Chaise Sofas Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Order

Before you order a chaise sofa, confirm four things: the chaise length is long enough for the tallest person in the household, the chaise side suits your room or can be swapped, the overall depth leaves a comfortable walkway, and the sofa can be delivered through your doors and up your stairs. Get those right, then choose the frame, cushions and fabric that suit how you live.

A chaise sofa is a single sofa with one extended seat for stretching out, and it sits closely alongside the corner shape in terms of layout. Our corner sofas UK sale range includes chaise end designs, so it is a sensible place to compare dimensions and styles.

Step One: Measure the Room Properly

Chaise sofas are deeper at one end than standard sofas, so you need two key measurements: the overall width and the depth at the chaise. Use masking tape to mark both on the floor.

• Leave enough space to walk comfortably around the chaise end.
• Allow room between the sofa and coffee table to pass through.
• Keep radiators, sockets and windows accessible.
• Check that doors open fully without hitting the chaise.

Comparing several designs across our broader modern sofas UK collection, with your taped outline in mind, makes it easier to rule out sizes that would feel cramped.

Step Two: Decide Which Side the Chaise Goes

Chaise sofas are described as left hand facing or right hand facing. This refers to the side the chaise sits on when you stand facing the sofa. Getting it wrong is one of the most common ordering mistakes.

Consider where the door, window, TV and fireplace sit. The chaise usually works best on the side away from the main walkway, so it does not block the route through the room. If you are unsure, or likely to move, choose a reversible design where the chaise can be fitted on either side.

Step Three: Check the Chaise Length

The whole point of a chaise is lying back with your legs fully supported. Ask for the length of the chaise seat itself, from the back cushion to the front edge. Taller people will want a longer chaise so their feet do not hang over the end.

Sit on the chaise if you can, or compare the measurement with a sofa you already find comfortable. Seat depth across the rest of the sofa matters too: deep seats feel relaxed, while shallower seats support upright sitting.

Step Four: Plan the Delivery Route

Many UK homes have narrow hallways and tight turns on the stairs. Measure every doorway, hallway and stair turn the sofa will pass, then compare these with the sofa height and depth. Chaise sofas often arrive in two pieces, the main sofa and the chaise section, which helps with access. Check the size of the largest piece before ordering.

Step Five: Look at Build Quality

The Frame

A hardwood or quality engineered timber frame keeps the sofa rigid. The chaise section takes a lot of weight when someone lies on it, so the connection between chaise and sofa should feel secure, with no movement at the join.

The Suspension

Sinuous springs or pocket springs give consistent support across the seats and chaise. Press along the length of the chaise to check that the support feels even from back to front.

The Cushions

High density foam holds its shape well, while foam wrapped in fibre gives a softer surface. Fibre filled back cushions feel inviting but need regular plumping. Removable, reversible cushions are easier to keep fresh.

Step Six: Choose a Fabric or Leather Finish

Fabric offers a wide choice of colours and textures and feels warm and soft. Our modern corner fabric sofas UK include woven, textured and velvet finishes suited to different households.

Leather and faux leather are easy to wipe clean and suit contemporary interiors. A corner leather sofa UK sale design is worth considering if you have young children or want a sleek look that ages gracefully.

Think about sunlight and use. A chaise placed near a south facing window may fade over time, so mid tones and fade resistant fabrics are a practical choice.

Choosing a Colour for a Chaise Sofa

Because a chaise sofa covers more floor than a straight design, its colour has a strong influence on the room. Pale shades such as stone, oatmeal and dove grey keep a larger shape feeling light, which helps in smaller lounges. Mid tones such as slate, taupe and muted green hide everyday marks and suit family rooms. Deeper colours such as navy, charcoal or forest green give a grounded, cosy feel in larger spaces.

Think about the floor, too. A sofa that contrasts with the flooring stands out as a feature, while one in a similar tone blends into the room and makes it feel calmer and more spacious.

Step Seven: Consider Extra Features

• Storage chaise: some designs have a lift up seat with storage beneath, useful for throws and cushions.
• Sofa bed chaise: a chaise that converts into a bed adds guest sleeping space.
• Adjustable headrests: give better neck support when lying back.
• Raised legs: make the sofa look lighter and allow easier cleaning underneath.

Only choose features you will genuinely use, as each adds weight and complexity.

Step Eight: Plan the Layout Around It

A chaise sofa naturally creates an L shaped seating zone. Position a coffee table so it can be reached from both the seats and the chaise. A round or oval table is easier to move around than a sharp edged rectangle.

Add a rug large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and chaise to sit on, which visually anchors the arrangement. A floor lamp beside the main seating area provides soft evening light, and a slim side table by the chaise gives somewhere to rest a drink.

For more on choosing and checking similar shapes, our practical checklist for corner sofa sets in UK homes covers many of the same points. To coordinate the surrounding furniture, see our guide to pairing corner sofas and coffee tables in UK living rooms.

Step Nine: Think About Everyone Who Will Use It

A chaise sofa is often chosen with one person in mind, usually whoever enjoys lying back in the evening. It is worth thinking about the rest of the household, too. Older relatives may prefer a higher seat and firmer cushions that are easier to rise from. Children often treat the chaise as a play area, so a durable cover and a strong frame matter. If pets share the sofa, a tightly woven fabric or a leather finish will cope better than loose, looped textures.

Consider guests as well. If you entertain regularly, the upright seats need to be just as comfortable as the chaise, with a supportive back and a seat depth that suits sitting properly.

Step Ten: Understand Care and Cleaning

Before ordering, check the care label information for the fabric or finish. Some fabrics can be spot cleaned with water, while others need a solvent based cleaner or professional cleaning. Removable cushion covers are useful, but check whether they are machine washable or dry clean only.

Build a simple routine once the sofa arrives. Plump back cushions regularly, vacuum with a soft brush attachment and rotate seat cushions where possible. The chaise cushion usually takes the most wear, so give it a little extra attention.

Common Ordering Mistakes

• Measuring only the width: the chaise depth is just as important for walkways.
• Choosing the wrong chaise side: always check left hand facing and right hand facing descriptions carefully.
• Overlooking radiators: a chaise placed against a radiator blocks heat and can dry out fabrics.
• Forgetting the coffee table: make sure there is space for a table that can be reached from the chaise.
• Ignoring delivery access: measure every door and turn on the route, not just the room itself.

A Quick Checklist Before Ordering

• Room width and chaise depth measured and taped on the floor.
• Chaise side confirmed, or a reversible design chosen.
• Chaise length suits the tallest person in the household.
• Doors, hallways and stairs measured against the largest piece.
• Frame, suspension and cushion type confirmed.
• Fabric or leather finish chosen to suit your household.
• Care instructions checked.

When you are ready, you can explore our full range of chaise and corner sofas at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does left hand facing chaise mean?

It means the chaise sits on your left when you stand facing the front of the sofa. Right hand facing means the chaise sits on your right.

How long should a chaise be?

It should be long enough for the tallest regular user to lie back with their legs fully supported. Compare the chaise seat length with a sofa you already find comfortable.

Can a chaise sofa fit in a small room?

Yes, if you measure carefully. A compact two seater chaise design can fit smaller rooms, as long as there is enough space to walk around the chaise end.

Are chaise sofas delivered in one piece?

Many arrive in two sections, the main sofa and the chaise, which makes delivery through narrow hallways and stairways easier.