Sofa or
Sectional
Which one should I choose?
When furnishing your home, choosing a sectional vs sofa is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
After all, it will form the centerpiece of the living room and become the focal point where the family comes together to socialize, watch TV and spend quality time together.
In this article, we’re going to take a detailed look at sofas and sectionals, examine their pros and cons, and hopefully help you make an informed choice about which is the right option for your home.
First up, let’s examine sofas and why they are such a popular choice for many people.
▪ Sofa or Sectional ▪ Sofa or Sectional ▪ Sofa or Sectional ▪ Sofa or Sectional ▪ Sofa or Sectional
Sofas
Sofa is for Three
Sofa, couch, settee. Whatever you know them as, they’re one of the most commonly-recognizable pieces of furniture in a house. They come in many shapes, sizes and can be upholstered in a wide variety of materials. But what defines them all is that they are a single piece of furniture with seating space for a maximum of three people.
Loveseat is for Two
A loveseat is similar, but smaller than a sofa, usually with space just for two, and is often combined with a sofa in a room set-up. This not only provides a room with more seating options, but the matching design between the loveseat and sofa can also give the room a real style statement and set the design tone that you’re looking for.
Why choose a sofa over a sectional?
What makes many people opt for a sofa rather than a sectional is their snugger size.
This means they can fit into a wider variety of homes, including places that have slightly unusual room shapes. What’s more, if you ever feel like changing up how your living space is decorated, then repositioning it is a breeze. One person on their own can move most sofas, so if you’re refreshing your house’s look, then it won’t be a problem at all with a sofa.
Versatile
Their smaller footprint also means they can fit right into many different settings, including apartments. What’s more, as well as the living room that they’re most usually seen in, a sofa can be a great addition to a bedroom, home office, garage and numerous other places. They’re a versatile option to add some seating space wherever you need it.
In addition to a sofa being easy to rearrange once it’s already settled in your home, another plus for them is that installation is simple too.
They usually arrive already put together, or sometimes with the back as a separate piece. Either way, it’s not a difficult task to put it together and have it placed in your chosen spot, ready to enjoy. This is a real contrast to sectionals, where the assembly is a far more complex operation. If you’re looking for some seating that will be good to go almost as soon as it’s through your front door, a sofa could be the one to choose.
Due to their smaller size and ready-built nature, an advantage sofas have is that they come at a smaller cost than a sectional.
With one of our sofas, you can liven up your home with some stunning and comfortable seating without breaking the bank. This means that if you’re looking for something to add some comfort at a lower price but without cutting back on the quality, a Theater Seat Store sofa could be what you’re looking for.
But rest assured, while our sofas are more affordable, we make them with the same build quality and durable materials as our more expensive option. So you can order safely with the knowledge that you’ll still be receiving an excellent piece of furniture that won’t let you down.
Theater Seat Store Sofa
Affordable
Ready-Built
Durable
Sofa Upholstery
Another area where sofas excel is the number of design options they offer. From cool leather upholstery to classic fabric, there is just so much to choose from. No matter what style you’ve chosen to decorate your home in, you’ll be able to find a sofa that fits in perfectly.
This is why sofas can be the first choice for people who are design-focused and really put a lot of consideration into the look and feel of their home. If you’re planning to make your palace a reflection of your personality, you may find that’s more possible with a sofa. You might have a favorite rug or another room accessory that you want to decorate your living space with. In these instances, a sofa is far more likely to slot in and work well with the overall aesthetic you’re creating than a sectional.
Made-to-Match Pieces
Sofa + Loveseat
Many sofas also have other pieces of furniture they can join up with to add to a room’s feel. A sofa paired with a matching loveseat can really make a statement and set the tone for a room’s design.
At Theater Seat Store, we have a variety of sofa and loveseat sets available, so you can get perfectly made-to-match pieces of furniture that complement each other while providing more of that all-important seating space.
Sofa Accessories
Here at Theater Seat Store, our range of Octane accessories can really enhance your sofa and make it fit your exact requirements.
From phone and tablet stands to wine glass holders, these extras will ensure that while you’re chilling out, whatever you need is well within reach. Tired of reaching forwards to the coffee table whenever you want a sip of your drink? Those days are over with our lush Octane removable arms that come complete with an embedded cup holder. It’s so convenient you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.
