Best modular sofas: how to choose your configuration
What is a modular sofa?A modular sofa is made from separate pieces, or modules, that connect to each other. You choose the pieces, arrange them into the shape your room needs, and rearrange or add to them later. A fixed sofa keeps one shape for life. A modular sofa changes with you.
What does modular mean?
Each piece of a SUPERBA modular sofa is a complete seat in its own right. A crocodile connector clips neighbouring pieces together, so the sofa holds as one when you sit on it. Unclip them and you can move a corner, swap a chaise to the other side or split one sofa into two.
That makes modular the most flexible of all the types of sofa. It is also why so many people now ask which are the best modular sofas before they look at anything else.
Same sofa. Different week.
On Monday it's a compact sofa with a chaise, just enough for one person, a book and a coffee. By Saturday the same pieces, plus a corner and two more seats, have become a full L for friends. Nothing new to buy, nothing to throw away.
The SUPERBA modular pieces
Every configuration is built from the same small vocabulary. Learn these and you can read any layout.
- Chair one arm. The end of a row, with an arm on the left or the right.
- Armless. A middle seat. Add more to make the sofa longer.
- Corner. Turns the sofa 90 degrees to make an L or a U.
- Chaise. A long seat for stretching out, available on Jasmine and Elo.
- Pouf. A footstool that works as extra seating or a place to rest your feet.
Find your configuration
Pick a layout to see the pieces it needs and the rooms it suits.
- 2 × chair one arm
- 1 × armless
- Fits along one wall
- Good for narrow rooms and small flats
- Add armless pieces to make it longer
Shop modular sofasOr plan it piece by piece in our modular builder
Plan is not to scale. Exact sizes are on each collection page.
Modular vs sectional sofa
People often use the words interchangeably, but there is one real difference. A sectional sofa may arrive in sections, yet it goes back together in one fixed shape. A modular sofa can be rearranged as often as you like.
| Modular sofa | Sectional or fixed corner sofa | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Rearrange any time | Fixed once built |
| Change sides | Move the corner or chaise | Choose left or right at purchase |
| Grow it | Add pieces later | Buy a new sofa |
| Delivery | Piece by piece, easier on stairs | Larger sections |
| Moving house | Reshape for the new room | May not fit the new room |
L-shape vs U-shape: which suits your room?
An L-shape sofa uses one corner. It suits most family rooms and makes good use of a wall corner, which is why it is the most popular layout. A U-shaped sofa uses two corners and wraps around a coffee table. It seats more people but needs a large or open-plan room.
With a modular sofa you don't have to choose for ever. Start with an L and add a second corner and seats when you move to a bigger room.
Best modular sofas for small living rooms
Modular is often the smartest choice for a flat. You can start with two or three pieces, use a chaise instead of a full corner, and shape the sofa around an alcove or a bay window. Because it arrives as separate pieces, it is also far easier to carry through narrow doors and up tight stairs.
For a smaller room, look at the Elo modular sofa and Goodman Mini, then browse our small sofas. Our sofa dimensions guide shows how to measure your room first.
How to choose a modular sofa
- Measure the room and the route in. Check the wall, the walkways and every door and stair turn. With modular, measure the largest single piece.
- Think three years ahead. A new flat, a growing family or a bigger room all change what you need. Buy for today and leave room to add.
- Choose how you sit. Comfort comes from seat depth, cushion fill and frame. Our sofa comfort guide explains Sink-in, Soft Support and Rich Feel Comfort.
- Choose the cover. Our modular ranges come in fabric and leather. Order free swatches to see them in your own light.
- Try it at home. Every sofa comes with a 30-day home trial.
Are modular sofas worth it?
- For. They adapt to your room, grow with you, move house well and are easier to deliver.
- For. You can replace or add a single piece instead of the whole sofa.
- Against. A large modular layout costs more than a small fixed sofa, because each piece is a full seat.
- Against. You need to plan the pieces, which is what the builder above is for.
Questions people ask
What is a modular sofa?
A sofa made from separate sections, or modules, that connect so you can arrange and rearrange the shape to suit your room.
Are modular sofas comfortable?
Yes. Comfort comes from seat depth, cushion fill and the frame, not from whether a sofa is modular. Each SUPERBA module uses the same seat construction as the collection it belongs to.
Can you rearrange a modular sofa easily?
Yes. Our pieces are joined by a crocodile connector. Unclip it, move the piece and clip it back.
How many modules do I need?
Three or four pieces suit most rooms. Larger family layouts use five to eight.
Can I make a layout that isn't shown on the site?
Yes. The pieces mix freely. If you want a layout you can't see, get in touch and we'll help you plan it.
Can I add to a modular sofa later?
Yes, while the range is in production. That is the main reason to choose modular.
What is the best type of sofa for a small flat?
A compact two-seater, or a small modular you can start small and add to later.
One sofa. Every room you'll live in.
Start with the pieces you need today. Add a corner, a chaise or a pouf when life changes, and keep the sofa you already love.