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Sofa/chair VS sectional

3 years ago

I’m having trouble deciding which is best for my rectangular den. I’ll be going to with the crate and barrel axis couch. If I do the sofas and chair I have some dead space in the corner. Currently we just throw the dogs toy bin in there so it’s out of sight! If we do the sectional I lose that hiding spot but it’s gives us more “lounging area”. Visually I’m not sure if it’s too much for the room and it won’t be centered under window exactly.

Comments (34)

  • 3 years ago

    Personally, I prefer sectionals for tv watching, and sofa/chair combos for conversation areas. Either woks in the space, just depends on what you use the space for.

  • 3 years ago

    Thanks! We use it mainly for tv watching but def will hang out in there with guests too so want something that lends itself to both.

  • 3 years ago

    I HATE sectionals. I find them terribly uncomfortable if someone else joins you on it. It's something about sharing the base cushion. Sectionals were HUGE in the 70s and QUICKLY died. I was SHOCKED to see they were resurrected. I do not think they will be around long. In a super HUGE, casual room they make visual sense but that's about it.

  • 3 years ago

    I agree on some level and have always preferred separate BUT I don’t think they have ever gone out of style and you see a lot more sectionals in stores and homes now than separate sofa and loveseat.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    IMO sectionalds are the most expenssive way to get the most uncomfortable seating. Armrests = comfort. I don't care wether watching TV or visiting. I like a sofa and either one or 2 chairs depending on the room size and furniture size. Loveseats are useless as seating for more than one. For TV watching I like an ottoman and I use the ottoman for kids to sit on in a crowd. If you post a floor plan for the spce showing windows doorways and all measurements you will get more help here. Post the drawing in jpeg format in a commnet here do not start another post .

  • 3 years ago

    Sofa & Chair.

  • 3 years ago

    I would not plan a sectional for guest seating. Who wants to sit anywhere but on the ends where there is an armrest? It‘s way too informal for visitors, and if I was visiting I’d search for another piece of furniture on which to sit. I don’t want to sit beside someone (less than 2’ away) and try to carry on a conversation.



  • 3 years ago

    Sofa and chair for all the reasons above. Nobody wants to be stuck in the corner of the sectional with no place to put your drink.

  • 3 years ago

    Sectional gives you less lounging area when you have guests over. That furniture looks really bulky to me though. Can you get a less bulky arm chair and a sofa that is a bit longer for more lounging and snuggling?

  • 3 years ago

    How do you want to use the space? Do you want upright sitting or is it important for multiple people to be able to lay down and lounge? For me that would be an important deciding factor.


    My husband and I enjoy stretching out and laying down to watch movies together, so we like having a sectional. A sofa and a chair or a sofa and a love seat means someone cannot lay down in my house, and that someone always ends up being me (since I'm smaller). When we have guests they do sit on the sectional. In general I think chairs are more comfortable for guests or they often will space themselves out on a sofa or sectional (two people on a 3 seater sofa for example). I currently have a bumper end like your rendering and keep in mind that adds some flexibility but also means that end seat is not really comfortable for someone to sit because there's no back.


    There are certainly some people on this site that despise sectionals, and that's their choice. But this is your home and how you want to use the furniture is more important.

  • 3 years ago

    As far as I am concerned the middle of the section is absoutely useless space unless the section is in a room that is used exclusvely by kids for lounging.


    No one willing wants to sit in the middle of a sofa or where the section meets - it is just awkward space. Most guests don't "lounge" horizontally on the chairs.


    If you want to ensure the lounging experience for you and another person perhaps consider getting an elegant recliner or at the least an arm chair that lends itself to beig extremely comfortable.

  • 3 years ago

    I love a good sectional in the right room (we have one in the basement for super cozy TV watching) but if there is any chance that you will have people in the room, sitting, and having a conversation that the couch/chairs work so much better -- AND can also be super comfy for TV watching with a great ottoman

  • 3 years ago

    I think the sofa and chair look better in the space shown, are more comfortable for a group of people, and is more versatile.

  • 3 years ago

    Sofa and ideally two chairs. You really need to measure the room and furniture and put it all to paper. Or computer. It’s so easy to make an unfortunate mistake.

