While many furnishings have improved over the centuries, sofas seem to still be locked in the Middle Ages. Plushly padded to the point where you feel like you’re sitting on marshmallows, these sofas absorb you rather than support you. And when it comes time to get up, you must use all your might to struggle free.

No wonder so many sofas in today’s home are meant to be seen, not enjoyed. Designers are so concerned with pillow backs and overstuffed cushions; they forgot that the function of the sofa is to provide comfort.

Thankfully, modern designers have never forgotten this simple fact. The foundation of all modern design is that form follows function.

Modern sectional sofas not only provide you with comfort, but also flexibility. Thanks to their mix and match versatility, you can seat up to eight or more easily in one, two and three seat groupings.

While this may bring back bad memories of the dreaded “conversation pits” of the 1980s, modern sectional sofas have always been sleek, crisp and superbly crafted. They provide a ready focal point for your living space; yet don’t overwhelm you with their scale.

Depending on the model, you can purchase modern sectional sofas that fit in a corner of the room, against a single wall or in the center of the room. Many come with built in chaises while others feature “L” shaped or “U” shaped designs.

One of the great things about these modern sectional sofas is they promote casual conversation because everyone is within earshot. There’s no need to shout to someone across the room. Everyone is close by, but no one has to feel crowded and cramped.

Modern sectional sofas come in a wide range of shapes, sizes colors and fabrics. If you have limited space in your living room or great room, you can opt to go with the more modest sized modern sectional sofas. For larger spaces, you can add a sofa and perhaps some matching chairs at the end of the grouping. Place a coffee table or occasional table in the middle and you’re all set.

One of the great things about modern sectional sofas is their sense of classic beauty. Some of the most well known designs came about in the late 1920s, as the Modernist movement began with the early work of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and Charles-Edouard Jenneret (Le Corbusier).

When looking at modern sectional sofas, you’ll want to consider the shape that would look best in your living space, the material, the color and the scale. This last detail is often overlooked. But a sofa grouping that is too small or too large in a room looks out of place. Be sure to take measurements before you go shopping. Better yet, use masking tape to mark out the dimensions of a piece you find online, so you can see how it will fit in your room before you buy.