Best Sectional Sofas in Canada September 2023: Trending Comfort

How to Choose a Sectional Sofa for Canadians

Before you can purchase a sectional sofa in Canada, it’s important to consider your different options and features. Make sure to look over the following guide carefully. A closer look at these features can help you determine which sectional sofa is best for your family and your space. 

Type of Sectional Sofa

There are two general types of sectional sofas that you’ll come across in your search for a sectional. Most sectionals are either modular or fixed, regardless of the shape of the sofa itself.

• Modular sofas can be combined in multiple different ways. Each piece can be attached to other pieces, allowing you to move the sofa pieces around to fit your needs. There are nearly endless configurations you can create with modular sofas, including the inclusion of chaise lounges and corner pieces. A modular sofa can grow with you, as there is the option to add pieces over time to create a larger or more complex sectional.
• Fixed sofas are in a set configuration, which cannot be changed. These sofas come in a one-size-fits-all set that you can rarely change or customize. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, as it allows you to create very specific looks with the sofa you choose.

The type of sectional you should choose depends on your needs, as well as the shape and size of your living room. Don’t be afraid to try a modular sofa, particularly if you want a sectional that you can change later. A fixed sectional works well for most users but can be limiting for unique spaces or larger families.

Sectional Shapes

Once you’ve determined what type of sectional sofa you want in your home, you should determine what shape you need your sectional to be. Modular sofas can come in a range of shapes and can change over time. However, fixed sectionals usually fall into one of a few different sectional shapes.

• L-shaped sectionals resemble two sofas pushed together at a right angle. Usually, one side is longer, which helps contribute to the L-shape of the sofa. 
• Chaise sectionals can also be L-shaped. A chaise sectional use a chaise lounge as one of the seating pieces, providing a longer shape for one side. It’s easier to lie down and get comfortable with this feature, but it limits seating somewhat. 
• U-shaped sectionals use a longer main piece with two pieces that stick out at either end, creating a U-shape with your coffee table or ottoman in the middle. This can help you talk amongst your friends more easily, especially if you often have a lot of people over. 

These are the most common shapes for sectional sofas, but there are other options. Modular sofas can be just about any size you can think of, too. Remember to choose a sofa that fits in your space and uses a configuration that works well for you.

Covers

The cover of the sofa is the part that you will be touching and interacting with. As such, it’s important to choose a sofa with covers you’ll love to sit or relax on. Most sofa covers are made with polyester fabric. It’s durable and colourful, with many options to choose from. Other options include blended fabrics, leather, and more.

Fabrics are less durable than leather but ultimately come in different colour options. Fabric covers are soft and comforting, and some blends can be smoother than others. If you want the cozy feeling of a standard couch, fabric options might be best for you.

However, leather and other options (such as velvet) also allow you to customize the look and feel of your couch. Leather is cooler but might not be as comforting. If you love leather couches, make sure to look for a sofa that comes in a leather option.

The cover material is just the first step. It’s also important to acknowledge if the covers are removable, washable, and capable of being put in the dryer. All of these factors are important to consider, especially if you plan on keeping your sectional sofa for a long time to come.

Dimensions and Space

Sectional sofas are large, and sometimes they may take up a lot of space. This depends on the dimensions of your room, the configuration of the sofa, and more. Always make sure to accurately measure your living space. Knowing how much space you have can help you find a sofa that will fit perfectly.

You also have to consider the floor space a sectional will take up. Depending on the shape of your sectional, you might need a sizeable amount of space on the floor to be able to walk around it. If you have a smaller living room, avoid going with a larger sectional arrangement. Looking to maximize your possible space? Ditch the chaise lounge piece that is optional for so many sectional sofas.

Usually, sofa companies will list the dimensions of the sofa on their website. Use these dimensions to determine if the sofa will fit in your space. This will at least give you an idea of the standard configuration and how much space you’ll be sacrificing.

Colour Options

The colour you choose for your sofa is personal and can also be based on the other décor you have in your living room. Many of the sofas on our list come in multiple colour options, even when those colours are all neutrals.

Of course, you should choose the colour that you want or the one that goes along with the rest of your living room décor. Keep in mind that while some of the best sofa sectional beds in Canada have multiple colour options for each type of fabric available, they might not have the same colour palette every time. Leather usually comes in more neutral colours, while polyester fabric can be dyed any colour and is usually presented with at least one dark blue option.

Included Pieces

What’s included with the original sofa shipment? While some modular sofas allow you to order pieces later, they will only have a select few to start with. These pieces may include corner pieces, arm pieces, chaise lounges, and more. We’ve looked at how each sofa ships without any modification and must contain at least one chair piece and two arm pieces.

Always make sure to see which pieces are included with your sofa purchase. You don’t want to receive your purchase, only to find out that some pieces you wanted are missing. Remember that with modular sofas, these pieces can be added later to create a larger seating space. You should choose your new sectional based on the pieces included in your purchase.

Make sure to look for options that can be expanded later. While you might not need more seats now, you might find yourself in need of additional seating later on. Choosing a sofa with additional modules available can save you money later on, especially if you need to expand your seating. Instead of purchasing a new sofa, you can choose to expand or change your current sectional to seat more guests.

Customizable Options

Some sofas, particularly modular options, feature customization options. This extends beyond the configurations you can create, too. Some sofas offer multiple different layers of customization, from the feel of your sofa to the shape of the arms.

Common customization options include fabric customizations (which can often include leather, fabric, and different blends of materials to create a sofa that you find comfortable). As we discussed above, most covers come in multiple colour options. Some sofas may come in a wide range of colours, while others might stick to neutrals that will match any décor.

Other areas of customization include extras and support pieces like ottomans and chaises. Most of the time, the configuration selection options for modular sofas won’t allow you to choose a chaise. You must order the chaise piece separately and attach it to your existing configuration. You might also be able to select a matching ottoman, which doesn’t need any special steps or assembly. It will match the fabric on your sofa, though – this might be a great option for some users.

Besides arm shapes and heights, another popular customization feature is your sofa’s legs. Some sofas use a set leg selection, which may not match the rest of your décor. Meanwhile, sofas with leg options allow you to choose the finish and colour. Some sofas may conceal the legs as well, so your customization depends largely on the shape and size of the sofa.

You can choose as many or as few customization options as you want. You can create a sofa that is unique to you or chooses some options and leave the rest as-is. Sofas with customization options allow you to make most of the decisions.

Assembly

Since most of the sofas on our list are only available online, it’s reasonable to expect that there is some level of assembly involved. Modular sofas arrive in several boxes and will need to be built and attached to create the sofa. Sectionals may come in pieces that need to be put together. Most use hassle-free assembly methods that make it easy to put them together. 

If you don’t mind a little work, most of the sofas on this list will be fine for you. However, those who want to avoid any type of construction can look for sectional sofas that use tool-free assembly. These sofas are just as sturdy and durable as those who have a more complex assembly process, and it’s usually faster to put them together, too. Make sure to give these sofas a chance, as the no-assembly model might just surprise you.