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

Before you order a fabric chaise sofa, check five things: the handing of the chaise, the overall footprint against your room, the length of the chaise against the height of the people using it, the construction of the frame and cushions, and how the sofa will get into your home. Fabric choice and style come next. A chaise sofa is a larger commitment than a standard sofa, so careful planning at this stage saves a great deal of trouble later.

Chaise sofas sit between a standard sofa and a full corner sofa. They give you a place to stretch out while keeping a more open layout, which is why they have become such a common choice in UK living rooms. You can compare a wide variety in our fabric chaise and corner sofas UK collection. This guide covers what to look for so you can order with confidence.

Understanding the Types of Chaise Sofa

Chaise designs vary more than many people realise, and the type you choose affects flexibility, storage and comfort. If you are still deciding between a chaise and another shape, our wider modern sofas UK sale collection lets you compare chaise, standard and corner designs side by side.

Fixed Chaise

The chaise is permanently attached to one side. Fixed chaise sofas often feel very solid and look seamless, but you must choose the correct side at the point of ordering.

Reversible Chaise

The chaise is formed by a separate footstool section and a loose cushion that can sit on either side. This is a sensible choice if you are unsure of your layout or expect to move house in the future.

Chaise With Storage

Some designs have a lifting seat on the chaise, giving a hidden compartment for throws, cushions or games. This is a practical feature in smaller homes where storage is limited.

Chaise Sofa Bed

A chaise sofa bed combines an extended seat with a sleeping function, typically a pull out section under the main seat. It suits homes that need a guest bed without a spare room.

Getting the Handing Right

Handing is the single most common source of confusion with chaise sofas. A left hand facing chaise has the chaise on the left as you stand in front of the sofa and look at it. A right hand facing chaise has it on the right. It is always described from the front, never from the seated position.

To decide which you need, stand where the sofa will go, face the room and picture where you want to put your feet up. Then turn around so you are facing the wall where the sofa will sit. The chaise should be on the side that keeps doors, walkways and the main route through the room clear. If in doubt, choose a reversible design.

Measuring Your Room

A chaise sofa has two key dimensions: the overall width and the depth of the chaise end. Both need checking against your room.

• Measure the wall length and allow space at each end for doors, radiators and walking room.
• Measure how far the chaise will extend into the room and make sure it does not block a door or walkway.
• Check where sockets and switches fall so you are not hiding them behind the sofa.
• Consider window positions, particularly if the sofa back will sit beneath a sill.
• Mark the full outline on the floor with masking tape before ordering.

Living with the tape outline for a day or two is the most reliable way to test a layout. It shows you exactly how the chaise affects movement around the room.

Matching the Chaise to the People Using It

A chaise is meant for stretching out, so its length should suit the tallest regular user. If the chaise is too short, taller people will find their feet hanging off the end. If it is very long, shorter people may find it hard to sit back comfortably with their legs supported.

Seat depth is equally important. Deep seats are lovely for lounging but can leave shorter people perched on the edge. A few firm back cushions can make a deep sofa comfortable for everyone. Seat height also affects comfort: lower seats feel relaxed, while higher seats are easier to get in and out of, which matters for older family members.

Checking the Construction

Because a chaise sofa is larger than a standard sofa, its frame works harder. Look for these features in the specification:

• Frame: solid hardwood, kiln dried timber or reinforced engineered wood with screwed and glued joints.
• Suspension: serpentine springs or well tensioned webbing under both the main seat and the chaise.
• Connecting hardware: sturdy brackets that hold the sections firmly together without gaps or movement.
• Legs: solid legs that screw in securely, with enough height to clean underneath if you prefer.

The join between the chaise and the main sofa deserves particular attention. A well designed join keeps the sections level and tight, so you do not feel a gap when sitting across it.

Choosing the Right Cushions

Cushion choice changes the character of a chaise sofa. High density foam gives a firm, tailored seat that keeps its shape. Foam wrapped in fibre adds a soft top layer while keeping support. Fibre filled back cushions feel relaxed and squashy but need regular plumping. Pocket sprung seat cushions add bounce and help maintain seat height.

On the chaise itself, a supportive cushion matters because you will be lying on it as well as sitting. A chaise that is too soft can leave you sinking unevenly when stretched out.

Selecting a Fabric

A chaise sofa often becomes the most used seat in the house, so the fabric must cope with daily life. Tightly woven fabrics resist snagging and wear. A rub count, sometimes called a Martindale figure, gives an indication of how well a fabric stands up to abrasion; a higher figure generally means better durability.

Consider who uses the room. Families and pet owners often find that mid toned, tightly woven fabrics are the most forgiving. Velvet adds depth of colour and a soft feel, while textured weaves hide everyday wear. Light colours brighten a room but show marks more readily.

Building a Coordinated Seating Area

A chaise sofa often works as the anchor of a room, with lighter pieces arranged around it. Adding a matching chair or second sofa in the same fabric gives a cohesive look; our modern fabric sofa sets UK range makes this straightforward. A rug helps define the seating zone, especially in open plan spaces. Choose one large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa to sit on it, so the arrangement feels connected. Our rugs UK sale collection includes sizes suited to larger seating areas.

For a final check before you buy, our corner sofa checklist for UK homes walks through the key questions in a clear, practical format.

Thinking About Delivery and Access

Most chaise sofas arrive in at least two sections, which makes them easier to carry into the home than a single large piece. Even so, it is wise to measure every point along the route: front door, hallway, stairs, landing and the room door. Compare these with the dimensions of the largest section, remembering that sofas are often carried on their side. Our guide to buying a corner sofa online in the UK covers delivery planning in more detail, and much of it applies equally to chaise designs.

Your Pre Order Checklist

• Have you confirmed the handing from the front of the sofa?
• Does the full footprint fit your room with clear walkways?
• Is the chaise long enough for the tallest regular user?
• Does the specification name the frame and suspension type?
• Will the cushions suit the way your household sits and lounges?
• Have you measured every door and turn on the route into the room?
• Is the fabric suited to children, pets or heavy use if needed?

Once you can answer yes to each point, you are ready to choose. Every chaise sofa at Furniture in Fashion comes with full dimensions and specifications, and we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a chaise sofa and a corner sofa?

A chaise sofa has one extended seat for stretching out, while a corner sofa has two full seating sections that meet at an angle. A chaise uses less floor space on the return side.

Can I change the side of a fixed chaise later?

No. A fixed chaise stays on the side you order. If you think your layout may change, a reversible chaise is a safer choice.

Are chaise sofas comfortable for sleeping?

A chaise is comfortable for a nap, but it is not designed as a bed. If you need a guest bed, consider a chaise sofa bed instead.

How do I keep the chaise cushion from sliding?

Many chaise cushions have grip backing or fixings. If yours moves, a thin non slip mat beneath the cushion usually solves the problem.