Corner Sofa
Buying Guide
A corner sofa can be the heart of your living room. Whether you’re looking for a cosy spot to relax with family, a stylish statement piece for entertaining, or a practical solution for a tricky room layout, the right corner sofa can completely transform your home.
This guide will help you choose the perfect corner sofa style, size, and material, ensuring you make an investment that combines comfort, practicality, and lasting style. From modern L-shaped units to modular and U-shaped designs, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the ideal corner sofa for your space.
Why Choose a Corner Sofa?
Corner sofas are one of the most popular choices for modern living rooms due to their versatility and practicality. They maximise floor space, whether you live in a compact city flat or a spacious open-plan home, and provide comfortable seating for lounging, stretching out, or entertaining guests.
From a style perspective, a corner sofa can anchor your living room and tie your décor together. With a variety of corner sofa shapes, layouts, and upholstery options, it’s easy to find a sofa that complements your space and reflects your personal taste.
Is a Corner Sofa Right for You?
A corner sofa is ideal if you enjoy hosting friends and family or want a relaxing space where everyone can gather. Larger families or households that entertain regularly will benefit from the flexible seating arrangements a corner sofa offers, making it more comfortable than trying to squeeze multiple people onto separate two- or three-seater sofas.
Many people worry that a corner sofa might take up too much space. In reality, compact corner sofa designs can fit neatly into smaller rooms and often take up less floor space than two separate sofas. Whether your living room is a cosy terraced space or part of a large open-plan home, there is a corner sofa to suit your layout and lifestyle.
Popular Corner Sofa Styles
There are several corner sofa styles to choose from, each with its own benefits. Understanding the differences will help you pick the right design based on your living room size, seating needs, and overall style preferences. From casual and versatile arrangements to expansive and luxurious layouts, each shape brings a distinct feel to your space.
L-Shaped Sofas
The L-shaped corner sofa is the most common and versatile option, working well in almost any living room. It can sit neatly against a wall or float in an open space, making it ideal for smaller to medium-sized rooms where you want to maximise seating without crowding the floorplan.
Many L-shaped sofas are available in left- or right-hand facing configurations, allowing you to adapt the layout to your room and lifestyle. This style is perfect for relaxing, entertaining guests, or creating a cosy family seating area.
U-Shaped Sofas
A U-shaped corner sofa is perfect for large families or open-plan homes, offering generous seating for everyone. Its design naturally encourages conversation and togetherness, making it an excellent choice for entertaining guests or enjoying family time.
U-shaped sofas work well in open-plan layouts, as they can define the living area and create a cosy, inviting zone. Although they require more floor space, they make a bold style statement while maximising seating and comfort.
C-Shaped Sofas
The C-shaped corner sofa, also known as a horseshoe sofa, creates a curved seating arrangement that encourages socialising and togetherness. It works beautifully around a coffee table, making it ideal for larger living rooms or open-plan spaces.
This layout allows multiple people to sit facing each other, perfect for family movie nights, dinner parties, or casual entertaining. While it requires a bit more floor space than an L-shaped sofa, it creates a welcoming and sociable seating zone that’s both stylish and functional.
Modular Sofas
Modular corner sofas are the most flexible style, allowing you to rearrange sections into different configurations. This adaptability is ideal for households that like to refresh their layouts or expect seating needs to change over time.
Individual modules can be added or removed to expand or reduce seating as needed. Modular sofas also allow for creative arrangements, such as forming a chaise lounge, creating a symmetrical setup, or designing a custom configuration that perfectly suits your living room and lifestyle.
Choosing the Right Size and Fit
Selecting the right corner sofa size is about more than just fitting it into your room – it’s about enhancing your space and ensuring the sofa works with your lifestyle. Careful planning and measuring can prevent common mistakes, helping your sofa become a comfortable, stylish, and functional centrepiece in your living room.
Measuring Your Space
Before choosing a sofa, measure your available floor space for both length and width. If you’re considering a high-backed design, check that your ceiling height allows for it. Remember to leave extra space around the sofa for walkways, doors, and other furniture.
A helpful trick is to mark out the sofa footprint on your floor using masking tape or newspaper. This visual guide will help you see how the sofa fits with your existing layout.
