What Is a Sectional Sofa?

Shape

• Sectional sofas are often "L" shaped in nature. Like a traditional sofa, they are long but contain an additional area for seating at a 90-degree angle off the main part of the sofa. Often this extra piece is open, which allows you to lie out in it as though it were a bed. Because of its shape, sectional sofas are sometimes referred to as corner sofas.

Add-ons

• Though a basic sectional sofa is often simply an L-shaped sofa, many varieties have add-ons to which you can upgrade. One or more areas of the sectional sofa, for example, may recline individually with the push of a lever. A sectional sofa can also be sold with a matching ottoman, which you can place at the end of the sofa when not in use or in front of the sofa as a footrest. The sectional may also come with matching accent pillows.

Material

• As is the case with standard sofas, you can buy sectional sofas in many different kinds of material and in countless colors and patterns. Leather, suede and cloth are common sectional sofa coverings while some stores sell sofas made of stain-resistant microfiber material.