Once you’ve got seating from us, everything will be close to hand, so you can just focus on talking to your family, watching TV or whatever it is you’re spending quality time doing.
Our Octane armrests are all made from high-quality Italian leather and really make a statement to anyone who sees them. They just ooze quality, class and opulence. What’s more, just because you’re choosing a sofa doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fantastic features our sectionals can provide. We have sofas with special extra lumbar support and even models which boast advanced features such as incredible heat massage settings. That’s right, you can get an intense and relaxing massage while sitting right there in your living room on your sofa.
Why might a sofa not be for you?
Sofa Seating Capacity
Of course, there are some drawbacks that come with a sofa. First of all, the seating capacity is far more limited than a sectional. If you have a larger family or like having lots of people come to visit, you might find you run out of space fast with a sofa. Three people at a time is the maximum on a sofa, so it’s really more of a fit for apartments or houses with not as many family members. If you love hosting guests with a sofa you’re going to find that you need to buy more seating to keep everyone happy.
Sofa Customization
What’s more, a sofa generally has fewer customization options available to make it extra special and stand out. Aside from the material choice and the features built-in to the model you’re buying, sofas generally come as they are. If you’re looking to create your perfect piece of furniture to match your lifestyle with plenty of add-ons, extras and a layout that particularly works for you, a sectional is going to be more what you’re looking for.
Sofa Cleaning
Something else to consider is that if a sofa gets damaged or if something is spilled on it, fixing the issue is going to be a lot more complicated than with a sectional. While you can select fabrics that are pretty stain resistant, sometimes the worst-case scenario happens and something gets knocked onto it that no amount of cleaning will be able to get out. In those situations, the only option is to buy an entirely new sofa. This is in contrast to a sectional, where you only need to replace the piece that has been damaged and can keep the rest.
Some of the Sofas we have Available
Turbo Sofa
As soon as you see the cool LED light baserail, you know that the Turbo Sofa is a special piece of furniture. Whether it’s for a home movie theater or your living room, the features such as power recline, USB charging ports and accessory docks on all arms are sure to make you and whoever else is lucky enough to sit on it very satisfied.
Flash HR Sofa
Space for snacks, laptops and whatever else you need handy won’t be an issue with this sofa’s drop-down table. What’s more, the accessory dock this sofa comes with as standard is able to accommodate our full-range of Octane accessories. So if you want a wine glass holder, reading light, cigar holder or anything else, the Flash HR sofa has your back.
Flex HR Sofa
The Italian top-grain leather upholstery sets the tone for this luxurious Flex HR sofa collection, while the motorized recliner can get into the position that is perfect for you. The recliner controls are conveniently located inside the arm-rest, and this piece of furniture is compatible with all of our Octane accessories.
Magnum LHR Sofa
Every part of the Octane Magnum Sofa says premium. The power lumbar system and headrest will take your living room comfort to a new level, while the padded seating and backrest look so inviting. You and your guests won’t be able to resist sinking into them and feeling the cosiness this sofa provides.
Bliss LHR Massage Sofa
Let the heat and massage wellness system the Bliss LHR sofa comes with as standard just melt away any stress and tension that has built up over the course of the day. As well as the therapeutic benefits of this sofa, it also has all the storage and table features you’d expect from a piece of furniture from the Theater Seat Store.
So we’ve weighed up the pros and cons of sofas,
how about sectionals?
A sectional sofa, also known as a modular sofa, is an item of furniture that comes in two or more pieces that can be fitted together in various specifications depending on the size and shape of the room they’re being placed in.
For example, they can be configured in L-shapes to make the best use of the corners in rooms or extended in length for as long as the space you’re placing them in will allow. They work particularly well in larger homes or open-plan living areas and are an excellent way to maximize the use of space in a room while making an eye-catching statement that no one will be able to miss.
Why choose a sectional over a sofa?
One of the main reasons that attract people to sectionals is that they are just so customizable.
You can swap in and out the different pieces you want in order to create the seating system of your dreams. Examples of the kind of sections you can add to your sectional include relaxing built-in recliners and even sofa beds, which are just perfect for when you are hosting guests.
Sectionals can have additions such as cupholders built into the armrests and even refrigerated storage. Just imagine how useful that could be when the big game is on. You won’t need to miss a moment of the action to get your next beverage.
