Making the choice to shop for one of the best sectional sofas over a pullout couch or lounge chair means investing in your comfort: More couch equals more space to sprawl out. And couches are supposed to be comfortable. By some definitions, that’s the singular goal. If you’re asking us, you want to make sure you aren’t introducing a hulking mass of wood, metal, and performance fabric into your home that looks anything less than stellar. And sectionals can be just that: too big and way too far from stylish.
One thing to keep in mind as you’re window shopping: Sectionals, by nature, are modular and very easy to customize any which way. You may be tempted to make a purchase simply on curb appeal, but we’d suggest taking a beat to consider your options: Are you a chronic snack spiller? Opt for performance fabric that will hold up against stains and crumbs. Is your apartment on the smaller side? Look for a design with minimalist, metal legs: Adding some negative space between the floor and the bottom of the couch can make it appear lighter in form. And for the love of all that is holy (and your back), please measure—and double measure—before you attempt dragging a bulky sectional up the stairwell.
Below, we did a deep dive into the many buildable designs on our radar and pulled out the best of the best sectional sofas to block out your space.
The Best Sectional Sofa, Overall: Floyd Two-Piece
Floyd started with one design (a furniture leg) way back in 2013 and has since grown to sell the most Instagram-famous bed frame of all time, plus a range of thoughtfully designed chairs, storage shelves, and more. This two-piece design topped our 2022 Home Awards as the best sectional and we stand by it for its buildable design. The modular construction means it can grow—or shrink—as you move from place to place. Plus, there’s ample room to play with color between 19 shades that range from neutral performance fabrics to boldly hued sisu textiles. With five couch configurations at your disposal, you’ll never get bored rearranging the shape to suit your current lounging position.
The Best Leather Sectional Sofa: Crate & Barrel Danver 2-Piece
Leather sectionals can quickly veer into “musty den” territory but the fluffy, pillow-like shape of the cushions on this design from Crate & Barrel makes it just a little more fun—consider it the younger and much cooler sibling of your therapist’s well-worn confession couch. We’re leaning toward the rich, camel color, but there are four others to mix and match with your interiors (chocolate, graphite, pewter, and taupe). The slight black-metal base gives the entire sectional a contemporary vibe and the deep seats allow you to get a little lost in the crease during your weekend naps.
The Best Budget Sectional Sofa: IKEA Söderhamn
Where there’s more couch, there’s more of a cost… usually. Finding the perfect balance between quality, style, and size on a budget can be tough, but count on IKEA to offer up a gem that checks all three boxes. The Söderhamn sectional is one of those timeless designs the Scandinavian chain occasionally offers up, joining the ranks of the ever-versatile Kallax shelving unit and the classic Malm bedframe. The sectional is made of three pieces: a chaise and two deep, single seaters. It’s also possible to add or remove pieces—all the better for last-minute room rearrangements. While the fabric is far from performance-level, the Söderhamn system manages to maintain an airy look despite packing in a ton of seating area.
The Best Sectional for Small Apartments: Hay Mags
Best known for its bold color options, Danish design company Hay is responsible for one of our favorite sectionals. High armrests take the building-block silhouette one step further, leaning into the concept of sinking into a cloud formation of high-density foam. Plus, peep the adorable solid-wood legs peeking out from underneath the body of the sectional, which may inspire you to give this squat little guy a name of its own. But back to why the Mags couch is a great pick for a small apartment: It’s far from the “good for now” pick. You won’t want to get rid of it when you size up your space.
