Shopping for furniture, especially oversized pieces like sectionals, can be a challenge. There’s a lot to consider. No matter what flavor of couch you’re looking for, these are the most important factors worth paying attention to:

Size & Dimensions

If your new sectional couch won’t fit in your home, none of these other shopping tips matter. So, it’s important to measure the space you have available. Like your Pop probably used to tell you, it’s worth measuring twice just to be absolutely sure. Allow about three extra feet on all sides for proper flow around the new piece. Any less and you risk crowding your space.

At a bare minimum, look for a sectional that fits at least two adults comfortably, one of which should be able to spread out on the chaise lounge portion of the couch. For households with more than two people and/or those who like to entertain guests, consider sectional couches that seat at least five adults.

Shape

Cheap sectional couches come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, although U-shaped and L-shaped are the two most common. U-shaped sectionals usually offer more seating, so they’re great for larger rooms with more available floor space. L-shape models are often smaller, making them a great fit for apartments, dens, and compact basements. There’s no one best shape for a sectional couch. It’s all about what’s right for you and your space.

Fill

Most cheap sectionals use a mixture of fill materials, but foam and polyester are the two most common core materials. They’re usually wrapped with a fiber-based material or batting. As with the best mattresses, high-density foam offers a firmer seating surface and will almost always last longer. Lower-density foams are softer but tend to sag more quickly over time.

Budget

As with the size and dimensions, finding a cheap sectional couch that’s within your budget is just as important. The good news is that while the very best sectionals typically cost thousands of dollars, we’ve found plenty of very affordable alternatives (like those in this roundup).