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The Best Modular Sofas for Every Style, Space, and Budget

Expand and reconfigure your living room seating with these stylish picks.

Best Modular Sofas on a colorful background
Photo:

Real Simple / Marcus Millan

Whether you’re a renter in a small space or a design aficionado who is perpetually rearranging their decor, a modular sofa offers adaptability for any living room setup. This type of sofa comes in individual segments that can be separated and re-attached to one another, allowing you to reposition and expand your seating arrangement on a whim without lifting a heavy couch or purchasing new furniture. This flexibility is also handy if you frequently move since you can easily configure your couch to fit your space, no matter how big or small your new digs might be. 

To help you find the best modular sofa for your home, we spent hours researching different options, considering their size, materials, and seating configurability to put together this list. We also consulted Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum of Brownstone Boys for expert advice on how to shop for a modular sofa. No matter your decor tastes or price range, we’ve got one for you.

What Stands Out
  • This builder-grade sofa is built to last, and you can customize the seat fill, upholstery, and more. 

What Could Be Improved
  • You have to purchase an ottoman separately if you want a sofa with a chaise.

When in doubt, you can never go wrong with Pottery Barn. This builder-grade sofa offers tons of customization options to fit a variety of seating needs, and it's made with a birchwood frame, which is one of the most durable types of wood available. It also comes in a wide selection of widths that range from compact loveseats to sprawling grand sofas.

When it comes to upholstery fabrics, there’s plenty to choose from here. Pottery Bans offers over 40 options, including performance fabrics that are resistant to stains and wear and tear. If you can't pick, you can order free swatches to help you decide. You can also customize your sofa fill to be a down blend, which offers more give, or a poly blend for a firmer seat so your cushions are just right. You can even add a power bank to keep your phone charged while you’re watching Netflix and relaxing. 

Depending on the arrangement you select, your sofa will come with two corner chairs and one to two armless chairs. Each piece attaches securely to one another with steel connectors, so you don't have to worry about them separating while you're lounging. There isn't a chaise option available, but you can purchase a modular storage ottoman attachment separately. Last but not least, you don't have to fret over assembly since Pottery Barn's white glove delivery service will put your couch together for you.

Dimensions: 6 sizes available | Fabric: Basketweave, boucle, linen, velvet, or chenille | Seat Configurations: 1

What Stands Out
  • This sofa has a solid wood and metal frame, which makes it a durable pick for a budget option.

What Could Be Improved
  • Its seating configurations are limited. 

Modular sofas tend to be expensive because they're made to order, but if you’re working on a tight budget, you can still find furnishings that give you the flexibility you need. Take the Modular Upholstered Sofa Chaise from Winado: It includes a chaise and loveseat section you can arrange as you please, as well as brass legs and tufted cushions for extra style. Choose between five neutral colors for upholstery.

This couch doesn't offer many seating arrangements, however, because it only comes in two pieces—you can position the chaise on the other side of the loveseat or separate the two, but that's it. Additionally, Winado doesn't sell one-off sofa components, so if you want to expand your seating down the road, you won't be able to do so.

If you aren't looking for a sofa that will stay with you long-term, this one is a solid choice. Even though it's budget-friendly, it’s made with a solid wood and metal frame and uses foam and sinuous springs in its cushions, which means it’s pretty durable and will keep you supported and comfortable until you're ready to move on to a more substantial couch. 

Dimensions: 85.8 by 28.8 by 33.9 inches | Fabric: Linen | Seat Configurations: 1

Best for Small Spaces

Joybird Bryant Petite Sofa

Joybird Bryant Petite Sofa
PHOTO: Joybird
What Stands Out
  • This cushy sofa was sized specifically for apartments, creating a quality option that doesn’t take up too much room. 

What Could Be Improved
  • It can take at least four weeks to ship. 

Good news if you lived in a cramped apartment: Joybird downsized its popular Bryant sofa so that small-space dwellers can bring its style and comfort to their own spaces. The Bryant Petite has all the same features as the regular Bryant—a durable solid wood frame made from kiln-dried wood, high-density foam cushions that stay springy after years of use, and concealed legs for a sleek look—just in an apartment-friendly size. 

The Bryant Petite offers endless configuration options for seating. You can build your sofa arrangement by selecting a pre-configured arrangement or any number of corner chairs, armless chairs, and even a petite ottoman to add storage and reduce clutter in your small space. You can also choose from a plethora of upholstery options, including pet-friendly, waterproof, and sustainable fabrics. If the customization options are too overwhelming, Joybird will send you a free fabric swatch kit once you place your order so you can select your upholstery when you're ready. 

Because this sofa is custom-made, it will take longer to reach your place; Joybird gives an estimate of four weeks before it ships out. That said, we think the quality and craftsmanship of this couch make it worth the wait since it will stick around for a while and can adapt to pretty much any space. 

