In 2011, I did a ton of research and identified 28 places to buy an affordable midcentury modern style sofa. Now, I’m following up with mega-research on midcentury modern style sectionals — and so far I’ve we’ve found 25 well & counting. Sectionals are very popular today, because we all spend a lot of time lounging around the TV. And good news if you want this style — there is precedent in midcentury America.
For this research exercise:
- Key criteria: Upholstered backs — I do not want to see pillows that are separate. “Tailored” is important, as is overall scale and lines that do not make the sectionals look like they are on steroids.
- Some of these are more “modern” or post-modern than “mid century modern”. I gave some latitude.
- The list is re-ordered to roughly correspond to the order I like the sectionals. But I recognize: Different strokes for different folks.
- Please note that many of manufacturers listed make more than one design. To maintain my sanity, I show only about two per manufacturer. If you are shopping, you must dive into their websites to see them all. With this list, at least, you have a starting place — I’ve linked the retailers’ Sectional Pages, rather than individual sectionals.
And UPDATE: Update: When we first wrote this story in 2012, there were not too many midcentury modern style round sofas or sectionals on the market. As MCM boomed, though, surely others have been launched. So take inspiration from these early options, and then you’ll probably want to look some more.
Room and Board: Room and Board delivered the best-looking sectional, in my opinion: The Reese. A curve in the middle — YES! Yes, this is the most authentic midcentury look, I think. My vintage sectional, purchased at an estate sale a few years ago: Curved, just like the Reese.
Link: Sofa sectionals from Room & Board.
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Younger Furniture: Younger Furniture has lots of great looking mid century style sofas, sectionals and chairs. The sectional above seems to be new, part of their “Younger Solutions” line.
Above: Younger Furniture also has introduced a new line, Avenue 62, which has this lovely in it.
I’m also a fan of the 1970s style Grace sectional (above.) I used this one to make a 1970s mood board. Luv the corduroy.
Okay and I’m breaking my “only two” from each manufacturer rule. You can even do big plush 1980s, with the the Maria (above). I bet you can buy ottomen, put them in the center — and turn this into a Love Pit even!
Link: Midcentury style sectionals and modulars by Younger Furniture.
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Z Galleries: Sticking with groovalistic postmodern — luv the love pit from Z Galleries. Available in three colors of leather.
Link: Love pit sectional from Z Galleries.
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Rowe: Rowe had a few sectionals with well-scaled midcentury lines. Martin sectional — above.
Link: Sectionals from Rowe.
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Room and Board also has the Dean sectional, above.
Link: Sectionals from Room & Board.
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Lee Industries: The only thing I found at Lee Industries, was a page showing various pieces of their 1972-Series sectional. Looks like you can make a big, curved 1970s or 80s style sectional, or even a love pit, with these.
Link: Sectionals from Lee Industries.
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Monarch Sofas, formerly known as Sofa Craft, are made in the USA. They say they can turn any sofa design — like the Lorena, above, into a sectional.
I also like the Amanda, above — tufting with buttons on the upholstered back is good midcentury detail.
On their site, they also seem to indicate they can make a “wedge” — that is, make a curved sectional.
Link: Sectionals from Monarch Sofas.
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Gus Modern: Gus Modern is for sure working this market segment. Above: Spencer sectional.
Above: Jane sectional. They also have the Atwood, which is noted as new, but it is too upright, I think.
Link: Midcentury style sectionals from Gus Modern.
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West Elm: West Elm’s designs are not quite MCM, but I’ll show two that would be adaptable. Above: Lorimer.
And Tillary quite tickles my fancy. Those wedge backs are so Day Bed. But the overall look: Last days of disco? This shape — resurgent days ahead, for sure.
Link: Sectionals from West Elm.
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EQ3: This company seems to be mostly in Canada, with some stores in the U.S. The small Reverie sectional, above — a sofa with a chaise, really — looks nice.
Link: EQ3 sectionals.
