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umm i love my west elm modern-ish (but not too modern) sectional. it's perfect for my space when a sofa and two chairs or a sofa loveseat would have looked awkward. so if they are 2004, then 2004 i am.....happily!!!

I remember sectionals being popular when I was a kid, then being the height (lowth?) of bad taste for a couple of decades. It's sort of like chintz -- it comes and goes.

Does any one have the sectional in the picture? I am absolutely loving it but have no west elm in my area to go sit on it. I am wondering how it would wear and sink with time.

There are attractive sectionals out there, but as I enjoy personal space in my seating choices, they are sort of limiting - especially the chaise trend. Unless you are a psychiatrist seeing patients at home or one of your guests is sleepy and requires a cat nap, the chaise thing is a two-seater at best. And on a regular sectional, no one wants to be Baby, put in the corner. So in my opinion they give the illusion of lots of seating space, but you are better off with a sofa and chairs you can move around.

signe, i sat on that one and it was very comfy. the floor model looked like it has held up to a lot of wear. I would have purchased that one if they had it in a more white/cream color, but i ended up with the walton instead, and love it very much.

my tugboat sectional from In-House in Los Angeles is positively sublime.

It depends on the room and your personal style - Sectionals are perfect for some rooms but not others...

...and if you happen to relocate frequently, a sofa and a pair of chairs is much more versatile.

Whoever made that comment in Schmate and Marrel is just a snob who thinks everyone should abide by her aesthetic. I personally find a sofa and two chairs kind of awkward for interaction..a sectional has always felt more intimate to me, and the little corner curve lets you pull your feet up and interact at a comfortable angle, rather than being right smack dab parallel to the other person. I personally enjoy a well designed sectional. I have been eyeballing that West Elm sectional in the photo and also have my heart set on the York chaise sectional from Room & Board.

Depends on your space I think. But I personally go for separate seating things. That way you can mix sofas, chairs, stools, seating cushions (like fatboys and such) or whatever you want in a way that fits you and your house best.

And I second the sentiment about sitting in the corner, you really can't get out of it anymore, especially when there's a lot of folks on the sectional. Makes getting up to go to the loo quite a job.

A sectional commits you to almost a whole room of furniture in one style. I like to have a sofa and two chairs all in different styles or fabrics or something.

I think most of them are too big and boxy. I like more petit ones with the chaise lounge attached - super comfy!

not a fan of sectionals, but I thought they were an evergreen...

Signe, I loved that West Elm sectional too - until I sat on it. Maybe it was just a bad floor model, but it literally felt like I was sitting on straw and the cushions were really worn and completely wrinkled.

I wouldn't be taking design tips from anyone at Schmate & Schmarrel in Schmeverly Schmills.

I have a friend whose oversize black leather sectional has plagued three residences so far, dominating each living room with bad bachelor taste.

While I can get down and comfy on a sectional, for sure, people rarely ever make them look showstopping.

My aunt and uncle just bought a huge dark leather sectional. And while It's rather pretty and comfy, the way they have it situated leaves no room for the room it's in to breathe around it. Not to mention it forces everyone to sit on one sofa in a house that is not accustomed to family gatherings, so much as a combination of family and friends that might not know each other or particularly care to sit very close together.

But if you have a room large enough to gracefully accommodate it, then go for it! They look fantastic when done well.

We have a small sectional in a small-ish rectangular room. I chose it because I wanted to limit the number of pieces of furniture in there. My eyes needed a seating area that was quiet, compact and surrounded by as much bare floor as possible.

We will be getting a sectional because it will enable us to make the most use out of our space. We have a skinny long living room with weird alcoves. The sectional will be going on one of the alcoves so that we can make the room seem bigger. Putting a regular sofa in there just wouldn't work.

I think it all depends on the room and the person.

We use the corner "void" 10% of the time for movie watching etc- the other 90% its an awkward place for us and guests to try to figure out how to sit without their legs inappropriately lifted up- and out- at us as we sit on chairs and the remaining two seat sections left in the sofa available. The peninsula is a great place to change diapers though.

Sectionals are just more functional. You maximize your living room space and can lounge around in infinitely more angles.

I think sectionals look great, just look at the picture above! It works well in that type of placement. They're perfect for small spaces and apartments because they can seat a lot of people.

I don't know what that person at C & B was thinking, but saying things like "It's so 2004" is sooooooo 2004.

it's true, a sectional is a big commitment-- but I love my mine. I got it specifically so two people can lounge on the sofa. And you know, it works for those non-lounging guest situations, too. But I do think you need to have a separate chair diagonally across from the corner to balance it out. And I did get a streamlined modern, raised off the floor, chaise-type. So what I give up in flexibility, I gained in general overall loveliness.

My sectional is giant. And I love it.

I have never had a sectional, though the one pictured looks entirely cozy...loving the chaise-lounge look of the one end. I can see myself in that corner...zzzzz

i like both, but it really depends on the space they are intended for and the function. by saying sectionals are "so 2004", you are limiting yourself. function isn't/wasn't a trend.

I wouldn't buy a sectional (we're urban dwellers who move often)- but I don't judge those who do.

Anyone have any experience with Lovesac's Sactionals? Someone brought me a brochure and they seem intriguing, washable, affordable and very versatile, but is it dorm furniture?

Sectionals fit through more doorways and can be adapted to more home changes than can many sofas.

It's not the "sectional" part of the sofa's description that makes it a style Do or Don't... it's the sofa's actual style.

It all depends on the space. Seriously, though, it makes me laugh when someone makes a statement like "sectionals are so 2004!"

Sectionals are a great furniture invention, I love siting in the corner of them. However if you like to reconfigure your space or are expecting to eventually move, I wouldn't recommend one. The only exception, the no-arm, reconfigurable sectional, assuming this exists.

I have a fantastic leather sectional I picked up at Macys for 2000. I have a huge living room and it works great. Being pet month, I got leather because I went through three fabric sofas all of them destroyed with odor from my dog. Leather has been a blessing

We have the West Elm sectional (called Thompkins)! Full disclosure: one side of the floor model from the store near our apt. was on sale for $300 (original price: $1,300) and it wasn't damaged or anything so really, we had to get it. I definitely like it for the look, but I have to say that it does wrinkle pretty easily. The seat cushion sags slightly, but the pillows are easy to bounce back. I do try to rotate and flip them. I took the arm pillow off because I think it looks sleeker that way too. I guess I'm saying I would recommend it...but only if you paid $300 for it. At $2,600 for both sections...I don't think it's worth it!

I was just having this issue with a new client. We finally decided that NOT getting the chaise piece and getting the ottoman gives the comfort of a sectional and the ability to move the ottoman when they want it on another part of the sofa. We also got a bench cushion instead of the 2 seat cushions that come with the loveseat portion of the sectional. So I say get the ottoman and forgo the chaise for more versatility.

We have a 2-piece sectional. When we have enough people to plausibly fill it, we solve the awkward corner issue by simply pulling the two apart just a bit. Even a few inches of space between translates to a lot of psychological room; it's much more comfortable.