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Talk to me about sectionals

last month

This is our living room. It will soon be empty of all furniture (being donated on Thursday). I would like to get a sectional there but DH thinks it’s impossible for sectionals to ever look upscale. Help me prove him wrong. this condo is antwo bedroom unit

and one of them is a den. I want a living room that is very comfortable since that’s where we spend the majority of our time. it is in view of the dining area.

Comments (40)

  • last month

    I don’t understand the appeal of sectionals beyond a family who enjoy snuggling. Most people are comfortable sitting against the armed end of a couch or on a chair with arms. Why not 2 couches perpendicular here?

    Will we be enjoying sunrises or sets? sorry I am not bolstering your case.

  • last month

    Gorgeous, damn!


    I don’t understand the appeal of sectionals beyond a family who enjoy snuggling.

    Isn't that a lot of people?


    What si your vision for the rest of the space? Florida condo is usually kinda casual so not sure I get the comment.


    I think every sofa should be white slipcovered duck, so I am no help!

  • last month


    Plan b. they are lighter irl. don’t love them

  • last month

    What a view!

  • last month
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    I don't think that is more upscale than a sectional; both are casual

  • last month

    Actually, sectionals fit in certain houses better than the traditional sofa-chairs-loveseat.

    Mine is a perfect example. Built in 1965 a California/Florida rancher-rambler.

    1400 sq ft, 2 bath/3 bedroom split bedrooms. Living room/9x9 dining/den-kitchen combo.

    We took the walk out between the living-dining and den-kitchen.

    The traditional sofa-loveseat-chair fit the living room perfectly. Only an L shaped sectional fits the den. I had the perfect one and hubby insisted on the sofa love seat for the den. It does not fit and looks awful!

  • last month
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    I also like the look of two sofas, perpendicular. I think you have the space. It looks more cozy to me.



  • last month

    Perhaps reframe the quandry - what other seating would be available and who will be the typical room occupants. What desire does a sectional fill for you?

    I guess my comment is envisioning sitting in your space as an adult guest rather than the situation of grandchild or spouse.

    Personal taste- upscale is more tailored and less puffy.

  • last month

    Exactly. When our whole family is home and we are watching a movie, the sectional is invaluable. Or even when its just me and the girls staying up late talking.

  • last month
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    I've never understood the hate for sectionals - sometimes they are the best choice. When they're not, they're not - chocolate/vanilla.

    Are you envisioning the sectional being placed roughly like the sofas are now? I like the opportunity that a plain back sectional (or sofa for that matter) gives you for decorating behind it - sofa table, console, bookcase.... which you can't do (at least not well, IMO) with something like what's there currently. That is shaped intentionally to have some 'interest' to the back and not have something up against it.

    I **almost** bought a floor model sectional for our LR - Norwalk, so well made, loved the fabric but our room and traffic patterns do not lend themselves well to a sectional - you have a better option. edited to add it was a very upscale look. I think your DH just hasn't seen one in person that fits his idea of upscale.

  • last month
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    I really like the inexpensive L-shaped sectional I got for our small apartment (@ Wayfair) - it's like a chaise longue attached to a regular couch, quite roomy and very, very comfy. It also fits perfectly into the space. I've never had one before now. Hubby has taken it over, but he lets us share it too sometimes. 😄

  • last month

    Wow! Beautiful views, jojo.

    I didn’t think I was a sectional fan until my dad and DD each got one. They’re so comfortable, and both are nice-looking. My dad’s is an awesome rust color; DD’s is cream. I fight everyone for the chaise section. :D

    I use a pillow as an arm rest, so the lack of sofa arms in the middle isn’t a factor at all for me. If I was getting one, I’d for sure want a chaise on one side.

    Can’t wait to see updates!

  • last month

    I would be so busy looking at the view, I wouldn't even notice the furniture.

  • last month
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    I am not for or against sectionals. Everything has it’s place.

    When my first was born we had a gray chenille sectional that was comfortable and soft.

    Great for family use.I don't like the chaise option but prefer an ottoman. It can be moved so two people can share it, or moved across for extra seating.

    But….it was bit strange when having gatherings. People sitting next to each other, all lined up.

    I agree with dee about two sofas. I thought my inspirational photo for a large room that I have saved had that.

    It didn't.



    Three chairs and the bonus ottoman.

    I can see this configuration in your room.

    I get your idea for a sectional. One piece , one fabric to choose, done. But your room deserves better.

    Nope, for Plan b.

    I know you shared your area but I don't recall it. Where I am in Florida there are so many furniture stores in all price ranges.

    The consignment shop I s old my dining set was really nice, prices were high- end. But, the furniture was at least double the price of the tag. Just something to think about.

    ETA love seeing LVP. Can you share what you used?

  • last month

    Not really a sectional, but have you thought about a long sofa with a lounge type extension on one end? We had one custom made for our condo at the lake and we loved it. i think PB sells one similar, but an interior designer/decorator could also help. Ours was done thru ine. we also had 2 upholstered dining chairs we could roll into the den for extra seating. i’m not homemso can’t give you the mfg name but it is recognizable.

