apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have a modular sofa, and I actually like it...and they way it looks. It can really provide seating in a sleek kind of way without taking up too much space. And I even got one with a sleeper sofa in part of it, which is cool for out-of-town guests, too. They seem to be back in style if you look at Room & Board, Crate & B, etc. And the ones that are just a sofa with a chaise, aka an "L" sectional, are less Brady Bunch living room and more urban, I think.

I think that sectional sofas are good for two kinds of spaces -- really big ones, where there is plenty of room around it to walk around behind it, so that the sectional seems to make kind of an oasis of coziness in the middle of an otherwise entirely-too-enormous space OR, like I saw Candace Olsen do the other day, where it's a fairly small space, and it completely lines the walls kind of like a big built-in. It seemed to gave more seating in there than would otherwise fit without wasting any space in-between anything.

Then, yes, I think there was at least one separate chair across from that, so that there was room to access it all and to have conversation across it.

It's sort of that in-between kind of size and shape of space that it can look really awkward in, where there really isn't enough room behind it to do any good, or where there really ends up being too much room in the center, and it seems as if you're all having to shout to be heard.

Is modular the same as sectional? Another good reason for a modular/sectional in NY is the problem of manuevering a large one piece sofa into many NYC apartment spaces. As mentioned on this site many times people have had to have their sofas cut apart to fit into the apartment and then rebuilt on site.

I love my modular/sectional. And have for over ten years.

I like a sectional only when it comes in many varied pieces (modular?), like an armless chair and a left-handed arm end piece instead one longer piece end piece. I just feel it give the entire thing more longevity if I move. I could break the pieces up and use them in seperate rooms if my next apartment won't accomodate a giant sectional.

i was never a big fan of modular sofas..... then i moved into a new apartment where i really had to define my space. i was on a budget and found one on craig's list. it is perfect! i do have other seating options in the same area. i also placed a console table behind the one side that devides the room, topped with two table top lights. it really breaks up the space without sacrificing the overall look of one open room for living/dining. and doesn't look too cluttered.

I KNEW I had seen a sectional sofa that looked great! That's right! Patrick (the other one) has one that looks dead-on perfectly suited in every way: shape, scale, color, context in the room and everything. Go see his (winning, by the way) entry in the Smallest, Coolest Apartment Contest.

Max, thanks so much for taking on my question. We do have a loft-like room with high ceilings and big windows used for both living and dining. We are a family of 4 (and growing) and want something that we can all cuddle up in yet still look somewhat modern and stylish. The sofa/chaise combination is what we are looking for so we will begin the hunt for the perfect fit! Thanks again,
Sara

I completely disagree with the idea that they are only good in large spaces! I have a teeny teeny teeny tiny living room with a bad layout (traffic lane goes right through it and can't be changed). I previously was only able to fit a loveseat and one armchair in there, but I just got a sectional and doubled my seating. Plus, it created a very cozy playpen kind of feeling. Looks good, feels good, is good.

We have a sofa and chaise... and wound up arranging them, after a while, so that they kindasorta form a modular (someone sitting on one side of the sofa can put their feet up on the end of the chaise).

Our chaise is also very, very uncomfortable, even though it shouldn't be (it's cushy enough, but it's hard on the back of anyone who sits in it for long, and difficult to get in and out of). I think a chair-and-a-half with a huge ottoman is a much better idea - storage ottoman, if you want to put the chair perpendicular to one edge of the sofa so they share the ottoman. Skip the coffee table and put a wooden tray on top of the ottoman when necessary.

What's wrong with modular?

If I had a flat front window instead of a bay -- and there wasn't a closet door right beside the window -- modular would be a wonderful solution to the typical NARROW San Francisco apartment. Run one leg below the window and one along the wall. Tuck a chair angled from the other wall. Coffee table in the middle. All very neat and elegant, with at least double the seating I have now.

If straight lines are a problem, accessorize.

Check this site.
We have one . Very good quality and plenty of storage.http://www.wiedersofabed.com/

I had a 70's modular/sectional sofa and loved it. It consisted of 7 square peices, 2 end peices, 3 back only peices, and 2 ottamans in an earth brown cordoroy fabric.

The peices were lightweight, easily convertable to any configuration and was usually arranged as big sofa bed "playpen" for relaxed social occasions and tv watching. For more formal parties, I split it up into as many as 3 different sofa seating areas.

As a college student at the time, I lived in one bedroom apartments, where it easily fit into any configuration I ever needed.

Eventually the sofa wore out and I've replaced it with a traditional sofa, but honestly it's been a very poor substitute.

I'm looking for a modular sofa to replace the dull conventional one I own now. Anyone know where I can find one?

Pfft to trend, give me comfort and flexibility!
Terri

Some cool modular sectionals with hundreds of leather and fabric options and can be customized any way you like.