Choosing a sectional configuration means deciding which pieces you need, how they connect, and where special features like a chaise, a sleeper, or recliners will sit. The right configuration depends on three things: the size and shape of your room, how many people sit together most nights, and which features your family will use every day. Get those three right, and the sectional will feel like it was made for your home.
This guide is for anyone comparing the sectional couches Calgary furniture stores have on their floors and wondering how all the pieces fit together. Rather than repeating our earlier guides on picking a shape or arranging a room, it walks through the building blocks themselves: the pieces, what LAF and RAF mean, typical sizes for L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals, where to put a sleeper or recliners, and how seat depth and arm width change the way a configuration feels.
What "Configuration" Means When You Buy a Sectional
A sectional sofa is not one fixed piece of furniture. It is a set of separate pieces that join together, and the configuration is the specific combination and order of those pieces. Two sectionals from the same collection can look completely different depending on whether the buyer chose a corner piece and a loveseat, a sofa and a chaise, or five individual modules with a pull-out bed in the middle. That flexibility is what makes sectionals so popular, but it also means there are more decisions to make than with a standard sofa.
The good news is that every configuration is built from a small set of building blocks. Once you understand those pieces, you can picture almost any layout, compare options across collections, and spot the configuration that fits your living room before you ever sit in it. Learning this vocabulary is the quickest way to narrow down the sectional couches Calgary shoppers see online and in showrooms.
Know Your Pieces: Arms, Armless Seats, Corners, and Chaises
Most sectionals combine a handful of standard pieces. End pieces have one arm and sit at the outside edges, such as a one-arm loveseat, a one-arm sofa, or a one-arm chaise. Armless chairs and armless loveseats sit in the middle and add seats without adding arms, which is how a sectional grows longer. A corner piece, sometimes a square corner seat and sometimes a curved or angled corner wedge, turns the sectional ninety degrees or more to create an L or U shape. A chaise is an extended seat, often around 60 to 70 inches long, designed for stretching out your legs.
Beyond those basics, many collections offer specialty pieces. A storage chaise hides blankets under a lift-up seat. A console piece adds cup holders, charging ports, or hidden storage between two seats. A sleeper piece contains a pull-out bed, turning that part of the sectional into a sofa bed. Power recliner seats add footrests that rise at the touch of a button, and many also include a power headrest or adjustable headrest, USB ports, or even a wireless charger. Ottomans can be pushed against the front of the sectional to create a deeper lounge or moved away for extra seating.
Reading LAF and RAF Without the Guesswork
Sectional pieces with one arm are labelled LAF or RAF, and getting them right is one of the most important steps in ordering a configuration. LAF means left-arm facing, and RAF means right-arm facing, and you may also see them written as left-facing and right-facing, or simply called the piece's orientation. The direction is always described as you stand in front of the piece and look at it, not as you sit in it. So a RAF chaise has its arm on your right as you face it, and it sits on the right side of the finished sectional. A LAF loveseat has its arm on your left and sits on the left side.
This is where many people get turned around, because once you sit down, the arm appears on the opposite side. To avoid mistakes, stand where you will usually look at the sectional, often the doorway or the TV wall, and picture which end needs the chaise or the arm. Sketch the room on paper and label each piece as LAF, RAF, or armless before you order. Armless pieces and some corner pieces do not carry a label at all, since they have no arm to place.
The L-Shaped Sectional: Sizes, Seats, and Best Rooms
The L-shaped sectional is the most common configuration, made from two runs of seating joined by a corner piece. As a general guide, compact L-shaped sectionals measure around 95 by 95 inches, medium sizes around 105 by 105 inches, and larger ones around 120 by 120 inches, though many collections let you lengthen one or both sides. Most seat four to six people comfortably. The two sides do not need to be equal, so you can order a long side facing the TV and a shorter return along a side wall.
L-shaped configurations suit square and rectangular rooms, corners, and open-concept spaces where the back of the sectional can help define the living area. You can place a chaise at one end, a recliner at the other, or a console in the middle of the long side. When planning an L, decide which side is the main seating run and which is the return, then build the pieces from there. That simple choice shapes how the sectional couches Calgary families choose will feel every day.
The U-Shaped Sectional: Seating for a Crowd
A U-shaped sectional wraps seating around three sides, using two corner pieces to create a cozy, enclosed space. Common U-shaped sizes start around 120 by 120 inches and can stretch well beyond 150 inches wide, seating six to ten people or more depending on the pieces. Some U-shaped configurations replace one end with a chaise, creating a softer, lounge-style shape.
The trade-off is space. A U-shaped sectional needs a large room, with at least 30 to 36 inches of clearance around it so people can move in and out comfortably. It works best when one side is left open toward the TV or a fireplace and when the room has enough depth for both returns. Before you choose a U, map the full footprint on the floor with painter's tape, including the open side, and check that the walkways into and around the room stay clear. If the U feels tight, an L with a chaise can offer similar lounging with a smaller footprint.
