Advice and Ideas
The Modular Sofa: A Phenomenon of Functional Design
As the centrepiece of the living space, the sofa needs to be comforting yet functional, and welcoming yet aesthetically pleasing. Ticking all of these boxes is no easy feat, but if you’re looking for a sofa that is both comfortable and versatile, look no further than the modular sectional sofa. If you’re indecisive when it comes to design, like many of us are, then this is the perfect couch for you. Consisting of individual pieces slotted together like a jigsaw puzzle, modular couches are flexible and adaptable. With the ability to split into separate parts, they can be continually recombined in different ways, providing you with the ability to reconfigure your living area with ease.
If we are to fully appreciate the ground-breaking nature of the modular couch system, we first have to know it’s history. Originally invented in 1944 by elusive American designer Harvey Probber, the modular sofa rose to fame during the 1970s, when single household living was on the rise and people were starting to catch the interior design bug. Hailed as “one of the most influential developments in contemporary furniture design”, there’s no doubt that the modular sectional sofa changed the perception of family-friendly furniture, introducing the refined yet functional elements of high-end furniture into the households of the masses.
This modular furniture system means that now, more than ever, sofas can be used to determine the layout and consequent mood and function of a space. Paired with other characteristic design elements like our contemporary rugs, these sofas can inject individual character into your home. Your unique modular sectional layout is a sofa like no other – quite literally. Much like our contemporary rugs, these versatile modular sofas adapt to your needs and enhance your living environment. Whether you’re looking to create a comfy family-orientated couch or a more sophisticated seating area, the modular sofa allows for you to design, rearrange and redesign to your heart’s content. Whilst the sofa is the source of comfort in a space, other design elements like our modern rugs add the finishing touches that make a house a home.
These sectional sofas are no new invention; the modular design has a rich history that triggered a revolution of modern design. Sofas could now be both functional, ergonomic and adaptable to the customer’s needs. So how does this affect how they interact with other furniture elements in the home? Here are some examples of amazing feats of modular sofa design and how they best work with our innovative contemporary rugs to create a chic yet comfortable living environment.
It Doesn’t Get Easier Than This….
Modular Sofa by Cubit and Happy Rug by Sonya Winner
The minimalist modular sofa by Cubit is the ideal example of successful modular seating that can fit seamlessly into any style home. Their minimalist design means this sofa is an adaptable piece of furniture that has endless possibilities. With over 300 modules and 100 colour choices at your fingertips, you can invent and then reinvent your own bespoke Cubit couch over and over again! Each Cubit modular sofa piece can function as a standalone armchair or placed with other elements to create the perfect sofa for your living room; you can build your own dream modular sofa, all at the touch of a button. We suggest pairing these angular sofas with one of our After Matisse Rugs. This sculptural contemporary rug is all about sleek lines and bold colours, and is sure to emphasise the playful yet sophisticated nature of the sectional sofa.
The creative freedom that modular sofas provide means that space is no longer a restriction – modular sofas for small spaces are an ideal way to navigate those tricky smaller rooms. Much like a round or curved rug, the versatile nature of modular sofas are a handy tool to make a space feel larger than it is. Curved sofas in particular are a great way to battle that pesky space problem. These curved lines draw the eye around the space and divert the attention away from the angular lines that make a space seem smaller. The Ligne Roset Saparella modular sofa and it’s calming curves offer an invitation to relaxation, distracting from the cramped nature of smaller spaces, meaning you can have your dream modular sofa without it feeling bulky and overwhelming in your restricted space. Paired with our Bubbles Rug or Colour Wheel Rug, these circular forms are sure to draw the eye outward, making the space appear much larger than it actually is.
Saparella Modular Sofa by Ligne Roset and Rothko-esque Deep Rug by Sonya Winner
If You’re Looking To Add Character To Your Space….
With a modular comes the freedom to create your own design, and also the power to add a sense of character and individualism to your space. Paired with an interesting rug and other fun interior design elements, an urban modular sofa like the Ligne Roset Togo sofa. The Togo sofa set is a cult classic amongst interior designers, with its modular design allowing for flexibility and its playful ruched fabric appealing to the child in us all. Both adaptive and fun, the Toga modular couch is the ideal addition to the modern home. The Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa is another stunning example of how modular sofas can be the centrepiece of the home. They look even more impressive enhanced by pops of colour and innovative patterns. Sometimes more really is more; when starting to design your space, don’t be afraid to mix colour and pattern. With a carefree sofa you need a carefree rug! Both our Sonya Winner contemporary rugs and the Mah Jong modular sofa are perfect examples of design pushing the boundaries of colour and pattern, and thriving whilst doing so. A bright modern rug only serves to enhance the beauty of the Mah Jong and Togo sofas. We suggest pairing these feats of furniture innovation with a large rectangular rug such as the Wave Rug or Antelope Canyon Twilight Rug. These engaging designs only add to the playful nature of these detachable sectional sofas.
Modular Sofas Aren’t Just For The Home….
Modular Sofa by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance and Bubbles Rug by Sonya Winner
The best modular furniture isn’t always found in the living room. Modular couch pieces are not just for the home; this innovative design has been used effectively in public spaces, too. In 2015, French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance created a series of lozenge shaped sofas for Bernhardt Design with the aim to fit them in the lobbies of larger buildings. Consisting of twelve different shapes, this innovative collection of rounded seats can, much like contemporary rugs, be used together or separately to create social zones, or to create divisions between areas. This custom modular sectional design provides a freedom and playfulness that is rare in furniture for public places. Duchaufour-Lawrance spoke publicly about his desire to inject a sense of character into these otherwise sterile spaces: “the irregularity of these shapes and the fluidity of the groupings help create a very inviting visual in an architectural world that is relatively linear”. These curved modular sofas are evocative of natural forms such as stepping stones or rock formations, leading the eye on a journey across the room. This keen observation of the natural world can be seen in our Jelly Bean rugs in particular, with their sinuous lines conjuring images of flowing water and pebble beaches. Our Jellybean Rug (Coconut) for example is a great addition to a public space that uses Duchaufour-Lawrance’s modular sofa design, and adds character to uninspiring commercial spaces like office lobbies.
To find the perfect rug to accompany your modular sofa, please take a look at our extensive collection of boundary-pushing rug designs. For custom orders or further interior design advice, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us and we will be happy to help.
