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Nov 05, 2023

14 Best Sectionals for Small Spaces of 2023

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Comfortable yet compact sofas

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Comfortable yet compact sofas that maximize seating in tiny living rooms.

A sectional sofa is the best option for creating a comfortable seating area in your living room, but it can take up a lot of space. Fortunately, there are plenty of compact sectionals available to fit in tricky areas, from apartments to houses with small living rooms. But since shopping for the best sectionals will be more expensive than regular couches, you want to make sure you're investing in one that's actually worth the splurge.

The fiber scientists and engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluate couches for a wide range of needs — from sleeper sofas for overnight guests to affordable couches for anyone on a budget. When it comes to sectionals for small spaces, we considered compact versions of our top-tested sectionals along with stylish and cost-effective options that are perfect for apartments. Our evaluations combine our expert review of the materials, features and other specifications with feedback from our proprietary survey of thousands of couch owners. Our latest sofa survey had responses from over 5,800 people, and our team reviewed more than 156,000 data points before making these recommendations.

You can find more information about how we review sectionals for small spaces at the end of this article — along with tips to help make the shopping process easier — but first, here are our top picks.

Pottery Barn's compact sectional earns our top spot thanks to its combination of a spacious seating area, sleek frame, high-quality construction and comfortable cushioning. Unlike many small-space sectionals that just add a chaise lounge to a sofa, this one is a true sectional that's made to fit conveniently in the corner of the room.

Besides having a minimal frame that doesn't take up extra space, it's customizable with dozens of fabric and color options to pick from. However, it could take over 12 weeks to arrive because it's made to order. That being said, it's worth the wait: Our survey respondents gave their Pottery Barn sofas high scores for comfort and support. One owner of the Sanford model told us, "I like the size, shape and price, and the fabric is beautiful."

A great deal with over 1,000 five-star reviews on Wayfair, this mid-century modern sectional is fashionable with its tufted seats, bolster pillows and single-cushion bench style across the loveseat. The chaise offers more seating area than a traditional sofa, and the frame isn't bulky so it won't take up too much space in your living room.

Its cushions feel not-too-soft yet not-too-firm, and it ships quickly so you don't have to wait months for a made-to-order model. Plus, there is a range of shades to choose from, including neutrals and pop colors. Our panelists have had great experiences buying sofas from Wayfair, especially highlighting how great the couches look in their homes. Online reviewers of this model say it feels firmer than other sofas, but still describe it as comfortable. Some said it wasn't as durable as they anticipated, but most gave it high ratings.

If you're looking for a plush, cloud-like sectional, this is the one for you. West Elm's Harmony collection uses deep seats with super soft cushions for blissful lounging, and this version is specifically designed for apartments and small living rooms. Even though it's only two pieces, it still offers plenty of space to sprawl out. Plus, the frame is kiln-dried hardwood so you know it's sturdy.

This one's also customizable: You choose whether the chaise is on the left or right, then pick from over 100 fabrics and 11 color groupings. Our reviewers said it feels incredibly comfortable and compared it to sitting on a cloud. Though a few worried about the long-term durability of the fabrics, most West Elm owners said their sofas held up well over time.

Amazon's own furniture brand offers an affordable sectional with a compact layout and speedy delivery. It's also modular so the chaise can swap to the other side, making it flexible for various rooms. It ships in boxes for DIY assembly, which Amazon notes should only take about 15 minutes.

This model has a more minimal aesthetic to match a wide range of style preferences. Owners of Rivet sofas told us they appreciated the dark colors so they don't need to worry about minor stains, and they said this model is comfortable and has held up well. On top of our tester panel's feedback, it has over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

For apartment dwellers that have to navigate tight spaces or anyone that plans to move, this modular sectional is super convenient. For starters, it ships in multiple boxes so you don't need to struggle through narrow hallways or small door frames. On top of that, it easily comes apart so you can take it with you when you move. And since it's modular, the chaise can go on the right, left or even the middle of the sofa.

This brand also offers a simple and convenient ordering process: Choose from five fabric colors, six leg colors, three arm styles, two cushion styles and the option to add the chaise lounge. It ships quickly and has a 30-day return period to make sure you love it. And if you prefer a different shape, it's also available as a four-seater corner sectional. Burrow sofa owners told us the setup was easy, it fits great in their apartments and they liked the minimalist design.

This one's a bit wider at over 100 inches, but it's worth it: There's a pull-out bed on one side and a hidden storage compartment in the chaise. It comes with a memory foam mattress so you can host overnight guests even if you don't have a guest room, and the storage is ideal for holding bedding or clutter when you're tight on space.

It also boasts a mid-century modern design for people who prefer the tufted look over something more minimal, and there are dozens of fabrics and colors available to match your preferences. Our reviewers are big fans of Joybird for its convenient features and also highlighted the brand's helpful customer service.

Crate&Barrel sofas are ideal for family rooms thanks to their durable materials that can stand up to kids, spacious seats to fit the whole family and plush cushions for exceptional comfort. This model in particular checks off these boxes, plus it has a smaller footprint than other options from the brand.