  • last month

    My favorite would be a sofa facing the window and two swivel chairs facing the sofa so they could also turn and look at the view.

    I’m not comfortable sitting on deep seated sectionals.

  • last month

    I think the hate for sectionals comes from the bulky models we see these days that take up a lot of physical space, but barely sit 3 guest comfortably. Many people also place these bulky sectionals in rooms that are too small and the sectional acts as a physical and visual barrier in those spaces.


    In my previous house we used a sectional in the formal living room that was used as the main TV room. We customized the size to fit the room and it worked well for the space and use of the room.

    I my previous and current family rooms I prefer two sofas and two chairs for maximum seating of guests.

    In the condo, I would do a similar arrangement to what is there, with two sofas and two chairs, BUT definitely not that bulky leather furniture (plan B) that was trending in the 1990s.

  • last month

    I agree that the style of the leather furniture, while great in your Northern home, does not best fit the location.


    Is this the only living space? I ask because a big deep sectional is great for lounging with family or close friends, but not really for entertaining per se. So if this is the one seating area, I think you need to decide which you will do more of.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    I think I favor the two sofa look because when people use a sectional, they frequently finish the seating area with a poorly sized coffee table and a few limp pillows and that's it.
    If you have a sectional and a sofa table behind the long end with lamps and a bit of decor, interesting large pillows and a nicely sized coffee table that can look homey.
    Of course, as mentioned, the main consideration is which configuration is best for your needs.

  • last month

    Will there be a TV in this room? I think sectionals are great for family TV viewing. We had one in our fam room when our kids were growing up. It fit the room perfectly and was super comfy.

    If it's just you and DH, I'd look at sofa(s)/swival chair configurations.

  • last month
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    Do you have certain colors/style in mind? I didn't see that, if it was already mentioned.

    This is similar to the type I bought, and the color has a beachy vibe, IMO...

    https://www.macys.com/shop/product/mayela-3-pc.-fabric-chaise-sectional-exclusively-at-macys?ID=21053271&swatchColor=Aloe

    jojoco thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
  • last month
    last modified: last month

    No tv in this room it will be our main living space we’ll likely use the following rug and credenza and my favorite china closet








    Thisis one of our favirite chairs it works well with the rug and console. its going to Fl

  • last month

    Nice pieces. I grew up in a beach town with a view of the ocean and we never decorated ”beach style”. Use what makes you happy.

  • last month

    Here is a picture of the entire room. It’s about 30 feet wide by 18 feet.

  • last month
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    I am partial to sectionals, especially over a sofa and loveseat. I like a curved wedge better than an L shaped....all of these pieces could be lengthened for a larger space.



  • last month

    There‘s my china cabinet. 🥰

  • last month

    I would not pair the chair/ottoman you are taking with a sectional, if that chair is for this room. Love the rug and ohh than FBMP china closet!

  • last month

    Where are you planning to place the china cabinet and credenza?


    Now that you've shown the living area from another viewpoint, it is giving me other ideas (if it were my home). Do you or DH want the living area more floating, as it is now, or do you plan on using more floorspace? Not sure if there are sliding doors behind the sofa or, if so, do you even want access to it. I see a floor outlet floating near the doors between the two areas.


    In our current home, we have three sets of French doors in our living room/dining room area. We only use the center set to accees the screened porch. The other two could have been fixed sets.

  • last month

    I have a Taylor King sectional and opted for a sectional vs sofa and loveseat because my husband and I both like to lounge on it. Years ago we had a sofa and loveseat and the loveseat was really uncomfortable for me to lounge on, but I'm smaller so I was always stuck there.



    This is a picture of my sectional in my new house. I love that we can both lounge here and enjoy the view or watch tv together. When we have guests we have plenty of space for people to sit.



  • last month

    The sectionsl has to fit the space. It will not fit any other house. (Of course nothing ever fits a different house, but sectionals are more picky than others.) If a sectional is the best choice, nothing else will work!

  • last month
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    We just came back from an independent furniture store near us. Sat on a lot of sectionals and we’re likely going with this one because it’s very comfortable. We are not doing it in leather and certainly not black leather with white stitching. This would be the fabric. Then we would have two club swivel chairs, barrel shaped in a soft brown leather. Pictures to follow.





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  • last month

    @Sherry8aNorthAL ironically the sectional in my photo came from another house. I sized it specifically for the other house and lucked out that it does work in the new one!


    @jojoco I love your selection! The shapes are great and I think very classic.


    I have thought about adding a chair across from my sectional, something petite like the one you have picture (also in brown leather). I'd like to fit two like you're planning, but would have to re-do the fireplace situation (switch from wood burning stove we don't use to a build in gas version).

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Well, there is always the exception, lol.

  • last month

    I predict you will love it! Oh and I only own swivel chairs, but for vintage ones that came with the beachhouse. Best thing ever, especially to enjoy a view!

  • last month

    Oh yes -- swivel chairs were made for a room and a view like that.

  • last month

    Bought all three pieces. Should take 2-3 mos for delivery.

  • last month

    Love the combination of fabrics and the sand / soft brown color scheme ❤️

  • last month

    Room is now empty and waiting 😊.

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