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 How to Choose the Best Sectional Sofa

April 2, 2025  ·  8 min read  ·  Reviewed by Sarah Zubowski

Looking to find the best sectional sofa for your home? Choosing to buy a sectional can feel like a huge decision, and with so many options out there, the process can understandably feel a little overwhelming. 

What type of sectional do I need? How do I choose the right sectional size? What is the best material for a sectional sofa? Where should I shop?

If you’re searching for the answers to any of these questions, you have come to the right place. The furniture experts atLiving Designs Furniture are here to share all of our tips and tricks for finding the right sectional for your home and your needs. Follow these guidelines and end up with a sectional at a great price that you’ll truly love for years to come!

What are the benefits of a sectional couch?

Before we dive into tips on how to choose the best sectional sofa for you, let’s first determine if you would benefit from having a sectional sofa in your home. Although sectionals can come with many benefits, they may not be the solution that your home needs. 

You can benefit from having a sectional if:

  • You love hosting guests in your home 
  • You want additional seating for family, kids (pets included), or friends
  • You and your loved ones love to spend time in the living room area
  • You need a couch that you can stretch out on
  • You don’t have a guest bed for people to stay overnight in
  • You want to make your space feel cozier or more inviting 
  • You want a focal point in your space 

If any of these points resonate with you, a sectional sofa may be just what you need to upgrade your living space!

Choosing a sectional sofa: the expert’s guide

Choosing the right sectional for your lounging area can be difficult if you don’t have the proper guidance. While some furniture stores will shove a million models in your face and tell you to “pick one,” Living Designs Furniture’s experts are here to guide you through your search for a stress-free experience.

Here are some of our expert tips on what to look for when buying a sectional sofa!

1. Determine your needs 

Re-read the list we have above and see what applies to you. This can give you a better idea of how a sectional can function in your space. After all, the best sectional sofas are the ones that cater to your needs. How you intend to use the sectional will determine what type of sectional you’ll need and its ideal configuration. 

If you visit our showroom, one of our experts will likely ask you a series of questions to determine how a sectional can best fit your needs. Finding pieces that suit your lifestyle can guarantee a home full of well-loved furniture for years to come.

2. Pick a sectional type

What are the different types of sectional sofas? Here at Living Designs Furniture, we offer a variety of sectionals in our showroom for you to choose from. See which of these types of sectionals would best suit your home!

Sofa chaise

If your living room is on the smaller size, a sofa chaise may be exactly what you need. The sofa provides a supportive seating area while the chaise adds a lovely lounging section that won’t take up too much space while still looking elegant and inviting.

The Montrose Sofa Chaise
The Montrose Sofa Chaise

Sofa back and bumper

Want the seating of an L sectional without closing off your room? A sofa back and bumper gives you seating versatility while maintaining a cozy feel and providing a more open look to your space.

The Midtown Back and Bumper
The Midtown Back and Bumper

Corner sectional

Corner sectionals, which are typically the largest type of sectional, can have multiple pieces depending on your preferences and room size. For example, a 3-piece corner sectional can consist of two sofas and a connecting piece or two sofas plus a chaise! A corner sectional is a great choice for those who love to entertain, have large families, or just love multiple surfaces to stretch out on.

At Living Designs Furniture, we can create a 2-piece, 3-piece, or even a 5-piece sectional to accommodate your seating needs!

The River Oaks 3-Piece Corner Sectional
The River Oaks 3-Piece Corner Sectional

Performance fabric sectional

For those of you who have children, pets, or guests galore, you’ll need a sectional that is as durable as it is beautiful. A performance fabric sectional is the perfect investment for your home because not only will it look and feel luxurious, but the fabric is also specifically crafted to be stain-resistant, liquid-repellant, and, in some cases, virtually indestructible. Your sectional will continue to look beautiful and feel fantastic for years to come! 

In our expert opinion, choosing Crypton fabric — the king of performance fabrics — for your upholstery is a great way to ensure that your pieces will last a lifetime.

Custom performance fabric sofa made by Living Designs Furniture

3. Choose a sectional size 

When it comes to sectionals, size does matter. Take a good look at your living room — or whichever room is in question — and determine what size this sectional will need to be. Crowding a large sectional in small living room spaces can make the room feel cramped, whereas a too small sectional can make the room feel empty.

Before you shop, read our guide on how to measure furniture and your space. Grab a measuring tape and take down the dimensions of the room to give yourself a better idea of the sectional size you need. 

Expert Tip: Measure the doors in your home (front door and any door leading into your seating area) to make sure a piece can physically be put into your house and into the designated room.

If you shop at Living Designs Furniture, we offer a variety of sectional sizes in our showroom; however, if nothing feels just right, we can create custom sized furniture that will fit your space perfectly. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than investing in a piece of furniture that isn’t the correct size. Get it right the first time with Living Designs Furniture. 

4. Shop at a furniture manufacturer

    At most furniture stores, sectionals are typically pricier because of their size. Therefore, if you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on a sectional sofa, you want to make sure it is the best quality possible. How do you know if a sectional is good quality? Great question! The best way to guarantee that your furniture is top-quality at fair prices is to shop with a furniture manufacturer.

    Who is the manufacturer? We are! Living Designs Furniture has been voted one of Houston’s best-quality sectional sofa manufacturers, offering amazing furniture at lower, factory-direct prices. Every piece we sell is made in our on-site factory by expert local furniture makers who truly have a passion for their craft and a commitment to quality. 

    Why settle for mass-produced, low-quality sectionals when you can build your own sectional or purchase locally-made sofas from Living Designs Furniture? We offer stylish and durable furniture that can last a lifetime — all for better prices than traditional stores.

    Who makes the best sectional sofas? Living Designs Furniture!

    It’s true: we make Houston sectionals better than anyone else in the game. Our quality can’t be topped and our prices can’t be beat. We can even create sectional sofas for any area of your home. For example, here is a sectional booth seating piece we made for a client who desired a comfier alternative to dining chairs. Beautiful, functional, and durable.

    Custom dining room seating by Living Designs Furniture

    Your best sectional sofa will serve your every need, meet your style standards, and not break the bank. Find furniture that you can love forever with Living Designs Furniture. 

    Visit any of our Houston furniture store locations to see what sectionals we have in our showrooms or book a free design consultation to speak with a designer to get a better plan in place for your sectional purchase (walk-ins are always welcome). Our design experts can help you nail down every detail from size, shape, and color to fabric choice, cushion comfort, and more.

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