Best Sectionals For Small Spaces 2023

Given their large presence, it’s easy to assume you can’t fit a sectional sofa in a small room—but design experts argue otherwise. The best sectionals for small spaces allow you to maximize your room size while providing plenty of seating for you and your guests. Our top pick is the Burrow Block Nomad Leather Sectional for its sleek look and modular design, but there are several other excellent options that made our list.

Burrow’s Block Nomad sectional is a modular couch with a slew of elements that make it a good fit ... [+] for small spaces.

“Sectionals are a great solution for those working within the confines of a smaller space,” says Audrey Scheck, founder and principal designer of Audrey Scheck Design. In fact, Scheck says that a sectional can help a room feel larger. “They keep the room’s atmosphere more open and less cluttered,” she explains.

There are a few important elements to consider when choosing a sectional for a small space. Getting the sizing right is crucial—as well as the size of the area you’ll need to navigate to get your sectional in place. “Of utmost importance is checking all the measurements regarding staircases, doorways, tight turns, elevators and anything that might compromise a large, unwieldy piece of furniture getting into a tight spot,” says Keren Richter, co-founder and design principal of interior design firm White Arrow. Beyond that, you’ll want to consider materials, upholstery, style and, of course, your budget.

While there is no one sectional that’s perfect for everyone, there are a few that rise above the rest. Consider these options when you start your search. (And if you’re furnishing your living room from scratch, you might want to also explore the best washable rugs or best recliners.)

Burrow

Size: 85 x 61 x 33 inches | Material: Leather, fabric and velvet | Fill: Foam

Burrow’s Block Nomad sectional has a slew of elements that make it a good fit for small spaces, from start to finish. The sectional arrives in multiple boxes that are small enough to fit through doorways and up tight staircases. It’s modular, so you can attach the chaise on the right, left or center of the sofa to work around other objects if needed. It easily comes apart if you need to transport it to a new room (or house), and can increase in size with other add-ons in the Nomad collection if you happen to move to a bigger space down the road. Customize your seating with with fabric, leather or velvet upholstery options, six leg finishes and three armrest heights. There’s even a built-in USB charger to fire up your phone while you relax.

Pottery Barn

Size: 95 x 69.5 x 33.5 inches | Material: Chenille, slub, tweed and more | Fill: Steel springs, foam

Corner sofas tend to be a little larger than your standard sectional, merely because they require a little more legroom. But this style allows you to arrange your couch in a corner, freeing up more room for other things. The Pottery Barn Sanford sectional has plenty of seating and a chic design that works with most design aesthetics. Rolled arms and pillows that are just stuffed enough provide plenty of comfort. The Sanford offers a wide range of fabrics and colors to pick from, but delivery may take 12 weeks or so given that this is customizable.

Wayfair

Size: 78 x 56 x 35 inches | Material: Polyester | Fill: Cotton, foam

Even small sectionals can be pricey, but the Lark Manor 2-Piece retails for under $350—a fraction of the cost of the competition. The sofa is petite at just 78 inches wide, but it still comfortably seats three. It’s covered in polyester fabric and has tufted cushions for an inviting feel. Rolled arms and tapered legs create a modern-yet-comfortable look. A nice perk: The seat and back cushions can be removed for easy cleaning.

Wayfair

Size: 71.2 x 29.9 x 34.3 inches | Material: Linen blend | Fill: Linen, foam

A chaise makes it easy to stretch out on your couch—this Corrigan Studio version lets you do just that, even in a tight space. The 71-inch-wide couch, which comes in cream, blue, brown and gray upholstery, has a reversible chaise you can install on the right or left. Simple lines and neutral shades mean you can dress this up with throw pillows and blankets or just let it blend in with the rest of your decor. The sofa’s cushions are also firm for a supportive feel. At under $500, the price is worth talking about.

Wayfair

Size: 89 x 62 x 36 inches | Material: Polyester | Fill: Foam

This Serta sofa has a few hidden surprises owners will enjoy. The seat opposite the chaise is a secret manual recliner, allowing you to put your feet up whenever the need strikes. Worth noting: The recliner kicks back all the way for impromptu naps. The chaise—which can go on the right or left—flips up to offer storage underneath that’s perfect for housing extra pillows and blankets. Choose from three neutral shades—oatmeal, beige and gray—along with your preferred chaise orientation. At 89 inches wide, this isn’t the smallest sectional you’ll find, but it manages to cram a lot into a relatively petite package.

Lovesac

Size: 82.8 x 64.3 x 28.5 inches | Material: Velvet, leather, chenille and more | Fill: Foam, down, Lovesoft

Lovesac is known for its customization, and that applies to its size, too. You can start your modular sofa as a three-seater and expand onto it from there depending on how much space you have. You can even add to the sofa in the future if you happen to move into a larger place. Choose from a wide range of upholstery options, including velvet, chenille and leather, and even customize your couch’s fill with your choice of foam, down and the brand’s Lovesoft material, which is a special blend of foam and fibers. Accessories like a storage seat and power hub are also possible to add.

