Sectional Vs Sofa Put To The Test

The topic of ' sectional or sofa ' is one of great debates in home seating and Eve Russo and I talked about on WFMZ 69 News At Sunrise.  

WATCH IT HERE

For more info and to see the photos used on the TV show CLICK HERE.

Furniture Help! Sectional Or Sofa

I am constantly wavering back and forth over this issue - sectional or sofa?  Whether I am working on a clients home project or my own home, its a big decision!  The sectional offers plenty of appeal including lots of seating for cuddling, and that coveted corner seat everyone fights over.  But a sofa is less cumbersome, looking lighter in a room, and is not such a commitment as a sectional with its permanent configuration.  

When I mention 'sectional' to some of my clients I get a reaction like "Is that still in style?" or "Don't those belong in the basement?"  Truth is, sectionals have become more modern and chic looking.  The upholstery options are extensive and the arms are less bulky.   They can also be the perfect answer to seating in some rooms due to the layout of the space.  

Many sectionals are customizable.  You choose the length on either end (the right or left side can be longer than the other), the look of the arm, the style of the cushion and the corner seat can be a square corner or rounded corner. 

Bassett Furniture

Sectionals come in L shaped, U shaped, and with one chaise (or two if you choose one on either end like I did in my own home because my husband wanted us both to have our feet up while watching a movie).  

Cecy J Interiors

Tip: Balance a sectional with something weighty on the diagonal end or across from it like a floor basket or chair.  

Reasons To Choose A Sectional or Sofa  

Consider the layout of the room! If you are lucky enough to have a large open area with plenty of square footage, the sofa vs sectional decision is more personal.  BUT if you have constrictions due to lack of space in a room or entry ways that you don't want blocked, you may be forced to use either a sofa or sectional.  Its important to measure your room carefully.  Plan it out on graph paper if you can.  Include doorways (you don't want to block any entry way with furniture).  You can also tape out the possible furniture layout you are considering on the ground using painters tape.  If you have furniture in the room now, move it around in different configurations to get a feel for what works best.  Here are some examples of rooms that work best with either a sectional or sofa: 

Sofa Wins When...

This room is tricky to get a good amount of seating in due to the long narrow space with an entry door at one end of the room and the only entrance into the room at the other end.  A sectional would block either the doorway or the entrance point so a sofa would be a good option as seen below.  No one will be tripping over furniture to get through the room.

Wesley-Wayne

Sectional Wins When...

Here is another long narrow room that has a different issue; the fireplace and television are on two different walls.  The sectional allows seating to see both and keeps a nice wide entrance point in and out of the room.  The use of two sofas would have narrowed the entrance point making it difficult to walk through the room.

 
The Cousins

Sectional Wins When...

This room is super big and the sectional floating in the center grounds the space creating a cozier seating arrangement.  I use sectionals often in large great rooms.  They bring the space down to size so you don't feel like the person across from you is so far away.

Margaret Donaldson Interiors

Sofa Wins When...

Separate sofas and chairs for really well for multiple seating for guests when you entertain (friends don't typically like to snuggle up to person to their left or right; it can be uncomfortable).  It also allows you to change up the arrangement of the furniture.  And its great for allowing conversation and traffic flow.  

Kendall Simmons

I hope this is helpful to you.  Best of luck with your own furniture project!

My Pink 1970s Bathroom Gets Renovated

BEFORE                                                       AFTER 

So long 1970s pepto pink! We finally completed our master bathroom renovation! Jumping for joy because no longer sharing my daughters bathroom.  Its a small space but really works hard for us.  

BEFORE                                                       AFTER 

Its been a bit of a process from demo to tile install, but we are done!  Party time!

STEPS TO COMPLETE THE MAIN AREA

Demo and new dry wall.

Added radiant heat to floor then began tile work.  I worked hand in hand with the tiler to make sure the tiles were forming nicely in a herringbone pattern on the floor, and the key is to use tiles next to each other that don't have a similar pattern/veining (good tip when using machine made tiles).

Floor is done!

Walls are done!

The bathroom is small so we used the same tile throughout to keep it bright and expansive looking. BUT we did 'shake it up' in varying lengths and patterns of that tile.  The floor and wall tile above chair rail are long narrow pieces (herringbone pattern on floor and random on wall).  The tile used below the chair rail, and walls of shower are larger pieces.

I wanted to use calacatta marble for the entire project but the price tag was beyond my budget, so I only used it for the chair rail, floor of the shower and pattern on the back shower wall.  After a lot of research, I found a man made tile I liked that looked similar, and I am happy with it.

Good bye shell sink......

Vanity is in!

We needed a 60 inch double vanity.  I found this one and liked how the marble looked that came with it.  Also looks like a piece of furniture with its tall legs, that gives the room a more open feel because it is a small space.  HERE IS THE LINK.  We changed out the knobs to crystal because every room needs a little bling!

Bling bling!!

BEFORE

AFTER (new knobs)

We have array of lighting options now.  The chrome wall sconces with fabric shades for ambiance lighting, two recessed lights above the vanity for more direct light (I preferred this vs using wall sconces above the vanity because I have under 8 foot ceiling and would have felt squatty).  Also a light in the shower and fan light.

We used satin nickel for the faucets and shower plumbing.  I like mixing chrome and nickel.  I don't prefer chrome everywhere because of the shininess, but used together, looks nice.

To get the mirror size right, I found a few options then taped them out on the wall using painters tape.  This is a good tip for visualizing the size before purchasing!

STEPS TO COMPLETE THE SHOWER

 BEFORE                                                       AFTER 

Good bye sunken square tub!

New work begins!

I instantly fell for this marble mosaic tile.  I wanted to keep the shower clean and light but give it one powerful POP!  And our dog Carmella approved!

Definitely had to have wall niches.  I chose two to maximize function.  The taller one is perfect for our shampoo and conditioner and body wash.  And the lower shelf holds soap and razors neatly.

I used the basket weave marble mosaic tile for the back of the niches.  This is the tile I used on the shower floor also.  For the sides of the niche, I used calacatta marble that had a lot of gray veining.

One more look at the shower.

Thats it! We still want to use a wallpaper on the walls but decided to paint it now and get back around to the paper later.  We finished the space off with crown molding.  

Next project is our basement (my daughters bathroom will be in 2018; she has a baby blue 1970s look right now)

(you need bell bottom jeans in this room)

Talking Sectional Vs Sofa On TV Thursday

CecyJ

I am constantly teetering back and forth on using sectionals in client projects.  I had one in my home years ago, and said I would not use one again.  Fast forward three years later, and I just purchased two for myself!  This Thursday at 8:50 am on WFMZ TV 69 News at Sunrise I will share the good reasons to use sectionals!

Check back here later that day to read my short post on it along with photos of rooms I am discussing.  

Decadently yours,
Shosh


*hope you are enjoying the weekend!

Excited to See An Article We Wrote On Decorating Published

Thank you Hakol for letting us be a part of your important publication, and allowing us to write an article for you for your March 2017 issue! What an honor! What a fantastic newspaper!  

To see the article CLICK HERE.  I hope you get to check it out!

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