DreamSofa sees trade buyers drive more custom modular seating orders

DreamSofa says trade and project buyers are becoming a bigger share of its custom seating business as developers, stagers and short-term rental operators look for furniture that can flex across floor plans and reuse across projects. The shift matters because it suggests modular seating is moving from a home-shopping trend into a practical tool for multifamily, staging and hospitality buyers.

Why it matters: - DreamSofa says trade and project buyers are accounting for a growing share of order volume, signaling broader use of custom modular seating beyond individual homeowners. - The shift could affect how developers, stagers and short-term rental operators choose furniture for multiple unit types, staged listings and amenity spaces. - More reusable seating systems may lower refresh costs over time for projects that cycle through multiple properties or floor plans.

What happened: - DreamSofa said its 2026 Mid-Year Consumer Insights Report shows requests for fixed, single-configuration sectionals fell by more than 40% over the past 24 months among residential buyers. - Over the same period, demand rose for custom and modular seating. - DreamSofa said it is seeing the same pattern among trade buyers furnishing spec homes, staged listings and amenity spaces. - The company said its trade inquiries have grown steadily over the past two years. - DreamSofa also said inquiries are growing from boutique hotel operators and short-term rental owners.

The details: - Modular seating can be rearranged from shared sections instead of staying as one fixed unit. - DreamSofa said the same base collection can be configured differently across unit types, including as a compact loveseat in a smaller unit or a larger sectional in another space. - A DreamSofa spokesperson said, “Developers don't want five different couches for five different floor plans anymore. They want one system that adapts.” - DreamSofa said modular systems can be broken down and reused across different units or projects instead of being replaced when they no longer fit the next floor plan. - The company said that reuse can reduce the cost of refreshing staged spaces over time. - DreamSofa’s published pricing puts a made-to-order custom sofa starting around $2,500. - Custom sectionals typically range from about $5,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on size, configuration and fabric. - DreamSofa said its frames are built from kiln-dried hardwood. - The company says those frames are commonly rated for a 15- to 25-year lifespan. - DreamSofa compared that with roughly 5 to 10 years for particleboard-frame furniture typical of lower-cost programs. - DreamSofa said that durability difference matters more for buyers planning to use or reuse a piece over several years than for one-time staging jobs. - The company said its standard production window is three to five weeks from order to shipment. - That timeline is longer than the near-immediate availability of in-stock furniture. - DreamSofa said project buyers who use its modular furniture typically order ahead of a unit’s completion date. - The company’s product line includes made-to-order sofas, sectionals, modular seating systems and sleeper sofas. - DreamSofa said pieces are built to order with customer-selected fabrics. - The company says its products carry a lifetime frame warranty and a 100-day home trial. - More information is available at the company’s website.

Between the lines: - DreamSofa’s pitch is shifting from customization as a consumer luxury to customization as an operational fit for developers and property managers. - The company is positioning modular furniture as a hedge against changing floor plans, repeated turnovers and the need for consistent staging photos. - The trade opportunity appears earlier-stage in boutique hospitality and short-term rentals, but the underlying buying logic is similar: durability plus design flexibility.

What's next: - DreamSofa expects trade demand to keep rising as buyers plan furniture earlier in the project timeline. - The company’s three- to five-week production window means project teams will likely need to place orders before occupancy or installation dates. - If modular seating keeps gaining share, more developers and stagers may standardize on systems that can be reconfigured instead of replaced.