The Best Editor-Tested Modular Sofas You Can Buy Right Now

Choosing a sofa is a huge commitment (literally and figuratively) — especially if you’re a renter or planning for future children or pets. A good couch should last for many years, but how can you anticipate what your household’s needs will be so far in advance?

That’s why a modular sofa is so smart. Unlike a traditional sofa, a modular sofa is made up of individual pieces (or modules) that connect — this allows you to reconfigure as needed. You can add or remove modules if you move to a different space, or even replace single modules as needed instead of buying a whole new couch.

Although modular sofas have been around for decades, they’re really having a moment right now. To help you navigate the wide range of options, we spent months testing modular sofas in our own homes — we lounged, worked, napped, and entertained guests on them. Through wine spills, cat scratches, and hours spent binge-watching TV, we put our couches through the wringer to see how they held up to everyday living.

Our favorites include pet-friendly stunners, cozy sectionals with deep seats, and made-to-order pieces with plenty of customizations. Read on for all of our editor-tested picks and more information on how to shop for a modular sofa like a pro.

Most sofas are filled with foam, down and feather, or a combination of both. High-density foam is the most durable and least likely to sag, while down and feather provides a nice sink-in feel. Combining the two is your best bet for comfort and durability.

Performance fabrics are designed to hold up to stains, spills, and general wear and tear, which makes them especially suited to homes with kids or pets. Genuine leather is another durable option that’s easy to clean, although it does require more care to prevent scuffing or scratching. If you want a truly no-fuss couch, look for covers that are removable and machine-washable for easy maintenance.

Modular sofas are much more adaptable and customizable compared to traditional sofas, and many come with extra features like built-in storage, washable covers, and conversion to a sleeper sofa. Look for made-to-order sofas that allow you to choose from a range of configurations and size options.

We tested a wide range of modular sofas and judged them on the following criteria:

• Overall sit: What posture does the sofa best support? How deep or shallow are the seats? Are the cushions soft or firm on the back and arms?
• Seat firmness: How soft or firm are the seat cushions? How do they contribute to overall posture and comfort?
• Customizability: Does it come in different varieties? How many colors, finishes, materials, or sizes is it available in? How granular can you get when customizing the sofa?
• Multifunctionality: Does it have storage capacity? What else can the sofa do or help with?
• Sturdiness: Is the frame made from durable, high-quality materials? Does the sofa wobble or creak when you’re on it?
• Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., deep hues, busy details, flanged edges) or more contemporary (i.e., clean lines, low profiles, mid-century modern design elements)?

Apartment Therapy editors are big fans of Albany Park, and we’ve tested quite a few of the brand’s sofas through the years. If you’re looking for a modular sofa that’s extra functional and durable, then look no further than the Kova, which is Editor-in-Chief Charli Penn’s favorite. 

“The Kova somehow manages to make our tiny den feel twice as big — even though it just fits,” says Charli. “The deep, sink-right-in cushions are a dream, but the boxy silhouette keeps everything looking tailored and tidy, not sloppy. It’s the sweet spot between casual and polished, which is exactly what our home needed.”

One of the Kova’s selling points is its ease of care. All of its seven upholstery choices are performance fabrics, which means they’re stain-resistant and durable enough to hold up to stains and rough use from kids or pets. Plus, the covers are all removable and washable, so you can easily clean or change up the fabrics as needed. Although you can’t customize the seat depth, the seats are generously sized for excellent lounging and napping.

Charli has this sofa in the 2-seater plus ottoman configuration, but you also have 11 other options to choose from — as well as two different cushion styles (box or pillow). In addition to standard sofa and sectional styles, the Kova is also available as a “pit” for a truly comfy experience that’s extra suited to a movie room or guest room. 

Read our full Albany Park Kova Sofa review.

Best for: Families and pet owners looking for a couch that’s functional but still stylish; people looking for a deep-seat sofa that works in smaller spaces.

• Styles: Also available with pillow cushions 
• Features: Washable covers, optional storage ottoman
• Configurations: 12
• Upholstery: Linen, chenille, brushed canvas, bouclé, velvet, twill, basketweave (all performance)
• Colors: 32
• Frame: Wood

Cozey’s Ciello Sofa comes in 14 configurations (the highest number on this list!), including lots of sectional styles. You’ll find L-shaped and U-shaped options that can come with ottomans and chaises, as well as non-sectional sizes ranging from two to four seats. Former Apartment Therapy Shopping Writer Haley Lyndes has the corner sectional model in her own home, and loves that it’s apartment-friendly and easy to maintain. 

“I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this sofa is, and its design doesn’t look cheap at all,” says Haley. “The performance fabric feels incredibly high-quality, and the cushions are a dream to sink into. What’s more, it’s perfectly sized for small living room layouts, which is a rarity with sectional couches. It fits mine splendidly.”

