If you are downsizing to a smaller home and own a sectional sofa, consider removing one or two armless seats to create a better-fitting unit.

A couple I consulted with last week had an L-shaped sectional that was not working in their new living room. While the sofa was attractive and fit the space, the L shape was not conducive to conversation – it took too much twisting and turning. As often happens, they already had what they needed in another room: a pair of saddle-colored leather club chairs, which were taking up too much space in their dining room, were just what the living room grouping required.

We got to work and removed two of the armless pieces from the sectional, creating a more classic looking straight sofa. With the L gone, we brought the leather club chairs into the living room and created a U-shaped grouping by placing the two chairs across from the sofa. An extra occasional table with a glass top was brought in to serve as a coffee table; it will soon have a new, bigger marble top. Now, the grouping invites conversation and offers a place to put down drinking glasses, etc. The couple will also hang a large oil painting on the wall above the sofa, that they already own, and purchase a new rug and a pair of lamps.

Finally, the two pieces that were removed were pushed together in the dining room to create one armless loveseat (since there was no other place for it in their home). It takes up a lot less space than the club chairs. Shortly, a new fitted slipcover, that matches the dining room chairs, will cover the loveseat and no one will suspect it was ever part of the living room sofa. Another L-shaped sofa bites the dust.

Do you have a sectional that would benefit from reconfiguration?

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