Dimensions: 113.5 by 37.5 by 35 inches | Fabric: Basketweave, twill, linen, velvet, or chenille | Seat Configurations: 3

What Stands Out
  • From its foam cushions to its cooling mattress, this sofa is made with comfort in mind.

What Could Be Improved
  • You can’t customize the seating configuration.

If you tend to doze off on your couch, you may as well just upgrade to this plush sleeper sofa. West Elm took extra care in building this one to make it extra comfortable for both lounging and sleeping. The cushions are made from high-density foam and have lots of give, and the mattress uses temperature-regulating foam that contours to the body to keep you just as comfortable as if you were sleeping on a real bed. 

Of course, you can’t customize its seating arrangement like you can with a traditional modular sofa because there is a mattress built inside, but West Elm does offer a storage ottoman that you can tack on to create a chaise. You can also choose between dozens of upholstery options to best match your space, including stain-resistant performance fabrics, velvets, boucle, and more. 

When considering the price point of modular sofas, this one isn’t too expensive, and it manages to pack a queen-size mattress in your space to accommodate multiple guests sleeping over. We also like that it is built with a hardwood frame and is contract grade, so you know it'll stick around for a while. 

Dimensions: 85 by 43 by 37 inches | Fabric: Basketweave, boucle, linen, velvet, twill, canvas, or chenille | Seat Configurations: 1

What Stands Out
  • It offers an impressive amount of seating configurations to choose from.

What Could Be Improved
  • The cushions are filled with down, which isn’t ideal for people with allergies.

If you’ve been searching for the best sectional for your living room, there’s a good chance that Crate and Barrel's Lounge Deep 2-Piece Sectional will fit in perfectly. It comes in an impressive amount of customization options, so you can tailor it to fit your space just right. Choose between one of their 17 predetermined seating configurations or design your own from scratch and select your preferences. Crate and Barrel offers over 200 fabric options for upholstery, so whether you’re looking for something luxe or an option that repels stains, you’ll find your perfect match. 

As far as construction goes, this sofa is built to last. The frame is made from kiln-dried hardwood that’s resistant to warping, and the cushions are built with polyfoam to provide a supportive seat that won't sag over time. The cushions are filled with a down-fiber blend, which isn’t ideal if you have allergies, but they're upholstered with downproof ticking so you don't have to deal with feathers poking through. 

Because this couch can be tailored just to your taste (and is therefore expensive), we’d consider it an investment piece. If you move around a lot, you may prefer a less substantial sofa so you don’t splurge on furniture that doesn’t fit your new space. But if you’re looking for quality, lasting pieces in a long-term living arrangement, this would make a great pick. 

Dimensions: 124 by 64 by 25 inches | Fabric: Linen weave, microfiber, boucle, shearling, textured weave, velvet, twill, canvas, or chenille | Seat Configurations: 17

What Stands Out
  • This sofa is made from stain-resistant and durable leather. 

What Could Be Improved
  • It’s difficult to clean underneath it. 

You can never go wrong with a leather couch, especially one as elegant as the Jonathan Leather Sofa from Castlery. It’s upholstered with top-grain leather, which is one of the finest leather varieties around. Top-grain leather has a smoother look compared to full-grain and is treated with a top coat that makes it resistant to stains and easy to clean, perfect for hosting parties and movie nights in your living room. That said, it does require extra care since it’s more resistant to scratches. Over time, top-grain leather will develop a nice patina, ensuring your sofa will stay stylish for years to come.

While you don’t have as much flexibility in terms of seating arrangement, Castlery does give you a few options to choose from that include extended seating and an ottoman. You can also find additional pieces if you want to add an extra seat or chaise, but those have to be purchased separately. Still, if your sofa needs to be extended in the future, it’s nice to know you can do so without buying a whole new one. 

This sofa has a low-profile design, so the legs are shorter, which means that sweeping underneath can be more cumbersome since you have to move the entire thing. If that’s not an issue for you, you’ll love this sleek and luxurious couch. 

Dimensions: 88.6 by 39.4 by 27.6 inches | Fabric: Top-grain leather | Seat Configurations: 6

What Stands Out
  • This sofa is upholstered with ultra-soft corduroy.

What Could Be Improved
  • It’s not ideal if you prefer shallower seats.

The Winnie Upholstered Sofa from AllModern manages to be sleek and statement-making all at once. It's covered with ultra-soft corduroy fabric with some texture and eye candy to your living room without bold colors or patterns. The low profile design and rounded corners also create a softer silhouette that prevents it from cluttering your space—and makes it look extra comfy too. Plus, since the legs are so short, you don’t have to deal with toys and trinkets getting pushed under the couch by pets or kids.

