How to Build Your Own Sectional

A couple smiling as a furniture seller shows them a sofa

At a Glance:

Build Your Own Sectional with Colder’s Help

Wondering how to build a sectional couch that suits your space? The key is to customize a sectional based on seating capacity, layout, upholstery, and comfort level. At Colder’s, we can walk you through the process of designing a sectional sofa that meets all your needs and seamlessly integrates into the style of your living room. In this sectional sofa buying guide, we’ll break down how to create the custom sectional sofa of your dreams and highlight sectional couch brands that offer custom options.

How to Build Your Own Sectional 101

The biggest plus of unique sectionals is they allow owners to go for feature colors and patterns with tailor-made layouts for a specific space. But before exploring the creative side of a sectional, it’s important to cover the basics. When it comes to building your own sectional there are a few key factors to keep in mind: seating capacity, layout, upholstery choice, and comfort level. Let’s dive in.

Discover the Best Custom Sectional Sofa Deals

How you get down while you unwind is up to you with the large selection of custom sectional options at Colder's.

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Learn more: Custom Couches: How to Design Your Own Couch

Build Your Own Sectional by Seating Capacity

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to build your own sectional by seating capacity. Think about how many people are in your household as well as how many people you frequently host, and then choose accordingly.

Sectional Type	Seating Capacity	Best For
3-Piece Sectional	Seats 3-4 people	Best for small living rooms or apartments. Ideal for couples or small families needing a compact seating option.
4-Piece Sectional	Seats 4-5 people	Suitable for medium-sized living rooms. Great for small to medium families or those who entertain occasionally.
5-Piece Sectional	Seats 5-6 people	Perfect for larger living rooms. Ideal for families or individuals who frequently host guests.
6-Piece Sectional	Seats 6-7 people	Excellent for spacious living rooms. Best for full-size households and regular entertainers.
7-Piece Sectional	Seats 7-8+ people	Ideal for expansive living spaces or open-concept homes. Perfect for large families, frequent entertainers, or home theater setups.

Build Your Own Sectional by Layout

Overhead view of a living room with a sectional sofa and matching seating

Layout is another major consideration when it comes to determining how to choose a sectional sofa. Once you’ve settled on the number of pieces you need, you can consider which arrangement is best. Curved, U-shaped, L-shaped, and modular sectionals are the most popular picks, and they each work best in different layouts.

Curved Sectional: Curved sectionals are best for large, open living rooms or spaces with unique shapes. The gentle curve of this sectional design creates a cozy and inviting seating area, making it ideal for rooms where conversation and interaction are key. A curved sectional sofa also works well in rooms with rounded or unconventional layouts, softening angular spaces and offering a more intimate feel.

U-shaped Sectional: U-shaped sectionals are ideal for spacious living rooms or open-concept spaces. The horseshoe shape provides ample seating on three sides, making it perfect for large families or frequent entertainers. This layout encourages social interaction by facing guests toward each other and works well in rooms where you want to create a central, inclusive gathering area.

L-shaped Sectional: L-shaped sectionals are great for medium to large living rooms, especially those with a predominant wall and corner. The L-shape fits well into crevices or can be used to divide an open-concept space, offering flexibility in room design. The layout maximizes seating while leaving plenty of open space, making it a practical choice for various room configurations.

Modular Sectional: Modular sectionals are versatile, making them ideal for just about any room layout. They consist of individual pieces that can be rearranged to suit different layouts and needs depending on the number of pieces a set includes. They offer the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to customize your seating arrangement based on the room size, shape, and function. Overall, modular sectionals are perfect for those who enjoy changing their room's layout or need adaptable furniture.

Build Your Own Sectional by Upholstery Choice

A person taking notes of upholstery samples

One of the major steps in how to design a sectional sofa is choosing furniture upholstery. According to interior designers at the Spruce, cotton, linen, wool, velvet, chenille, leather, polyester, nylon, and microfiber are the best couch fabrics. Let’s take a look at some of the top options for a custom upholstered sectional.

➕Best Sectional Upholstery for High Traffic Areas: For high-traffic living rooms, nylon and polyester are both great options. They’re durable and can stand up to stains, kids, and pets.

➕Best Sectional Upholstery for High End Living Areas: For high-traffic living rooms and those with allergies, we recommend leather. A custom leather sectional has a classic look and offers durability, stain resistance, and longevity.

➕Best Sectional Upholstery for Stains and Messes: Performance fabric is designed to stand up to stains and messes, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic living rooms and homes with kids and pets.

➕Best Sectional Upholstery for Pet Owners: For easy cleanup in a pet-free home, we recommend microfiber upholstery since it can typically be cleaned with water, is resistant to stains and messes, and doesn’t have looks that might snag on pets’ claws.

➕Best Sectional Upholstery for Casual Living Areas: Chenille and velvet are both soft, but chenille is more durable. Neither of them is ideal for pet-friendly homes.

Learn more: How Much Does Custom Upholstery for Furniture Cost?

Build Your Own Sectional by Comfort Level

Most sectionals are stationary, but did you know you can transform your living room into a lavish lounge by opting for a reclining sectional? Brands like Flexsteel and Southern Motion specialize in reclining furniture, offering manual and power reclining options. Opting for a reclining sectional over a stationary sectional means no more fighting over who gets the best seat.

