Are you a big family person? Well, if so, you may have already found out that sometimes it’s difficult to join every person in the same room, comfortably. When you want comfort, maximum space to seat everyone in their right place, and style at the same time, you’re talking about a balance that’s quite difficult to reach. But luckily, that’s where sectional sofas come in – a family-friendly alternative to traditional sofas.
Forget the loveseats and armchair seating kinda type, sectional sofas are the biggest trend this year! When it comes to style, this piece of furniture will fit perfectly in a luxurious room, as well as in a more simple one, especially if we’re talking about leather sectionals. Sure, a leather sectional will take up more space, but it will allow your family a comfortable lounging in the entire room, whether it’s game night or a Netflix marathon day.
But buying a new piece of furniture might be daunting, and that’s why I’m here to help! Leather sectionals – like the great ones recommended by Sarah at Sectionalist – are a great alternative to big families, due to their excellent durability, unbeatable looks and versatility. You surely want your sofa to be large enough to sit your whole family, as well as stylish enough to match your living room design. After all, it’s a large piece of furniture that’s usually made to last a lifetime, so don’t worry! Let me show how easy it is to purchase one – just follow these simple steps.
Measure Your Area First
Make sure you have the right and proper measures of your room before you buy any leather sectional. They usually take up more space than traditional sofas and even other sectionals, but don’t worry, because they are typically small enough to fit in any doorways. You’ll need to consider the length and the width of the space you want to place it, and the depth of the sofa you’re thinking of purchasing, also taking in regard other pieces of furniture and accessories you might already have in your living room.
It’s easier if you picture your room first with the leather sectional you already have in mind.
Start by measuring the area, and make sure you have enough space to work and play, as well as the certainty you’ll have ample room for your sectional sofa to extend. You’ll need space behind and in front of the sofa for walking, or for adding a coffee table, if you wish to.
After that, carefully read about the different sizes, shapes, materials, and styles prior to buying. Fortunately for you, that’s what I’m about to show you next!
Shape
You might come across different shapes for sectionals. They come with multiple possibilities: L-shaped, U-shaped, curved, with a chaise lounge, or as a modular arrangement. If you have a small living room, these last two will be a perfect fit for you. They don’t take up to much space and are easy to move around, in case you want to rearrange them. Many people prefer modular sectionals due to their moving parts, as you’ll be able to connect the pieces together, in the way that best suits your style, needs and space available.
However, if you have a big family, an L-shaped or U-shaped sectional is a total must! Not only are they perfect to spread out your entire family, but the L-shaped sectional, due to its 90-degree angle, fits nicely into every corner or floats comfortably in the middle of an open space. The U-shaped, on the other hand, provides an open-concept space with a softer appeal, while promoting conversation and a closer entertainment environment.
So, imagine the layout of your interior without any piece of furniture and try to figure out what’s the best option for you and the mood you want to create. Also, always remember – less is more!
Consider the Quality of the Material
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – sectionals are meant to last a lifetime. Although leathersectionals might come a bit pricier than the traditional ones, this type of material it’s a life-lasting investment! Especially if you have kids or pets running around inside your house, or if your family usually eats on the sofa, or even if it’s going to be used on a regular daily basis, you want to ensure you’ll make the right investment. That’s why leather sectionals are the perfect balance for price, style, and durability. However, they require different maintenance than the traditional velvet, microfiber, or polyester upholstered sofas.
Fabrics are important so, for that matter, split leather might be an option due to its affordability, but, ultimately, it’s not that durable. It generally comes in one color without the leather grain patterns. On the other hand, aniline leather is also an option if you’re able to spend some extra money. It’s dyed exclusively with soluble dyes, and it will not cover the surface with a topcoat paint or insoluble pigments. However, it’s not stain-resistant. Sweat, grease, food, oils, and liquids can all create tricky stains on leather upholstery, but for that, you can choose a stain-resistant leather material that can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Furthermore, if your sofa will also be sitting in a room with full sunlight that can damage the material, try finding one better suited for that and, if it’s mildew resistant, it can easily tackle humid climates.
Pay attention to the interior construction of the sectional you are purchasing. It must have a solidly built frame if you want it to last. The workmanship must be noticeable in the construction and design of the framework, stitching, and in the cushions. Look for thickness padding along the back, top, sides, and arms of the sectional. Also, if you want a personal tip, solidly built connectors are the best quality of leather sectionals! This hardware should be designed to keep your sectional furniture securely fastened, keeping the leather tight and avoiding nasty fabric damage.
Consider Your Decor
Let’s talk about colors! In my personal opinion, the “most lasting” leather comes with thick coats of pigment. Even though it will provide a less natural look to the leather, it might come at handy if you want to clean up a tricky stain. Black and dark grey it’s also an option, as they are a classic glamorous choice, easy to clean, and super fancy!
Make sure you choose tones that match the base color of your room. It must blend in! Look for a shade of leather like, pearl, mocha, or ivory, as bright colors can really go along with highlighted and open-spaced environments, and, again, less is more, so consider selecting a sectional sofa with a lower profile, or an angled back and rolled arms. Neutral shades are the best option if you want your sofa to shine for many years! Keep in mind this will be the centerpiece of your room.
Go With Leather!
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to pick the perfect leather sectional that fits your personal needs. It all comes to budget and personal taste. Leather is always an option to provide your room with the proper sofa for many years from now. You won’t be having more headaches or problems when it comes to cleaning, I promise you that.
You now have a bunch of possibilities to renew your interior. But remember, you don’t always have to go with a large shaped sectional. If the budget is a problem, try a regular modular sectional and complement it with ottomans or small tables, as they will create a conversational, eating, and drinking environment for guests to have fun and be comfortable at the same time.
