The Very Best Sectional Sofas, as Tested by Our Editors

There is no better way to spend an afternoon than curling up on the sofa with friends and family; thanks to the best modular sofas, everyone fits comfortably in one spot. Unlike conventional sofas, modular ones boast a chameleon-like style, adapting just as easily to a basement home theater as to a family living room.

As Benjamin Reynaert, a former AD editor, points out, these sofas offer "a level of customization typical of bespoke furniture, but without the high costs associated with building a piece from scratch—or from the sofa legs up." However, choosing between the ideal modular sofa and a conventional one can be tricky. If you’re worried that modular sofas might look dated or be hard to fit into tight spaces, I’m here to put your mind at ease by sharing our team’s experiences after years of testing—sitting, napping, and binge-watching shows on—the best modular sofas on the market. We’ve even included several apartment-friendly options (yes, most of us live in walk-up buildings in New York) in case your small space needs a well-designed layout. Whether you’re looking for a chaise longue to stretch out on or a corner piece to anchor your media room, there’s a versatile model waiting for your home. Discover our top picks: from plush, sculptural designs to elegant mid-century classics.

In this article:

1. Dropdown menu button
2. Our favorites
3. Other AD-approved options
4. How we test
5. How we selected these modular sofas
6. Frequently asked questions

The Sloan sectional sofa from Interior Define offers more customization options than traditional furniture brands. You can choose from dozens of upholstery materials (and colors!), various seat depths, cushion fill types, and even leg styles. That level of customization was largely why contributor Malia Griggs chose this sofa for her living room. "I really love this sofa. If you enjoy tailoring your decor to your taste, are willing to pay a bit more for quality, and have the patience to wait for a made-to-order product, this sectional is a wonderful choice—especially for small spaces (and even if you have cats)," she notes. After lounging on the *chaise longue* during movie nights, naps, and even a full night's sleep, Griggs highlights the seat's firmness and comfort, as well as the upholstery's durability.

Despite sharing her home with two very active cats, the sofa has withstood spills, stains, scratches, and even a hairball incident at the worst possible moment. "The sofa has held up surprisingly well against the chaos they cause: wrestling and playing on the *chaise longue*, using the sides as a scratching post, and constant shedding everywhere," Griggs explains. She also points out that a soft-bristled brush helps maintain the velvet's texture and masks areas where the cats have scratched most intensely. "While I wouldn't call velvet a low-maintenance option—it certainly attracts lint and pet hair—it has performed better than I expected," she states. "The velvet has a short, dense pile that doesn't snag the way my previous chenille sofa did; so, even when my cats really go at it with their claws, the damage isn't as noticeable on the fabric."

Overall sofa rating: A

Benchmade goes beyond simply sending fabric swatches. The company sends full-scale mock-ups so you know exactly what you’re getting from among the more than 125 material and fabric combinations available. This allows you to do more than just visualize how the *Modern Vintage* sofa will fit into your space. The brand’s recently launched *Vintage* collection is designed for those who crave retro styles but don’t want to spend hours scouring Facebook Marketplace for secondhand options. The line features mid-century modern-inspired designs, utilizing fabrics from firms like Kravet and the textile house Pollack. Noah Kaufman, a contributor to the publication, selected the Pollack plaid upholstery shown here (available later this month) and a sled-leg silhouette to complement his Victorian home's aesthetic. "It would fit perfectly in a home with a mid-century aesthetic, or one that uses bolder colors and patterns," notes Kaufman, adding that the sofa reminds him of one from his childhood home.

Overall Sofa Rating: A

The Coburn reclining sectional from Arhaus offers a bold yet modern profile (we love its prominent stitching) for those seeking comfortable reclining seating without the excessive bulk typical of early-2000s Lay-Z-Boy-style models. "The sofa is exceptionally comfortable and plush, especially when the reclining function is engaged," notes AD contributor Blake Bakkila, though she points out that it offers less shoulder or neck support when not in recline mode. Another advantage is its kid-friendly surface, put to the test by Bakkila’s young son. "The kitchen (and his beloved berries) are just a quick step away from the sofa, and we’ve never noticed any stains," Bakkila adds. It requires significant clearance behind it to recline, making it best suited for layouts where the piece stands freely (away from walls) rather than rooms where it must be placed against a wall. It is also worth noting that the sofa requires a power outlet or a battery pack to operate the reclining functions.

Overall sofa rating: A

Thuma first made a name for itself with easy-to-assemble bed frames that utilize precise Japanese joinery; however, the company soon expanded its catalog to include bedroom furniture, such as nightstands and modular shelving solutions. Its latest releases have cemented Thuma’s status as a go-to brand for stylish home furnishings—starting with its new modular sofas. These pieces, featuring reinforced lumbar support and a protective-coated steel frame, combine sturdiness with elegance; in fact, Evan Russum, the brand's partnerships manager, gives them top marks for style and design alone.

"This sofa caught my eye because it avoids the bulky, over-stuffed look typical of many sectional sofas," notes Russum. "Instead, it conveys a sleek, modern aesthetic, with modular pieces that fit together seamlessly—reflecting the same design philosophy found in the brand's bed frames." He also highlights that the sofa is spacious enough to accommodate his tall frame (nearly two meters) and that, despite its delicate ivory color, the piece shows no scratches from his cat, snags, or obvious signs of wear after daily use.

