Sofas That Seat 5

Type

• Sofas that seat five people are typically called "sectional" sofas, because they come in more than one piece and must be put together. The most common type of sectional that seats five people breaks down into a three-seat segment and a two-seat segment. Many sectional sofas that seat five also come with a chaise lounge; it features a long cushion that juts out perpendicularly from the sofa, typically at one end, and allows the person sitting there to put his feet up and recline. If you cover the chaise with a spill proof fabric, it can also be used to hold a food tray for snacks and meals on the couch.

Shape

• Most sectional sofas that seat five are built in an "L" shape; this enables you to arrange the couch along two walls of a room rather than along one wall. Many sitting rooms don't have walls long enough to accommodate a sofa with five seats in a row; the "L" shape also allows individuals to face each other for discussions, games and eating together.

Purpose

• Sofas that seat five serve several purposes. They allow large families to gather together with enough seating for everyone; they also provide seating for dinner parties and other social events in the home. For working couples who are tired at the end of the day, sofas that seat five allow both individuals to recline and relax without battling each other for space. Sofas that seat five also eliminate the need for additional furniture; most living rooms have a couch that seats three and a love seat that seats two; sectionals have all that seating wrapped up into one.

Tips

• Pull the sofa away from the wall to occupy an otherwise empty space in the middle of the room, and allow room for other pieces of furniture -- like sofa tables -- to go along the wall. You could also center your sofa table around a coffee table; if your sectional comes with a chaise, place that end of the sofa against a wall so that the chaise won't obstruct the traffic flow. Keep the sectional away from doors and walkways; this will make the placement look awkward, and make the sofa appear too large for the space. Though you may be tempted, don't separate your sectional; both sides will appear unfinished.