At Heatons Furniture, corner sofas are one of the things we get asked about most, and the question that trips people up more than any other is whether they need a left-hand or right-hand corner sofa. It sounds like a small detail, but get it wrong, and you can end up with a chaise that blocks a doorway or a sofa that just doesn't sit right in the room. So I wanted to put together a proper guide to help you choose with confidence.
What Does Left Hand and Right Hand Actually Mean?
This one can be confusing at first, but there is a simple way to work it out. Stand facing the sofa, as if you are looking at it from the front. If the chaise or longer corner section is on your left, it is a left-hand facing sofa. If the chaise or longer section is on your right, it is a right-hand facing sofa.
The important thing to remember is that you are looking at the sofa from the front, not sitting on it. So if you are standing opposite the sofa and the chaise is on your left, you need a left-hand facing sofa.
Walk Your Room Before You Buy
Before choosing between a left-hand or right-hand corner sofa, we always tell customers to physically walk the space. Stand where you'd naturally place the sofa and think about:
- Where the main walkway through the room is
- Where your TV or focal point sits
- Whether a window, radiator or door limits which way the chaise can face
- How the sofa will look as you enter the room
Most living rooms only really work with one orientation, so this step saves a lot of headaches later. If you're at all unsure, our team in the showroom are happy to talk it through with you over the phone or in person, we do this every single day.
Corner Sofa Styles Worth Considering
Once you've settled on left or right hand, the fun part starts. Corner sofas come in a huge range of finishes, and here's what tends to come up most in our showroom.
Leather or fabric? A leather corner sofa gives a sleeker, more formal look and wipes clean easily, which is great if you have kids or pets. Fabric corner sofas tend to feel cosier and come in a wider range of colours and textures if you want to make a statement.
Colour Black corner sofas and brown corner sofas remain classic, versatile choices that suit almost any decor. If you want something a bit softer, beige corner sofas and cream tones are incredibly popular right now for a warm, neutral living room. Green corner sofas, especially in sage and dark green shades, have also become one of our fastest-moving colours this year for anyone wanting something with a bit more personality.
Recliner or fixed? A corner recliner sofa is worth considering if you spend a lot of time relaxing in front of the TV. We stock plenty of large corner sofas with built-in power recliners, alongside simpler fixed options if you'd rather keep things straightforward.
Buying Cheap Corner Sofas Without Compromising on Quality
I know cost is front of mind for most people shopping for cheap corner sofas, and it's genuinely one of the reasons Heatons exists. As a Manchester furniture outlet, we buy big brand names, ex-display pieces and clearance stock and pass the savings straight on, which means you can get a proper, well-made corner sofa without paying full high street price. It's entirely possible to find a quality leather or fabric corner sofa on a budget if you know where to look, and I'd always encourage you to check our clearance section before you look anywhere else, since stock changes weekly and the savings on cheap corner settees can be significant.
Getting the Size Right
Corner sofas take up more floor space than a standard settee, so it's worth measuring properly before you fall in love with a particular style. I always suggest marking out the footprint on your floor with masking tape first, chaise included, so you can see exactly how much of the room it will take up and how much walking space you'll have left around it.
If your living room is on the smaller side, don't assume a corner sofa is off the table. A lot of our customers come in thinking they need a small sofa or a simple two seater, and end up surprised by how well a compact corner sofa fits once they see it measured out properly.
Corner units are also modular in a lot of our ranges, so you can often start with a smaller footprint and add sections later if your space or needs change. If a full corner shape genuinely won't work, we also carry a strong range of two-seater, three-seater and four-seater sofas, along with three-piece suites if you want a sofa and matching armchairs as a set.
Making It Work on a Budget: Finance and Sales
Corner sofas are a bigger purchase than most bits of furniture, so it's natural to want some flexibility on how you pay. We offer sofas on finance so you can spread the cost, and we run genuine sofa sales throughout the year rather than the inflated "was/now" pricing you sometimes see elsewhere.
Because everything in our outlet is already discounted against RRP, our sale periods often mean even bigger reductions on top of prices that are already lower than the high street. It's always worth checking what's currently in our sofa clearance before buying elsewhere, since ex-display and cancelled order stock moves fast.
Caring for Your New Corner Sofa
Once you've chosen between a left-hand or right-hand corner sofa and picked your colour, a little care goes a long way in keeping it looking good for years.
- Vacuum fabric corner sofas weekly to stop dust and dirt working into the fibres
- Wipe leather corner sofas with a soft, slightly damp cloth and avoid direct heat sources like radiators, which can dry and crack the leather over time
- Rotate and plump cushions regularly so the sofa wears evenly across both sections
- Deal with spills straight away, blotting rather than rubbing, to avoid staining
- If you've gone for a lighter colour like cream, beige or grey, consider a fabric protector treatment, especially in busy family households
We also offer an old sofa recycling service when your new one is delivered, so you can upgrade without worrying about getting rid of the old one yourself.
Choosing between a left-hand or right-hand corner sofa really just comes down to knowing your room. Once that's sorted, it's about picking a colour, material and recliner set-up that fits how you actually live.
If you're still torn, come and see us at our 28,000 sq ft outlet in Eccles, Manchester, where you can sit on the real thing before you commit. We're open seven days a week and always happy to help you find the right fit.
