25 of the best corner sofas & why you should buy one this year (2024)

Corner sofas are a staple of urban living, and a deceptively useful piece of furniture for small and large spaces alike. And as our homes become increasingly multipurpose, with kitchens and living rooms or home offices often wrestling for space in a single room, corner sofas have adopted a clever hybrid role for both seating and zoning.

The benefits of a corner sofa

Whilst the footprint of a corner sofa is large, and indeed larger than a standard two or three-seater sofa, it will in fact save you space. Where a standard two-seater is usually arranged next to a side table or floor lamp, perhaps with a second sofa placed perpendicularly or with a matching armchair nearby, the natural gaps between pieces rob you of floor space. A corner sofa by contrast will provide more seating in a compact area, allowing you to maximise the space available to you.

What to consider before buying a corner sofa

There can be some confusion over a left or right-hand facing corner sofa, but the term only applies here if one side of your corner sofa is longer than the other. A left-hand facing corner sofa means its left side as you look at it is longer, and vice-versa. Unless your corner sofa is modular, it's likely that it will be delivered as a single unit, rather than in two parts, so do measure entranceways and staircases to make sure your sofa will fit.

There are several different types of corner sofa to consider based on your budget and the space available to you:

1. L-shaped corner sofa

An L-shaped corner sofa is the standard – this resembles two sofas meeting at a 90-degree angle, rather than a standard two-piece suite with an added chaise. These are brilliant for small families, and can fit neatly in the corner of even the tiniest of rooms.

2. U-shaped corner sofa

U-shaped corner sofas are having a bit of a moment – post-covid, home layouts are increasingly geared towards entertaining and U-shaped sofas offer generous proportions to sit plenty of guests next to and across from one another.

3. Corner sofa bed

The ultimate in multifunctional furniture. If you don’t have a spare bedroom, corner sofa beds are a super practical option. Even smaller corner sofas can usually offer a deceptively large pull-out bed.

How to arrange a corner sofa

Corner sofas come into their own in small living rooms where floor space is at a premium, but they don’t need to be reserved for compact spaces.

A corner sofa placed in the centre of a large living room is one of the best ways to zone your space, creating a natural walkway, as well as a central point for a coffee table. An XL rug can be used underneath your corner sofa to further delineate your seating area.

In smaller flats with a combined kitchen and living room, a corner sofa can act as both a physical and visual break to separate a space with two functions. A low console table is often placed against the back of the corner sofa, in this instance to hold a table lamp and some accessories. In studio apartments you’ll occasionally see a small dining table placed against the back of a corner sofa.

How to style a corner sofa

There may be a temptation to arrange cushions and throws symmetrically on a corner sofa, but this can look a bit overly-done. A more relaxed approach – and one that you will see a lot in our list below – is to concentrate the majority of your cushions in the centre of your corner sofa where the two sides meet, and drape a throw over one arm. Because of their ample proportions, corner sofas do invite lounging, so piling on a lot of cushions and throws only adds to the effect.

If you use a rug, always make sure it sits under the feet of your sofa and any adjacent coffee or side tables – you want to avoid the floating rug look that creates a visually disjointed space.

Below, we've scoured some of our favourite sofa brands and retailers, from John Lewis & Partners to DFS, to find the best corner sofas to suit all tastes and budgets...

We love a classic velvet sofa, especially in a sophisticated mauve. This Darcy sofa from the House Beautiful collection at DFS is generously proportioned, with a modern silhouette and a subtle flash of brass in the legs.

This John Lewis corner sofa has all the markers of a classic mid-century piece – the slim legs, low-set arms, and curved silhouette. The references make it a great fit for retro colours, like a saturated orange and deep forest green.

The classic shapes and details of the Darwin sofa from Dunelm makes it a widely appealing option to suit most design tastes. It is available in a country-inspired textured weave, a modern and iridescent velvet, or a breezy cotton blend.

A contemporary chenille corner sofa for bright and modern homes. This Brooklyn sofa from Dusk is modular, making it a great choice for apartments – and there is a matching pouf available too.

This velvet corner sofa from Swoon is an ode to the 70s in its low profile, flat arms, squidgy seats and warm biscuit colour. The range includes a loveseat and ottoman to create a matching set.

One for design lovers. A low profile always looks really relaxed and informal in a living room, and is especially useful in smaller spaces. This Anthropologie piece is particularly interesting for its monochromatic ikat upholstery which is inspired by old rugs.

Bold and moody in expression, if a little tricky to pull off, this near black corner sofa would work best in soft and warm living rooms with plenty of natural light.

Contemporary, comfortable and a shoo-in for Barbie's dream house. This blush pink Catalan sofa from Swoon has elegantly tapered angles and deep-filled back cushions to encourage relaxing.

This Tokyo sofa from John Lewis is a corner and modular sofa in one. It's available with a storage table in matching fabric that can be placed at the end of your configuration, or between two seat units for a handy spot to pop a cup of tea.

As well as the on-trend creamy chenille fabric on this Sofa Club corner sofa, it takes on a wonderful cocooning form with its rounded back and curved seat. A handy matching footstool is included in the price.

This fabulous outdoor corner sofa comes with a matching coffee table and side table for a ready-made garden party.

We love the handcrafted Ada corner sofa for its oversized silhouette and extra deep seats that encourage lounging, and a low profile that feels contemporary and unobtrusive despite its generous size.

From two seats to ten, left or right corner, with or without an ottoman, the Model 03 sofa from Swyft is the picture of versatility. Despite its light colour, it features some clever stain resistant threads making it both child and pet friendly.

The contemporary, boxy frame of this large modular corner sofa from Wayfair belies it's reasonable price tag. We love the pearlescent oyster fabric, and it's available within 4-5 weeks, which is super speedy for such a large piece.

You would never guess that this modern corner sofa from Dunelm transformed into a spacious sofa bed. At just £999, and available in three colours – navy blue, grey and a neutral cream – this is a must-buy for anyone who needs extra space for guests.

The Gaia corner sofa has been designed with architect and TV presenter George Clarke with the aim of being kinder to the planet – it has innovative Full Circle™ technology which means every part of the Gaia can be recycled or repurposed.

A compact lounger, this u-shaped corner sofa works a treat for smaller living rooms. There's no need to compromise on features either, as this one comes with sprung seats and squishy cushions, soft hopsack chenille for a tactile touch, and small details like dark wood feet and curved, cushioned arms for the perfect finishing touch.

A curved corner sofa does well in large rooms, where the number of seats is more of a priority than saving space. This fabulous design from Rose & Grey has a traditional Chesterfield design and plump velvet seats for a sink-in comfortable result.

This is an elegant choice for a neutral living room, and the kind of corner sofa that you can sink into. The lowered armrests that encourage lounging are a much-welcomed design feature.

Boucle fabrics work wonderfully on sofas because they are so soft to the touch. Boucles are most often seen in a pale and creamy colourway, but if you don't relish the idea of a light-coloured sofa, this DFS Lexia corner sofa comes in taupes, greys and green.