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A sectional sofa that can be used for occasional or even regular sleeping and doesn’t cost all the money in the world sounds like a miracle, right?
Wrong!
I’ve found the best cheap sectional sofas under $500 to prove to you that affordable and comfortable furniture does exist.
A Quick Preview
Best Overall Lilola Home | Read more about this sofa bed |
Best for Minimal Design Emily by DHP | Read more about this sofa bed |
Best Leather Option Best Choice Products | Read more about this sofa bed |
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Our List of 5 Best Cheap Sectional Sofas
Best Overall — Lilola Home
Highlights
- reversible chaise longue section;
- spacious storage under the chaise section;
- the strong wooden frame can withstand years of active use.
I’d like to start my list of the best sectional sofas under $500 with a model by Lilola Home. Aside from having a cool and modern design, this sectional will save you a lot of space and create a comfy sleeping spot for you and your guests.
The sofa has a corner design and allows you to place a chaise section to the right or left, depending on your room configuration. The Lilola Home can accommodate 3-4 adults for sitting, which makes it a perfect choice for friend gatherings.
The chaise section also packs spacious storage that you can use for bedding, bulky clothes, or just put in there whatever you want to. So, if you live in a small studio and want to have more room to breathe, this sectional will help you deal with clutter.
When you pull out the bed, you’ll get a 71” x 42” sleeping area, which offers enough space for an average adult, a small couple, or a heavy single sleeper. Note that if you’re taller than 5’6”, your feet may hang off the sofa. Also, the foam padding may feel a bit stiff at first but will soften over time.
I really loved sleeping on the Lilola Home sofa and recommend it to anyone who has limited space. It seems pretty durable and is comfortable for both sleeping and leisure activities.
Recommended for:
- Active use. The Lilola Home has a sturdy wooden frame that can easily withstand years of active use without breaking. Also, the cotton blend cover is more long-lasting than natural cotton fabrics, so it will serve you well too.
- Small apartments. The sofa features a compact design and can offer you spacious storage for goods, thereby preventing clutter in your room.
- Guest rooms. The sleeping area of the sofa is spacious enough to accommodate two sleepers.
Cons:
- might not work for sleepers taller than 5’6”;
- the fabric may feel a bit harsh.
Best for Minimal Design - Emily by DHP
Highlights
- converts into a bed almost equal to Queen;
- sleek design without bulky armrests or heavy bottom section;
- long-lasting and waterproof faux leather upholstery.
Moving to the next option in my list of the best cheap sectionals under $500 — the Emily sofa by DHP. To be honest, it doesn’t look like a budget model at all. Incredible design, cozy gray linen upholstery, and a lounger section that converts into a sleeper altogether make it a great option for minimalist interiors.
Now, the Emily doesn’t feature a pull-out section that can turn it into a bed. Instead, all of its sections — the lounger and the two-seater— can fully recline into a flat position, thus giving you a sleeping area of 71 x 73 inches, which is 10 inches wider and 7 inches shorter than a Queen mattress. You can host two adults or even a heavy couple on it with ease.
The sofa is upholstered in a breathable linen fabric available in different colors. The Emily comes disassembled but is incredibly easy to put together. All you need to do is to screw the parts together, and you’re all set. It took me about 10 minutes to do it.
Finally, the padding of the sofa is a bit rigid, which is normal because it’s meant for active use. However, it feels pretty comfy when you sleep on it, even though the cushions have a textured design. Plus, thanks to its affordability, you will be able to buy a topper to make it more comfortable if necessary.
I can easily recommend the Emily to all the fans of minimalist interiors. It looks unobtrusive and can be easily used for both sitting and sleeping.
Recommended for:
- Minimalists. The sofa doesn’t feature bulky armrests or heavy storage drawers, so it will look as light as your overall interior.
- Those who need a durable sofa. The Emily has a combined weight capacity of 950 lbs and is covered in durable linen fabric that is easy to maintain.
- Occasional sleeping. You can easily accommodate two guests on this sofa if needed, but it can be too rigid for regular sleeping (unless used with a mattress topper).
Cons:
- doesn’t have a storage section, might not work for small rooms;
- may not work for sleepers taller than 6 feet.
Best Leather Option - Best Choice Products
Highlights
- modular design, can be adapted to any room layout;
- waterproof faux leather upholstery in the neutral color;
- almost equal to a Queen mattress in size when converted into a sleeper.
I decided to put the Best Choice Products sofa on my list because it’s made of long-lasting materials and has water-resistant upholstery that looks no worse than natural leather. So if you’re looking for a durable sectional that is made without animal suffering, you can choose this model.
The Best Choice Products comes with a freestanding ottoman bench that can be placed anywhere you like to create a separate sitting space. A perfect fit for large gatherings! Or, you can push the ottoman against the sofa and turn it into a lounger that is almost equal to a Queen bed (56” x 85.2”).
The faux leather upholstery seems really durable and repels water and other liquids easily. And the deep brown color looks really expensive, so no one will ever suspect your sofa is low-cost unless you tell them that.
Now, the Best Choice Products is incredibly comfortable for both sitting and sleeping. The foam padding contours your body just right and can serve you as a sleeping spot whenever you need it.
Having spent three consecutive nights on this sofa, I felt no stiffness or aching, which says for itself. The Best Choice Products can make a good fit into any modern design and provide you with a spacious surface to lounge or sleep.
