I Test Sofas for a Living — These Are the 11 Best Sectionals for Every Space and Need

Apartment dwellers can have it all with West Elm’s Urban Sleeper Sectional. Boasting a traditional aesthetic, a spacious storage chaise lounge, high-pile plush seating, and customizable upholstery, the Urban is versatile enough to suit a range of decor schemes. What makes it an overachiever among small-space sectionals, however, is its Queen-size pull-out bed and oversized storage compartment. Everything moves easily, and the top of the chaise closes softly with or without the easy-pull tab — no finger-crushing here.

When in doubt about buying a sectional, go with a modular option, like Pottery Barn’s Westwood sectional. It has three separate chair modules and a detachable ottoman, so you can have fun splitting them up and reconfiguring based on your mood. Low back pillows also provide lumbar support, while wide seats mean you can sit and lie down in virtually any position.

CB2’s Deseo sectional is another great modular option. It’s available in a variety of upholstery fabrics, though I loved the charcoal-colored performance velvet I saw in-store. Naturally, it offers endless configurations, and you can add on extra modules if you ever need to increase the amount of seating in your living room. With a low profile and far recline, the Deseo is a great pick if you enjoy napping on the sofa, too.

This is the most affordable sectional on my list, though it’s by no means the most meager one. The Abby-Gayle features a hidden storage compartment under its chaise, not to mention a pull-out surface that turns it into an overnight crash pad for guests. Deputy Commerce Editor Alicia also noted in her review that the chaise is reversible, and you can customize the back to your desired height.

If you’ve got your heart set on a reversible sectional but you're a little low on space, we’ve got you covered: Say hello to the Eddy sectional from West Elm. A versatile choice, thanks to the reversible chaise construction, this pick combines everyday comfort with trendy style with its cozy cushioning and chic, trestle-style legs.

Burrow released the Ember sectional this year, and it became an instant favorite of mine among the brand’s modular sofas. The Ember is, of course, modular, too. Its seats are also very wide, as is its chaise, meaning you have plenty of space to spread out. The sectional also comes in four gorgeous performance chenille upholstery colors. Months after seeing the sofa in-store, I’m still thinking about the seaglass fabric swatch a store manager showed me.

It can't be denied: Double-wide seating makes for a luxe, superior lounging experience. That’s why Pottery Barn’s best-selling Big Sur sectional is the perfect couch for movie nights. Anywhere from two to four people can be seated facing forward and still have their own space to move around. Bonus: The cushion fill is a bouncy foam wrapped in a down blend that yields unbelievable comfort, all while maintaining clean lines and a sharp, modern look.

This small-space-friendly sectional quickly earned my stamp of approval. When I visited Ashley’s brick-and-mortar store to test all of the sofas, I determined that the Carnaby is “surprisingly compact in person but still incredibly comfortable thanks to its plush back cushions and seats.” Plus, I love its cream-colored upholstery and traditional touches, like the roll arms. Oh, and it comes with six accent pillows!

When Alicia tested this leather sectional at Wayfair’s physical location, she deemed its upholstery “soft and smooth to the touch.” She went on to add that its cushions are filled with high-density foam and are unlikely to sag as a result, even after years of use. Also of note are the sectional’s button-tufted back cushions, mid-century-style legs, and caramel-colored upholstery — all charming touches.

Design Within Reach’s sofas cost a pretty penny, but after testing all of them in-store, I can understand why. The Pastille sectional, for example, is unlike any other sofa I’ve seen thanks to its seemingly suspended chaise, which almost appears to be floating. It also has a compact yet loungey silhouette, and you can choose whether you want the chaise on the left or right side.

West Elm’s Leo chaise sectional is a hard one to beat, as it quite literally has it all. A reversible chaise? Check. Customizable colors? Check. Power recliners? Yep. I also found the seats to feel firm but plush, and it also helps that up to two of the modules have infinite reclining positions. It expertly combines modern styling with extreme comfort. On this sofa every seat is the best seat in the house.