All these options available mean you can build yourself the kind of seating that is going to work perfectly for your household. For example, why not create a cosy atmosphere by lining up sections in a U-shape? With this setup you’ll be able to hang out and chat while facing each other, a great way for the family to get together and catch-up at the end of a day.
On a sectional, you can really kick back, relax and get lounging. They can be as spacious and large as your room allows. What’s more, you can get let your creativity run riot and build yourself the dream seating set-up for a home theater movie night, parties, family gatherings and so many other social occasions.
Recliners + Loveseats + Chaises = Sectionals
Sectionals can be a combination of recliners, loveseats, chaises and even different types of storage solutions. When you build your sectional, you are free to select as many or as few of the different sections we offer. It’s entirely up to you and means you can create a configuration that is uniquely yours.
Recliners + Loveseats + Chaises =
Sectionals
Heat & Massage Sectional
Ever wish you could make the tension of a long day melt away? If that’s something you’ve been searching for, you’re in luck. For real and unmatched luxury, we can offer recliner sectionals that include advanced heat and massage technology embedded within them. Once you use the provided control panel to turn the system on, it’s like having your own personal masseuse available whenever you need them. You just won’t believe you can have this kind of splendor right in your own living room.
Power Lumbar Sectional
But the heat and massage sections aren’t the only way our seating gets you feeling better. Our sectionals feature lumbar support that is second to none. The premium power lumbar system that our seating includes is simply fantastic back support that will soothe those aches and pains and have you feeling like new again.
Sectionals Accessories
Sectionals Tables
Tired of never being able to find a convenient surface to place your drinks and snacks? We’ve got that taken care of too.
Our Octane range of accessories includes premium glass or wooden trays that can be attached to the armrests to provide a versatile surface for whatever you need close by.
No more placing bowls directly on the seating and risking having spills and getting crumbs everywhere. For a really outstanding option, we even have dedicated sectional trays which fold open and come complete with overhead lighting so that when the room lights are low and you’re watching a movie, you can still find where your beverage is without risking knocking it over.
Technology in Accessories
Love your technology? We do too. It’s why we offer sectional sofas that can include cutting-edge features such as USB ports and even wireless cellphone charging. With the number of power options your sectional will have, there will always be plenty of ports available for everyone in the family’s cellphone, tablet and anything else that needs regular juice.
Another reason why a sectional may be the choice for you is that, despite their size once assembled, transporting them is simpler than with a sofa.
With some sofas, once it is in a room, getting it back out through the door or down a flight of stairs can be a real headache. Not so with a sectional. Simply take the pieces apart and carry them separately. If you one day decide to move home, taking your sectional with you won’t be an issue at all. Simply divide it up and put it back together once you’re at your new place.
New & Fresh Sectionals
Something that makes many people decide a sectional sofa is the choice for them is how much more damage resistant they are. Knocking a glass of wine onto your sofa no longer needs to be a total nightmare with a sectional because the modular nature allows you to simply replace the piece that has been damaged.
In addition to this, homes with pets may favor a sectional because if your furniture ends up showing scratch marks or other damage caused by your furry friend, you can just order a new and fresh section to have your furniture looking brand new again.
Why might a sectional not be for you?
Sectional Space
There’s no getting around it, for a sectional to really shine, your need plenty of space. If your living room is on the smaller side, you may find a sofa is more suitable for you. The various segments of a sectional can really take up a large area, and unless you have a big room to begin with, you could end up drastically limiting the floor space, giving everything a cramped feel and making getting around a task. Related to this, if your room is a particularly unusual shape, it may just not be feasible to place a sectional in a way that works.
Sectional Customization
While the beauty of them is in their customizable nature, there are certain rooms where no configuration will work well, and outside of a living room it’s very unlikely you’re going to be able to make a sectional work. This is why it’s important to browse the different sectionals we have available and visualize how one would work in your home.
Sectional Budget
Of course, the luxury and customization that a sectional provides does come at a premium. They can offer a lot more creature comforts and incredible features than a sofa, and the price reflects that. But if you consider your sectional an investment that will bring plenty of pleasure to you and your family for years to come, it might just be worth it.
For some people, a sectional just isn’t going to be to their taste. While at Theater Seat Store we have a wide range of sectionals to choose from, ultimately it’s just a fact that a sofa is more versatile in the number of styles it can come in.
