Thanks to a resurgence in popularity, sectional sofas are no longer seen as the castoffs from Mom's house. Sectionals these days are downright hip, and are selling big in almost every style and fabric imaginable.

A sectional sofa is really just the sum of however many parts it contains. Two or more pieces are put together to create one contiguous whole sofa. The pieces might form a L-or S-shape.

In the 1960s, sectionals became wildly popular, with many people adding them to their living or family rooms. They were often called "banquettes" and featured rolling arms and came in the most popular L-shape. Once out of favor, they were the lost stepchild of the furniture world until recently.

Why the Return?

Experts believe the resurgence of the sectional sofa is due primarily to two things: great rooms and the "return to home" trend.

The relatively recent popularity of great rooms gives homeowners a decorating challenge, what with a generally large expanse of room to fill. A sectional sofa can step in quite nicely providing not only a solid room filler, but plenty of seating for those who entertain frequently or have large families.

As people spend more time at home, there's more demand for furniture that provides a welcoming comfort. And as more people add home theaters to their cozy domain, sectional sofas are often included as an essential design element.

Sectional Design Options

Once you decide to add a sectional sofa to your household seating, it's important to consider the various design options. Will it be moder style or mission? Will your sectional sofa be leather, velvet, chenille or twill? Will you want to add even more comfort by including a pull-out bed or fold-down cup holders?

If you're furnishing a smaller room or are concerned about size, it's important to take measurements of your room and of the sectional sofa itself. Many are somewhat bulky and "feel" large, while others are more modest, lean and add a more spare, modern look.

The smaller pieces of the sectional unit are perhaps only 24 inches wide, while the loveseat-type pieces are usually about 4 to 5 feet long. The sofa component of the sofa sectional is often about 72 inches long. Pieces are held together with hooks or clips but come apart easily when you want to move them around.