Choosing a Sectional for a Living Room You Share

Seating concept, not to scale.

One person wants to stretch out after work. Another likes to sit upright with a book, and a third may walk through the room on the way to the kitchen. When a living room is shared, the sofa has to leave space for all those ordinary moments.

Start with how the room will be used when more than one person is home. Then look for a seating arrangement that gives each of you a comfortable place without turning the route through the room into an obstacle course.

Talk about the seats you actually want

Ask each person where they tend to sit now. Someone may always choose the end with an arm to lean against. Someone else might prefer a regular seat with both feet on the floor. If everyone pictures the chaise as their usual spot, it helps to know that before choosing a one-chaise sectional.

The 96-inch boneless L-shaped couch has a chaise beside the regular seating area. One person can put their feet up while someone else sits alongside them. Try drawing the layout and marking where each person would settle, including the direction they would face for the TV or a conversation.

If two people both want a place to lie out at the same time, discuss that preference openly. You may decide to alternate, keep a separate chair, or look at a different arrangement if the room allows it. A single chaise is one dedicated place to stretch out, so it helps to choose with that in mind.

Keep the route beside the couch usable

In a shared apartment, a person may need to cross the room while someone else is already sitting down. Mark the couch's outer footprint along with the coffee table and the door swings. On the 96-inch model, that footprint is 96 inches across and reaches 60.2 inches at the chaise.

Try the chaise on each side of your plan. The better side is the one that leaves the path you use most comfortable to walk, while still giving the chaise user a pleasant view. Our left- and right-facing guide explains how to check the orientation shown on the product page.

Leave space for the things that are actually staying: a desk chair that pulls back, a cabinet that opens, or a place for shoes near the entrance. A clear plan on paper should still work when those pieces are in use.

Give each person somewhere to put things

A single coffee table doesn't always serve both the chaise and the opposite end. An end table or a small surface beside the seat that's farthest away can keep a book or drink within reach. Try furniture you already own before buying a matching set.

If you use the couch for different activities, decide where the everyday items go when you're finished. A basket for a shared throw or a shelf for a game controller can keep the next person from having to clear the seat first. Keep the walking route clear of charging cords and bags.

Agree on the purchase details together

Before placing an order, make sure everyone involved can see the chosen configuration, dimensions, and current delivery and return terms. If you're sharing the cost, decide who will keep the couch if someone moves. Those are practical conversations for any shared furniture purchase.

Once you've agreed on the layout, leave it marked out for a day. Everyone can check the route through the room and picture where they'd like to sit.