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Ikea: I imagine that it would be hard to beat the prices at Ikea. In this mega-survey of sectionals, I am not being Consumer Reports and testing. Dollar for dollar, who provides the best value? I can’t say… Above: Ikea Karlstad in leather, around $1500.
Ikea Karlstad in cloth, $1200, above.
Link: Modular sofas from Ikea U.S.
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CB2: Okay, CB2 looks very price competitive with Ikea. Their Uno gets in for fun factor — and orange upholstery — alone.
Link: Mod sectionals from CB2.
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Lazar Industries: Lazar Industries gets a prize for da funky postmodern sectionals, like the Calcutta, above. There are also a few more “sedate” midcentury modern-esque versions to see — like the Rupert; but I could not get the image to load properly so that I could feature it here.
Link: Midcentury modern and postmodern sectionals from Lazar Industries.
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Other companies that I looked at, but did not have sectionals that made my list included: (only cushion backs… or cushion backs to poufy… too boxy… whatever) at Design Within Reach; Mitchell Gold; Crate & Barrel; Macy’s; Pottery Barn; Ethan Allen; Urban Outfitters; Blu Dot; Vanguard. Reasons they did not make my cut included: Only cushion backs… or cushion backs too poufy… too boxy design overall… no sectionals in lineup… website was too difficult to navigate.
Readers, as always, I welcome any additional tips!
Jody Browder says
We purchased a sectional from BuildASofa. We are pleased with the result. You select from several fabrics with lots of colors. We chose a linen-look polyester. We went neutral but there were great colors. It’s just slightly over scale, but you can change depth or length or height. Made in California, ships in less than 5 weeks.
Mike S says
Wanted to thank you for all you are doing to keep Mid Century Modern alive.
As I get older (turned 50 this January), I find myself yearning for the world I used to know. Was fortunate to grow up in a ’63 ranch with all the colonial trimmings, courtesy of my design-savvy mother. Have only recently discovered she saw life through Better Homes and Gardens — and have also discovered there was nothing wrong with that.
Thanks again, Pam. I’ll return soon for another Mid Mod “Fix”!
pam kueber says
Well howdy, Mike, and nice to have ya!
Mike S says
Thanks, and I neglected to mention that we, too, had a sectional sofa! It’s amazing that so much of what I see in here is what we had at home. Am happy so many others like the look, as well!
pam kueber says
Reminder to self: Also check Room Service, Castellano, Perch, Bassett, La-Z-Boy
pam kueber says
I like this one too: http://www.wassersfurniture.com/furniture/livingroom/sectionals/incanto-i-420.html
natasha says
I found an amazing sectional from the 50’s on kijiji last week… in amazing shape! Now, if only I could make it mine! Ive just recently realized how great sectionals are… except not so much for wee apartments…
Just another Pam says
Love the first one. My parents had one very similar in the late ’50’s and early ’60’s but, alas, it was replaced by a very modern one in orange when we moved back from Germany. Very tempting it is.
Katie says
With Ikea sofas the frames and cushions are very high quality, and will last and last. What you want to watch out for is the quality of the fabric covers, some of them are better than others. The Karlstad ones are really nice, and will probably be the next sofa I buy. The really nice thing is that the covers are totally removable, so you can have it cleaned, or replace a wrecked cover, or just change the color, without it costing an arm and a leg.
Laura Thompson says
We have quite a few Room and Board pieces and are very happy with them. Just bought the Clarke sectional in teal for our mid-century addition to the house. Nearly everything at R and B is American made. We had a leg loose on a one year-old chair and they sent a repairman to fix it – no charge. Great service!
Trouble says
I just want a new “vintage” couch that will hold up and the cushions won’t crush or flip up on the ends when you sit down!
pam kueber says
hello trouble, long time no hear
Melanie says
What a great list! That first sofa takes me back to my grandmother’s house. Pretty sure she had one very similar.
If I were in the market for a new sofa, I would but that green Rowe in my livingroom in a heartbeat. Love it. I hadn’t really thought about a sectional in my living room until this post.