• May 30, 2021

Are modular sofas the same as sectional sofas?

When it comes to trendy interior trends, nothing is bigger right now than those contemporary sofa pieces that are built piece by piece and can be easily reassembled in any configuration or composition you want. Sometimes you will see interior designers label these unique products sectional sofas, but go online to another retailer and you will see a similar product labeled modular sofa. So what are the differences between modular and sectional sofas or are they just two different names for the exact same product?

Simply put, they are exactly the same. What is important is that both names refer to the single selling point of the design, its trademark trait, the independent sofa pieces known as ‘modules’ or ‘sections’ that come together to assemble the final piece of furniture. The basic principle is that sectionals allow the user to rearrange the design of their furniture more frequently according to their specific mood, interior design trends or for specific events and occasions. Indeed, it is fair to say that modular sofas can be classic loveseats or modern corner units at the push of a button, it just depends on what style the user thinks works best for them that day.

With each different module built as if it were its own mini-sofa, with a separate frame, upholstery and top cover, there is great complexity in making a modular / sectional sofa. This is particularly true when it comes to the construction of specialized segments, such as chaise longue modules, which have atypical shapes and forms and therefore need to be carefully planned from a design and mass manufacturing perspective. The end result is that this can often lead to a considerable increase in associated production costs, making modular sections much more expensive to produce conventionally designed sofas, which are then transferred to the end user through duct. of the recommended retail price.

Perhaps the only other difference between the terms sectional sofa and modular sofas is actually the emphasis. Arguably, the term sectional refers in a purely descriptive way to a functional aspect of a sofa, while modular conveys something more intangible about the product related to lifestyle and ergonomics. For this reason, you will tend to see high-end manufacturers referring to their product as a modular sofa, while value retailers use the term sectional to describe the same product. There is also a notable increase in interior designers referring to the term modular living to convey the feeling that many discerning consumers demand more flexibility and versatility in the living spaces of their homes.

Lastly, you may encounter a linguistic split between providers in Europe who primarily opt for the modular description, while providers in North America use the term sectional much more frequently. In part, this ties in with our previous point, as most of the world’s leading luxury manufactures are located within the European Union, reflecting the heritage of the traditional sofa as a product initially developed during the Renaissance period of the European history. However, that is not to say that you will not find a great modular sofa from an American manufacturer, far from it, it will simply be called by a different name!

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