This Living Room Sofa Trend Is Perfect for Small Spaces (It Works With Any Layout!)
Setting up your living room can be a challenge. It’s sometimes tricky to find pieces of furniture that fit into your space while also being mindful of how you will be using the room. Picking a comfortable piece of furniture to sit on is a big piece of the puzzle. One versatile option that might be just what your living room needs is a reversible sectional.
As the name suggests, a reversible sectional is a sofa that can be reconfigured to fit your space. With a regular chaise sectional, the chaise (the longer cushion that extends out for lounging or propping your feet up on) is on either the left or the right side and can’t be switched. With a reversible sectional, however, you can easily change the orientation and push the chaise to the left or to the right side, allowing it to better fit into your space as needed.
If you need flexibility, whether it’s because you want to freshen up the room by rearranging the furniture or because you’re planning on moving in the near future, a reversible sectional might be the perfect option for you. “I’ve worked with countless clients who’ve been able to completely transform their living rooms simply by flipping their sectional around. It’s like getting two sofas in one! Plus, they’re great for maximizing space in smaller apartments or condos,” says Anna Tatsioni, lead interior designer and architect at Decorilla.
Because of their versatility, reversible sections are ideal options for renters and people with smaller spaces. However, there are also a few situations where a reversible sectional might not make sense. Some things to consider are the size and primary function of the room.
“If you have a large family or regularly host big gatherings, a reversible sectional could be a bit limiting because they’re designed for more intimate settings,” says Malak Bellajdel, interior design expert at Interior Moderna. “In rooms with very specific layouts (e.g., a long, narrow space) the reversibility feature might not be as useful,” she adds. Additionally, if you love the layout of your room and don’t plan on rearranging your furniture, then a traditional sectional might work better for you.
According to Katelyn De Spain, principal designer at MakeHouse Design Studio, a sectional might also not work if maximizing seating for guests is your priority. “The chaise or corner section of a sectional is designed for lounging, which might not be ideal for a conversational setting where comfort and accessibility are key. In such cases, a standard sofa paired with one or two accent chairs can provide more versatile and comfortable seating arrangements for your guests,” De Spain says.
Ultimately, the decision to choose a reversible sectional or not depends on how you plan on using your room and whether or not you will ever need the versatility that a reversible sectional can provide. “Do you enjoy hosting gatherings? Are you more inclined to spend entire weekends lounging? Do you like to frequently update your home’s layout? Your answers to these questions will help you determine the best sectional setup for your needs,” De Spain says.
Below, shop a few of our favorite reversible sectionals — one even doubles as sofa sleeper, making it a true Jack-of-all-trades for your living room.
Michelle Minch, professional home stager and chief design officer at Moving Mountains Design, recommends choosing a reversible sectional like this one that consists of a sofa and ottoman, which you butt up against the sofa to create the chaise portion. “These are extremely flexible, as you can also use the ottoman as stand-alone seating if you don’t want the sofa/sectional combination,” Minch says. This modular sofa easily comes apart and can be reformed into a sofa, chaise sectional, or a love seat.
Need a sectional that is also a sofa sleeper? This Crate & Barrel reversible sectional fits the bill. Not only does this sectional serve as an extra queen-sized bed when needed, but it’s also reversible, so the chaise lounger and ottoman switch from left to right seamlessly. The best part? The ottoman has a hidden storage space underneath the chaise cushion that’s perfect for stowing away blankets or pillows.
Buy It: Barrett II 3-Seat Queen Reversible Sleeper Sectional ($2159.00, Crate & Barrel)
This gorgeous mid-century-style sectional comes in dozens of fabrics and color options, so you can customize it to match any room. The sleek sweeping arms and welted seams make this velvet sectional look incredibly elegant. Simply reverse the ottoman and chaise cushion to the opposite side of the sectional if you need to quickly reconfigure your furniture.
Buy It: Paidge 2-Piece Reversible Sectional (Starting at $1,784.15, West Elm)