Like the Albany Park Kova, the Ciello comes with removable covers that can be washed for easy care — perfect for households with kids or pets. It also comes with a few other customizations, including two seat depths and arm styles. If you opt for an ottoman, it comes with roomy storage that makes it even more functional for small spaces. 

Read our full Cozey Ciello Corner Sectional review.

Best for: Those looking for an affordable sectional that’s easy to take care of.

• Styles: Also available in XL or with angled arms
• Configurations: 14
• Features: Washable covers, optional storage ottoman, optional sleep kit
• Upholstery: Performance fabric, chenille, Aquaforte, corduroy
• Colors: 11
• Frame: Solid pine

While all of the sofas on this list come in durable performance fabrics, we were most impressed by Floyd’s Form Sectional when it came to durability. Former Shopping Writer Kendall Cornish put this couch to the test in her own home, and found that it held up remarkably well to both everyday stains and her cat’s scratching — even with white upholstery. 

“The Floyd Sectional was custom-made to fit my tiny space perfectly, hand-delivered directly into my living room, and survived (nay, thrived) through a month’s worth of red wine spills and my cat’s incessant scratching,” says Kendall.

In addition to its durability, this sofa’s low-profile design and chunky look give it plenty of style. (It was even featured in Apartment Therapy’s 2024 Small/Cool Design Awards!) While it only comes in five configurations, it makes up for it with 19 color choices, including two custom fabrics designed in collaboration with Denmark-based textile company Kvadrat. All the colors and fabrics are designed to be pet-friendly, and the seats are deep enough to keep you comfortable. Keep in mind, though, that the dense foam cushions aren’t very plush, so they’re best for those who like a firmer, more supportive seat.

Read our full Floyd Two-Piece Form Sectional review.

Best for: Pet owners who are looking for a modern design; those who prefer a firmer seat that offers lots of support.

• Styles: Also available as a 3-seater, 4-seater, and 5-seater
• Configurations: 5
• Upholstery: Performance fabric, bouclé, Kvadrat Sisu, Kvadrat Tonus
• Colors: 19
• Frame: Plywood and wood

Burrow is one of our favorite places to buy a modular sofa, and we specifically recommend the Union Sectional if you’re looking for a stylish, deep-seat model that’s great for families and homes with tricky layouts. With a seat depth of 27 inches, this sectional is great for spreading out while you watch movies or entertain, plus looks elegant enough for more formal spaces too. 

It was tested by former Editorial Shopping Director Jada Wong, who chose it specifically for its customizable design. Her living room is much longer than it is wide, and the Union 6-seater offered the ideal solution. The sofa’s modularity came in handy once she realized that it was actually a bit too long for the space — she ended up removing the sixth chair and repurposing it as an accent chair instead.

“As someone who has two other Burrow sectionals (the Nomad and the Field), what makes the Union stand out is that it has the deepest, widest, and plushest seats out of Burrow’s sofa collections,” says Jada. “The seats are a generous 27 inches deep and about 35 inches wide, and the cushions are super cozy, so you never want to get up from the couch.”

Although there are fewer overall customizations available and no added features (like storage or removable covers), the Union does give you two leg styles and finishes to choose from. The sole upholstery option is a performance chenille that’s tough enough to resist stains and wear and tear, and the modular design makes setting it up straightforward and relatively easy. 

Read our full Burrow Union 6-Seat Sectional review.

Best for: Those looking for a comfortable, durable, and stylish sofa that’s versatile enough for entertaining and lounging.

• Configurations: 9
• Features: Customizable leg style and finish
• Upholstery: Performance chenille
• Colors: 4
• Frame: Wood

If comfort is your top priority, you can’t do much better than 25Home’s Lunna Sofa. This luxurious, cloud-like couch is filled with feathers and silk wadding for a true sink-in feel that’s a true joy to sit (or lie) on. House Tours Editor Cullen Ormond tested it in her own home, and was impressed by its soft feel and ease of setting up (she called it “a breeze” to assemble).

“It literally feels like you’re lying on a puffy cotton ball,” says Cullen. “All of the cushions are super-soft and mold to my comfort. At least three people could comfortably sit on the two-seater sofa.” One of the biggest selling points for Cullen was the size: “It looked wide enough to transform into a bed by removing the cushions. We host a lot of guests, and since having it, we’ve had three different people sleep on it and remark at how comfortable it is.”

While this sofa comes with a lot of perks, there are two caveats. First of all, it’s only available in white, which definitely won’t be to everyone’s liking. And although the covers are removable, they are not machine-washable, so you’ll have to spot-clean as needed. Cullen has two pets and her sofa has ended up with a few stains, but those without pets (or kids) might not mind the extra care required.

Read our full 25Home Lunna Sofa review.

Best for: Serious loungers looking for a cloud-like couch; those without kids or pets.

• Configurations: 12
• Features: Removable covers, optional storage ottoman
• Upholstery: Chenille
• Colors: 1
• Frame: Not listed

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