For the price, this is a great sofa.  We have two young children and a dog so we didn't want to spend a ton of money on something that could potentially get ruined by them.  We bought two and it turns out that you are able to do one left hand facing and one right hand facing and connect them without the arm in between.  so we have one LONG u shape sectional.  It's certainly not a soft sofa, so if a plush lounging surface is top on your priority list then don't get it.  I don't mind the firm cushions.  As a starter sofa I think this is a great choice.  It took me and hubby about an hour to put both sofas together.