Which is the best sofa for a small space?

Home Inspiration November 24, 2022

This is a question we get asked all the time here at Sofa Club – and we fully appreciate why.

The fact is, sofa shopping for a small space is tricky.

Your ideal couch needs to be small enough to squeeze through the doorways and into the room, yet big enough to seat every bum – and finding the sweet spot can be a challenge.

But don't worry your pretty little head, Goldilocks – this blog's just for you.

In our opinion, there's only one answer to the small space conundrum. Not a footstool. Not a little love seat. Not a compact sofa set. Or a tiny 2 seater…

It's a corner sofa.

Yep, a big L-shaped design.

Compact corner sofa

Sounds a bit counter-intuitive, right?

But here's the deal. As big and space consuming as they may seem, corner sofas can actually be a fantastic space saver. Slotted neatly into the 90˚ angle of the room, they take advantage of the empty corner – creating maximum seating, whilst taking up minimal real estate.

Think of them like a tardis. They look neat and compact. But they're also super spacious, plumping up enough leg room to stretch out in comfort and enough seats for the extended fam.

Not so big they won't fit. Not so small they're impractical. For a small lounge, they're ‘just right'.

Choosing a corner sofa for a small living room

5 tips to make sure you choose your porridge sofa wisely.

1. Measure up meticulously

It's always important to get your measurements right. But when you're furnishing a small space, size really does matter. You can't afford to be adding a couple of inches where they simply don't exist. It'll only end in disappointment…

For a DIY beginner, our previous blog ‘How to measure a corner sofa' is a great place to start, with lots of tips and advice on how to get your dimensions right. Grab a tape measure, jot down your findings. And when you think you've got it all worked out, check again – twice.

The good news is, all of our L shaped sofas arrive in multiple parts. Which means, they're pretty easy to manoeuvre – even through the tightest of corridors and the narrowest of doorways. So no need to take out the front window 😅. You just need to make sure it fits comfortably inside the room.

2. Cut to the chaise corner sofas

If your lounge is particularly challenged in the size department, our advice is to filter your search. Restrict it to chaise corner sofas only.

Added onto the end of a 2 or 3 seater couch, the ‘chaise' section (i.e. the extended bit at the end) maximises the potential of the empty corner and creates extra seating space – just like a standard L-shaped sofa does. But it doesn't look quite as OTT or overbearing.

Left-hand and right-hand configs are available to suit all layouts. And they're the perfect solution for those who wish to fully recline and relax (á la French style) in the confines of their tiny living room.

Chaise corner sofa available at Sofa Club

3. Keep things streamlined

Corner sofas are great for a compact lounge – but you've got to be realistic.

Sorry, but an XL 6 seater double corner design just isn't going to fit. And there's no point setting your sights on a chunky or high-backed design. You need to pick a style that's to scale with your space.

Our advice is to go low and streamlined. Choose something minimalistic and contemporary, with a low-back design, hidden legs and a cosy texture.

Sofa Club's Ivy Corner Sofa is the perfect example.

In a small room with low ceilings, this will create the illusion of height by keeping the eye level low. Thanks to its statement square arms and linear detailing, it can help to make the space look bigger than it actually is. And it's made from soft luxe velvet. Stylish, practical and hygge in equal measure.

4. Stay neutral

Ofc, the colour of your corner couch will have zero impact on it's size and whether it'll actually fit in your lounge. But lighter, neutral shades are fully proven to make the room seem roomier.

Stone. Champagne. Caramel. Seashell. Iced Latte White. Light Shower Grey.

All fantastic shades that are, conveniently, on-point right now.

One clever (and chic) option is to paint the walls in the same colour. Once the couch is pushed snugly into your chosen 90˚ angle, it'll blend seamlessly into the background – giving the impression of more space. And if you're craving colour, just add little pops using home accessories and scatter cushions.

Small lounge with corner couch

5. Consider sectional styles

Don't plan on being in your fun-size city apartment forever?

A modular corner sofa may be the way to go.

After all, they're a completely future-proof investment.

Made from a series of sections which effortlessly click together, you can create the ideal-sized corner sofa for your current compact lounge. But if you choose to move, you can subsequently add more seats and it can grow to meet the needs of your bigger and better living space.

No need to part with your much-loved couch. Or spend more money on a new one (unless you want to, of course).

Just add another seat or two. Switch it from a chaise corner sofa into a double corner. Or even transform it into a U-shaped design. The beauty of going modular is that you have freedom.

L shape sofa suitable for a small living room

Shop our small corner sofas today

Sick of feeling like Goldilocks?

Time to join the club.

In our expert opinion, a compact corner sofa is the best option for small spaces. And no matter how size-challenged your lounge may be, we reckon we have a couch that's ‘just right' for its dimensions.

So why not scroll through our full online collection today?

Accurate measurements for all of our L shaped sofas can be found in the product deets, so you can check if it'll fit. And our AR technology is the perfect way to visualise the sofa in your room.

However, if you have any questions or would like a little one-on-one advice regarding the best sofa style for your space, you're always welcome to hit us up. Either message us on WhatsApp or send an email to customersupport@sofaclub.co.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as can.

We are Sofa Club and we're here to help solve your small space conundrum.

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