Considering Room Layout
Think about how your sofa will sit alongside other furniture such as coffee tables, armchairs, or storage units. Mapping out your layout on paper, or using masking tape, can give a realistic sense of scale and flow, ensuring your living room feels balanced and functional.
Delivery and Access Tips
The excitement of a new sofa can quickly turn stressful if delivery isn’t planned. Make sure to measure doorways, staircases, and hallways so your chosen corner sofa can be delivered without issue.
For homes with tight access, consider split or modular sofas that can be assembled on site. Many retailers, including Oliver Matthews, also offer professional delivery and assembly, helping take the stress out of the process – especially for larger corner sofas.
Materials and Fillings
The comfort, durability, and style of your sofa largely depend on the materials and craftsmanship. Making informed choices ensures your sofa not only looks great but also lasts for years.
Upholstery Choices
-
Fabric: Soft, breathable, and available in endless colours and patterns. Ideal for adding a personal touch to your living room.
-
Leather: Timeless, durable, and easy to clean, making it a long-term investment.
-
Performance Fabrics: Stain-resistant, pet-friendly, and perfect for busy households.
Cushion Fillings
-
Foam: Provides firm support and helps maintain the sofa’s shape.
-
Fibre: Creates a softer, sink-in comfort.
-
Feather: Luxurious and plush, though cushions require regular plumping.
-
Hybrid (Foam + Fibre): Balances support and softness, ideal for most households.
Craftsmanship and Quality
A well-crafted sofa is built to last. Paying attention to the frame, joints, and upholstery details ensures your sofa withstands daily use while remaining comfortable and attractive for years to come.
-
Frame and Joints: Kiln-dried hardwood frames with glued, screwed, and dowelled joints are the gold standard for durability.
-
Upholstery Details: Reinforced seams and double stitching are signs of quality craftsmanship.
Styling and Positioning Your Corner Sofa
The placement and styling of your corner sofa can dramatically influence the look, feel, and function of your living room. With the right approach, it can serve as both a comfortable seating area and a stylish focal point.
Small Spaces
For compact living rooms, placing your sofa against a wall helps maximise floor space and prevents the room from feeling cramped. Consider a sofa with built-in storage compartments to make the most of limited square footage.
Light-coloured upholstery, slim legs, or low-profile designs can create an airy and spacious feel, making a small room appear larger and more open.
Avoid positioning a sofa directly in front of windows, as sunlight can bleach fabrics over time. Also, try not to place it in front of radiators, as this can block heat. Though it won’t damage the sofa, it may affect room comfort and fabric longevity.
Open-Plan Living
In open-plan layouts, a corner sofa can act as a natural partition, defining living zones without the need for walls. Placing the sofa centrally helps create distinct areas for relaxing, dining, or entertaining, while maintaining a cohesive flow.
Pair your sofa with a rug underneath to anchor the seating area and emphasise its role as the focal point of the room. This approach combines both function and style, giving your open-plan space structure and visual appeal.
Adding Accents
Soft furnishings such as throws, cushions, and rugs can personalise your sofa and refresh its look seasonally. Layering textures (like velvet cushions with a knitted throw) adds depth and character.
Introducing pops of colour through accessories lets you update the style of your corner sofa without committing to a full redesign, keeping your space fresh and on-trend all year round.
Bespoke and Customisation Options
A sofa should reflect your lifestyle and personal taste. Bespoke corner sofas allow you to choose fabrics, leathers, colours, cushion fillings, leg finishes, and configurations such as left-hand or right-hand facing.
For multifunctional needs, consider options like built-in storage or sofa beds, which add practical value without compromising on style. Choosing a bespoke sofa ensures you get a piece that is uniquely yours and perfectly suited to your home.
Choose an Oliver Matthews Corner Sofa For Your Home
Your choice of a corner sofa influences the way you live and enjoy your home. At Oliver Matthews, we offer a wide range of designer, reclining, and bespoke corner sofas to suit every taste and lifestyle.
You can browse our full corner sofa collection online or
visit our showroom to try different styles in person. Free fabric swatches are available to help you select the perfect material, and our team is always on hand for personalised consultations.
