A modular sofa is designed to change with you. Different rooms? Rearrange it. Bigger place? Add to it. Awkward doorway? Carry it piece by piece and spare yourself the delivery-day drama.
That flexibility is the appeal, but there are a few things worth working out before you commit. How the modules actually connect. How much room you need around the sofa. Whether the seat depth suits the way you sit. And, because life happens, what you'll be doing when the covers need to be cleaned.
What is a modular sofa?
A modular sofa is made from separate pieces that connect to create one larger sofa. Depending on the design, those pieces might include high arms, low arm seats, armless seats, corners, chaises and ottomans.
The real benefit is that the pieces aren't stuck in one arrangement. You can separate them, move them around, add another module or take a few away. You can also carry them through the house one at a time, which comes in handy when you're trying to get a sofa up a narrow staircase.
Eva's modular sofas are designed to change with your space. Both the Everyday Sofa and Eclipse Sofa can be rearranged, expanded or reworked as your needs change, so you're not locked into one layout. Everyday offers 100+ configurations, while Eclipse brings the same flexibility with its own range of modular pieces.
Where they differ is in look and feel. The Everyday Sofa is relaxed and inviting, with a structured sit designed around practical everyday use. The Eclipse Sofa has a more refined, sculptural feel, with a softer, deeper seat and distinctive shapes like the Arc and chaise modules that give it more of a statement-making presence.
The Slideaway Sofa Bed is different. It's a three-seater that converts into a double bed, so it isn't modular. It just happens to have a few tricks of its own.
How a modular sofa reconfigures
The biggest benefit of a modular sofa is being able to change the layout as your space and needs change. Move the chaise from left to right when the TV moves. Pull the ottoman out when guests arrive, then tuck it away when you want the floor back. Split an L-shape into smaller pieces when your next apartment has less room. You can change the setup using the pieces you already have, without needing to buy anything new.
You can also add modules over time if you need more seating or want to change the configuration. Here are the current Everyday Sofa add-on prices:
| Module | Price |
|---|---|
| Ottoman | $550 |
| Trunk | $650 |
| Armless Module | $1,150 |
| Low Arm Module | $1,250 |
| Armless Chaise | $1,300 |
| Corner Module | $1,300 |
| Low Arm Chaise Module | $1,450 |
| High Arm Chaise Module | $1,500 |
Eclipse modules are also available to add to your configuration:
| Module | Price |
|---|---|
| Cube Ottoman | $650 |
| Armless Cube | $1,200 |
| Cube with Arm | $1,550 |
| Cube Corner | $1,650 |
| Chaise | $1,850 |
| Arc | $2,500 |
If you're planning your sofa around how your space might change over time, it's worth considering which configuration will work for you now and whether you might want to add to it later.
Will it fit? Measuring for an apartment
Three measurements tell you whether a modular sofa will work in your space: the sofa's footprint, the space around it, and the narrowest point between your front door and its final resting place.
Start with the footprint. Here's every Everyday Sofa footprint:
| Size | Width | Depth | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Seater | 198cm | 99cm | $2,290 |
| 2.5 Seater with Chaise | 198cm | 146cm | $2,490 |
| 4 Seater | 289cm | 99cm | $3,290 |
| 4 Seater with Chaise | 289cm | 146cm | $3,490 |
| 5 Seater L-shape | 289cm | 198cm | $4,390 |
| 5 Seater L-shape Extended | 289cm | 281cm | $4,790 |
| 6 Seater L-shape | 289cm | 289cm | $5,490 |
| Conversation Pit | 380cm | 289cm | $9,190 |
The width and depth above are the sofa's overall dimensions, so use them to mark out the footprint in your room. Leave enough space around it for people to walk comfortably, especially between the sofa and other furniture.
Then measure the journey in. Check the narrowest doorway, hallway, lift door and stair turn along the way. Compare those measurements with the largest individual module, rather than the assembled sofa. That's one of the practical advantages of going modular in an apartment.
Before delivery, mark the sofa's footprint on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day or two. If you're still happily walking around it by the second evening, you're probably onto something.
Seat depth, and who a deep seat suits
Overall depth is the measurement you'll see on the product page. Seat depth is the bit that matters once you're actually sitting down, measured from the front of the seat cushion to the back cushion.
A deeper seat gives you more room to stretch out, but that doesn't make it better for everyone. If your feet don't reach the floor when you're sitting back, you'll probably end up perched on the edge or reaching for a cushion. Neither is a particularly good way to spend an evening.
That's why a deeper sofa can work beautifully for someone who likes to lounge, but may feel less comfortable for a shorter person who prefers to sit upright. A lumbar or back cushion can help adjust the sitting position if different people in the house want different things from the same sofa.
The Everyday Sofa uses layered foam for a more supportive, consistent sit. Eclipse uses feather-wrapped foam cores for a softer, more relaxed feel.
Living with it: covers and cleaning
The easiest sofa to clean is usually the one you can actually get the covers off.
Eva's sofa covers unzip and can go into a washing machine. Everyday Sofa fabrics can be washed at up to 30°C, while Eclipse Sofa covers can be washed at up to 40°C, using mild detergent. Neither should go in the dryer, however tempting it might be to speed things along. Instead, line dry the covers in the shade and put them back on the sofa once they're completely dry. Replacement Everyday and Eclipse covers are also available if you ever want a change of colour.
Because the covers come off by module, you can deal with the problem seat without stripping the whole sofa. Spill something on one cushion? Wash one cover, not an entire sofa.
Frequently asked questions
What is a modular sofa?
A modular sofa is made from separate pieces that connect and can be rearranged or added to.
How much room do I need for an L-shape modular sofa?
The standard 5 Seater L-shape of the Everyday Sofa measures 289cm by 198cm. Allow around 80cm of walking space at each open end. Meanwhile, the 6 Seater L-shape measures 289cm by 289cm, so you'll need a little more room to accommodate the extra depth.
Can I add modules to a modular sofa later?
Yes, within the same range. Everyday Sofa modules run from $550 to $1,500 and Eclipse modules from $650 to $2,500. The two ranges don't connect to each other.
Will a module bought later match the fabric on my existing sofa?
Yes, a new module bought later in the same colour will still be a close match to your existing sofa. Woven fabric is dyed in batches, so there can be slight variations in colour, but this is generally subtle and shouldn't detract from the overall look when the pieces are together.
Will a modular sofa fit through a standard doorway or into a lift?
Yes, the modular pieces are designed to be moved individually, making them easier to get through doorways and into lifts than a fully assembled sofa. To make sure your space will work, measure the narrowest point along the route, including doorways, lift doors and tight turns.
How much does it cost to reconfigure a modular sofa?
Rearranging the pieces you already own costs nothing. You can simply unclip the connectors on the base of the module and move any piece around as you need. Adding a piece costs the price of the module, which on the Everyday Sofa starts at $550 for an Ottoman and $1,150 for an Armless Module.
Are modular sofas as sturdy as a one-piece sofa?
The frame carries the weight in either design, while a modular sofa also relies on connectors to keep the pieces together. Eva sofas use a hardwood and plywood frame and come with a 5-year limited structural warranty.
If you're comparing modular sofas, check what the connectors are made from, how they attach the modules and what the warranty covers. Those details matter just as much as the frame.
