Are Corner Sofas Any Good? Pros and Cons

Written by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Monika Popescu, Senior Interior Designer at FCI London
Edited by: Zoona Sikander, Head of Content

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

TL;DR - Corner sofas have evolved from practical space-savers into genuine design statements for contemporary homes. Whether you're working with a compact flat or a sprawling open-plan space, these L-shaped beauties offer rather clever solutions for seating, style, and spatial efficiency. This guide explores everything from configuration choices to styling secrets, helping you determine if a sectional is the right choice for your London home.

Table of Contents

• Corner Sofas - What Are They and How Do They Work
• Who Should Buy a Corner Sofa
• How to Style in Your Home
• Examples
• The Best Places to Buy 
• In Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Corner sofas often suffer from an unfair reputation: practical, yes, but rarely the first choice for those with a discerning eye. Yet in the hands of a thoughtful designer, they become something rather more compelling. A well-specified sectional doesn't simply fill a room; it shapes the entire flow of a space, defining conversation zones and sightlines with an elegance that traditional three-seaters struggle to match.

Are corner sofas any good? The question itself reveals how often they're underestimated. Walk through any contemporary furniture showroom in London and you'll find them commanding prime floor space, not because they're trendy, but because they solve problems conventional seating cannot. They work beautifully in sprawling open-plan layouts and, rather counterintuitively, in more intimate rooms where every square metre matters.

The genius lies in their efficiency. Corner luxury sofas maximise seating capacity without the visual clutter of multiple separate pieces, creating a cohesive aesthetic that feels intentional rather than assembled.

If you've been dismissing sectionals as overly casual or too contemporary for your taste, it may be time to reconsider. The finest examples balance comfort with architectural presence, offering a foundation upon which an entire room scheme can be built.

Corner Sofas - What Are They and How Do They Work?

A corner sofa features seating arranged at a right angle, creating an L-shaped configuration. Most are L-shaped, with one edge being shorter than the other. You can also find styles where both sides are of equal length.

They vary considerably in size and configuration, ranging from substantial pieces like the Helmut Sofa by Longhi to more compact designs such as the Denny Sofa by Gamma & Dandy.

Whilst we focus primarily on interior solutions, a corner outdoor sofa extends the same design principles to alfresco spaces, creating those rather enviable garden rooms that blur the boundaries between inside and out.

It's important to note that unless you're buying a modular sofa, your corner sofa will come as either left or right-arm style.

This simply indicates which side the short edge will be on. To avoid being confined to a left or right side, opt for modular styles. The simplest modular corner sofa is merely an extension piece that you can place next to an ordinary sofa to create a second edge. This could have a back and arm, or it might be a backless seat that can also be placed elsewhere in the room as a footstool or ottoman.

Pros

• Great for small rooms: In compact living rooms, the L-shaped configuration maximises seating capacity whilst making efficient use of the available space.
• Additional features: Many designs offer integrated ottomans, end tables, recliners, adjustable headrests, or mobile phone docks for enhanced functionality.
• Great for entertainers: The configuration encourages intimate conversation whilst providing excellent sightlines for television viewing.
• Saves money: Compared to purchasing an entire living room set, a single corner sofa represents a better value while providing all the essential seating you need.
• Comfortable: These sectionals offer exceptional comfort through quality leather or microfibre upholstery. Some have reclining seats for more comfort.
• Free up extra space: The sofa can be placed in the corner of the living room, creating additional room for other furniture.

Cons

• Flexibility: not every living room will be suited to a left or right-arm corner sofa.
• Obstruct doorways or windows: In a small living room, the sectional sofa can obstruct doorways or windows nearby.
• Difficult cleaning: Cleaning between the segments can be challenging without a proper vacuum cleaner.
• Expensive to reupholster: It will take more time and material to reupholster compared to traditional sofas.

Key Takeaway: Corner sofas offer a refreshingly practical solution for maximising seating capacity whilst maintaining spatial flow, though one must consider the fixed orientation and cleaning requirements before committing to these rather substantial pieces.

Who Should Buy a Corner Sofa

When choosing large corner sofas for generous properties, getting the proportions right is essential - a piece that anchors one room beautifully can swallow another whole if you don't account for ceiling heights and overall scale.

Corner sofas prove ideal if you want a generous seating capacity within a small living room. A sectional will give you more lounging room without consuming excessive floor space.

Secondly, if you have an unconventionally shaped space, placing a sofa in an awkward corner might be the only way to create a cohesive layout.

Alternatively, if you have a large open-plan living area, an L-shaped sofa will be the best way to define zones by separating viewing areas from the rest of the space.

A large corner sofa proves particularly effective in open-plan layouts where you need to anchor substantial square footage without creating visual barriers between living zones.

