Corner sofa buying guide: shapes, sizes and left or right hand
Corner sofas seat more people in less floor space than two separate sofas, and they're made for lounging. But they're also the easiest sofa to get wrong, because the shape has to suit your room exactly.
Corner sofa shapes
- L-shaped corner sofas fit neatly into a corner, with one side usually longer than the other.
- U-shaped sofas wrap around three sides, ideal for big open-plan rooms and families.
- Modular corner sofas are made of separate sections that join together, so you can change the layout or add pieces later.
Our corner sofas come from SOLACE+CO, Swyft and Flair Furniture, including modular and U-shaped designs.
Left hand or right hand?
This is the question that causes the most returns. The rule is simple: stand facing the sofa, as if you were about to sit on it. If the corner or longer section is on your left, it's a left-hand corner; on your right, it's right-hand.
To work out which you need, stand in the room where you'll face the sofa and look at which corner it will tuck into. Product photos and options show the arrangement of each sofa. Modular sofas can often be arranged either way, which takes the risk out of the decision.
Measuring the room
- Measure both walls the sofa will run along, and note radiators, sockets, windows and doors.
- Find the sofa's length on each side and its depth on the product page.
- Mark the footprint on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day.
- Leave a walkway past the sofa and space for a coffee table. Our coffee table guide suggests a comfortable gap.
A corner sofa doesn't have to go in a corner: in an open-plan room, an L-shape can float in the space to divide a living zone from a dining area.
Getting it through the door
Corner sofas arrive in sections, but each section can still be large. Measure doors, hallways and stairs before ordering, using our guide to measuring for sofa delivery. Modular sofas and sofas in a box arrive in smaller pieces, which makes flats and tight stairs much easier.
Comfort and fabric
- Seat depth: deep seats are great for curling up; shallower seats suit upright sitting.
- Fabric: a corner sofa is a big area of colour. Mid-tones and textured weaves hide everyday wear. See our sofa fabrics guide.
- Extras: some corner sofas come with matching footstools or ottomans, which add flexible seating.
Corner sofa or two sofas?
| Corner sofa | Two sofas | |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Seats more in the same floor space, including the corner seat | Flexible: can face each other or sit at right angles |
| Layout | Fixed shape (unless modular) | Easy to rearrange or move rooms |
| Lounging | Great for stretching out | Depends on the sofas |
If you're unsure which size suits your household, read choosing the right sofa size or take our sofa finder quiz.
Shop corner sofas
New in
SOLACE+CO
Halle Channel Tufted 2 Seater Sofa with Footstool Burnt Orange Chenille
Est. delivery 30–45 working days
Out of stock
New in
SOLACE+CO
Halle Channel Tufted 2 Seater Sofa with Footstool Beige Chenille
Est. delivery 60–90 working days
Out of stock
New in
SOLACE+CO
Halle Channel Tufted 3 Seater Sofa with Footstool Burnt Orange Chenille
Est. delivery 30–45 working days
Out of stock
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a left or right hand corner sofa?
Stand facing the sofa as if about to sit on it. If the corner or longer section is on your left, it's left-hand; on your right, it's right-hand.
Can a corner sofa go up the stairs?
Corner sofas arrive in sections, but measure every door, hallway and stair first. Modular sofas and sofas in a box arrive in smaller pieces, which helps with tight access.
What is a modular corner sofa?
A sofa made of separate sections that join together, so you can choose the layout and often switch the corner to either side.