Corner Sofa: What to Look For and How to Choose the Right One

A corner sofa, a type of sectional furniture designed to fit snugly into a room’s corner, maximizing space and seating. Also known as a sectional sofa, it’s one of the most practical pieces for modern living rooms, especially in smaller UK homes where every inch counts. But not all corner sofas are built the same. Some sag after six months. Others creak when you sit down. And too many look great in the store but fall apart in your living room. The difference? Construction.

What makes a corner sofa worth the money? Start with the frame, the hidden skeleton that holds everything together. Hardwood frames, like kiln-dried oak or beech, are the gold standard. Avoid particleboard or softwood—they warp, crack, and collapse under weight. Then check the springs, the system that gives the seat its bounce and support. Sinuous springs or eight-way hand-tied springs are durable. If it feels flimsy when you press down, walk away. Cushion fill matters too. High-density foam with a feather wrap offers both shape retention and comfort. Cheap foam turns to mush in a year.

Don’t forget the fabric. A corner sofa gets used daily—kids jump on it, pets curl up on it, guests spill coffee on it. Look for tightly woven fabrics like performance microfiber or blended cotton. Avoid loose weaves or shiny synthetics that pill and snag. And always check the warranty. A good brand stands behind their work. If they don’t offer at least a five-year frame warranty, they don’t believe in it either.

Size and layout are just as important. Measure your space before you buy. A corner sofa that’s too big will block a doorway. Too small, and it looks lost. Think about how you use the space. Do you need a chaise on the left or right? Should it face the TV or the window? The best corner sofas are built to fit your life, not just your room.

You’ll find real-world tests for couches, tips on cushion fill, and breakdowns of what makes a sofa last in the collection below. No fluff. Just what works—and what doesn’t—based on actual use, not marketing claims.