Key Takeaway: Whether you're wrestling with compact dimensions or generous open-plan proportions, sectionals prove quite extraordinary at solving spatial challenges whilst creating distinct living zones.

How to Style in Your Home

Corner sofas offer ample opportunity to showcase your design vision.

The first step is to choose one in a fabric that complements your current theme. As it will become the focal point, use your sectional to tie your design aesthetic together.

With your design chosen, add a coffee table, bookshelves, and lamp tables around your sofa. If you have created a particularly dramatic room with dark decor, add lamps beside or behind your sofa. These will draw attention to your beautiful piece of furniture.

Soften your sectional by adding cushions and throws. You can keep it minimalist by using neutrals or introducing bright patterns for visual interest.

Complete the look by laying a beautiful rug under your seat. Depending on your aesthetic, you can use a richly textured piece or an artful one that will introduce colour to the room.

A leather corner sofa brings a particular sophistication to contemporary interiors, ageing beautifully whilst remaining remarkably forgiving of the daily chaos that family life inevitably brings.

Key Takeaway: Successful styling begins with fabric selection that anchors your aesthetic, then layers in textural elements through cushions, throws, and rugs to create a genuinely welcoming focal point.

Examples

Several configuration options exist when selecting your corner sofa. Here are some particularly compelling designs to consider.

Chaise End

This type of sofa has an extension to the seat on one end, like the Boss Sofa by Naustro Accent Collection. Though not a full corner, the chaise creates a slight L shape, offering additional seating.

Recliner

The perfect choice for home theatres, a sectional with recliners, like the Megan Sofa by Naustro Nexus Collection, allows you to lower the back of the sofa and elevate the base as a footrest. For those who value both cinema-quality viewing and proper ergonomic support, a corner recliner sofa delivers the sort of comfort that makes leaving the house feel rather unnecessary.  Many modern designs are electronically operated for ultimate viewing comfort.

Sofa Bed

A popular style for small rooms is a corner sofa with a daybed. This allows you to lounge during the day and provides additional sleeping space for guests. The beauty of a corner sofa bed lies not in compromise but in genuine versatility. Properly specified, they're as comfortable for afternoon reading as they are for accommodating guests over the weekend. Most designs come with storage space under the seats, making them multifunctional in compact spaces.

Key Takeaway: From chaise lounges to reclining configurations and convertible sofa beds, contemporary corner sofas provide practical solutions for both entertainment and accommodation needs.

The Best Places to Buy

If you're convinced that your living room will function and look better with a corner sofa, we would be happy to help you find the best one for your home. Our team of experts has over 35 years of experience curating the most beautiful collection of long-lasting and stylish corner sofas.

With over 700 of the world's most exciting brands to choose from, we are confident that you will get exactly what you want. Because most of our designs come with customisable options, you will find a variety of styles. Leather or fabric, classic or modern, with or without arms, wooden or metal frames, with legs or without, and countless other specifications.

Chat with us about your lifestyle, personal taste and budget, and we will help you choose the perfect corner sofa.

Key Takeaway: With over three decades of expertise and access to 700 international brands, FCI London offers genuinely comprehensive customisation options to match your precise requirements.

In Conclusion

Corner sofas offer considerable appeal to the modern homeowner, particularly if you're seeking an exceptional balance of comfort, functionality and value.

At FCI, we've curated a distinctive selection of contemporary corner sofas in a wide variety of fabrics and modern designs. Browse our collection online or visit our showroom to find the perfect fit for your space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do corner sofas make rooms look smaller or larger?
Surprisingly, they actually make rooms feel larger by efficiently utilising corner space that would otherwise remain empty. The continuous seating arrangement creates better flow whilst maximising capacity, particularly valuable in compact flats where every square metre counts. Modular configurations allow you to adapt the layout as your needs evolve.

How do I choose between left-arm and right-arm corner sofas?
Stand at your room's entrance and envision where the longer section should extend - this determines your orientation. If flexibility matters, opt for modular designs from brands like Gamma & Dandy that allow reconfiguration. Consider traffic flow, window placement, and television viewing angles before committing to a fixed orientation.

What's the typical lifespan of a quality corner sofa?
Premium Italian brands like Longhi and Naustro Italia craft sectionals designed to last 15-20 years with proper care. Quality hardwood frames, eight-way hand-tied springs, and top-grain leather ensure longevity. Regular professional cleaning and cushion rotation maintain their rather extraordinary appearance through decades of use.

Can corner sofas work in traditional or period properties?
Absolutely - contemporary doesn't mean incompatible with classic architecture. Select sectionals in heritage fabrics like velvet or leather, with turned wooden legs and button tufting to complement period features. The L-shape configuration actually works quite well in Georgian or Victorian bay windows, creating a genuinely elegant conversation area.

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• Room dimensions and measurements
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