  • 3 years ago

    That’s the actual den using their floor model program.

  • 3 years ago

    Dont forget the other challenges…where will people put their drinks…tv remotes…etc….how easy is it to move the foot cushions where/ when needed…also handy to have easy storage in ottomans for blankets?..toys?…etc..

  • 3 years ago

    One way to solve lots of sectional problems is lumbar pillows…arm support…lay back comfort…even use under knees for long sessions in front of the tv

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Draw the actual room. Measure it. Also the windows , door or entry passage. Feet and inches, please

    I'm not going to say "which". I'm going to say just this:

    A comfortable /attractive room is more than seating and a tv, with a place to plop your feet,

    Second thing I will say:

    Don't buy gray upholstery : ) Please.

    Third thing: There are a million threads on this site, asking what to do with a "yawn" of a space- where that gray sectional and huge tv are already in place...............: )

  • 3 years ago

    The room in the pics above is based on all of those measurements. I’m addition I have taped out all the options I’m considering. I know that they both fit I just can’t decide what I like better.

  • 3 years ago

    Also- this is a den. We have a living room for when we have people over. However occasionally a few will overflow into the den. As much as I’d love to maximize seating, I want to do what looks best visually as well.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    You're missing the point. Show YOUR room. Your dimensions. That IS how you get the "visually great"

  • 3 years ago

    This is corner of the corner of the room with our current couch and loveseat. It’s a dead space. We never use that table for drinks because we have a coffee table and I have never used that lamp. We just hide the dogs toy bin in that corner. A sectional would fill the space which is why I’m considering it.

  • 3 years ago

    Jan Moyer, the photo above is a perfect example of maximizing seating comfort and number of seats. If room size requires only one sofa and 2 chairs I like to have an additional chair ( upholstered, but light weight) I can bring in when more guests are coming.

  • 3 years ago

    I can only fit one sofa and one
    Chair OR the sectional with bumper to maximize seating. It’s a rectangular room with wall space limitations so it’s hard to compare with other larger rooms. I see what your saying about higher table though. Thank you.

  • 3 years ago

    So… I got the sofa and chair and now I have no idea how to handle that large corner. I would love to utilize it as a spot to hide my dogs toy bin but since you won’t really see it I think it might look odd in the room with a big empty space. If I get an end table, it would need to be pretty big to accommodate sofa and chair. Also, what shape would I get?

  • 3 years ago

    You will get more help if you post the dimensions of the room with all the windows and doorways. Sometimes there is a better arrangement to make the room work for you

  • 3 years ago

    Unfortunately there’s not a lot of flexibility because the sofa is centered under a large window and the room isn’t that big.

  • 3 years ago

    My choice would be a large square table that fills the space between the couch and chair. But that doesnt solve the dog toybox issue. How about a large square literal toybox? A table with storage. Does the dog have to have access to the toys, or do you grab them when needed?

  • 3 years ago

    Cant remember hearing how big the dog is?..if he can enter between the couch and chair?…if so a round table..to sort of fill that corner..would allow you to just throw the toys under there ..and him to retrieve what he wants?..maybe even hide or nap under there?..even a square one if you can find one that does not have the legs on the corners?

  • 3 years ago

    In most discussions about this you see people getting pretty…big …lightweight baskets…that can put in an easier place to reach…even in a closet or adjacent room..or under a console table

  • PRO
    3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Get a 30 inch diameter , 24 inch high ROUND table. Add a lamp!

    The big problem in your room? Color fights!. Sofa /rug/walls. are not harmonious . The paper shade isn't helping : )


    Find another spot for a basket of dog toys.

  • 3 years ago

    @Hbg28 do you have room and interest in a console table under your tv to store a few items? Glad you were able to choose your furniture.

  • 3 years ago

    We have a sectional with ottoman attached to the chaise side and two chairs. Also a large rectangular table. We sit nightly at this as a family of five and love it. Super comfy and awesome. Lots of space to stretch out and relax for all of us. When friends come over or family we have zero issues with the woes that get debated regarding sectionals and wouldn’t change it one bit.