Table of Contents
The Difference Between Product 1 and Product 2
Types of Product 1
Types of Product 2
Product 1 vs. Product 2
A closer look: Product 1
A closer look: Product 2
Buying Considerations for Category Name
When you are considering a major living room furniture purchase like a sectional sofa or couch, the vast array of choices can be daunting. Shopping for that room-completing sectional should — and can — be fun, but it’s crucial to determine your needs, wants, and preferences before you make an investment that will last for years and years.
To find your perfect sectional sofa or couch, you’ll need to answer some key questions and address important considerations, such as dimensions, layout, number of seats, style, must-have features and nice-to-have features.
Before you can find the new furniture that's right for your household, you must decide if you want a sectional or a couch. In this comparison article, we'll compare sectional sofas to traditional couches, and we'll explore buying considerations for both. Read on for your keys to a successful sofa purchase.
The Difference Between Sectionals and Regular Couches
First off, pretend this goes into the difference between the two. The following is purely placeholder text.
Sectionals are sectional, for sure. And couches - you could call them couch or sofa, but to avoid muddying the waters here, we'll stick to Sectional SOFA and regular-degular COUCH.
Types of Sectional Styles / Product 1
Not only are sectionals pretty configurable, but they also come in many styles.
Sectional sofa and couch styles vary. You can find modern / contemporary, mid-century, bohemian, chic, rustic, sleek, and transitional sectionals. Some recline, some power-recline and some are stationary. Sectional backs can be tight, cushioned, tufted, or the ever-ornate camel-back style.
When choosing your material or upholstery, answer questions such as: Will there be juice spills or muddy paws on the cushions? Will leather get unbearably hot under the living room skylight, even if it looks unbearably cool? Will the beautiful paisley from the showroom clash with Grandma’s area rug?
Are you seeking a formal parlor vibe, or does your living room have an airy, open feel? Are you decorating your home theater, or are you furnishing the kids’ rec. room?
Browsing the many style options of sectional sofas and couches can help you determine what you like, what you don’t like, what you must have and what would be nice to have.
Popular Sectional Styles
- Reclining and power-reclining sectionals
- Outdoor/patio sectionals for weather-proof poolside lounging
- Media room sectionals with deep seating and cup holders
Caption: Product 1
Types of Couches / Product 2
Couches are classic and you can sit on them with other people.
This would be where we talk a little about couches and how they take many forms, have many upholstery options, and while they're slightly less flexible than sectionals, they might be less to worry about if you are indecisive.
Top Types of Couches
- Reclining and power-reclining couches
- Settees
- Conversation couches
- Sleeper sofas with a pull-out mattress or a trundled mattress (did you know sleeper sofas often have memory foam mattresses these days? check out our guide to sleeper sofas here.)
- Sofas with chaises
- Sofas with discreet storage for your blankets and throw pillows
- Loveseats - they're great for one and a cuddle for two
Caption: Product 2
Comparing Product 1 to Product 2
The pink box has a png placed behind it to fill in the color. The teal box has settings applied via table settings.
| Couch | Sectional | |
| arms | X | X |
| feet | X | X |
| upholstery | X | X |
| capacity | 3 max. | 3+ |
| cushions | loose or tight | loose or tight |
| kid-friendly | X | X |
| Configurable | X |
| Couch | Sectional | |
| arms | X | X |
| feet | X | X |
| upholstery | X | X |
| capacity | 3 max. | 3+ |
| cushions | loose or tight | loose or tight |
| kid-friendly | X | X |
| Configurable | X |
A closer look: Sectionals / Product 1
Most sectional sets are comprised of two to seven pieces, and components will come with a left-arm facing or right-arm facing layout, two arms, or no arms. If the collection offers enough pieces, you can design your own layout.
Sectional Pieces
Make sure the configuration of the arms and each component will work in the intended room — and with the other pieces of the sectional:
- Sofa: The biggest component of the sectional, the sofa usually has three seat and back cushions.
- Loveseat: A loveseat has two seats.
- Chair: A chair might recline or be static.
- Corner wedge: Round or square, the corner wedge helps the sectional fit into corners and is usually armless.
- Chaise lounge: A chaise lounge extends the seat of the sectional into a leg rest.
Typical Sectional Configurations
The beauty of sectionals is you can personalize them to your space, your tastes, and your mood.
Popular sectional configurations are:
A closer look: Couches / Product 2
Some couches also come with various pieces or features like massage and heat.
Couch Pieces
Make sure the configuration of the arms and each component will work in the intended room — and with the other pieces of the sectional:
- Sofa: The biggest component of the couch, the sofa usually has three seat and back cushions.
- Loveseat: A loveseat has two seats.
- Chair: A chair might recline or be static.
- Corner wedge: Round or square, the corner wedge helps the sectional fit into corners and is usually armless.
- Chaise lounge: A chaise lounge extends the seat of the sectional into a leg rest.
Typical Couch Configurations
The beauty of couches is you can personalize them to your space, your tastes, and your mood.
Popular couch configurations are:
Buying Considerations for Sectionals and Couches
It's not all about style! This is a major investment, so you must think through all the moving parts - get it - of sectionals, and couches, too.
Furniture, Room, Door and Hallway Dimensions
Your living room may be spacious, but how wide are your doorframes?
Buying a couch that won’t fit through your doors would be a travesty, and while you might be able to remove your doors, door hinges, and door stops, you can avoid that chore altogether by measuring your space and double-checking the dimensions on the two to seven sectional pieces you’re considering.
You’ll want to know the height and width of your openings (we’re talking hallways, doorframes, stairwells, elevators) before you start shopping. That way, it’s easier to rule out the chance of falling in love with the almost perfect sectional that, as it turns out, can’t fit into your building’s elevator or up the stairs of your home.
If you’re measuring the sectional at a store, make sure to measure the dimensions of each of the pieces of the sofa or couch. Sectional furniture doesn’t guarantee a fit! If you’re shopping online, the retailer should provide the dimensions in the product description. You’ll need to know:
- Height: from the floor to the highest point of the sectional piece
- Width: from the outside of the widest point — usually an arm — to the outside of the opposite widest point
- Depth: from the furthest back point of the sectional piece to the furthest front point
- Diagonal depth: from the bottom front of the sectional to the top back point
Ideally, you’ll have a few inches of wiggle room so no hands get crushed in the doorway during the delivery.
Seating Capacity
The beauty of sectional sofas and couches is that you can add a piece if you find you need more seating. But you can save yourself that hassle by determining the number of seats you’ll regularly need before you make a purchase.
Keep in mind, your mileage may vary with different sectional seats; not all have arm rests, and corner seats can be short on leg room. You may be able to fit two adults on the chaise lounge, but one won’t have a back rest.
Must-have and Nice-to-have Features
Depending on the budget you’ve set, you’ll need to be honest with yourself and decide which features would be nice to have and which you cannot do without. Examples of nice-to-have features are cup holders in the armrests, drop-down tabletops, LED mood lights or cocktail ottomans.
Must-have features depend, of course, on what you need. Examples are a sleeper sofa (or fold-out bed), stain-guard material, softness / hardness of the back, modular design or hidden storage compartments.
If you’re shopping at a brick-and-mortar, make sure the store delivers if you need delivery. And if you are shopping online, make sure to check off whether you’ll need assembly. In both scenarios, ascertain the measurements of the box that the delivery drivers will be bringing inside, because no one wants to unpack their new sectional sofa or couch on the front stoop.
Our Expert Recommendation
Next, make sure you check out our feature on sectional sofa and couch quality and budget considerations to ensure your investment is one that will last and won’t break the bank.