Choosing the Right Sofa or Sectional Needs Thorough Consideration

A sofa, or a sectional, is a major purchase. It’s one of the most visible pieces of furniture in a living room or family room, and it often is the one that is used the most. When it’s time to buy a new one, what should you consider? And how do you decide between a sectional or a sofa?

First, measure the space you have. It can even be a good idea to outline the area with painters tape.

If one person who will be using the sofa regularly is very tall and the other short, seating at different depths can provide more comfort. However, if having a sofa custom-built so one side is deeper than the other is not in the budget, pillows for the shorter individual can help.

“Will the sofa or sectional float so you’ll see the back of it, or will it be against the wall?” asks interior designer Eloise Kubli, owner of Collective Construction and Design in Plantation. “A sofa or sectional is a big statement in the room. How much impact will the back have? Do you want it to be motorized?”

“A sofa can have a back that’s both open and closed,” Kubli said. “Friends and family sitting there can look both ways. In a lot of Florida homes, that’s an advantage.”

Sofa Versus Sectional

“A sectional is always going to give a more distinctive and streamlined look,” Kubli said. “A sofa and loveseat break up the line of the room, and a sectional will not. You can get them curved, at a 45-degree or a 90-degree angle. People love the corners of a sectional, and a lot of people want a chaise at one end. But for a more traditional look, you might want a sofa and loveseat.”

Quality is important, especially if you’re planning to keep the piece for many years. Kubli prefers down filled cushions. “Down fill is luxurious,” she said. However, the interior designer notes that down can compress and flatten. “You’ll have to refill it eventually,” Kubli said.

Upholstery

Before choosing upholstery, think about your lifestyle. Do you need something very durable that will stand up to kids and pets? Or do you want a formal look in a space that might not be used every day?

“Leather gives a more contemporary look, and it’s durable,” Kubli said. (Unless you have a cat. Cats love to sharpen their claws on leather.) Stains on leather can sometimes be touched up, but it usually needs to be done by an expert, Kubli added.

Look for full grain leather, which is the toughest kind. It is made from the whole hide of the animal, and the natural grain is intact.