Are Sectionals Out of Style? What Is In and What Looks Dated

Last updated October 2026 by the Forward Furniture team

Sectionals have been a living room favourite for years, so it is fair to ask if their moment has passed. It has not. In a House Digest survey published in August 2022, 36% of 627 people picked the sectional as their favourite sofa style, the top answer. On October 18, 2026 we had 73 sectional listings in stock in our catalogue.

What has changed is the shape, the fabric and the size. Below we cover the sectional styles that feel fresh in 2026, the looks that can date a room, which colours last, and easy ways to update the sectional you already own. Shop as you read in our sleeper sectionals and modular sectionals.

In this guide

• Are sectionals out of style?
• Sectional styles that are in
• Looks that date a sectional
• Colours that last
• Sectionals for small rooms
• Is a sleeper sectional worth it?
• How to update an old sectional
• Questions

Are Sectionals Out of Style in 2026?

No. A sectional is still the easiest way to seat a whole family, or a group of friends, on one piece of furniture. It fills a corner that a sofa and a chair would leave empty, and the chaise gives one person room to stretch out with their feet up.

Makers are still building lots of them, and the shapes keep changing. We read the names of all 73 sectional listings in stock in our catalogue and counted the shapes and features they mention.

From our catalogue on October 18, 2026: in-stock sectional listings only. Some models are listed once per colour, and one listing can match more than one row.

The chaise is the feature makers name most often. Pieces you can rearrange, like modular seats and chaises that move from one side to the other, show up often too. In plain terms, the sectional is not going away. It is getting more flexible.

What Sectional Styles Are In Right Now?

• Modular seats. Pieces you can pull apart and put back in a new shape, like our 2-in-1 modular sectional, which also makes a bed.
• Chaises that switch sides. Many new sectionals let you move the chaise left or right, so the sofa still fits after a move or a new layout.
• Soft, textured fabric. Corduroy is back, with wide ribs that feel cosy. 4 of our in-stock listings have corduroy in the name alone.
• Raised legs. Legs lift the sofa off the floor so it looks lighter and you can clean under it. Our corduroy U-shaped sectional sits on 5.9 inch legs.
• Earthy colours. Olive green, cream and warm beige now sit beside the usual greys.
• Deep seats for lounging. Deeper cushions turn the sofa into a place to nap, not just sit.

Here is how those looks compare in real sizes. Width is the long side, depth runs from the back to the front of the chaise.

Sizes from the maker's spec on each product page. Prices from our catalogue on October 18, 2026.

What Makes a Sectional Look Dated?

A sectional does not look dated just because it is a sectional. It dates because of its size, its stuffing and its finish. These are the usual signs:

• It is too big for the room and blocks the walkway.
• Overstuffed rolled arms and puffy back pillows that have lost their shape.
• A skirt to the floor and a dark, heavy fabric that makes the whole piece look like one block.
• Shiny faux leather that has started to peel or crack.
• A full matching set, with sectional, recliner and loveseat bought together, so nothing in the room stands out.

The same idea holds for other big pieces. When we looked at whether dressers are out of style, the answer was also no: the shape and finish date a piece, not the piece itself. Often you do not need a new sofa at all. New pillows, a bigger rug or a different coffee table can do a lot, and we cover those below.

What Colour Sofa Never Goes Out of Style?

Neutral colours last the longest. Grey, cream and beige go with almost any wall colour, and you can change the look with pillows and throws. In our catalogue on October 18, 2026, 42 of the 73 sectional listings in stock come in a grey shade, 29 in cream, beige or white, 2 in green and 8 in blue.

• Grey suits modern rooms and hides everyday wear. Charcoal hides marks best.
• Cream and beige make a small room feel brighter. If you have kids or pets, look for covers you can wash, like the back cushion and pillow covers on the 2-in-1 modular.
• Olive and deep green are the fresh choice. They pair well with wood, black and brass. The compact L-shaped sectional comes in dark green.
• Bold colours are easier to live with on pillows and throws, which you can swap when you get tired of them.

Are Sectionals Good for Small Living Rooms?

Yes, if you pick a compact one. A large sectional can be over 10 feet long: the Caspian-Town is 128 inches. Our compact L-shaped sectional is 75.6 inches wide and 53.9 inches deep at the chaise, close to the footprint of a sofa with an ottoman. The maker says its compact size suits apartments and smaller living rooms.

Before you buy, check these points:

• Measure the wall and the room, then mark the shape on the floor with painter's tape.
• Leave a clear walkway where people pass, usually about 30 to 36 inches.
• Measure doors, halls and stairs on the way in.
• Pick a chaise that switches sides, so the sofa still works in your next home.
• Choose raised legs and a lower back. Both make a sectional look smaller.

For more on shapes, sizes and what to look for, see our guide to sectional sofas in Canada.

Is a Sleeper Sectional Worth It?

For many homes, yes. A sleeper sectional gives you a guest bed without giving up a room. The Hailey sleeper sectional has a pull-out bed, a chaise top that lifts up to store blankets and pillows, and a chaise you can order on the left or the right.

The 2-in-1 modular sectional works another way: its pieces move from an L-shape into a bed. If you are weighing a sleeper sectional against a regular pull-out couch, our guide to sleeper sectionals vs sofa beds compares the two. See every option in our sleeper sectionals.

How Can You Make an Old Sectional Look New?

1. Move it. Pull it a few inches off the wall or switch the chaise side. A new layout can make the whole room feel new.
2. Change the pillows. Pick two or three colours from the room and mix textures, like corduroy, knit and linen.
3. Use the 2/3 rule. A coffee table about two thirds the length of the sofa looks balanced.
4. Size up the rug. Pick a rug big enough that at least the front legs of the sectional sit on it.
5. Clean the covers. Wash or replace any removable cushion covers.
6. Recover it. If the frame is solid, new fabric can give it years more. Our guide to how much fabric a sectional needs helps you plan.

Current Sectional Styles to Shop

Prices are read from our catalogue on the day this guide was updated.

Compact L-Shaped Sectional
From $749.99

Chaise switches sides. 75.6 inches wide. Dark green option.

Corduroy U-Shaped Sectional
$1,049.99

Two chaises, solid wood frame, 103.5 inches wide.

2-in-1 Modular Sectional
From $1,249.99

Moves from an L-shape into a bed. Washable covers.

Hailey Sleeper Sectional
$2,099.99

Pull-out bed and a storage chaise, left or right.

Caspian-Town Sectional
$2,099.99

Tufted olive green with a corner chaise. 128 inches long.

Sectional Style: Common Questions

Are sectionals outdated?

No. Sectionals are still made and sold in many shapes. Big, overstuffed sets in dark, heavy fabric can look dated, but a sectional with clean lines, raised legs and a soft texture looks current.

What colour sofa never goes out of style?

Neutral colours like grey, cream and beige last the longest. They suit most rooms, and you can change the look with pillows and throws.

Are plaid couches out of style?

A plaid couch is a bold choice that can feel dated quickly. If you like plaid, try it on pillows or a throw over a solid colour sectional instead.

What is the 2/3 rule for coffee tables?

Pick a coffee table about two thirds the length of your sofa. For a sofa side that is 90 inches long, that is a table about 60 inches long.

Is a sectional or a sofa better for a small room?

A sofa is easier to move, but a compact sectional can fit too. Our compact L-shaped sectional is 75.6 inches wide, close to the size of a regular sofa.

Find a Sectional That Suits Your Style