9 Modern Sofas That'll Upgrade Your Living Room

Updated on 3/14/2022 at 7:45 PM

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Decorating is one of my absolute favorite hobbies. I've considered every corner and decor element in my small city apartment, including the reading nook, "office" desk, and kitchen shelves. I find deep comfort (pun intended) in intentionally designing my space and filling it with meaningful furniture pieces — like sofas — that elevate its style.

You might have also reimagined the interiors of your home and decided you need a new couch as a result. To help out, I've gathered nine styles that will infuse your living room with modern elegance. Some feature plush cushions and padded armrests, while others come with tufted seats, leather upholstery, and slim brass legs. One thing is clear: they all double as stylish decor.

What to Look For When Buying a Modern Couch

There's a lot to be said about the clean appearance of modern design and, more specifically, the way it seamlessly meshes with our homes. There's no doubt modern is versatile, but there are a lot of styles (especially when it comes to sofas) that fall under "modern" that might make you feel overwhelmed.

When shopping for a modern sofa, it's important to look for crisp, clean lines and a neutral color palette (no bright colors or bold textures). Another characteristic is that it lacks fussiness — aka there's no "fluffy" modern furniture, but rather, minimal and cloud-like. You should also always make sure the modern sofa you choose to purchase is priced to fit your budget, as this style is widely available at brands both affordable and high end. My favorite couch is the West Elm Oliver Sofa ($617-$849, originally $649-$849), but there's more where that came from. Check out my top styles ahead.

— Additional reporting by Shelcy Joeseph

West Elm Oliver Sofa

From

$617

A Small-Space Sofa: West Elm Oliver Sofa

This West Elm Oliver Sofa ($617-$849, originally $649-$849) is a failsafe addition to your neutral living room with its clean lines and crisp presentation. You'll love curling up in the deep seat for your reading sessions. Available in a 72-inch and 82-inch width, this sofa is versatile.

What I love:

Its neutral style is versatile and can blend in with any space.

Who it's best for:

This couch is great for small living rooms or apartments that are tight on space.
Its upholstery is available in light and dark options to match almost any interior.

Who should avoid it:

If your living room is large, you might want to try one of the brand's bigger sofas.

The Details: Width: 37" | Height: 30" | Depth: 32" | Upholstery: Modern chenile or twill | Color Options: 2

West Elm Oliver Sofa

From

$617

Best Sectional: Floyd Sectional Three-Seater Sofa With Chaise

If you love those low-profile designer sofas all over Instagram, here's a great option. The cool, cozy Floyd Sectional Three-Seater Sofa With Chaise ($2,335-$2,495) comes in a number of sizes, shapes, and color choices. I love the option with a comfortable chaise lounge — it's perfect for sitting back and watching a movie.

What I love:

This sofa's available in a number of sizes, shapes, and color choices to best fit your living room.

Who it's best for:

This couch is great for someone who wants a low-profile design.
The cushions are made of two layers of foam to prevent sagging and softening over time, making this couch a great choice for families or those who love to host.

Who should avoid it:

If you have a hard time bending down, you might want to consider a higher choice.

The Details: Width: 124" | Height: 27.4" | Depth: 36.5" | Upholstery: Polyester | Color Options: 5

Floyd Sectional Three-Seater Sofa With Chaise

From

$2,335

Best Cloud-Like Couch: Castlery Dawson 3 Seater Sofa

If you're in the market for a light, cloud-like sofa, then try the Castlery Dawson 3 Seater Sofa ($1,799). It has a cozy yet modern and boxy look that makes it look double its price. Its soft, deep cushions make it the perfect lounge-worthy option, too. It's also an editor-favorite pick, and you can read the full review here. The three-seater option is great for so many spaces, but the collection has various other silhouettes in this style, too. There's minimal assembly required, as it arrives in just two boxes.

What I love:

The stylish and comfortable option has a designer look with a more affordable price tag.

Who it's best for:

This couch is great for someone who wants that cloud look with a modern edge.
The modular design comes in two pieces, so it's great for moving into an apartment or small space.

Who should avoid it:

If you want a darker choice to avoid stains, try a different option from the brand that has more color choices.

The Details: Width: 89.8" | Height: 31.9" | Depth: 44.9" | Upholstery: Fabric | Color Options: 1

Castlery Dawson 3 Seater Sofa

From

$1,799

Best Leather Sofa: West Elm Modern Chesterfield Leather Sofa

The classic and sophisticated look of this West Elm Modern Chesterfield Leather Sofa ($3,699) is a great choice if you're in the market for leather. It has elegance written all over it, and it'll give your living room an instant makeover. Unsurprisingly, it's an editor-favorite choice — read the full review here.

What I love:

The classic option is one that'll never go out of style.

Who it's best for:

This couch is great for someone who wants a classic and rustic look with a modern twist.
The three-seater silhouette can fit in any space.

Who should avoid it:

If you have pets, the leather option might be harder to take care of.