Build Your Own Sectional with Colder’s Help

With our exclusive custom furniture program, Colder’s is the best place to buy a custom sectional. Our team will walk you through the process of building a sectional step by step from fabric choice to arrangement and size. We take the guesswork out of creating the right seating arrangement for your living room.

Did You Know? Colder’s currently carries 11 furniture brands that can be customized, including:

Lead times may vary due to the wide range of customizable brands we carry, but in some cases, we can deliver as quickly as 4 weeks.

Learn more: Custom Couch Upholstery: Brands & Styles

Custom Sectional Brands at Colder’s

Let’s take a look at the top brands that specialize in customizable seating, along with a look at one of each line’s top-selling sectionals that you can design and build your way.

Best Home Furnishings Custom Sectionals

Best Home Furnishings sectionals come in a wide variety of silhouettes, sizes, and materials in both stationary and reclining options. With style options from elegant to modern to contemporary, Best Home Furniture is one of the most diverse selections on the market.

Our Pick: Best Home Furnishings Customizable Dovely 5-Piece Sectional Sofa

Front view of the Best Home Furnishings Dovely collection sectional

Shop This Best Home Furnishings Sectional

This large sectional allows you to pick from seven different pieces to build a configuration that works for your living room layout. Every sectional comes with two pillows in your choice of fabric as well as an optional storage ottoman. There are over 700 fabric options in just about style and color you can imagine. Families will love the reversible seats and the USB chargers built into the couch arm.

England Furniture Custom Sectionals

Using 14 computerized routers to cut each frame perfectly, England Furniture sectionals are built quickly and efficiently. They’re also built to last with high-quality plywood reinforced with hardwood. With design choices that focus on transitional and traditional looks, it’s one of our favorite sectional brands for homeowners who love the classic looks.

Our Pick: England Furniture Customizable Tyler Sectional

Front view of the England Furniture Tyler collection sectional

Shop This England Furniture Sectional

This stationary sectional is ready to be customized to your taste. The comfortable seats are constructed with sinuous wire and block foam with poly fiber wrap, and you can add frame coils as an upgrade. We love the transitional silhouette that is sophisticated without feeling formal. The movable ottoman acts as a chaise for more room to stretch out, or you can arrange it in a way that suits your layout.

Flexsteel Custom Sectionals

Flexsteel can help you create a custom stationary or reclining sectional for maximum comfort and relaxation. Their furniture is durable and family-friendly, and come in a large selection of colors, fabrics, and high-quality leather upholstery. Complete with the exclusive Blue Steel Spring technology, Flexsteel sectionals are built to last with comfort and style that last as long.

Our Pick: Flexsteel Lennox Sectional

Front view of the Flexsteel Lennox collection sectional

Shop This Flexsteel Sectional

We love this transitional style sofa that’s perfect for gathering with friends and family for conversation and connection. The contrasting welt gives it a tailored look, and there are plenty of cushions so you can get comfortable. It features wood legs, reversible seat cushions, and accent pillows to create a cohesive and stylish look.

Palliser Custom Sectionals

Palliser Furniture specializes in comfortable seating options like sofas, recliners, and sectionals. You can customize their ethically sourced seating sectionals to create a piece that matches the vision you have in your head.

Our Pick: Palliser Furniture Armina Customizable 6-Piece Power Reclining Sectional

Front view of the Palliser Furniture Armina collection sectional

Shop This Palliser Furniture Sectional

Palliser offers both stationary and reclining sectionals, and this power reclining sectional is undeniably chic. We love the simple silhouette, the sturdy frame, and the comfortable cushions. You can customize it with a variety of upholstery and leather options, and you can also add single and double needle top stitching for a luxurious finishing touch. We love the convenience of the storage compartment, cup holders, and USB chargers.

Southern Motion Custom Sectionals

Not many furniture brands do reclining furniture quite like Southern Motion does. If your living room is the go-to spot for watching movies or sports, Southern Motion sectionals offer a selection of comfortable sectionals to choose from. With builds that are big on comfort and designs that are irresistibly cozy, Southern Motion sectional sofas are one of the most sought-after brands on the market.

Our Pick: Southern Motion Customizable Marquis 3-Piece Power Headrest Console Sectional

Front view of the Southern Motion Marquis collection sectional

Shop This Southern Motion Sectional

This couch is cozy, featuring plush cushions, soft edges, and double bustle backs. The innovative SoCozi heat and massage system takes this reclining sectional to the next level. You can customize the upholstery or configuration, depending on what works best for your lifestyle and layout. Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to lounge in style, using the power reclining to easily adjust to your ideal position.

Make your living room work for you by building a custom sectional. You’re in control, selecting the size, configuration, upholstery, and comfort that your family needs in a style you love. Whether you prefer a modern Michael Nicholas Designs sectional or a reclining sectional from Southern Motion, the team at Colder’s can walk you through the process of designing your dream sectional. Stop by one of our Milwaukee locations to browse sectionals in person and begin the process of building your own!

Why Trust Colder’s?

Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.

Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing for your home needs!

Shop Sectionals at Colder’s

Don’t put off happiness — and shop living room furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you put your designer cap on as you build your own sectional, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!

Learn More: Custom Furniture: What Can You Customize?

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