The sectional is also customizable: You can change the depth, size, shape and outer fabric to best fit your needs. Each one is made to order, so it could take a few months to arrive. Still, our panelists rave about the comfort of their Crate&Barrel couches. As a bonus, the frame's wood is FSC-certified, meaning it's sourced from responsibly-managed forests.

This small-space sectional offers peace of mind for inevitable messes with its removable and machine-washable cotton slipcover. The back cushions are also reversible so you can flip them in a pinch. And if you prefer to have spares on hand or even switch up the look, you can purchase extra slipcovers in seven colors.

This one is also unique with its rolled arm design; many compact sectionals keep the frame more minimal. And despite the low cost, users tell us it's soft and comfortable. Our reviewers also noted that it washes well and stands up to kids and pets. Another perk: If you prefer not to wait for delivery, you can opt for free in-store pick-up at IKEA.

Different from other modular sofas on the market, Lovesac's "Sactional" is made up of separate seat and side pieces so you can rearrange the layout. Pictured here is a three-seat, four-side model, but there are endless configurations to build so you can create the perfect layout for your space — with the option to add more pieces later on if your needs change.

Besides the shape and size, you also get to select the arm style, type of cushion fill and cover fabric. Not to mention, the cover can be removed and cleaned in the washing machine for easy care. Though some users told us the pieces were tricky to put together, most of our panelists only had glowing feedback to share, especially for its flexibility.

Best suited for two people, this sectional provides the lounging comfort of a spacious sectional without a bulky footprint. It's modular with an attached ottoman that can be moved from side to side. Each piece ships in a separate box for convenient setup, which the brand claims will only take 15 minutes.

It comes in seven colors, making it easier to shop than models that offer hundreds of fabric choices. The velvet material has a chic textured appearance, and one of our reviewers described it as feeling "warm and soft." Though the brand is relatively new, consumers told us they are loving their sofas so far.

Not only does this modern sectional have a built-in recliner and an overall compact size, but it's also great for small spaces because of its hidden storage. The recliner chair is manually opened and located on the opposite side of the chaise. You get to pick the orientation when you shop, along with choosing from three neutral color options.

Online reviewers note that it feels a little stiff at first, but some said it broke in and became more comfortable over time. Others note that it was smaller than expected, but those with small living rooms raved about its compact size.

U-shaped sectionals provide even more seating space, but they tend to only fit in larger rooms. This one is unique because it's more compact (both in the width and depth) than other U-shaped models. It also stands out because it's modular for easy shipping and set up and it has hidden storage compartments in both ottoman pieces.

The style is modern with clean lines throughout, though there are flared armrests that feel comfy to lean against. And unlike most small-space sectionals that offer just one chaise, this one has two, making it ideal for roommates or couples so multiple people can lay back and lounge. It ships quickly from Amazon, and there are three colors to choose from.

It might not look like a typical sectional, but this two-piece set is surprisingly useful. It consists of two chaises (sold separately) that are combined for a spacious lounging area. From watching TV to napping, you get the maximum seating surface without having to use up precious space in your room. And as a bonus, it can also double as a guest bed for visitors.

Because it's from Anthropologie, this couch is also more fashionable than other models. It comes in a rainbow of colors — including hard-to-find shades of yellow, pink and purple — though it's also available in neutral tones. The brand describes its feel as "sinkable and soft," and also notes its casual aesthetic is "both refined and relaxed." Just don't forget to order one right-orientation chaise and one left-orientation chaise so they fit together.

With a sophisticated mid-century modern design, this sofa with chaise sectional is perfect for living rooms where appearance is most important. The real hardwood legs have a honey oak stain, and the upholstery choices include green and greys in a fabric weave or browns in leather. You also can choose which side the chaise is on when you shop.

The cushions are soft, though not overly plush like some other models. The brand lets you choose between DIY or full-service setup, though it says assembly only takes 15 minutes. Besides liking its appearance and comfort, users told us they like the easy online ordering process.

The furniture experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluate couches and sectional sofas for every style preference and room size. Besides researching the brands, materials, special features and other noteworthy specs, we also survey our tester panel to get in-depth feedback on the sofas they own. In our most recent survey, we received responses from over 5,800 sofa owners and reviewed more than 156,000 data points on aspects like ease of setup, comfort, support, durability, style and value.

When it comes to sectionals for small spaces, we took it one step further. We focused on models that have smaller dimensions — especially in width and depth — as well as features that can benefit smaller living rooms, such as hidden storage and modular designs.

Shopping for the best sectional is one thing, but finding the best sectional that can fit in a tight living room is another challenge. Here's what to consider as you shop:

✔️ Type of sectional

✔️ Frame

✔️ Upholstery fabric

✔️ Features for small spaces

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has been regularly conducting sofa surveys with the GH Institute's proprietary tester panel and utilized this data to ensure our guide contains trusted and comprehensive user feedback. Lexie has regularly written and updated sofa articles, including in-depth guides to finding the best couches and the best sectionals.

Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.

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