Beyond its gorgeous design, this sofa has a sturdy build. The frame is made from solid wood which can stand up to lots of slumping, and the seats are filled with foam which will stay firm and supportive down the line. The seats also have a nice depth of 27.56 inches, which is ideal for kicking back and lounging, and it comes already assembled, so you can unbox and enjoy your sofa in no time.

To customize your seating arrangement, you can purchase matching seats, ottomans, and chaises on AllModern’s website to upgrade this sofa as needed. Despite being made to order, it’ll only take a couple of weeks to ship out, and it comes with free white glove delivery to eliminate the struggle of setting up your sofa, all while being relatively affordable to boot. 

Dimensions: 26.38 by 107.88 by 36.61 | Fabric: Corduroy | Seat Configurations: 1

Best Deep Seated

Albany Park Kova Sofa

Albany Park Kova Sofa 122"
PHOTO: Albany Park
What Stands Out
  • The cushions are filled with an allergy-friendly down alternative, and the sofa couldn’t be easier to assemble.

What Could Be Improved
  • It may be too big for some spaces.

With a cushion depth of 42.5 inches, the Kova Safa 122 from Albany Park is designed with plenty of legroom so you can curl up, kick back, and unwind how you want. The cushions are removable, too, making it easy to vacuum crumbs or find your missing remote. They're filled with a pillowy microfiber blend that provides the same sinking feeling of a down cushion without the constant fluffing or loose feathers. You can choose between 13 fabric options for upholstery, including ones that are stain resistant.

There is some assembly required with this sofa, but it’s pretty straightforward. Albany Park ships everything in separate boxes so you don’t have to struggle to bring it into your home, and shipping is free. All you have to do is unbox your couch’s components and slide them into place, but if you get stuck, you can watch Albany Park’s assembly video to get walked through the process. 

We also want to note this sofa is on the larger side. While an average three-seater is typically 90 inches wide by 36 inches tall, this one is 122 inches wide by 39 inches tall. If you prefer a more minimal look in your living space, you may want a smaller sofa, but this one is great if you want a big, comfy, and durable couch. 

Dimensions: 122 by 39 by 42.5 inches | Fabric: Basketweave, boucle, velvet, or kid-friendly options | Seat Configurations: 1

Best Kid- and Pet-Friendly

Burrow Block Nomad Sofa

Burrow Block Nomad Sofa
PHOTO: Burrow
What Stands Out
  • This sofa is upholstered with fabric that’s completely stain- and scratch-resistant. 

What Could Be Improved
  • It’s not ideal for people who prefer natural fabrics. 

If you live in a household with kids and pets, you know that spills and messes are unavoidable, which can make you wary of investing in a brand-new couch. Worry not: The Burrow Nomad Sofa can stand up to all kinds of stains and roughhousing. It’s upholstered with olefin fabric, which is a synthetic material that's completely stain-proof and doesn't scratch or fade.

Burrow says you can use a bleach solution to blot away messes, but in our experience, soap and water were all it took for our sofa to look good as new. The frame is also just as durable thanks to its solid wood frame, so you don't have to worry about it breaking if kids or pets jump around on it

We're also a fan of the number of customization options Burrow offers. Beyond picking your desired seating configuration (which includes sectional and U-shaped options), you can choose between seven different colors for upholstery and six different wood and metal leg finishes to add some personal flair to your couch. You can also customize the look of the armrests and cushions, and add-on parts like a chaise, ottoman, USB charger, lumbar pillows.

Dimensions: 85 by 35 by 33 inches | Fabric: Olefin fabric | Seat Configurations: 15

Best Customizable

Floyd Form Sectional

Floyd Three-Piece Form Sectional
PHOTO: Floyd
What Stands Out
  • You can choose between a variety of seating configurations and unique upholstery fabrics.

What Could Be Improved
  • The cushions are pretty firm, which may not be to everyone’s taste.

Floyd is known for its high-quality and stylish furniture that’s made to adapt to your living space over time, and its modular sofa is no exception. It’s available in pretty much any seating configuration you have in mind, from standard three-seater to L-shaped arrangements. If you need to switch up your configuration in the future, you can grab another sectional unit from their website to expand your seating. 

This sofa comes in a wide range of upholstery options, including stain-resistant performance and specialty fabrics, like Kvadrat Sisu, a natural and renewable material with a woven checked pattern. Add ons like a modular coffee table, ottoman, and throw pillows are also available, so you can spruce up your sofa with all the bells and whistles you’re looking for. 

The range of customization options isn’t the only thing going for this sofa. It has nice, firm cushions that are filled with double-layer foam to ensure they stay comfortable over time, though people who prefer to sink into their sofa may find them to be a little too firm. The frame is made from sturdy engineered wood to stand up to jumping, moving, and whatever wear and tear the future holds for your furniture. No matter what, you can be sure this sofa’s timeless design will continue to look sleek and fit your furniture needs. 

