Sectional Sofa Shopping: Prepare for the Insanity

Once upon a time, I got it into my head that I needed to purchase a sectional sofa. My choice in career, every once in a while, permits me to spend a meager sum of money on luxury items such as food, clothing, shelter...and the occasional item of furniture should the situation become plausible. However, good reader, if you ever see the need to go sectional shopping, take it from me (and I write this in capitalized letters with good reason): Go Prepared. Without doing your homework, you may as well be wasting the time, gas, and effort it takes to get there and back. And for me, living in the middle of northeast Florida, driving to a furniture store eats up these resources. Rooms to Go is approximately 35 miles away.

So, what exactly needs to be done before you step foot in your local furniture store? And how does one deal with those really pushy salespeople with their plastic grins, hour old coffee, boisterous voices, and professional handshakes? I warn you, if you are not prepared, you can make a significant mistake. Been there, done that.

1.) First of all, Rule Out Modern Sectional Sofas

Unless, of course, you want to purchase furniture that not only looks uncomfortable, but actually is uncomfortable. In most cases, modern sectional sofas have, what some believe, a futuristic look and appeal to them, circa 1970's Jetson's cartoon. You have to pay a rather hefty amount for this privilege of making your home look "sophisticated and cutting edge." But I live by the law that furniture should be soft and comfortable. One should be able to collapse on it after an exhausting day at work and it should caress and harness your depleted body like an experienced masseuse. The style of modern furniture ends up sacrificing the element of comfort, and isn't that what decent furniture is all about?

2.) Measure the Room for a Sectional Sofa