Curved and Double-Chaise Sectionals: Softer Shapes for Lounging
A curved sectional sweeps around in a gentle arc, sometimes in a kidney or crescent shape, which encourages conversation because everyone faces slightly toward each other. Curved designs suit open-concept rooms and spaces where the sectional floats in the middle, since they look beautiful from every side. They can be harder to place against a flat wall, though, so measure the depth of the curve as well as its overall width. Seeing the curve drawn on a simple floor plan before you order makes it much easier to picture.
A sectional with a double chaise puts a chaise at both ends, often connected by a straight sofa section in the middle. It creates two lounging spots, which many couples and families love for movie nights, since two people can stretch out at once without anyone giving up the best seat. Some double-chaise designs form a shallow U shape that is open at the front, giving you the coziness of a U without fully enclosing the space.
Sofa-and-Chaise Configurations for Smaller Rooms
A sofa with an attached chaise, often called a two-piece sectional, gives you a place to stretch out without the depth of a full corner. Small sectionals in this style often measure around 78 to 94 inches wide, which can fit comfortably in a condo, a den, or a basement suite. They usually seat three to four people, with the chaise serving as a favourite spot for reading, napping, or curling up with a pet.
The key choice is which side the chaise goes on, which brings you back to LAF and RAF. Place the chaise on the side away from the main walkway, so it does not stick out into the path, and toward the window or TV, so the person lounging has the best view. Some collections offer a reversible chaise that can switch sides, which is handy if you expect to move. Others offer a floating ottoman that works like a chaise but can be moved away when you need more floor space, giving a small room much more flexibility.
Modular Sectional Configurations That Change With You
A modular sectional Calgary families can grow with is made of individual seats, corners, and ottomans that connect with brackets or clips and can be rearranged at any time. Instead of committing to one fixed shape, you can start with an L today, separate the pieces into a sofa and two chairs next year, or add a piece to create a U when the family grows.
When you plan a modular configuration, think about the pieces you might want in five years as well as today. Check whether the collection sells pieces individually, whether the connecting hardware is sturdy and easy to use, and whether the fabric you choose will remain available for future additions. Look at how the pieces look when separated, too, since some modules have finished backs that look good from every side, while others are designed to sit against a wall. A well-chosen modular sectional Calgary homeowners buy can carry them from a first apartment to a family home without starting over.
Where the Sleeper Goes: Planning a Sleeper Sectional Configuration
A sleeper sectional Calgary hosts rely on hides a pull-out bed inside one of the pieces, usually the longest straight run of seats. Because the bed opens forward, the sleeper piece needs clear floor space in front of it, often more than six feet from the front edge of the seat when the mattress is fully extended. That means the sleeper should face the most open part of the room, not a coffee table you would have to move every time, or a narrow walkway.
Plan the configuration around the bed. If the sleeper is on the long side of an L, the chaise or corner should sit on the side that will not block the opened mattress. Check the mattress size, since sleeper sectionals may offer a twin, full, or queen bed. Some sectionals use a pull-out ottoman or a chaise with a lift-up storage compartment for bedding instead of a traditional fold-out mechanism. A well-planned sleeper sectional Calgary families keep in a den or basement can turn any room into a guest room.
Reclining Sectional Configurations: Which Seats Should Move?
A reclining sectional Calgary movie lovers enjoy can include power or manual recliners in some or all of its seats. In most configurations, the end seats recline while the corner seat stays fixed, since a corner recliner would collide with its neighbours. Middle seats can recline too, but each one needs enough space in front for the footrest to extend fully, often 24 to 30 inches or more depending on the mechanism, plus a few inches behind unless it uses a wall-hugger design.
A recliner at each end gives two people their own spot to stretch out, while the middle seats stay free for anyone who wants to sit upright or cuddle up. If you want a chaise and recliners in the same configuration, place the chaise at one end and the recliner at the other, so both can be used at the same time without crowding each other. Planned this way, a reclining sectional Calgary households share can suit everyone at once.
Sectional Couches Calgary Rooms Can Fit: Sizing Your Configuration
Once you know the shape you want, size it to your room. A helpful rule of thumb is that the main run of the sectional should take up about two-thirds of the length of the wall it sits against. As a general guide, small sectionals measure about 78 to 94 inches wide, medium ones about 95 to 110 inches, large ones about 111 to 130 inches, and extra-large or oversized configurations go well beyond that. As a rough guide, an L-shaped sectional can fit rooms as small as about 12 by 14 feet, while a large sectional in a U shape usually needs at least about 16 by 18 feet.
