Looking for examples of modular furnitue I'm looking for modular furniture to feature in a USA TODAY Green Living story about "furniture that grows with you." Thanks!

One thing that I've seen people tend to overlook with modular furniture is just how important the cushioning also is. I truly think that that's what defines whether a piece can actually grow with you. Modular furniture works best when the inside is modular too. This means being able to replace just one worn-out cushion in a set, adjust firmness levels over time, or repurpose the furniture for a new configuration. All of this keeps the same piece functional for years. So we try to ensure that all our products can also accommodate this kind of flexibility, like our sectional sofas, daybeds, RV seating, and bench systems. The foam is custom-cut and each part can be resized or refreshed as needed because customers would much rather replace individual foam components than buy new furniture, especially if it means they're saving money and reducing waste in the process.

Burrow Nomad is a modular sofa you can start small and then add seats or a chaise later when you move or your family grows. Floyd's Form Sectional is similar, designed so you can rearrange the layout and expand it over time. For storage, USM Haller lets you build a small cabinet now and keep adding pieces until it becomes a full wall unit. String Furniture's String System is another great option because you can keep adjusting shelves and adding sections as your space and needs change.

One modular furniture approach I've seen work exceptionally well is reconfigurable wall-mounted storage systems that can expand vertically or laterally as needs change. Instead of replacing furniture when a household grows, people add or rearrange modules—shelves become cabinets, desks convert into wardrobes, and children's storage evolves into adult workspaces. What makes this especially compelling from a sustainability perspective is longevity. When furniture adapts, it avoids the most common reason items end up in landfill: obsolescence, not wear. I've seen families use the same core system for over a decade, simply re-arranged during moves, career changes, or life stages. Another strong example is modular seating, where individual units connect to form sofas, sectionals, or guest beds. As households downsize or relocate, these pieces can be separated and reused rather than discarded. This flexibility also reduces transport waste, since smaller modules are easier and more efficient to move. The broader appeal of modular furniture is that it aligns sustainability with real life. People don't live in static homes anymore, and furniture that grows with you reduces consumption by design not by sacrifice.

I'd love to share a few from brands I'm loving, due to their green impacts! 1. Sabai Design Elevate Sectional - US-made, use recycled/upcycled materials, offer repair/trade-in options to extend product life rather than replacing it. - Sectional: https://sabai.design/products/the-elevate-sectional-in-recycled-velvet?variant=45615936340128 2. Silk & Snow's modular sofa options: Their products are known for thoughtful materials, quality construction, and efforts to offset carbon emissions by planting trees, etc. - Sofas: http://silkandsnow.com/en-us/couch/ - Sustainability page: https://www.silkandsnow.com/en-us/our-commitment/ 3. Medely sofa - Dedicated to replanting 3 trees for every tree used and partner with the National Forest Foundation, made in the U.S., wood comes from FSC certified forests - Sofa: https://medleyhome.com/products/mota-chaise-sectional?currency=USD&stkn=872044eaba4f&utm_source=chatgpt.com - Sustainability page: https://medleyhome.com/pages/more-trees-please Modular furniture is such a smart investment because it can grow and change with you instead of aging out. If a piece can be reconfigured, expanded, or used in different homes and layouts, you're not replacing it every time life shifts, you're adapting what you already own. That idea ties into a bigger design mindset I believe in: build your home around a foundation of timeless, high-quality, versatile pieces made with natural fabrics. When your core furniture is neutral and adaptable, you can refresh the smaller things like pillows, lamps, and accessories as styles change without starting over. Amazon and quick purchases aren't going anywhere - but I do think there's a growing awareness around buying more thoughtfully. As people slow down and realize how much they've spent replacing furniture or the quality of cheaper purchases over time in comparison, they start to see the value in investing in pieces that last. As a LEED Green Associate and foundation in green design, I look at these choices through a sustainability lens. Modular, well-made furniture supports healthier homes and a healthier environment by reducing waste and encouraging us to buy fewer, better things. From both a design and sustainability standpoint, that approach just makes sense! Abby Powell, LEED Green Associate, House of AP abby@hoapstudio.com www.hoapstudio.com

At our studio, we design pieces that accompany the personal and family evolution of those who inhabit them. One example of this approach is our modular headboards for high-end bedrooms, which function as flexible systems capable of adapting over time. What defines this type of headboard is its composition of independent panels, designed to integrate specific functions such as lighting, electrical connections, support surfaces, shelving, or sensory finishes. Each component can be adjusted, replaced, or expanded according to individual needs. Each piece is custom made according to the profile of each client, using materials of the highest quality, as our services are intended for luxury residences. One of the advantages of modular design is its ability to preserve the aesthetic integrity of the furniture, maintaining a coherent, sophisticated, and harmonious atmosphere. Our purpose in designing these pieces is to create furniture that addresses a present need while accompanying people through different stages of life without losing relevance, intention, or beauty. For us, the user experience always remains at the center of interior design within a home. We prioritize comfort, functionality, elegance, and a deep emotional connection with the space. If you would like high-resolution photographs or additional information about our modular designs for bedrooms or other spaces, we would be delighted to collaborate.

