Offering a fantastic way to maximise space in your home, as well as creating a roomy and relaxing go-to place to lounge, it’s easy to see why corner sofas are becoming more and more popular among homeowners. Whether it’s sitting snug in a corner or making a statement in the middle of a room, corner sofas work brilliantly for large families and homes that often play host to a lot of guests but work equally well for those individuals who require maximum stretching space!
If you love the idea of a corner sofa but are not sure which style, size or fabric to choose, then keep reading! We’ve put together a comprehensive corner sofa buying guide full of advice and inspiration to help you find the perfect design for your space.
What is a Corner Sofa?
A corner sofa is designed to fit into a corner of a room and maximise space and seating space. It typically consists of two sections joined at a 90-degree angle.
Why Choose a Corner Sofa
Families, larger households and those who love to host will benefit greatly from a corner sofa. With extra seating space and easy to slot into the dark, unused corner of your room, a corner sofa is a comfy addition to your home.
How to Measure for a Corner Sofa
To work out if you can accommodate a new, beautiful corner sofa, follow the following quick steps:
- Measure the space in the room – remembering to take into account other pieces of furniture and decorative items, such as side tables, lamps, plants, etc. Measure the width and depth of the space.
- Measure entryways access paths – measure height and width of doors, ceilings, hallways, etc. Consider stairs and lift for smooth delivery. Measure diagonals of tight spaces.
- Measure the sofa dimensions – get the information of the specific dimensions to see if it’ll work in the space.
For a more detailed walkthrough, take a look at our sofa.com sofa measurement guide.
Types of Corner Sofas
From style to sizing, there are a wealth of corner sofas to choose from. Learn more about all of the options that are available to you to help you find the one.
Left-Hand Corner Sofa
Left-hand corner sofas are perfect for those who want to utilise empty space on the left-hand side of their room. With the sofa extension running down the left wall, this shape is ideal for filling up space.
Right-Hand Corner Sofa
Take what is said above and swap it around for right-hand corner sofas! Instead of the extension running down the left, right-hand corner sofas run down the right – you guessed it.
Corner Recliner Sofa
If you’re big on comfort and value your relaxation, corner recliner sofas are the perfect choice for you. With a large amount of seating space and the ability to recline into optimal lounging position, a corner recliner sofa provides a personalised and relaxing experience.
Corner Sofa Bed
Corner sofa bed = the most luxurious sleep for your guests! To the naked eye a corner sofa bed poses as an ordinary corner sofa. However, with just a few steps, you can transform your sofa into a large bed, making it perfect for impromptu sleepovers, guests and comfy movie nights.
Modular Corner Sofas
If you have an awkward corner to fill, an irregular-shaped room, or are looking for something extra-special, then our modular sofa system will come as music to your ears. Composed of separate units, a large proportion of our corner sofas offer the opportunity for you to put together a unique design, tailored to your requirements. Whether you choose to have a left-hand loveseat with a right-hand two-and-a-half-seat, or a single unit with a two-seat to create an asymmetrical corner, there is a broad variety of combinations available for you to create the perfect corner sofa… Genius! Read our blog on ‘what is a modular sofa?’ to learn more about this configuration.
How to Choose a Corner Sofa
To summarise what we’ve walked through so far, here’s a list of the key imperative steps to take when choosing a corner sofa.
1. Measure your Space
You need to figure out how much space you have to work with in the area where you’d like your corner sofa to sit. This includes the length of the area (along both walls, if placing your sofa in the corner of a room) whilst taking into consideration space either side for tables or standing lamps; the depth of the space, taking into account any rugs or tables that will sit in front of the sofa; and also the height of the space, paying attention to any radiators or shelves affixed to the wall. Once you’ve worked out these measurements, then you’re in a great position to begin the fun part and start gathering design inspiration… Mood boards at the ready!
2. Choose Your Size
Now it’s time to think about how many people you would like your corner sofa to accommodate and what size and shape would achieve this in your home. A great place to start is looking at the angles of your room and determining how the lines of different corner sofa styles will complement the space. For example, if you are looking for a design to perfectly fit into an alcove or sit flush against the corner of a room, then a classic corner unit could be just what you’re looking for. By contrast, if you want to add dimension to an open plan space by creating a defined zone with your sofa then you might want to consider a chaise, which is much less imposing yet still offers that all important extra seating space. Still not sure? Take a look at our most influential compositions below for some size inspiration…
Corner Unit
With most of our designs available in small, medium and large sizes, the classic symmetrical corner unit has the capacity to act both as a statement piece in a large and luxurious space or as a clever space saving device in a smaller room. Creating a neat and seamless look, this design works perfectly on its own and often only needs a simple rug and coffee table to make the space feel complete.
Chaise
If you want a design that offers that extra stretching out space without the large footprint, then a chaise style corner sofa could be just what you’re looking for. Available in left hand and right hand designs, chaises are irresistible when wanting to lay out with a good book – and if you ever feel generous enough to share, this neat little sofa offers plenty of seating space. Due to its compact design, chaises work beautifully when styled with a footstool or accent armchair in a larger space, but look equally as stylish standing on its own as well!
3. Pick Your Style
Whether your home is a contemporary space or you prefer more classical styling, the perfect corner sofa should infuse your own unique style and, ultimately, enhance the feel of a room. Clean, simple lines and smart, turned out legs work beautifully in modern interiors, with this elegant silhouette offering a sleek and sophisticated design that acts as the perfect complement to minimal spaces. By contrast, traditional interiors are the ideal setting for designs that are upholstered to the floor – offering a more relaxed and comfortable look that sits right at home in shabby chic and rustic spaces.
Have Fun with Fabrics
Now you have decided on the size and style of your corner sofa, it is time to find a beautiful fabric that will finish your design off perfectly. As a key piece of furniture that will constantly have family and friends sat in, laid across and curled up on, your corner sofa will be crying out for a fabric that will wear well over time. With over 100 sofa.com fabrics to choose from – all of which have a result of more than 20,000 rubs in the Martindale rub test (meaning they’re perfect for general domestic use) – you will be spoilt for choice with our range. From pure linen and soft wool to sumptuous velvet and vintage leather, the fabric you choose will have a huge impact to the feel of your space. Dare to go bold with a jewel-toned pure cotton matt velvet for a real showstopper or opt for a brushed linen cotton in a neutral shade for a classic piece that will stand the test of time. Check out our free fabric samples to imagine these shades in your home.
How to Dress a Corner Sofa
The final stage is the fun part – you can now think about accessorising your corner sofa and how you are going to layer the look. Scatter cushions, throws, footstools, side tables and rugs should all work together to make a space feel complete. If you’ve gone for a neutral coloured sofa, then why not introduce a pop of colour through your accessories to really let your personality shine through? (Get some inspiration from our Stella sofa below!) Alternatively, if you’ve gone for a bolder hue for your corner sofa, then think about bringing in various shades of that colour to really add some depth to the space.
There you have it, the one-stop guide on everything you need to know and consider when buying your very own corner sofa. Browse our corner sofas now and find the perfect style, customisable in 100+ fabrics.
