A sectional can completely change the way a living room works. It can provide generous seating, define an open floor plan and create a natural place for family and guests to gather. But sectionals are also among the pieces of furniture where ordering the wrong configuration or size can create a very expensive problem.
Buying one online therefore requires a little more planning than simply choosing the sectional that looks best in a photograph.
Classic2Modern carries sectionals across contemporary and modern styles, including traditional fixed configurations and modular designs. The current assortment includes multiple DivanItalia sectional models alongside other living-room collections.
First: Understand Left-Facing and Right-Facing
This is probably the most important detail to verify before ordering a sectional.
Terms such as Left-Facing (LAF) and Right-Facing (RAF) describe the orientation of a sectional component when you are standing in front of the furniture and looking at it.
If the chaise or extended portion is on your right as you face the sectional, for example, you're generally looking at a right-facing configuration.
Never determine orientation from memory or from what seems intuitive. Check the product description and configuration carefully before ordering.
Measure the Room—Then Mark the Sectional on the Floor
Product dimensions can be difficult to visualize.
A sectional measuring nine or ten feet across may sound reasonable until it is actually occupying the room.
An easy technique is to use painter's tape to mark the sectional's approximate footprint directly on your floor. Then walk around it.
Can you comfortably reach the doorway? Is there enough room between the sectional and coffee table? Does it interfere with a fireplace, sliding door or walkway?
This simple exercise can tell you more than staring at dimensions on a screen.
Think About Traffic Flow
The largest sofa that fits isn't necessarily the sectional that fits best.
Living rooms need circulation. In open-plan homes especially, a sectional often becomes an architectural boundary between the living area and adjacent dining or kitchen space.
Consider how people naturally enter and leave the room. A chaise extending into that route can become frustrating even when the sectional technically fits.
Modular vs. Fixed Sectionals
A fixed sectional has a predetermined configuration. This can provide a very clean, unified appearance and is often straightforward once you've confirmed the correct orientation and dimensions.
A modular sectional consists of individual seating components that can offer greater flexibility. Depending on the particular model, pieces may allow you to create larger or smaller arrangements or adapt the furniture to a different room later.
Always check the specifications for the particular sectional, however. “Modular” doesn't automatically mean that every possible configuration will work.
Fabric, Leather or Another Upholstery?
Appearance matters, but think about how the sectional will actually be used.
Fabric can provide warmth, texture and a wide range of colors. Leather offers a different feel and can work especially well with sophisticated contemporary interiors. Performance characteristics vary significantly among individual materials, so don't choose upholstery based on category alone.
Homes with children, pets or very heavy everyday use may place different demands on upholstery than a formal living room.
Pay Attention to Seat Depth and Height
Two sectionals with similar overall dimensions can feel completely different.
Deeper seating tends to encourage lounging. Shallower seating can provide a more upright sitting position. Back height, cushion construction and arm design also affect comfort considerably.
This is one reason detailed dimensions and product specifications matter when buying furniture online.
Don't Forget Delivery
The sectional fitting in the living room doesn't guarantee that it can get to the living room.
Measure entrance doors, interior doors, hallways, elevators and tight stairway turns. Consider whether individual sectional components separate for delivery.
For large furniture purchases, delivery method matters as well. White Glove service, where available, can include bringing furniture inside the home, placement, unpacking and appropriate assembly rather than leaving a large shipment curbside.
Compare More Than the Price
When shopping for a sectional online, the lowest advertised number isn't necessarily the lowest total cost or the best purchase.
Consider:
Furniture price + shipping/delivery + assembly + availability + expected delivery time.
A sectional that's already stocked regionally can sometimes be a much more practical purchase than furniture traveling across the country or being special ordered.
Shopping for Sectionals at Classic2Modern
Classic2Modern offers a broad selection of sectionals as part of its living-room assortment, alongside sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans and complete living-room sets.
Many of our collections are available through regional supplier inventory, and delivery options vary by product and destination.
For shoppers in California, Arizona and Nevada we especially recommend a DivanItalia collection of sectionals. Defined by contemporary Italian design and uncompromising attention to detail, DivanItalia combines premium top-grain leather and performance fabrics with exceptional comfort and craftsmanship. Every piece is carefully developed and inspected throughout production, delivering the refined appearance, lasting quality, and everyday performance expected from fine Italian-inspired furniture. Stocked in our Southern California warehouses, the furniture is quickly delivered with free standard shipping in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange Counties. Free shipping is also offered in Las Vegas, NV and Phoenix, AZ areas. White Glove Delivery is also available throughout these areas.
If you've found a sectional you like, send us the product name or link and your ZIP code before ordering. We can check current availability, expected delivery timing and available delivery options—and depending on the item and order, we may also have additional pricing flexibility.