An initial issue with a sectional that you may encounter is that their assembly can be quite a task. They can arrive in several separate pieces and putting it all together can be a hands-on job that takes a lot of energy. In addition to this, rearranging them is far more complex than a sofa. If you are the kind of family who likes to change up the way your home looks, you may find that a sectional isn’t going to fit into your lifestyle as well as a sofa would.
Some of the Sectionals we have available
Flex HR Sectional
Over a dozen of our Octane accessories at once can be placed on this stunning Flex sectional sofa, which will make it the multi-purpose focal point of your home. There’s also plenty of space for snacks, beverages and anything else you and your friends might need for a movie marathon or watching the big game.
Functionality, versatility and choice sum up this the Azure LHR sectional. Pick and choose which modules you want to create your perfect sectional arrangement. Want more armrests or tables? Storage or seating? It’s really up to you.
From a power station to keep all your tech charged, to the option of having various electric recliners with double motors side-by-side and operated by remote control. You’ll understand why this sectional is called Bliss once you take a seat and see how it makes you feel.
Are you, your friends and your family ready to put your feet up and really enjoy some luxury? You’ll find you all have space to relax on this oversized Vega sectional, which can be arranged in a way that is perfect for your living room, home theater or anywhere else. As with all our sectionals, it is compatible with our Octane accessory range, so as many surfaces and phone and tablet holders as you need can be added.
Whichever of the various colors of leather and fabric the Magnum LHR comes available in you opt for, you’ll find the heavy padding and cushioning of this sectional looks very inviting to anyone who sees it. Once you sit down and sample the feel, it does not disappoint. This takes plush to a new level, and it of course has all of the useful features and accessories that you’d expect from a Theater Seat Store sectional.
Factors to consider
So we’ve looked in detail at the benefits and drawbacks of sofas and sectionals and explored some of the options we have available here at Theater Seat Store. Let’s recap the main points you should keep in mind when making your choice:
Room size and shape
A sectional sofa really favors a larger, open-plan style room. If you’ve got the space, you’ll find all the functionality of a sectional really comes into its own. However, if your room is a bit more cramped, or perhaps an unconventional shape, a sofa’s benefits are probably more what you’re looking for.
When deciding which to choose, take a really good look at the space you’re intending to place your new piece of furniture and imagine how a sectional or a sofa would work there. It’s essential to do this because you’ll be living with your new seating on a daily basis for years to come.
Seating capacity
How many people are usually in your living room at once? Is it just a couple of you watching TV together or is it mom, dad, the kids, the dog and whichever guests are around that evening? If it’s the latter, a sectional is the choice you really need to consider adding to your life. It’s an option that provides as much seating capacity as you decide.
Room layout
The layout of the room you intend to place your new seating in should be a big consideration. Consider how the doors and windows will work with a sectional vs sofa. If your room is large, a sectional can really make the best use of the space and create an inviting atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. However, if there are design features in the room which you don’t want to be covered up or blocked out, it may be a sofa that’s going to be your most suitable seating choice.
Personal needs and lifestyle
There are many different priorities that people have when furnishing their home, so think about which choice better fits your lifestyle. If you have a big household with kids and pets, then the flexibility and space that a sectional offers should fulfill everything you need. However, if you are more about expressing yourself through style and design, you may decide that a sofa fits your personal needs better.
Budget
Whether you opt for a sofa or sectional from us, you’ll be receiving a quality item that will make you very comfortable and happy far into the future. But despite this, there’s no getting away from the difference in price between the two options. If you are working with a tighter budget, a sofa is probably going to be the best choice for you. However, if you are ready to pull out all the stops for a piece of furniture that fulfills every need you have for your home, you’ll definitely feel the benefits of a sectional.
Let’s review the main points of sectional vs sofa with this table:
Conclusion
So we’ve covered all aspects of these two seating choices. Which is it to be, sofa or sectional?
Well, one thing is for sure, there’s no clear champion in the sofa vs sectional debate. Both options are more than capable of providing you with fantastic seating and slotting comfortably into your home life.
The ultimate conclusion is, it’s down to you to decide which is more suitable for your home. Weigh up the pros and cons, imagine each option in your living room and come to an informed decision. Whichever choice you make, at Theater Seat Store we’ve got choices on both sides that will make you and your family happy for years to come. So whether you choose a sofa or sectional, you can be confident you’ll be receiving a fine piece of furniture that will be at the center of your family’s world for years to come.