love about sectionals is, you can provide plenty of seating in large AND small areas. What changes with sectionals is back height, arm-size/style (or lack of arms), number of pieces and configurations. You really have to do careful room planning to be sure it will fit in your room properly. If you have friends/family over, consider how much seating you'll need. This will help you determine if a sofa would be sufficient or if you should go the sectional route. Oh, I want to add, you should always look for hardwood frames, 8 way tied spring seats, high rub counts on the upholstery and understand what type of cleaner to use on the fabric as well.

We love having a sectional in the family room (used to be in the living room). The corner is the favorite spot in our family. Four adults can comfortably watch a movie or ball game together, and there's still room for the dog. Ours has footrests, like a recliner, so we don't take up a lot of floor space with an ottoman.