The Details: Width: 79.1" | Height: 29.5" | Depth: 33.5" | Upholstery: Leather | Color Options: 10

West Elm Modern Chesterfield Leather Sofa

From

$3,699

Best Designer Sectional: Hay Mags Soft Low Sectional

If you're looking for a modular, designer piece, there's no doubt the winner is the Hay Mags Soft Low Sectional ($4,246, originally $4,995). The cool shape was designed by London-based design studio Doshi Levien, and it's the perfect statement piece for your living room. The modular sectional comes in a number of configurations, fabrics, and colors, so you can customize it. The brand offers delivery and setup for this couch.

What I love:

The designer piece is unique and will make a statement in your living room.

Who it's best for:

This couch is great for someone who wants to splurge on a durable, stylish, and comfy choice they'll own for years to come.
The versatile modular design comes in a sectional and straight-across option, good for any type of space.

Who should avoid it:

If you're on a budget, you might want to try one of the brand's more affordable models.

The Details: Width: 140.75" | Height: 28.5" | Depth: 56.5" | Upholstery: Various Options | Color Options: 15

Hay Mags Soft Low Sectional

From

$4,246

Best Recliner Couch: Crate & Barrel Leisure Power Recliner Sofa

I'm a sucker for anything fuzzy, especially bouclé. The cool material is one of the year's biggest furniture trends, so you can get in on it with the Crate & Barrel Leisure Power Recliner Sofa ($3,200). The slim arms and cool texture give it an edge that would make no one ever guess this is a reclining sofa. The power controls lift up the legs and tilt the back so you can get the perfect lounging position. Delivered with white-glove service, it'll be ready for you to relax on.

What I love:

It's a seriously stylish and cozy piece that will make a statement.

Who it's best for:

This couch is great for someone who wants style and comfort.
The 84-inch length makes it a great pick for any space. It can be used on its own or paired with the matching chairs.

Who should avoid it:

While bouclé is one of my all-time favorite fabrics, it isn't the most kid- and pet-friendly option as stains can be harder to clean up.

The Details: Width: 84" | Height: 28.5" | Depth: 46" | Upholstery: Polyfoam/ Bouclé | Color Options: 1

Crate & Barrel Leisure Power Recliner Sofa

From

$3,200

Best Affordable Couch: Shurtz Velvet Curved Sofa

If you're looking for an affordable choice, then the Shurtz Velvet Curved Sofa ($1,380, originally $3,400) is your match. It has a glamorous look that feels elevated and will totally transform your living room. The velvet material comes in gray, pink, navy, and cream, so you can get the right one for your space. I especially love its gold legs that make it feel luxe. The sofa comes ready to set up, and there's no assembly required.

What I love:

This couch looks luxe without a designer price tag but still features comfortable cushions.
It's on the smaller side, making it a great choice for apartments.

Who it's best for:

This couch is a great choice for someone who wants a velvet and glamorous piece that looks like a million bucks.
The size of this sofa makes it work well in a smaller room.

Who should avoid it:

While I love velvet, it may not always be the best option for those with kids or pets, as it can be harder to clean.

The Details: Width: 85.5" | Height: 30.5" | Depth: 37.75" |Upholstery: Velvet | Color Options: 4

Shurtz Velvet Curved Sofa

From

$1,380

Best Pit Sofa: Cost Plus World Market Tyson 6 Piece Modular Pit Sectional Sofa

The middle ottoman in this Cost Plus World Market Tyson 6 Piece Modular Pit Sectional Sofa ($2,100) is so cool, and you can move all the pieces around. I love it with it set up inside, so you can have the ultimate movie night. There's nothing not to like about this sofa. It is delivered to your doorstep and requires minimal assembly.

What I love:

This sofa has a customizable setup and is easy to maneuver, so you can create the arrangement that works best for your lifestyle.
It's plush, comfortable, and fully ready to go.

Who it's best for:

This sofa is best for people with big families.
If you like the idea of being able to customize a couch for your needs, this is the one for you.

Who should avoid it:

This sofa needs to be spot cleaned, so if you're worried about spills, it might not be the pick for you.

The Details: Width: 109"| Height: 27.7" | Depth: 70.6"| Upholstery: Polyester| Color Options: 1

Cost Plus World Market Tyson 6 Piece Modular Pit Sectional Sofa

From

$2,100

The Best Sectional Sofa: West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sectional With Storage

If you love those plush, cloud-like sofas (because who doesn't?), then get the West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sectional Storage ($3,698-$4,648). Your guests will never realize it has a secret hidden storage compartment.

What I love:

This sectional has a queen-size foam mattress inside that's comfortable for everyone and can also wick away body heat.
It's so comfortable; it feels like sitting on a cloud.

Who it's best for:

This sectional is best for larger families or people with pets. It's comfortable and big enough to hold lots of people, and there are so many fabrics to choose from.
If you need extra storage space, this is a great option.

Who should avoid it:

This is a large sofa, so if you've got a more compact space, this might not fit.

The Details: Width: 130"| Height: 35" | Depth: 65"| Upholstery: Canvas, Velvet, Linen, Twill, Tweed, Boucle| Color Options: 57

West Elm Shelter Sleeper Sectional Storage

From

$3,698