"Pit Sofas" Might Be the Coolest (and Most Comfortable) Take on the Sectional Right Now

In my experience, you can have a harmonious household, or you can have an L-shaped sectional — it's one or the other. As someone who owns such a sofa, I can tell you that my partner and I often battle for who will get the ottoman seat and spend their evening in front of the TV with their legs up, and who is going without.

For one person, the L-shape sectional is the ultimate in reclining in comfort, but what do you do when you want everyone to have that same opportunity with your living room's seating? Enter the 'pit sofa' or 'pit sectional'. This emerging sofa trend is something I'm seeing in all kinds of spaces, from comfortable media rooms to "social" living rooms, standing in place of the 70s conversation pit as an alternative without having to dig out your floors.

So what makes a pit sofa a pit sofa, and why are designers using them in designs right now? I asked a designer, and got insight from the retailers selling them already, to understand what this seating trend is all about, and how to make it work for a home.

So, what exactly is a pit sofa?

Search online for a pit sectional, and you're likely to find a variety of styles of design, but they share a few common attributes. "A pit sofa is designed to create a more relaxed and informal seating arrangement compared to a classic sectional," explains interior designer Cara Woodhouse, founder of Cara Woodhouse Interiors. "The primary difference lies in its layout. Pit sofas typically have a deeper seat and lower back, which allows for a more lounging experience, and are often arranged in a square or circular shape, creating an inviting 'pit' that encourages casual gatherings."

However, we're seeing the interior design trend emerge with a few specific details. In place of the L-shape sectional, this version of the pit sofa is (at least) two seats deep across the sofa, turning it into an extra deep rectangle. "A modern pit sectional is more flexible yet aims to deliver the same comfortable feeling," explains Leah Howatson from contemporary furniture brand Castlery. "A pit sectional might form an extended U-shape or fill an entire rectangle by using modular corner, middle, and ottoman-style sectional pieces. It offers abundant seating as one cohesive piece and can feel like an entire room. The back and sides are typically the same height and thickness to form a 'barrier' around the piece."

The pit design is, perhaps, not the sort of living room sofa idea that suits every single space, especially if you're working with a small floor plan. "Pit sofas work exceptionally well in larger, open-plan living rooms or family rooms where a casual, communal seating area is desired," Cara explains. "They are ideal for spaces where comfort and relaxation are priorities, such as home theaters, game rooms, or casual lounges."

The vibe they bring to a room is more... intimate. You're going to be clambering across an expanse of cushion to take your seat, not perching politely. It's something you're more likely to want to do with close friends and family than acquaintances and neighbors who have stopped around to say a quick hello. Just something to keep in mind.

What to consider before investing in a pit sofa

When specifying a pit sofa, it's important to consider the size and layout of the room to ensure the sofa fits well without overwhelming the space. "Since pit sofas are often larger and have a lower profile, they may require careful planning of the surrounding furniture and room flow," Cara tells us. "Additionally, consider the fabric and cushion durability, especially in high-traffic areas or homes with children and pets."

And what kind of rooms does a pit sofa suit? "An elongated U-shape does well in an open-concept floor plan, where it can define the living room, or fill the perimeter of a smaller den as the only piece of furniture," Leah suggests. "These spaces benefit from bringing a group together with an intimate furniture configuration."

"A 'full pit', where even the middle is filled, is ideal for a home theater or entertainment room. Every corner and cushioned area offers optimal lounging and premium comfort for parties of all sizes."

6 of the most stylish pit sofas to buy right now

How to style a pit sofa

All that extra sofa means that if you want to add throw pillows on top, things can start to feel a little messier than how you'd style a normal couch.

"We definitely recommend using throw pillows as you would on a normal sectional though," says Leah from Castlery. "Due to their size, it’s important to break up the singular fabric to add visual interest. Even a monochromatic design scheme can use the varying textures that throw pillows provide."

As a stylist, my top piece of advice? Get the throw pillows that match the couch fabric from the retailer. It'll make this type of couch look so much more expensive, and streamline how busy it looks. Bar that, keep it simple with one color, and because these sofas are a little lower-backed, opt for lumbar pillows to keep things low-slung.

For something a bit more fun, the trend for "boba" pillows feels like it suits the mood of these fun, hang-out spaces, too.

At the heart of the rise of the pit sofa is a changing attitude to how we use our living spaces. The pit design makes the room an event, though what that event may be depends on what's happening. For spending time with the family, or with friends, the pit makes things effortlessly casual, but more connected, too, while if you want to turn your attention to the big screen, the pit sofa gives you that cinema-style quality in your own home.