Do Sectional Sofas Come Apart?

Sofas are one of the most important pieces of furniture in the home. This multipurpose lounge piece provides support and comfort when you are relaxing after a long day, and also doubles up as the headquarters for board games at night. For those who enjoy having friends and family over, the sofa is also one of the first spots guests gravitate towards.

We ask a lot of our sofas, so they need to be flexible and adaptable to meet all these needs. And what better way to do this than with a sectional sofa?

What is a sectional sofa?

A sectional sofa, also known as modular sofas, is one that is formed of several distinct pieces. Rather than one self-contained unit, sectional furniture allows you to create your own size and shape sofa to suit your space. But there is a big question. Do sectional sofas come apart or are they fixed together in your living space?

The answer is that generally, yes, sectional sofas do come apart and can be easily moved and reconfigured to suit your needs. Your sofa may come with a connecting device that allows you to fasten and secure the various sections together, and ensure that the various pieces stay together. The connecting device (or alligator clips) are generally easy to disconnect so you can move the separate parts of the sofa as required.

With deep seats and an open-based silhouette for easy cleaning, the Adams Chaise Sectional Sofa is the perfect family lounge piece. Picture credit: @themerrythought.

Why choose a sectional sofa?

There are many good reasons for choosing a sectional sofa. Unlike normal single piece sofas, sectional sofas offer you the flexibility to change the shape around and alter your living space as you see fit. They also allow you to fill unusual spaces or make the best use of any space with extendable corner sofas.

The range of pieces available in a sectional sofa selection also means you can mix and match, adding sofas sections, corners and chaise parts for a couch that really works for you. There is also the bonus that sectional units are easier to transport and fit through doorways, so you won’t risk damaging your sofa or decoration just trying to get it through your door and into your living room.

Sectional sofas come in a big selection of design styles and fabrics, which means you have the maximum range of choice if choosing to go this route for your living room furniture.

@melissamale's furry companion approves of the low-slung lounging that the Todd Sectional Chaise Sofa has to offer.

How do sectional sofas connect?

Many sectional sofas have no connecting mechanism. They are simply arranged or placed how you want them and will stay in that location or are free to be moved should you need to rearrange. Of course, sometimes it is necessary for sectional sofas to be connected (particularly on smooth floor surfaces where there is less grip). This can add more security to your seating area, preventing the individual modules from drifting apart. Or it may be a necessary part of the design, for example, to create a more seamless join. So, what are the main ways a sectional sofa section is joined?

Warm, inviting, and easy on the eyes, coming home to the Owen Chaise Sectional Sofa is definitely something to look forward to. Picture credit: @boho_onabudget.

The two main methods used to join units are clips, which are easy to be unfastened and moved quickly, or more semi-permanent connectors like screws and bolts. These have the advantage of creating a more secure join.

Pros and cons of sectional sofas

There are plenty of advantages to having sectional sofas, including more flexible seating arrangements, easier moving and handling, and a wide variety of seating options including chaise sofas and corner sofas.

However, they are not for everyone. Sectional sofas can take up more space than conventional single piece sofas, so they may not be suitable for smaller living spaces. It’s important to measure your space before choosing your new sofa. You should also remember that not all sectional sofas can be used in multiple configurations as it depends on the design of the corner and chaise pieces.

How do you separate a sectional couch?

It depends. Some sectional couches have no connecting pieces and are simply placed next to each other. Other models have metal clips or similar devices that can easily be clipped in or out when needed to add some stability while offering flexibility. Some modular sofas come with more heavy-duty bolt or screw connections, offering a more semi-permanent kind of stability. These are not recommended if you want to move your sofa around on a regular basis.

Is it OK to separate a sectional couch?

In general, many sectional sofas come apart easily and they are designed to do so without too much fuss or effort. This makes them easier to move and reconfigure in your living space, as and when you need to do so.

How does a sectional sofa stay together?

Some sectional sofas simply use gravity to stay together, in that they stay where they are placed, so you can simply align units to form a larger seating area. Other sectional designs come with clips or more heavy-duty bolts or screws to ensure that they stay in place. It all depends on the design, but this is something you should consider when buying a modular design.