Sectional Sofa Dimensions (with Drawings)

Whether you have a large family, host lots of movie nights, or entertain frequently, a sectional sofa provides ample seating. It can also be an excellent way to add plenty of seating without getting multiple pieces of furniture. You can find sectional sofas in various styles, including L-shaped, reclining, with a chaise lounge, or even a double chaise.

Depending on the style and size of sectional sofa you get, the dimensions of a sectional can vary greatly. For example, a basic small L-shaped sectional is about 90 inches on each side and 33 inches tall. A larger sectional would have a similar height and length, with one longer side, closer to 118 inches.

Plus, you need to consider the size of the room where you plan to place your sectional sofa. Choose a sectional that’s too big, and you risk the room feeling cramped. Conversely, go with a sectional that’s undersized, and it can feel lost in the space and not provide adequate seating.

You might think sectional sofas are only for large spaces, but smaller versions can work in moderate-sized rooms. For example, the Goodland Small Sectional, designed by Milo Baughman, provides ample seating without overwhelming a space. It features a symmetrical design measuring 90 inches on the left and right.

This size makes it comfortable to seat two people on each side with one person in the corner. (Or more if you don’t mind getting cozy.)

You can position it in a corner or pul it into the room’s center if you have the space. In addition to the 90-inch sides, the sofa is 33 inches at its highest point.

Additionally, it has a seat height of 18.5 inches. The tops of the armrests are 26.5 inches from the ground.

Another factor to keep in mind is how a sofa’s style can affect the visual size. In other words, more traditional-style, overstuffed sofas with lots of cushions may appear larger than they actually are.

Conversely, more streamlined, modern styles, like the Goodland, can seem visually sleeker.

While a smaller sectional sofa works well in a moderately-sized space, using it in a large room can look off-balance. A larger sectional can work well for bigger spaces unless you plan to incorporate various other kinds of seating.

Milo Baughman also designed a larger Goodland Sectional, featuring a similar timeless design as the smaller version. However, it provides more seating, with three seats on one side, two on the other, and the corner seat.

The larger sectional isn’t symmetrical like its smaller cousin. Therefore, you need to decide which way you plan to orient your sofa.

If it will be left-facing, the three seats are on the left. Conversely, if you plan to have the sofa right-facing, the longer side will be on the right.

The longer side measures 118 inches, and the shorter side is the same as the small sectional at 90 inches. The overall height is also the same as the smaller version, measuring 33 inches tall. Plus, the seat height is 18.5 inches, and the arms reach 26.5 inches.

For a more luxurious addition to your living room seating and one that’s comfortable and inviting, consider a chaise sectional. These sofas offer a regular sofa and one end, or sometimes both ends, is a chaise lounge.

These types of sectionals can vary in size, depending on how large a space you need to fill. For example, some may be the length of a typical sofa, between 70 and 84 inches long. They would also be about 30 to 40 inches deep and 30 to 40 inches tall.

Very much like a standard sofa, they seat three people, the difference being the third seat is a chaise. The chaise can also be the size of a typical chaise, with a length of 73 to 80 inches.

If you have a very large space, you can find even larger sectional chaise sofas. For example, the Lecco Open Sectional with Chaise features a height of 30.5 inches.

The chaise is 80 inches deep, but the length of the sofa is a whopping 148 inches. It has a lower profile, with a seat height of 16.5 inches and armrest height of 21.5 inches.

Another popular style of the sectional sofa is one with recliners. These sofas take a couch and the ever-popular recliner and put them into one piece of furniture. Some reclining sectionals feature one or two reclining seats, while others have all reclining seats.

Sectionals with recliners share similar measurements to standard sectionals. The biggest difference is the clearance needed around the sofa so you can recline the seats. We’ll look at clearances in just a bit.

As an example of a reclining sectional, here is one from themagichome on Amazon. It features an overall length of 108.25 inches on each side and a height of 38.6 inches. The seat height is 18.9 inches, seat depth 20.9 inches, and arm height 24.4 inches.

Reclining sectionals often feature a console by each recliner that contains a storage area. This sofa has a compartment in each console approximately 10 inches by 10 inches and 5.7 inches tall.

When planning the purchase of a sectional, it’s critical to take accurate measurements of your space. If you leave it up to estimating by sight, you’ll likely end up with a too-big sofa every time. This is because every piece of furniture always looks smaller than it really is when you see it in a large showroom.

So, no matter how much you fall in love with that plush sectional, measure first to ensure a good fit. Here are a few key points to keep in mind when determining the right size of your sectional sofa.

When deciding on the best length, consider how many people you plan to sit on your sofa at once. Also, in addition to length, pay attention to the number of seat cushions. For example, if the sofa has two seat cushions, two people are likely to sit on it.

This is the case even if the sofa is very long. But a shorter sofa with three cushions will tend to invite three people to sit. Plus, consider who will use the sectional and how.

For example, if the sofa is in a living area or family room, then people will likely stretch out on it. They might even use the couch to take a nap. Therefore, the length of at least the longest side should be longer than your tallest family member.

However, if you’re looking for a small sectional for an office, a smaller option with a chaise could work well. Lastly, think about what else is in the room.

Overall, you want to ensure you have at least 18 inches, preferably 22 inches, of space around the sofa. This spacing helps maintain a good flow in the room.

The best way to test out the depth of a sofa is to sit on it because everyone is different. Taller people might prefer deeper seats, while a sectional for a kid’s playroom might need a shallower seat. If you like to curl up on your sofa, then a deeper seat might be for you.

Typically sofa seat depths are between 21 and 24 inches, with an overall depth of about 36 to 40 inches. Also, many sofas end up with a coffee table in front of them. Therefore, allow for at least 18 inches of space between the edge of the seat and the table.

Another consideration for depth is if you get a sectional with a chaise or recliners. A chaise will require a bit more depth in the room to keep it from looking awkward. If you have recliners, allow for at least 1-foot of space between the back of the sectional and the wall.

Some space-saving versions can recline with only 6 inches of space behind them. Additionally, if your sectional is in front of any curtains, heaters, or vents, allow a few extra inches of space.

Sofa heights can vary, although typically, they range from 30 to 40 inches tall. Consider the room size and where you plan to place the sofa. If you have more soaring ceilings, opt for a taller sofa.

Conversely, a lower-profile sofa works well in a room with low ceilings. If your sofa will float in the middle of the room, go for a lower back. Of course, it’s also essential to test out the height by sitting on the sofa.

If it doesn’t feel comfortable or give you the support you need, try another.

Related Questions

How much does a typical sectional sofa cost?

Sectional sofas vary significantly in price, just like any other piece of furniture. This is because so many factors influence cost, including brand, retailer, materials, how the sofa is constructed, features, and more.You can find basic, small sectionals with a chaise for about $600 to $900, but carefully consider the quality. Others can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or upward of $10,000 or more. It’s critical to set a budget before shopping and then take some time to shop around.

How do you put together and take apart a sectional sofa?

Typically, sectional sofas feature clamps or pins of some kind to fit the pieces together snugly. You would locate these same connections and carefully lift them out of place to take the sectional apart. You need to remove the cushions to do this on most sectionals. In some cases, sectionals are reversible, meaning their design allows you to set them up in various ways. Other styles can only be put together in one way. Make sure to carefully follow the directions that accompany your sectional sofa.