sectional or sofa/loveseat?

[kellikans]

we're going to be needing a new sofa in the not too distant future.  I'm debating between a sectional and a sofa/loveseat combo.  the sectional would have to be custom made (we want a sleeper in it, and would need specific dimension).  I also want it slipcovered.  I got a quote from one retailer for $2800 (plus taxes).  

my worry is that a sectional will look way too large for our living room (even though we could have it custom sized).  plus, we'll be looking at the back of it when walking in the front door.  but I also feel like no one does sofas and matching loveseats anymore.  but it would also be nice to keep our end table to break up the large sea of sofas.

we need a good amount of seating in our living room for get togethers.  the single sofa + one chair isn't cutting it right now.  

here are a few pics:





opinions??

[minniebee]

I wouldn't worry about a sofa/loveseat combo being outdated or not as popular, I know plenty of people who have them. Not everyone can fit a sectional, and not everyone likes sectionals.

As far as worrying about what it looks like to see the back of the sectional when you walk into the house, wouldn't you see the back of a loveseat if you did a sofa/loveseat combo? I'm not sure there's a huge difference.

Basically, what I'm saying is, go with what you like best and what fits your room best. If you prefer a sectional and can afford to get one custom made, go for it. If you're considering a sectional just because you think it's what everyone else is doing but the sofa/loveseat would work better for you, then get a sofa/loveseat combo. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[downtoearth]

I like our sectional that is shaped like this, but leather...



It's compact and holds the family. However, it is more awkward when we have friends over. For some reason, not everyone wants to cuddle on one couch.

I think a sofa/chair combo is more visitor friendly, but the sectional (a more compact one) would still work in your space.

[InBetweenDays]

First of all, I really like your room. In some ways I think a sectional would be a little overwhelming in your space? But I also don't know that a love seat as opposed to your current chair would offer that much more seating.

In regards to walking in and seeing the back of the sectional, if you had room you could put a sofa table behind it with lamps, photos, etc. That is what we did (pic below - sorry, it is old and isn't very good but it's all I have at work). Then you could put your end table and lamp at the other end of the sectional, near the fireplace.

[darby]

I love your room! Could you possibly do two smaller chairs where the larger leather chair is & get a new sleeper sofa? I agree with FormerlyRR that chairs will give you more flexibility, plus I don't really see how a loveseat or sectional will give you any more seating than a sofa & two chairs (as I can't imagine wanting to squish three people onto a love seat). It looks like you have a little space to the right of the fireplace. I would add a small bench or pouf there that could be pulled out for an additional seat when needed.

[Deleted]

Ditto FormerlyRR and darby about the sofa and two chairs for your space. I agree with InBetweenDays that a sectional might overwhelm your space. It looks great now and 2 slimmer chairs to replace the brown leather one should help with your seating problem. A loveseat can only fit 2 people comfortably anyway.

[magdala]

We have a sectional in the sun room. The long row has four cushions and the short row has three cushions. It generally seats five comfortably. No one ever sits in the corner cushion. We entertain a lot. Unless people want to watch the game, people gravitate towards the two sofas in the living room rather than the sectional in the sunroom. Our tv is in the sun room. The sun room and living room are adjacent to each other.

[aweilba]

I guess speaking from experience, I miss our sectional SO much!  We had a nice sectional that, due to crappy manufacturing, broke.  Got it replaced, and the replacement broke too.  So the company replaced it for something of equivalent value, and we got your standard couch/loveseat/chair trio.  I miss the sectional because you could fit so many more people on it during parties, and it was wider than the couches so it made snuggling a possibility.  I'd go for the sectional, just because I miss mine so much.  I don't think it would look too big in your room either.

[ktzmoh]

I think it depends on how you want ot use the space. If it's primarily for when guests come over - then I'd say 2 chairs plus your sofa would be perfect (what a beautiful room, by the way!)

If it's your crash space where the family hangs out - then the right sized sectional.

[kellikans]

thanks for your comments everyone!

it is our only living space, and I think I might be leaning more toward a sofa/loveseat combo.  I'm just afraid that a sectional might be too overwhelming, as some of you mentioned.  and I'll never really know until it's in here, and by then it will be way too late to change it.