Depth matters as much as width. Standard sectional seats are usually around 35 to 40 inches deep from back to front, deep-seat styles around 40 to 45 inches, and a chaise extends to roughly 60 to 70 inches. Leave about 30 to 36 inches for main walkways and around 16 to 18 inches between the front of the sectional and the coffee table. Sketch a simple floor plan, measure the room, mark the full configuration on the floor with painter's tape, and walk around it for a day before you commit. It is the simplest way to compare the sectional couches Calgary showrooms display against the space you have.
Comfort Inside the Configuration: Seat Depth, Arm Width, and Back Height
Two sectionals with the same configuration can feel very different because of their proportions, and the most comfortable choice is the one that suits your body. Seat depth is the biggest factor. Seats around 20 to 22 inches deep suit people who like to sit upright with their feet on the floor, around 22 to 24 inches suits most adults, and 24 inches or more suits loungers and taller family members.
Arm width and back height change the configuration's footprint and feel. Wide, chunky arms look cozy but take seating space away, so a sectional with slim track arms can fit an extra person in the same overall width. Back height affects both support and sight lines. A low back keeps an open-concept room feeling airy, while a high back gives better head and neck support for long movie nights. When you test a sectional in a showroom, sit in every seat, including the corner and the chaise, since each one can feel slightly different within the same configuration. Small differences in proportion often separate the sectional couches Calgary families love from the ones they simply put up with.
Upholstery and Frame: Choosing Materials for Your Configuration
The pieces you choose decide how the sectional works, but the materials decide how long it lasts. Top-grain leather is durable, easy to wipe clean, and softens with age, though it appreciates a leather conditioner during Calgary's dry winters. Leather match and faux leather offer a similar look with leather on the main seating surfaces or a manufactured covering throughout. Performance fabrics are built for stain resistance and easy cleaning, which makes them a favourite for homes with kids and pets. Other popular choices include soft microfibre, durable polyester blends, textured bouclé, plush velvet, ribbed corduroy, and relaxed linen.
Look inside the cushions and frame, too. High-density foam holds its shape longer than lower-density foam, while memory foam or a soft fibre wrap adds a plush feel on top. A kiln-dried hardwood frame is one of the strongest choices for a sectional, because it resists warping and keeps the connections between pieces tight. Removable covers make cleaning easier, especially on a chaise or ottoman that sees a lot of use.
Style Details That Shape the Look: Arms, Legs, and Silhouettes
Once the configuration and materials are set, small style details change how the sectional looks in your room. Slim track arms create clean lines and a modern, contemporary feel, while rolled or pillow-top arms look softer and more traditional. Low-profile sectionals with a lower back keep an open-plan space feeling airy, while taller backs feel cozier and more enclosed. Exposed tapered legs, metal legs, or wood legs lift the sectional off the floor and make it look lighter, while skirted or block bases feel more grounded.
Colour matters as well. Neutral tones like warm grey, oatmeal, and ivory suit almost any room and make it easy to change throw pillows with the seasons, while a deep green, navy, or rust sectional can become the stylish focal point of a family room or media wall. Pair the sectional with an area rug large enough for at least the front legs of every piece to rest on it, so the whole configuration feels connected.
In-Stock or Custom Order? Timing Your Sectional Configuration
Some sectionals are available in stock, ready to take home or deliver within days, while others are made to order in your choice of size, configuration, fabric, or leather. In-stock pieces are ideal if you need seating quickly, such as before a move or a holiday gathering, but your choice of pieces and colours is usually limited to what is on hand. Floor models and clearance sale pieces can offer good value too, though it is worth checking their condition and whether the configuration matches your room.
A custom order or special order lets you build exactly the configuration you want, often with more fabric options and the ability to adjust lengths or seat depth. The trade-off is time, since made-to-order sectionals can take several weeks to arrive, especially if they are Canadian-made or built by a manufacturer that produces each piece to order. When you see a sale price next to a regular price, compare what is included, such as the number of pieces, the fabric grade, and the warranty, so you are comparing the same configuration.
Getting Your Configuration Home: Delivery, Doorways, and Stairwells
Because sectionals arrive in pieces, they are often easier to deliver than a large one-piece sofa, but the biggest piece still needs to fit through every doorway, hallway, and stairwell on the way to your room. Measure the width and height of each opening, and pay special attention to tight turns at the top or bottom of stairs, which are common in older Calgary homes and basement suites. Compare those numbers with the dimensions of the largest piece, usually the chaise, the sleeper, or the corner.
Ask how the pieces connect and whether the legs or backs come off for delivery, which can make a tight space much easier to manage. If your sectional includes a power reclining or sleeper piece, those are usually the heaviest, so plan the route for them first. Whether you live in Calgary or in nearby communities like Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, or Chestermere, ask about delivery to your area well before your order is ready. White glove delivery, where the team brings the pieces into the room, connects them, and removes packaging, takes much of the stress out of the process.