Recommended for:
- Larger rooms. Whether you use a sofa as a sitting spot or a sleeper, it’s still a bit bulky, so make sure you have enough space to fit it in before purchasing.
- Eco-enthusiasts. Instead of natural leather — which is made through an environmentally harmful manufacturing process — this sofa uses PU leather upholstery that is no worse in terms of looks and durability.
- Heavy sleepers. The sofa has 600lb weight capacity and can support a single heavy sleeper or an overweight couple without sagging or breaking.
Cons:
- the frame is made of plastic, so you can expect a shorter lifespan;
- the leather upholstery may not feel comfortable to sleep on.
Main Types of Sectional Sofas
Sectional sofas are great for their versatility. You can find literally any shape that will fit into your room’s layout.
The most common configurations of sectionals on the market include L-shaped, U-shaped, and curved. There are some other options, of course, but they are less popular.
So, let’s take a brief look at each shape and its distinctive features.
L-Shaped
Also known as corner sofas, these are the most popular sectionals you can find.
In fact, when someone says “sectional sofa”, you’ll most likely picture this one in your mind.
So, a typical L-shaped sofa consists of two sections:
- a seater section, which is made as a loveseat and can fit two adults;
- and a lounger section, which is the third section with an elongated seat.
Modern L-shaped sofas extend in their shape to the left (this is called left-arm-facing, or LAF) or to the right (right-arm-facing, or RAF) and their sections have 2 to 5 seats combined.
The reason behind the high popularity of L-shaped sofas is that they offer enough space for both sitting and sleeping while remaining pretty compact and leaving enough room space for other activities. Besides, a lounger section in some models may feature a spacious drawer where you can store your things, which is great for smaller rooms.
U-Shaped
These are also pretty easy to imagine. Typically, one side of the U is made as a corner sofa, whereas the other comes in the form of a chaise lounger. As with an L-shaped sectional, you can arrange its parts as you need or even split the sofa into several freestanding pieces.
U-shaped sofas are great for larger rooms and big gatherings. If you plan to put your new sofa into a tiny studio, I recommend you check L-shaped models because U-shaped ones are usually pretty bulky and may not even fit into your doorway when disassembled.
Curved
Curved sectional sofas are the largest, so they definitely won’t make a great fit for a studio apartment or a small living room. However, some of them can fit up to 10 people, which makes them great for large parties.
Curved sofas also seem pretty futuristic thanks to the angle-free design, so if you’re into it — and aren’t limited by space and budget — you can give them a shot.
How to Choose a Good Sectional Sofa Under $500?
Now that you’ve decided on the configuration of your sectional, let’s see what else you may have to consider when choosing a quality cheap sectional under $500 for sleeping.
Have the Room’s Layout with You
There are dozens of ways to style your room with a sectional sofa, depending on its type and the number of sections.
To make the planning easier, it’s a good idea to have a scaled room layout with all the measurements in front of you (1). This way you will literally see where you can place your sofa and how much space it will take.
Don’t forget to mark all the doorways, windows, and other furniture pieces you plan to install in your room. Also, measure the width of the doorway so that the sofa section would actually fit in.
Think About Upholstery Materials
The upholstery material is as essential for overall durability as the sofa’s frame. For example, leather-like upholstery is more resistant to liquids and is generally easier to clean and maintain.
Fabrics with a finish similar to suede will resist pet claws better, in case your beloved cat will decide to sharpen their claws on the armrests.
Polyester and linen-like fabrics are durable and breathable, meaning you won’t sit or sleep hot when using your sofa.
Quick tip:
Avoid fluffy or fuzzy fabrics if you’re an allergy sufferer and/or have a pet (2). They collect dust, pet hair, and other tiny debris thus turning your sofa into an allergy bomb.
Take all these things into consideration before choosing the upholstery, and don’t forget to choose the right color that will match your interior.
F.A.Q.
How much should a sectional couch cost?
Depending on the number of sections and the type of upholstery, sectional sofas may cost up to $2,000. However, there are some decent options even under $500.
Conclusion
A sectional sofa can extend the functionality of your space and serve as a sitting, sleeping, and even storage space. Thanks to a variety of sectional styles available on the market today, finding the right fit for your home shouldn’t be a problem.
Now, having reviewed many models, the sectional I would recommend to anyone is the Lilola Home. I loved everything about it: the compact design, easy assembly, durable yet pleasant to the touch upholstery fabric, and the comfortable cushions that help you — or your guests — relax and sleep soundly.
What factors are essential for you when choosing a sectional? Does any model reviewed here fit your image of an ideal sectional sofa? Please share in the comments below!
References:
- Becky Dietrich (2014, March 19). What To Know Before You Buy A Sectional. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2014/03/19/what-to-know-before-you-buy-a-sectional/#7a35f6e3756d
- Anna Cottrell (2019, July 31) Sofa Fabrics: 6 Tips for Choosing the Best Upholstery for Your Furniture. Retrieved from https://www.realhomes.com/buying-guides/5-expert-tips-for-choosing-the-best-sofa-fabric
Our research
30
Sectional Sofas Considered
190
Hours of Research
5
Sectional Sofas Executives Interviewed
3
Sleep Experts Consulted