Hi, Modular furniture works best when it's designed as a system, not just individual pieces - and the strongest examples are the ones that adapt as people's lives change. Brands like USM Modular Furniture and String Furniture are great examples. Their shelving and storage systems can start small in an apartment and expand vertically or horizontally as space and needs grow, without replacing the original components. Burrow and Floyd have taken a similar approach with seating, allowing homeowners to add sections, arms, or chaise modules over time instead of buying an entirely new sofa. What makes these designs successful is long-term thinking: standardized connections, flexible layouts, and durability that supports change. That's why modular furniture resonates with sustainability-minded consumers - it reduces waste, extends product life, and supports evolving lifestyles. In many ways, the best modular furniture mirrors how modern energy and building systems are designed today: scalable, efficient, and adaptable rather than disposable. Tim Wallace Cold Climate Heat Pump Specialist & HVAC Solutions Manager Arctic Heat Pumps https://www.arcticheatpumps.com/

"Modular pieces are something I recommend often, especially for people who want flexibility without constantly replacing their furniture. One of the standouts is, of course, IKEA. Their modular sofa systems (like sectionals that can be added to, reconfigured or re-sized) are a perfect example of furniture adapting as households change. The same applies to their shelving systems, which can start small and expand vertically or horizontally over time. I adore IKEA's corner section sofa because it's a perfect starting point for new homeowners who want a quality place to relax without overspending or using up too many square feet. Here's the link: (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/soederhamn-corner-section-viarp-beige-brown-s99305629/). Then, once your family grows or you add more house members, you can build your couch section by section in whichever direction works best for you. Here's the link: (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/soederhamn-1-seat-section-viarp-beige-brown-s39305665/). I also really like what USM does with its modular storage systems. These pieces are designed to be endlessly reconfigured — shelves can turn into desks, entertainment units or storage walls as needs shift. From a sustainability point of view, it's a strong example of buying once and adapting rather than replacing. My favourite part about modular furniture is the versatility - build it for comfort, storage, decoration, and/or functionality. There's so much freedom in knowing that you can readjust and add to your layout if your lifestyle or location changes. In the long run, it supports smarter consumption. It reduces waste, adapts to changing homes and lifestyles, and encourages people to invest in pieces that last longer - all themes that sit really nicely within a green living story."

When I think about furniture that grows with you, I look at it through a real estate lens, because houses and layouts change as life changes. In my own properties, modular furniture that adapts has real value. Sectional sofas with reconfigurable pieces are a great example. You can expand them in a larger living room, then break them into smaller seating clusters when you downsize or move to a different house. Modular shelving systems are another standout. They let homeowners start small and add vertical or horizontal units as their storage needs grow, without replacing the entire setup. I also like modular dining tables that extend or break down into smaller surfaces. They work just as well in a compact condo as they do in a single-family home. Storage beds with interchangeable drawer or lift components are smart too, especially in urban real estate where space is tight. What makes these pieces compelling is longevity. You are not buying furniture for one moment in your life. You are buying flexibility that moves with you, fits different houses, and supports how people actually live as their real estate needs evolve over time. This perspective comes from years in real estate.

In my real estate work, I've seen modular bookcases and sofa beds completely change how a small apartment feels. This trick is great for open houses too. I can set up a room for a young family one day and a home office the next. If you're thinking of selling, furniture that new owners can easily adapt to their lives really helps boost the value.

I've always been a fan of modular floor seating in Japanese rooms. Those tatami mats and stackable cushions are so smart. I helped with a pop-up event once where we had to move seating constantly, and that setup was a lifesaver. Cozy but practical. You could try low tables or stacking shelves too, get that minimalist feel but with pieces that can get bigger or smaller as you need them.

