Home Design & Decorating Room Design Living Rooms

22 Sectional Living Room Ideas to Try at Home

By
Sarah Lyon
sarah lyon, writer for the spruce
Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/05/23
living room sectional ideas

Design by Amy Peltier / Photo by Marisa Vitale

If your living room is large enough to accommodate a sectional, you're in luck. Sectionals are great for hosting guests for game nights and movie marathons, and they're super comfy to plop down and nap on, too. If you've been wondering just how exactly to station a sectional in your space, you'll want to keep reading. These 22 living room sectional ideas are worth exploring as you consider layout, color, size, and style.

  • 01 of 22

    Mix Furniture Shapes

    sectional with brown ottoman

    Design by Amy Peltier / Photo by Marisa Vitale

    If your sectional has you not wanting to incorporate more rectangular-shaped furniture into the mix, a circular ottoman like this one is always an excellent way to shake things up. It's sizable enough to accommodate several trays when entertaining but is also a comfy spot for people to put their feet up when watching TV.

    Continue to 2 of 22 below
  • 02 of 22

    Check Your Proportions

    sectional sofa with white table

    Design by Amy Peltier / Photo by Marisa Vitale

    If you crave a rectangular coffee table, pick a piece that's long enough to accommodate the length of your sectional. This will look more visually appealing and come in handy when guests come by—there will be enough room for everyone to set down their drink, plate, or other personal items.

    Continue to 3 of 22 below
  • 03 of 22

    Include a Reading Nook

    sectional with reading nook

    Photo by Sarah Szwajkos

    Why not place a sectional in a petite reading nook? This setup is oh-so-snug and couldn't be more charming and welcoming. There's nothing better than kicking back and relaxing with a good book, so a situation like this one is perfect for people who just can't imagine sitting upright.

    Continue to 4 of 22 below
  • 04 of 22

    Consider Placement

    beige sectional

    Photo by Sarah Szwajkos

    If your property has an amazing waterfront view, you'll of course want to position your sofa so that you can admire the lake or ocean outside. This sectional is large enough to allow the whole family to do just that—and we bet it's a particularly popular place to sit come sunset.

    Continue to 5 of 22 below
  • 05 of 22

    Float It Mid-Room

    sectional with console table behind

    Jessie Tobias Design / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos

    Placing a console table behind a sectional is a great storage solution and will also add more personality to your space. Fill the table with some favorite coffee table books or potted plants.

    Continue to 6 of 22 below
  • 06 of 22

    Try the Corner

    sectional in corner of living room

    Design by Kirsten Conner / Photo by Julie Mannell

    A sectional is a perfect solution for a tricky corner like this one. Don't let your layout cramp your style if you want to be able to set a bunch of people; this room proves that a sectional can do no wrong.

    Continue to 7 of 22 below
  • 07 of 22

    Go Vintage

    vintage green leather sectional

    Margo Moore Interiors / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos

    Why not have a little fun with color? We see so many neutral sofas, but green is always a fun, bold option. This green leather piece brings a major vintage atmosphere to the room and blends wonderfully with the exposed beams and wooden detailing in this cozy family space.

    Continue to 8 of 22 below
  • 08 of 22

    Choose a Neutral Tone

    beige sectional in blue living room

    JF Gardemal Designs / Photo by James Peck

    If your living room walls are a bright color, consider going for a beige sectional to tone things down a bit. A sectional like this one can be an amazing blank canvas, given that it will match any shade of pillow or throw blanket. Don't be afraid to switch up these types of accents with the seasons.

    Continue to 9 of 22 below
  • 09 of 22

    Supersize It

    sectional in tv room

    Design by Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop / Photo by Chad Mellon

    This supersized TV room sectional makes us want to cancel all of our plans for a day of binging our favorite shows. If you love hosting friends for football games or reality show marathons, a setup like this one may be calling your name.

