The functionality and sophistication of a sofa or the coziness of a sectional? Will a space welcome guests? Or, will it be mostly for family time? Does access to a side table to set a drink matter? Who will be using the space and how hard can a deep sectional make it to stand back up? Is a sofa with a chaise a win-win or just an inflexible, tricky piece of furniture to space plan around? Our team sat down to share our thoughts on this ongoing debate and here is a round-up of how we each see it.
Rachel:
I prefer a sofa to a sectional. Sectionals are very comfy and they have a place in a basement or rec room. But, in any room that is going to do double duty for conversations, a sofa is more practical. And, it is hard to find a sectional that looks nice for very long - they tend not to look as polished or sophisticated as a sofa.
In two different spaces in this family home - the formal living room called for 2 sofas and a sectional fit the space and the family’s needs in the family room.
Karen:
I also prefer sofas. Practically, you get 3 people on a sectional - one on each end and one in the middle. And, they take up a ton of space in a room. On 2 sofas, you get 4 people total - one on each end. Plus, sofas are easier to rearrange. Often times sectionals are deeper and cushier which can be fine in certain spaces - but, if you’re going to have it in a multi-purpose room, you would want to consider the scale - a sectional with a higher back that is not as deep and is easier to get up from would be a better choice for a space intended for guests and conversations.
In this basement, two sofas allowed for better flow and even a table in the corner with a lamp. Meanwhile, we created another type of “conversation pit” with a custom banquette that allows people to come together around a table instead.
Bryn:
I prefer sectionals when it is a family space - they can be a comfortable place for a family watching movies or hanging out. And, I think sectionals are nice in a small space. While this may be counterintuitive, in a small room, they can be an efficient way to add as much seating as the space allows. For instance, a 100”x100” sectional could fit great in a compact room - where fitting 2 sofas may be space prohibitive. You can maximize a small room with an appropriately scaled sectional. For a sectional in a room intended for guests - I agree with everyone. It is hard to have guests over and have them all cozied up on the sectional unless they are really your best friends.
In these small spaces, a well planned use of a sectional maximizes the seating area.
Magan:
I am team sofa as well. As Rachel mentioned, sectionals can look sloppier easier and sofas can look a lot more crisp. There is a lot more flexibility in arranging a room with other seating options vs. one giant sectional. When space planning - sectionals really do take up a lot of space. Sofas are just prettier and more comfortable.
Heather:
I think it depends on the application. Sectionals are great to snuggle in - our kids love to relax with a blanket on the sectional while watching a movie or even take a nap in the basement. They even sleep on them for sleepovers. The functionality and flexibility of sofas is great, too. I could see putting a sectional in the family room only if it is easier to fit than 2 large sofas, but otherwise, a sofa in the family room makes more sense.
Kim:
I agree that it depends on the function and formality of the room and maybe to a certain extent, the stage of life of the family. A sectional in an informal play space makes a ton of sense. As a comfy spot for lounging - a sectional works well. When our kids were little, everyone on the same sectional seemed so cozy. As our kids are growing up, we are growing out of the sectional as more and more people want their own space. Plus, a sectional can be a room divider - for better or worse. As my boys climb over the back of the sectional, they are telling me that it is time for 2 sofas and better flow in our family room.
Ultimately the debate depends on the space - how it will be used and who it will be used by. There are plenty of pros and cons to sofas just as there are pros and cons of a sectionals. To find the best option while space planning a room, we weigh it all and in the end the needs of the room and the family win.
To see how sofas and sectionals have been used in a variety of rooms, check out our LIVING AND FAMILY ROOMS in our portfolio.
To see a variety of finished basement ideas with a sectional or sofas, check out our BASEMENT designs.