I'm Creative Director for two restaurants, so I approach design from the hospitality angle--but modular thinking is exactly how we furnished our spaces in Buffalo Grove and Glen Ellyn. When you're designing a restaurant that needs to shift between intimate date nights and larger family celebrations, furniture that adapts is essential. We used banquette seating with moveable table sections that can be reconfigured within minutes. Our host team can transform a four-top into seating for eight by sliding tables together without the awkward mismatch you'd get with random pieces. The key was investing in identical table bases and tops from the start--we bought extras and stored them, so everything looks cohesive no matter the configuration. For your green living angle, focus on the longevity aspect. Our dining chairs are individual pieces rather than built-in booths, so when one gets damaged, we replace just that chair instead of an entire section. We've had the same core furniture for years and only added matching pieces as we expanded--that's way more sustainable than replacing entire sets because your needs changed.

I'm Josh Qian, the COO and Co-Founder of LINQ Kitchen (https://linqkitchen.com), formerly BestOnlineCabinets. Modular furniture is all about flexibility and adaptability. I believe our custom cabinetry and luxury closet designs are a great example of this flexibility, as they can be reconfigured to suit the changing needs. It supports both functional aspects and sustainability. Please reach out to us if you need further information!

Hey, I have seen how beneficial modular furniture is for people who have experienced changing household or room layouts over the years. An example of this is a modular sofa that can originally fit two people, but as more pieces are added, seating is increased and other ways the sofa can be configured are also realized. The same is true of modular cube storage solutions, which can be created into many forms based on how you configure them, including benches, bookshelves and dividers. I also have used modular height adjustable desks that, by adding side or panel pieces, go from being standard workspace solutions to collaborative workspace solutions. The design of modular furniture is beneficial because it allows the furniture to continue to serve you for a longer time than traditional furniture, as it can continue to adapt to your changing needs instead of replacing it with a completely new piece of furniture. Therefore the use of modular furniture designs significantly reduce the waste associated with the production of new furniture, while also increasing the flexibility of designs to change with society. Best regards, Ben Mizes CoFounder of Clever Offers URL: https://cleveroffers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmizes/

Hi, People with changing needs benefit from modular furniture; modular furniture is particularly helpful for people who live in small spaces like apartments. For instance, I have seen a modular sectional sofa used first as a small loveseat, beginning with a small amount of seating area but expanding into a larger amount of seating area as the space available to the owner became larger. Another good example is stackable modular shelving. I have used a low media unit that began stacked on the ground level but was extended into a full height wall structure as the homeowner's storage needs increased. Additionally, I have used modular desks that include interchangeable tops and legs that can be converted from being a home office to being a shared family workspace without replacing the entire desk. What makes these types of designs so effective is that each individual component can be easily modified, replaced, or increased in number so that the modular furniture does not end up in the landfill. Modular furniture saves money and reduces waste by allowing the furniture to continue to be used throughout an owner's lifetime. Best regards, Ray Roman, CEO of Your Memories Films URL: https://www.ymfilms.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-gillooly-473082361/

Furniture constructed in modules that literally expand with you, have one thing in common. Every work can alternate places of roles as life is a changing system without compelling an entire replacement. The modular sectional by Floyd is a powerful one. When the owners are changing the apartment to a house, they can add or remove seats, exchange the arms or even change the arrangement. Such flexibility eliminates waste and manages to use furniture that lasts years instead of seasons. The same is similar with the Burrow sofa system, which has tool free expansion kits which allow a loveseat to become a sectional as the family expands. USM Haller storeroom is longer-term oriented. The use of panels and connectors enables the expansion of shelving in either vertical or horizontal direction over decades and this is the reason why such systems typically accompany the owners across the homes. Another angle of the resource furniture is the wall beds that are modular, and transformable tables which are especially suited to urban areas where a guest room can be turned into a home office at a later time. In the inspection viewpoint, Accurate Homes and Commercial Services frequently encounters the potential of modular furniture in combination with flexible interior. Clients intending remodels or flexible-use areas are advantaged when the furnishings are changeable without alterations to the structure. Modular furniture helps in the same manner a home that has been properly checked does. Considerable decisions made at the start save on costs in the future, material wastage and unwarranted replacements and make spaces useful as needs change.

A good example is modular seating—sectional sofas made up of individual pieces that can be rearranged into an L-shape, a U-shape, a loveseat, or even separated into single chairs depending on your room setup. Modular storage is another great category, like stackable cube shelving or wall-based rail systems where you can add shelves, drawers, and cubbies over time as your needs grow (kids' toys now, home office later). Tables can be modular too, especially extendable dining tables or nesting pieces that can expand for guests and shrink back down for everyday use. Even bedroom furniture fits the trend with bed frames that let you add storage modules or swap headboards as your space changes. The main reason this matters for green living is that modular pieces last longer and stay useful through moves and life shifts, which helps reduce waste and the constant cycle of buying and replacing furniture.

