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We’ve had a lot of experience shopping for new furniture, so we definitely understand that finding the perfect sofa for your home can be an overwhelming process. There are many factors to consider — from the size and style to the price tag and build — but we can never turn down the comfort and roominess that a classic sectional sofa provides. In fact, most sectional silhouettes come in two pieces, making them easy to squeeze through tight doors and staircases upon delivery or fit right into the corner of a small-space room.
To help you determine what exact frames and styles you should be looking for in your next comfy sectional, we turned to design expert Gil Walsh of GW Interiors, who knows a thing or two about finding the best sectionals. With more than 30 years of design experience in both residential and commercial projects, Walsh knows which details to look for when searching for the right sofa for your home. With her impressive design background, we asked her to give us a few tips for sofa shopping; she shares her unique expertise ahead.
What to Look For When Buying a Sectional Sofa
“The first thing we look at is the frame,” Walsh says. The frame is the structure of your sofa, and if it’s not well-made, the chances of your sectional breaking sooner than you’d like are high. Before the inevitable happens, Walsh recommends looking for styles with a hardwood frame — not to be confused with plywood. Next, comfort is also a key factor. If you’re purchasing a sectional, you’ll likely want a sofa that you can sprawl out and lie on for long periods of time. In that case, Walsh suggests looking for what she believes is “one of the best support systems” — otherwise known as an eight-way hand-tied springs system.
Additionally, down or down-blend cushions are what you’re most likely going to find comfortable. “Besides the cushion fill, the comfort is all in the weave of the fabric,” Walsh explains. “Soft, plush, and textured fabrics are the coziest.” She also recommends a plush-performance fabric for families or those who have pets. Lastly, it’s important to consider the scale of your sofa, both in proportion to the room it’s going in and your body. Walsh recommends that taller people consider a sofa with greater seat depth, while shorter people search for a sectional with a more low-profile height. “Choosing the right sofa is all about scaling it to fit the room space as well as your physical dimensions,” she says.
Where Can I Find the Best Sectional Sofas?
Now that you know what to look for, the style and price are fully in your court. Do you want a designer piece that’ll stand out in your space, or are you more interested in affordable options from retailers like Wayfair and Amazon? You can also shop a range of styles, from midcentury-modern designs to chic leather pieces from brands like Castlery, Albany Park, West Elm, and more.
Regardless of what you’re looking for, you can find your perfect sofa below. Here’s a detailed look at the best sectional sofas on the internet based on Walsh’s advice, our editors’ reviews, and our own market research.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes, Angela Elias, Anvita Reddy, Krista Jones, and Njera Perkins