West Elm

Size: 82.5 x 65 x 33 inches | Material: Velvet, linen, chenille and more | Fill: Foam

At face value, West Elm’s Harris sofa looks like your standard chaise couch. But it has a clever secret weapon: A trundle pulls out from the sectional to create an instant queen-sized sleeping space. The chaise even has hidden storage that opens up with the help of a gas-lift mechanism, making it simple to stash extra bedding for guests. West Elm offers a massive range of options for upholstery—from fabric type to colors—giving you the chance to create a sectional that feels right for your needs. The tailored design offers a simple style you can dress up or down with accessories.

West Elm

Size: 78.3 x 64.6 x 37.5 inches | Material: Chenille, boucle, velvet and more | Fill: Down, foam

The West Elm Bleecker sofa offers fluffy, inviting cushions for a cloud-like feel. The couch features flange edges for a unique touch, while the removable slipcover on the bottom has a crisp look. (That slipcover is machine washable, by the way.) The cushions are reversible and are stuffed with a mix of feathers and fiber blend for that puffy style. The couch’s chaise is wide enough to fit two, in case you want to share your space with someone special. The sectional even comes with two matching throw pillows for extra coziness.

To choose the best sectionals for small spaces, we consulted two interior design experts for their input on important qualities to look for in these seating options, as well as how to ensure that your desired sectional will fit. From there, we tracked down the top sectionals on the market and analyze them for features like size, upholstery choices and value. We considered reviews from real owners as well to make sure we had the best view of how these couches fit into a variety of homes.

There are a few important aspects to mull over when shopping for a sectional for small spaces. Keep these factors in mind as you shop.

There are a lot of different types of sectionals on the market, including L-shaped, U-shaped and modular options, as well as one with a chaise. U-shape models can be tricky to pull off in a small space, given that you’d need to have two seats with legs that go right into each other. Chaise sectionals are a common type of small sectional—they allow you to stretch out, even when space is limited. Modular sectionals are also popular, given that they offer the ability to rearrange your sofa as you see fit as well as add on in the future.

Most sectional sofas are made from some type of wood frame, although some are constructed from metal. A kiln-dried wood frame is considered ideal because it has less moisture in the wood (which, in turn, makes the sofa’s structure stronger). These frames are typically crafted from walnut, oak or maple. However, you can still get a sturdy sectional that isn’t made from kiln-dried wood—it’s just a nice element to have.

You can get added features with any type of couch, but they can be particularly handy with a small sectional where space is limited. Some sectionals, including the Serta Palisades Reclining Sectional Sofa with Storage Chaise and West Elm Harris 2-Piece Pop-Up Sleeper Sectional, have hidden storage that can house things like spare blankets, pillows and books. Certain chaise sectionals allow you to pick the alignment, too. Our top choice, the Burrow Block Nomad Leather Sectional, lets you align the chaise in the left, right or center. It even offers a USB port to charge your phone while you lounge.

Sectional sofas typically offer clear dimensions, and it’s important to measure out the space where you plan to place your couch in advance to ensure it will fit. Make sure to leave around 18 inches of space on either side for traffic flow, per Scheck. Seriously tight on space? Consider a corner sectional to free up floor area in front.

Sectionals often come in a large range of fabric options, and the same is true for those in smaller sizes. Choose from leather, chenille, polyester, velvet and more textile types. If you have pets or small children, you may want to consider a performance fabric to lower the risk of stains if spills happen. Leather is a popular fabric choice and it’s highly durable—just in keep in mind that you’ll often pay more for this type of upholstery.

Sectionals are often associated with larger living rooms, but design experts say they can work in small spaces, too. “They can often be custom designed based on the configuration of your room, which makes them ideal for spaces with unique layouts,” Scheck says. When considering the right sectional for your small space, Richter recommends making sure you’ll have enough room to walk between the sofa and a coffee table, but close enough to set down a glass or kick up your feel. “Purchasing items that are too big for a space can feel claustrophobic, but ultimately, you want to choose furniture that is the correct scale and proportion for a room,” Richter says.

A sectional will not make your space look smaller if you size it properly. “Although they can be perceived as being large and overpowering, the right sectional will allow for your space to feel more open and inviting,” Scheck says. “If you’re worried about a sectional making your space look smaller, consider one with legs. Adding the height and openness often helps the piece to not feel as intrusive.” Reflective materials like brass or artfully installing mirrors on the wall can also make a room feel bigger, according to Richter. “Having fewer lines and shapes can make a room feel larger,” he adds. “I like the look of streamlined bench cushions and sleek proportions.”

There are a few things you can do to make your space look larger when you style a sectional. “When styling a sectional, we recommend accenting it with pillow groupings and at least one throw blanket,” Scheck says. “We love to style asymmetrically with a group of three pillows on one side, two pillows in the middle, and two more pillows on the opposite side.” You can also layer a throw blanket under either grouping to add a layer of color and texture, she adds. But you don’t want to add too much to your sofa or it can look cluttered.

On the other hand, Richter reminds buyers to keep in mind that you don’t always have to try to make a space look bigger. “Sometimes you want to lean into the feeling that a room is small and cozy,” she says.