Modular furniture will also have earned its spot in sustainable living when they continue working even after relocating, change of family members or even after fitting into a smaller area rather than going to the garbage dump. Burrow gives sectional seating that is designed out of standardized parts capable of expanding out of loveseat to a room-sized design with the same frames and cushions. Customers can also attach a single seat at a time, and that cost and that material use is not incurred in one year and replaces a whole sofa. The company Floyd Home does the same with sectional and shelving that is constructed based on repeatable panels, and fixings. There is no need to purchase a complete system since the owners can reconfigure layouts even after a relocation to directly prevent wastage. Longevity is a different angle presented by USM Haller, which incorporates steel-and-tube systems, which can expand into a home storage and turn into an office furniture with the same components decades later. Resource Furniture targets urban dwellers who mix modular sofas, wall beds, and tables, which change functionality during the day when they tend to substitute two or three separate items. Another line of the modular shelving manufactured by IKEA is appropriate to the story, particularly when recycled over a ten-year period across apartments.

Hey! I run Detroit Furnished Rentals--15 short-term rental units across Detroit and Chicago. Over nine years of furnishing apartments, I've learned what actually holds up when furniture needs to adapt to different guests and living situations. The best modular piece I've found is the Floyd sectional sofa system. We use it in three of our Detroit lofts because guests can reconfigure it however they want--whether they're working solo and need office seating or hosting friends for a Lions game. The legs unscrew in seconds, sections connect with simple clips, and when we needed to move units between properties, everything fit in a sedan. For your green angle, Floyd uses sustainable wood and the whole thing is designed to be repaired rather than replaced. For sleeping, I swapped out traditional bed frames for Thuma beds in our studio units. They're tool-free assembly, which matters when you're setting up 15 properties, and the platform design works with any mattress size. One property started as a queen setup, but when we converted it to a larger layout, we just ordered additional slats and it became a king--same frame. Guests in reviews specifically mention how sturdy they feel compared to typical rental furniture. The ROI on quality modular pieces is real. Our furniture replacement costs dropped about 30% because we're swapping components instead of entire units, and that matters when you're operating on hospitality margins.

I design dental office spaces with modularity in mind--not furniture showrooms, but the principle is exactly the same. When I built Tribeca Dental Studio, we worked with an award-winning interior designer to create zones that could flex as our practice evolved, and that same adaptability applies to furniture that needs to grow with families. The most transformative modular setup I've seen is in our pediatric wing. We use height-adjustable medical stools and mobile cabinetry that reconfigures completely depending on whether we're treating a toddler or a teenager with special needs. The key is investing in pieces where individual components can be replaced or adjusted rather than buying new--we've upgraded drawer inserts and swapped seat cushions three times without touching the base units. For your green living angle, look at medical-grade modular shelving systems like those from Lista or Spacesaver. They're built to last decades in high-traffic clinical settings, use powder-coated steel that's 100% recyclable, and components can be added or rearranged infinitely. We've had the same wall unit system for eight years and it's been reconfigured four times as we added specialists--zero waste, just new configurations.

I've spent years helping customers furnish their homes through Rattan Imports, and modular furniture is huge with our baby boomer clientele who are downsizing or reconfiguring spaces. The best example I've seen is sectional seating--especially in rattan and wicker--where pieces can be separated and rearranged as needs change. Our South Sea Rattan collections perform incredibly well because individual sections (corner pieces, armless chairs, ottomans) can be purchased separately over time. A customer might start with a loveseat and two chairs for a small patio, then add corner sections when they move to a bigger home, or remove pieces when they downsize to a condo. We've had customers keep the same furniture line for 8-10 years, just reconfiguring it. The sustainability angle here is real--quality rattan lasts decades if maintained properly, and because pieces are sold individually, you're not throwing out an entire set when your space changes. One client in Florida bought a 6-piece set in 2015, separated it into two 3-piece arrangements when she moved to a smaller place in 2020, then gave three pieces to her daughter. Same furniture, three different configurations, zero waste. For your story, look at outdoor sectionals specifically--they're the most modular category in home furnishing. Brands like the ones we carry (South Sea Rattan, Designer Wicker) design with this exact "grows with you" philosophy because outdoor spaces change more frequently than indoor ones.