    Continue to 10 of 22 below
  • 10 of 22

    Accessorize With Pillows

    white sectional sofa with blue throw pillows

    Kern & Co

    Pillows add life to a sectional and you can never have too many. Whether you sew your own pillowcases or have a favorite department store brand, don't be shy about outfitting your sofa with cushions galore.

    Continue to 11 of 22 below
  • 11 of 22

    Be Bold With Blue

    blue velvet sectional

    Design by Cohesively Curated / Photo by Carina Skrobecki

    If you're looking for a way to make a major splash in the living room, a bold sectional sofa is a way to go. Here, the walls and accent pieces are nice and neutral, which allows this sectional to really stand out and become the star of the show.

    Continue to 12 of 22 below
  • 12 of 22

    Choose a Neutral Gray

    gray sectional in neutral living room

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Gray sofas are super popular and are perfect for the neutral lover who is worried about stains or wear and tear. While a white sofa may sound amazing in theory, it isn't practical for every lifestyle.

    Continue to 13 of 22 below
  • 13 of 22

    Keep Scale Top of Mind

    large white sectional living room

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    This sectional faces the joint fireplace/television area of the room and is an ideal scale for a larger living space. Keep in mind that bigger rooms call for bigger pieces of furniture; this is not the type of space for just a loveseat.

    Continue to 14 of 22 below
  • 14 of 22

    Work Around Built-Ins

    sectional in front of window

    Mary Patton Design

    If you have built-ins in your living room, you may need to get a bit creative with furniture placement. Here, a sectional fits into this cozy space and invites guests to plop down and relax.

    Continue to 15 of 22 below
  • 15 of 22

    Try a Multicolor Approach

    multicolor sectional

    Mary Patton Design

    Why not think outside the box with a multicolor sectional? This piece is so fun and features an unexpected pop of red. Artwork ties the color scheme together for a curated look.

    Continue to 16 of 22 below
  • 16 of 22

    Love That Leather

    leather sectional and burlwood table

    Mary Patton Design

    A leather sofa paired with a burlwood coffee table is such a handsome setup. These two timeless materials play so nicely together and are styled with modern accents, keeping this space from feeling dated.

    Continue to 17 of 22 below
  • 17 of 22

    Go Geometric

    geometric shaped sectional

    Design by Thomas Guy Interiors / Photo by Haylei Smith

    It's the sectional sofa that never ends. Perfect for a basement or more laid back space, this geometric sectional offers seating facing all directions. We're sure kids will get a kick out of a piece like this one.

    Continue to 18 of 22 below
  • 18 of 22

    Make It Black and White

    white sectional with black pillows

    Design by House of One / Photo by Lifestyle Production Group

    A plush white sofa goes glam with the addition of black and white pillows and some sleek sconces overhead. This look is simple but super chic.

    Continue to 19 of 22 below
  • 19 of 22

    Pick Your Fave Aesthetic

    midcentury modern-style sectional

    Cathie Hong Interiors

    There's truly a sectional for every interior style. This one features tapered midcentury modern-style legs, but if your style is eclectic, traditional, or grand millennial, there's a sectional for you, too.

    Continue to 20 of 22 below
  • 20 of 22

    Let Guests Crash

    oversized white sectional

    Alvin Wayne

    This sectional is extremely long and features plenty of pillows, making it a viable guest bed option. If you frequently host but don't have a spare bedroom, a sectional can definitely double as a sleep space.

    Continue to 21 of 22 below
  • 21 of 22

    Make It Serene

    black sectional with sheepskin throw

    Alvin Wayne

    Warm things up by placing a sheepskin throw on your sectional, no matter the season. The look is just so serene.

    Continue to 22 of 22 below
  • 22 of 22

    Take It Outdoors

    outdoor sectional

    Mary Beth Christopher

    Turn your patio into a little oasis that you'll never want to leave during the warmer months with an outdoor sectional. Accessorize with some fun indoor/outdoor pillows so that you and your guests will be nice and comfy while sipping cocktails in the fresh air.