Dimensions: 30.5 by 36.5 by 27.4 | Fabric: Performance fabric, boucle, Kvadrat Tonus, Kvadrat Sisu | Seat Configurations: 7

Final Verdict

We love the Pottery Barn Modular Square Arm Upholstered Sofa for its durable frame and range of customization options that let you choose the best size and upholstery fabric for your space. For a budget option, we like the Winado Modular Upholstered Sofa Chaise because it has a sturdy build and includes a chaise and a loveseat to meet all of your seating needs.  

How to Shop for Modular Sofas Like a Pro 

Size

Modular sofas offer greater flexibility than traditional ones, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore size altogether. When it comes to picking the right size for your sofa, you have to figure out the size of your room but also the shape, Bordelon and Slocum advise. To make sure your sofa will fit, they recommend that you grab some cardboard and cut out the dimensions of your couch. From there, you can place it in different spots to get a feel of how much space it will take up and how it will affect the flow of your room. Ideally, you should have at least 18 inches of walking room around your sofa, but if you’re tight on square feet, you can place it against a wall to take up less space. 

As for actual dimensions, Bordelon and Slocum explain that sofas come in a few different size options, the smallest of which is a loveseat (52–72 inches), followed by small (72–84 inches), medium (84–96 inches), and large (96+ inches). You may think that a small space requires a small sofa, but that’s not necessarily the case. “Each space is unique, and you should base the size of your couch on your individual needs. Want a cozy space? Put a medium or large couch in a small room. Looking for a more minimalist look? Small couch in a large room,” they say. However, your couch shouldn’t be your only seating option, so take extra furnishings like side chairs, stools, and floor cushions into account when determining your sofa’s size. 

Materials

The materials used in a sofa’s upholstery, cushion filling, and frame all have an impact on its look and durability. When it comes to upholstery, most retailers offer a great selection of fabrics to choose from, including performance twills that resist wear and tear, elegant velvets, and sleek leather. Bordelon and Slocum prefer cotton, linen, and velvet for the comfort they provide, though they aren’t ideal for everyone: They’re soft to the touch and have good breathability, but these materials can be tricky for pet owners or families with small kids. For a more lasting option, they suggest leather, microfiber, or synthetic fabrics designed for high traffic. These materials resist wear, stains, and fading.

It’s also important to look at the materials used in the sofa’s frame. Solid wood and metal can resist warping and offer the most longevity compared to fibreboard, which pays itself off in the long run even if they’re a more expensive purchase. 

Don’t forget about the cushion fill, either. Cushions filled with high-density foam create a comfortable and supportive seat and don’t sag over time. For people who prefer sofas they can sink into, feather-filled cushions are the way to go, but they require regular fluffing and aren’t ideal for people with allergies.

Configurability

Modular sofas come in many configuration options, from traditional three-seaters to U-shaped couches. If it’s in your budget, Bordelon and Slocum recommend looking for sofas with interchangeable sections that can be rearranged to fit different room layouts or usage needs, which ensures your couch can grow with you over time. If you’re looking for something less expensive, try a sofa like the Winado Modular Upholstered Sofa Chaise, which includes a loveseat and a chaise to add flexibility to your seating without breaking the bank.

Questions You Might Ask 

What is the difference between modular and sectional sofas?

Bordelon and Slocum say the key difference is in flexibility. Modular sofas are made of independent sections that can be rearranged into several configurations, while sectional sofas come in fixed configurations with pieces that stay together in one specific arrangement. For example, if you have a three-seater couch with a chaise attachment, you could rearrange all three seats if you have a modular sofa. If you have a sectional, your sofa would be built with a chaise that can detach from a loveseat. 

How do modular sofas stay together?

Modular sofas come with a few different attachment methods, like clips, hooks, and latches. Bordelon and Slocum caution that you do your research when shopping online to make sure the seats won’t come apart after you’ve attached them. In general, heavy-duty metal clips will offer the most secure attachment.

Are modular sofas expensive? 

Modular sofas are usually more expensive than regular ones because they’re made to order and offer more versatility. Bordelon and Slocum also mention that they require high-quality connection pieces so that every configuration is durable and stable, which also increases the price. In general, you can expect to spend between $1,000 to $4,00 on a modular sofa, but there are options available beneath that price range, like the Winado Modular Upholstered Sofa Chaise and the Joybird Brant Petite Sofa.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Jen Woo, a freelance design, lifestyle, and culture writer and content strategist with over 10 years of experience. To write this article, she thoroughly researched modular sofas and considered factors like size, materials, and seating configurability to make her final picks. For expert advice on how to shop for modular sofas, Jen spoke to Barry Bordelom and Jordan Slocum, the interior designers and renovators behind The Brownstone Boys

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