Choosing a couch for a small space can be challenging but if you think outside the box there are many creative solutions. One of my favourite go to options is using armless modular pieces available in many retail stores today. Most people think that modular couches are the last thing that will work in a tight space but you would be surprised what you can create if you just buy individual pieces and combine them in interesting ways.

Here are my top 5 reasons for why modular couches are my go to when furnishing apartments and tight spaces:

1. Modular couches are perfect for tight corners

By choosing one to two armless middle pieces combined with a chaise/daybed piece or ottoman piece you can often get way more seating in a small space than you would think possible. As a home stager I’ve moved the same furniture into over 50 different houses. This taught me some serious lessons about space and scale and I have just found over the years that when it comes to really small areas, which often require seating in just one corner of a lounge, these modular pieces are my go to.

A few years ago I was asked to furnish a studio apartment and I discovered that using just one modular daybed piece in the corner of the room (keeping the layout open) and 1 armless middle piece alongside it created the most lovely little corner couch. These pieces were oversized at around 1100mm deep and wide so they created quite a large seating area and I only had to buy two pieces to fill the space. This perfectly filled the corner of the room and provided seating where two people could watch a movie with legs up on the daybed with one extra piece to create the corner. You can see pics of how this studio apartment turned out and how we also fit a queen size four poster bed in here.

If you are in the market for a small couch for your apartment here is a snapshot of what’s available in early 2024. Poetry has just launched a home store with a lovely modular unit. It has a slim line back and is available in two tone colourways which is quite fun.

2. Modular couch pieces make great accent chairs

Another thing I love about modular couches is that the middle armless pieces also make great accent chairs giving you flexibility to move your layout around and extend your couch as needed if you combine them with other pieces from the same range. Because they are armless they also create oversized luxurious seating and have great clean modern lines. They can also be used in bedrooms as bed end seating or in guest rooms as accent chairs and then added to your couch when entertaining.

3. Modular couch ranges have ottomans that can double as a coffee table

Another trick I use to increase seating in a small space is to use an upholstered ottoman from the modular range your couch is in for use as a coffee table. All you need to do is add a large tray in the centre for drinks. When guests come over or you are hosting a party and need more floor space you can then use this ottoman piece to extend your couch. I recommend using up and over couch tables as side tables. They are the perfect companion piece for modular couches in small spaces and they can be tucked away under the couch. I also use smaller ottomans placed under server tables to create additional perch style seating. These can be pulled out as guests need them but look stylish and uncluttered when not in use.

4. Modular couch ranges in different scales create length flexibility

A great feature of modular couch pieces is that they come in different scales or size combinations so you can create custom lengths by choosing the correct scale for your space. This starts to give you some of the flexibility usually only available in custom couches that can be in any size versus the few sizes favoured by retailers. If you own the property that you are looking to furnish I would suggest that first prize is always going to be going custom rather than trying to source a couch (although always see what is available first).

The extra inches that you can make use of make a world of difference specially in small spaces. Remember to keep the arms and the back width super slimline and minimalist when you specify your dimensions to get maximum seating and to have the couch as close to the wall as possible to increase the feeling of spaciousness. I’ve found that lower pieces tend to increase the feeling of space versus very structured couches with higher arms and seats. Specifying a custom couch is a bit of an art (this is an understatement of note) and retailers spend many years creating the right dimensions for their standard range. I recommend finding a retail piece designed with the golden ratio principle/ideal proportions to it first and then using that as the base for your measurements by just modifying the length slightly to fit into your unique small space.

5. Modular couches are the best choice for renters/shorter term buyers

I work with many clients who love the big bulky Coricraft style corner couches… until they move house. These pieces are fixed in terms of length and whether they are left hand facing or right hand facing and as soon as you move house you can get stuck with a piece that no longer works with door or tv placement or circulation space. Modular ranges allow you to change the direction of the ottoman piece and also to leave pieces off the couch/use them in other rooms/place them in storage as floor space changes. If you’d like to buy a couch that is going to last you more than 10 years before you commit to a long term property then make sure it is as flexible as possible from the get go. Modular couches are more expensive but it is going to save you thousands in the long run.

To take a look at some of the custom armless modular couches that we have manufactured check out this project in Blue Valley Estate as well as this project in Pretoria. We’ve also used retail modular pieces in this project in Rosebank to create reception seating.