Sectional Couches Calgary: A Configuration Checklist
Before you order one of the sectional couches Calgary families love, keep this checklist on your phone:
- Decide on the overall shape: L-shaped, U-shaped, sofa and chaise, or modular.
- Sketch the room and label every piece as LAF, RAF, armless, or corner.
- Choose the main seating run and size it to about two-thirds of the wall.
- Check overall width, seat depth, and chaise length against your measurements.
- Plan where a sleeper will open, and leave clear floor space in front of it.
- Decide which seats will recline, and leave room for every footrest.
- Consider a console with cup holders or a storage chaise if you need them.
- Match seat depth to the heights of the people who will use it most.
- Mark the full footprint on the floor with painter's tape.
- Measure every doorway and stairwell against the largest piece.
How Showhome Furniture Helps You Build the Right Configuration
At Showhome Furniture, we have helped Calgary families put their living rooms together since 1987, and building a sectional configuration is one of our favourite things to help with. In our showroom, you can sit in L-shaped and U-shaped sectionals, try chaises, recliners, and sleepers, and see how modular pieces connect. Our team can help you read LAF and RAF labels, sketch your room, and work out which pieces will fit your space and your family.
We can also customize the fabric, size, configuration, and cushion comfort of our sofas and sectionals, so you are not limited to the pieces on the floor that day. More than a third of what we carry is hand-made in Canada, alongside pieces from trusted American and European manufacturers. Book a free design consultation, bring your room measurements, a few photos, and a list of the features you want, and one of our designers will help you build a configuration that feels made for your home.
Visit Showhome Furniture in Calgary
Showhome Furniture is located inside North Hill Centre at 1616 14th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, in a 70,000 square foot showroom where you can try sectional configurations in person. We are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, closed Sundays, and our free design consultations run Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm.
We offer delivery through a trusted third-party partner, including white glove service and old furniture removal, and in-store pickup is also available. Every purchase includes a one-year manufacturer warranty, with an optional Guardsman five-year protection plan for extra peace of mind. Financing is available through Fairstone. With over 5,300 Google reviews and a 4.9-star average, our customers can tell you what it is like to furnish a Calgary home with us.
If you are comparing sectional couches Calgary families can enjoy for years, book a free design consultation and let our team help you choose the configuration that fits your room and your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sectional configuration mean?
A sectional configuration is the specific combination and order of pieces that make up your sectional, such as a corner piece, armless chairs, a chaise, a sleeper, or recliners.
What do LAF and RAF mean on a sectional?
LAF means left-arm facing and RAF means right-arm facing. The direction is described as you stand facing the piece, not as you sit in it.
How do I know if I need a left or right chaise?
Stand where you usually look at the sectional, such as the doorway or TV wall, and picture which end should have the chaise. A RAF chaise sits on the right as you face the sectional, and a LAF chaise sits on the left.
How big is an L-shaped sectional?
As a general guide, compact L-shaped sectionals measure around 95 by 95 inches, medium sizes around 105 by 105 inches, and larger ones around 120 by 120 inches.
How many people does a U-shaped sectional seat?
Most U-shaped sectionals seat six to ten people or more, depending on the size and number of pieces.
What size sectional fits my room?
A helpful rule of thumb is to size the main run of the sectional to about two-thirds of the wall it sits against, and to leave 30 to 36 inches for walkways.
How deep is a sectional chaise?
A chaise usually extends around 60 to 70 inches from the back of the sectional, giving you room to stretch out your legs.
What is an armless chair in a sectional?
An armless chair is a single seat with no arms that sits between other pieces, adding seating without adding arms.
Where should the sleeper go in a sectional?
Place the sleeper on a straight run of seats facing open floor space, so the bed can open fully without moving the coffee table or blocking a walkway.
Can a modular sectional be rearranged later?
Yes. Modular sectionals are made of separate pieces that connect with brackets or clips, so you can rearrange, separate, or add pieces as your needs change.
Where is Showhome Furniture located in Calgary?
We are inside North Hill Centre at 1616 14th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, in a 70,000 square foot showroom.
What are Showhome Furniture's store hours?
We are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and closed on Sundays.
How do I book a free design consultation at Showhome Furniture?
Book a free design consultation with one of our certified designers, available Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm. Booking ahead is recommended, and bringing your room measurements and a sketch of your space helps us make the most of your visit.
Does Showhome Furniture deliver sectionals in Calgary?
Yes. We offer delivery through a trusted third-party partner, including white glove service and removal of your old furniture. In-store pickup is also available.
Does Showhome Furniture offer financing?
Yes, through Fairstone, with six-month and twelve-month no-interest, no-payment plans available. Terms should be confirmed at the time of purchase.
