Cutting Corners with Sectional Sofas

Sectionals tend to be large, bulky pieces of furniture, and balancing them within an arrangement can be intimidating.  But their size is their strength.  Because they tend to dominate the space and offer the majority of the seating, they generally do not need to be accompanied by too many other pieces.  The end result depends on a number of factors; the size of the room, the needs of your situation, your design preferences and so on.  Whether you're determining how to edit existing pieces or researching what to buy in addition to your sectional, here are some layout ideas for inspiration. 

The key to any effective layout is balance.  Placing a single chair across from the shorter end of the sectional strikes that balance.

If your sectional is equally long on both sides, you could balance it with two fairly minimal chairs or one bulky one.  Place the chair on a diagonal close to the plane or the sectionals back to keep the layout feeling open.

If you're working in a smaller space and want extra seating you don't want to block, say, the television, ottomans placed across from the lengthwise portion will do the trick.  A coffee table could hide the ottomans when they're not in use. 



This shot proves that sectionals do work in small spaces too.  Just be sure to measure carefully, or better yet call me and I'll put all of your furniture on a computerized floor plan.  In this example, one small chair and a large brightly colored ottoman provide extra seating without causing the space to feel overcrowded.

Or, consider creating an almost circular seating arrangement by adding a couch and several chairs, organized around one or two coffee tables.  This is a great set-up for entertaining, as it takes advantage of the large space and the beautiful views.