While Quince is known for its affordable bamboo bedding and crisp linen, its recent foray into the furniture world sparked both excitement and curiosity within our team. Handcrafted in North Carolina—the heart of American furniture making—these pieces are designed to become home staples thanks to their timeless aesthetic, making them ideal for those who don't want to spend a five-figure sum on a sectional sofa. After years of using a beloved second-hand gray sofa, Audience Development Manager Emma Tubbs knew it was time for an upgrade. That’s when she found Quince’s modern-silhouette model: the *Ashford Deep Seat Chaise* sectional, upholstered in high-performance velvet. "When I discovered this Quince model, I was immediately captivated by the gorgeous deep brown velvet, but the seat depth was what really sold me," she says. "I love curling up and lying down on the sofa; in my opinion, there’s nothing worse than a shallow sectional." With a seat depth of 28 inches and cushions filled with high-density foam and a feather-down blend, this sofa is designed for all-day comfort. Her only critique: Tubbs notes that while the seat is supportive and plush, the back cushions lose their shape easily and need fluffing after every nap. However, she adds, "The overall construction feels solid and well-made; I’ve already taken plenty of naps on it and woken up feeling rested and without back pain." Castlery’s Hamilton sectional features a classic design with tapered arms and clean lines, and it has the added benefit of converting into a sleeper sofa. Suitable for both modern and traditional aesthetics, this model maintains a firm structure while remaining incredibly comfortable for lounging. "My partner and I are huge fans of sofas and love lounging on them, so choosing another modular model was the most logical choice," says contributor Susie Plotkin. Plotkin describes the sofa as incredibly comfortable and highlights its silhouette, which adds a touch of sophistication to her living room. It might not be the centerpiece of your living room decor, but for those seeking a modular sofa that easily adapts to an evolving style, the Hamilton model could be the ideal choice.

The advantage of combining a sleeper sofa with a modular design is the ample space it offers for stretching out and relaxing. Plus, for those short on storage, the chaise longue lifts up to reveal a hidden compartment underneath. Unlike other complex multifunctional pieces, this one arrives in just two boxes. Plotkin opted for the premium delivery service (including assembly), and the sofa was ready for movie night in less than an hour.

As with most sleeper sofas, the built-in memory foam mattress may not quite match the comfort of a high-end conventional bed, but Plotkin notes that her guests have praised the Hamilton's comfort night after night. "We’ve had people sleep on both the pull-out mattress and directly on the chaise longue; both options got rave reviews," she says. "The middle seat is a bit firmer than the others due to the mattress mechanism, but it’s still very comfortable for lounging. It feels like a well-made, durable piece of furniture; plus, because the high-density memory foam cushions hold their shape, the sofa doesn't sag with use." Overall, Plotkin is delighted with her modular sofa, especially given how well it has withstood her two extremely energetic kittens (and their claws). The high-performance upholstery is stain-resistant and features a subtle texture that adds depth to an otherwise all-white design. Lacking a guest room, she was looking for a versatile piece: "not just any sleeper sofa, but a sort of furniture 'unicorn'—a modular sleeper sofa that was stylish and comfortable, yet not bulky" for her space. "It hadn't even occurred to me to look for storage—I was already asking a lot with my requirements—so when I discovered the Hamilton, it immediately became my top choice," adds Plotkin.

Overall sofa rating: A

It’s easy to see why the Sven model is a bestseller for the Canadian retailer Article. Available in fabric (including velvet) or leather upholstery, its mid-century-inspired tufted silhouette ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a classic sectional. Neither too soft, nor excessively deep-seated, nor too small (or too big!) for a family of three, the Sven is what shopping editor Audrey Lee calls the "Goldilocks" sofa (or the ideal sofa). Thanks to its sturdy construction, it may take some time to achieve that cozy, lived-in look characteristic of a well-worn leather sofa, but we have a feeling the wait will be worth it. "After a year of post-work naps, movie nights, and lazy days binge-watching whatever series TikTok convinced me to check out, the Sven sectional remains in excellent condition," says Lee.

How We Test

We considered numerous factors in each of our analyses to provide the information you need to choose the best modular sofa for your home, including:

The ordering and customization process: shallow or deep seats, with or without armrests, right- or left-hand chaise longue, down or foam cushions, fabric or leather upholstery, L-shaped or U-shaped configurations... each of the modular sofas we tested offers a variety of options. We also documented processing times and estimated delivery dates for each model.

Sofa delivery and assembly:

options included curbside delivery or a premium service (with installation), as well as choices between full assembly and self-assembly. Additionally, for self-assembly, we asked: how many pieces did the sofa arrive in, and how difficult was it to put together?

Post-installation:

we addressed key questions regarding the functionality of each modular sofa—is it practical for a modern home? Is it suitable for children and/or pets? What are the care and cleaning instructions? Did it look better in person than in the photos?

Durability and lifespan:

whenever possible, we followed up with the testers to see if they still held the same opinions months or years later.