A modular sofa is built from separate seat units you can rearrange; a cloud sofa is one deep, low, heavily padded piece. For a flat under 18 m² with a narrow stairwell, modular wins on access and flexibility. For a room where the sofa never moves, a cloud sofa gives more comfort per centimetre of width.
Side by side
| Modular sofa | Cloud sofa | Standard 2–3 seater | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat depth | 55–75 cm per unit | 75–95 cm | 50–60 cm |
| Reconfigurable | Yes — units move or split | No | No |
| Fits a narrow stairwell | Yes, unit by unit | Usually no | Depends on total width |
| Floor lost to depth | Medium | High | Low |
| Assembly | Units clip or bolt together | Often arrives assembled | Legs only |
| Best for | Rentals, awkward rooms, future moves | One fixed living room | Small rooms, tight budgets |
Choose modular when…
- the stairwell or lift is the bottleneck, not the wall — units go up one at a time
- you rent, and the next flat will have a different floor plan
- you want an L-shape now and a straight run later without buying again
- two people want to face different directions in the same room
Choose cloud when…
- the sofa has one home and will not move
- you want to lie down, not just sit — 90 cm depth is the threshold
- the room is wide enough to absorb 95–105 cm of depth without closing the walkway
- you would rather not assemble anything
Choose a standard two or three seater when…
The room is under 12 m² and the sofa is for sitting, not lounging. A 170–190 cm sofa at 85 cm deep leaves enough floor for a coffee table and a clear path to the door, which is the thing guests actually notice.
The number that decides it
Measure the room's narrowest clear width, subtract 80 cm for the walkway, and subtract the coffee table depth. What remains is your maximum sofa depth. If that number is under 90 cm, a cloud sofa will crowd the room and a modular unit at 75 cm will not.
Related
- Sofa size guide — room area against realistic seating
- Living room furniture
- All furniture