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If you’re the kind of person who looks around the room occasionally (or frequently—we see you) and wonders how it could be better rearranged, upgrading to a modular sofa could be a smart move. With so many more options in terms of shape and positioning than even the best sectional sofas, a modular couch lets you transform your living space pretty much whenever you want to. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best modular sofas out there.
“This couch boasts a gently-curved silhouette, dressed in performance fabric,” says Kropovinsky. “It's backed by a three-year frame warranty and a one-year warranty on foam and fabric.” With a pocket spring-filled seat and foam backing, you can rest easy knowing it feels as good as it looks.
An eye-catching statement piece that also lives up to its primary purpose of being a cozy place to sit.
“The Couch by Homebody isn’t just customizable, it’s also built from sustainable materials, offering comfort and style,” says Kropovinsky. “Assembling is a breeze, and they even give a 100-day trial.” Available in elegant linen or luxurious velvet, the couch only needs two inches of wall clearance in order to recline, so you can take full advantage of your space.
A luxurious, sturdy couch that will welcome you in while repelling stains.
Even after scouring the best online furniture stores out there, we still find ourselves coming back to West Elm for the sheer range of colors, fabrics, and other options available with its sofas. This particular couch is recommended by Smith, who describes it as, “compact, yet stylish.” While you certainly can make it gigantic if you add enough sections to it, its two-seater version is ideal for a smaller space.
A neat, good-looking sofa with endless customization options, which can also be pared down to fit small spaces.
“This is a modern loveseat that sports square armrests and simple lines atop tall, tapered legs, for a minimalist look to match most decor styles,” says Snisar. Admittedly more a sectional than a true modular, it nevertheless gives you the option to rearrange things by moving the sectional chaise to either end of the couch, which can be an absolute lifesaver when moving a couch from one space to another. It’s also a bargain compared to most modular couches.
A more wallet-friendly sofa, and lacking some features because of it, but still worth checking out if you’re on a budget.
“While it's pricey, the Pottery Barn Carmel Lounge sofa is a statement piece with endless leather color tones,” says Elizabeth Vergara, owner, principal designer, and lead project manager of Vergara Homes. “The leather is also very durable, so although it’s expensive, it’s an investment piece and easy to clean! Additionally, this couch is fabulous for a kid-friendly household.” Shopping tip: If you’re looking for a non-modular option, Pottery Barn’s Turner Roll Arm Leather Sofa made our list of the best leather sofas.
An elegant leather sofa with a wide range of color options.
As with several sofas on our list, this couch blurs the line between modular and sectional. But what it lacks in customization, it makes up for in comfort and kid/pet-proofing. “The Movie Night 4-Piece Modular Sectional by Sundays is designed with stain-resistant fabric, ensuring durability,” says Kropovinsky. “Customers love it for its comfort, style, and quality.”
An extremely soft and comfortable couch with just enough customization options to let you fit it exactly to your space.
“I really like this low, modular couch—it has a chic appearance and opens up the space,” says Vergara. “The Porter Sectional is a simple yet stylish sofa, with a boxy design and a low profile. The square armrests can serve as side tables, and the elevated backrest provides good support for leaning back. The high-density foam cushioning is both comfortable and firm, and the detailed pipe stitching adds a touch of modern design elegance.” If you’re considering a non-modular design, the Rove Concepts Dresden Sectional Sofa made our list of the most comfortable couches.
A low, stylish couch with limited customization but deep, comfortable seats.
Allform specializes in customizable modular furniture, whether you’re looking for a loveseat with a chaise that’ll fit in a small room or an eight-seat corner sectional for an open floorplan. This made it hard to narrow down the best choice to a single sofa—but the three seater with chaise option was a great example that’ll suit most spaces. The chaise is moveable to either side, and you can select up to seven fabric options (and two leather options) and three leg finishes.
Allform stands out for offering a huge range of customizable modular designs for big and small spaces, stylish and durable fabric options, a generous 100-day trial, and free delivery.
To make our selections, we turned to our panel of expert interior designers, who have years of experience between them in choosing and placing couches of all kinds. We also ensured that all of our picks had overwhelmingly positive customer reviews.
There are a few aspects to consider when getting a modular sofa, including the following.
Modular sofa prices range from affordable to high-end, and while you’ll want to go with what’s appropriate for your budget, do be sure you’re getting what you need. “When purchasing a modular sofa, you should look beyond the price tag and discern the value that the piece brings into the space,” says Artem Kropovinsky, interior design expert and founder of Arsight, an award-winning interior design studio based in New York City. “The couch's essence should resonate with the room's aesthetics and functionalities.”
“In terms of size, don't view the sofa as a standalone entity,” says Kropovinsky. “Instead, see it as a harmonious component of an evolving space, one that allows the room to breathe.” However you arrange the room, though, you will of course have to ensure that your new couch fits in the space in whichever arrangement you prefer. “Measure your space and consider the potential configurations the sofa offers,” advises Brad Smith, interior designer and CEO at Omni Home Ideas.
“Modular sofas offer a high level of customization,” points out Mariya Snisar, head of interior design at Renowell. “I’d suggest thinking about how you want to arrange the pieces. Do you prefer a traditional L-shape, a U-shape, or something more unconventional?”
“Think about storage, sleeper options, or other features you might need,” suggests Smith. “Are you looking for a lounging space, a formal seating area, or a combination of both?” adds Snisar. “Some modular sofas come with features such as recliners, chaises, or built-in storage. I suggest choosing one that aligns with your lifestyle and requirements.”
“Investing in a high-quality modular sofa is essential for longevity,” says Snisar. “Look for reputable brands and check for details like the frame material, cushioning, and stitching.” Smith suggests looking for couches with a sturdy frame, ideally made of solid wood or metal. Kropovinsky, though, points out that, “Longevity is more than rugged durability. A valuable piece ages gracefully over time, akin to a timeless wardrobe piece that remains stylish.”
“Look for durable and easy-to-clean fabrics or leathers, especially if you have pets or children,” says Smith. The best couches for durability also either feature tightly-woven or performance fabrics.
“Modular couches are worth the investment for their exceptional adaptability and space-saving capabilities, providing a versatile seating solution that you can customize to suit various room layouts,” says Snisar. “Their durability and potential for expansion make them a valuable addition to any living space.”
“The flexibility, craftsmanship, and often the additional features (like storage or sleepers) can drive up the cost,” admits Smith. Snisar, though, still recommends giving them a try. “I firmly believe that the investment in a modular sofa is well worth it, for their adaptability and space-saving prowess and versatility in function,” she says. “The ability to expand or reconfigure seating arrangements makes them invaluable for hosting guests or adapting to changing room layouts. Their durability and high-quality materials ensure they stand the test of time, making them a smart long-term choice.”
“Modular sofas typically stay together through a combination of connectors and gravity,” explains Snisar. “They often feature specialized hardware, such as clips or brackets, designed to secure the individual modules together. These connectors attach the pieces at key connection points, preventing them from shifting or separating during use. Their weight and the placement of the modules themselves, along with the friction between them and the floor, contribute to the stability of the sofa.”
“Modular and sectional sofas share similarities, but they’re not exactly the same,” says Snisar. “A modular sofa consists of individual pieces that you can arrange and combine in various configurations to suit your room's layout. A sectional sofa, on the flipside, often comes in predefined sections (like L-shape or U-shape). You can’t customize it as extensively as a modular sofa.”
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