Chaise Settee Buying Guide: How to Pick the Perfect Lounging Sofa

Discover why a chaise settee is the ultimate blend of daytime comfort and evening lounging, and learn how to choose the right fit for your home.

A chaise settee is a versatile sofa featuring an extended cushion on one side, designed specifically to allow you to stretch out and put your feet up without needing a separate footstool. Unlike a traditional three-piece suite, it combines the sociable seating of a standard settee with the pure indulgence of a daybed, making it a firm favourite in modern British living rooms.

Whether you are curling up with a cup of tea, settling in for a movie marathon, or accommodating extra guests on a Saturday evening, a chaise settee delivers functional luxury. Because the lounging section is built straight into the main frame, it occupies a much tidier footprint than pairing an armchair with a bulky ottoman, saving valuable floor space while transforming how you relax.

What makes a chaise settee the ultimate living room sofa?

In British homes where space is often at a premium, furniture needs to work twice as hard. Traditional corner sofas can sometimes dominate an entire room, boxing off natural walkways and blocking light from low-slung windows. A chaise settee strikes the perfect balance by offering an open, airy silhouette on one side, giving you the lounging room of a corner group without closing in your interior design.

Beyond space efficiency, the practical everyday benefits are unmatched:

Dedicated relaxation zone: No more fighting over who gets the footstool. The extended chaise gives one person plenty of space to lie flat while leaving two or three full upright seats free for the rest of the family.
Smarter room zoning: In modern open-plan kitchen-diners, placing a settee with a chaise section perpendicular to the wall effortlessly defines the living area from the dining space without needing physical partition walls.
Hidden storage options: Many modern designs feature lift-up storage compartments beneath the chaise cushion, providing the ideal hiding spot for spare duvets, winter blankets, or board games.

Popular models such as the Genoa Fabric Corner Chaise and the Camden Reversible Chaise showcase how seamlessly this design adapts to modern family dynamics, providing a welcoming focal point that encourages everyone to unwind.

Left hand vs right hand chaise: getting your layout right

One of the most critical decisions when ordering your new sofa is deciding which side the chaise should sit on. Getting this wrong can disrupt the flow of your room or block a radiator or doorway.

To identify the orientation correctly, always stand directly in front of the sofa facing it:

Right-hand facing (RHF): The extended chaise section is on your right-hand side as you look directly at the front of the sofa.
Left-hand facing (LHF): The extended chaise section is on your left-hand side as you look directly at the front of the sofa.

Before you buy, measure your room carefully. Take painter's masking tape and map out the exact dimensions across your carpet or laminate flooring. Ensure the chaise section does not extend into primary walking routes between doors, and check that opening patio doors or coffee table drawers will not collide with the cushions. If you rent or like to rearrange your furniture regularly, look out for reversible designs, where the chaise cushion and footstool base can be swapped between sides in minutes.

Choosing fabrics and styling your space

Your sofa has to survive daily wear, occasional spills, and years of regular use. Choosing the right upholstery ensures your investment stays fresh for years to come:

Textured woven fabrics: Durable, hard-wearing, and breathable. Woven greys, oats, and charcoal tones hide minor scuffs and marks brilliantly, making them ideal for busy households with young children or energetic pets.
Plush velvets: For instant glamour and deep colour saturation, velvet finishes in jewel tones like emerald green, midnight blue, or mustard yellow add luxury to both period and new-build homes.
Cleanable performance microfibres: These modern synthetic weaves resist staining and moisture, allowing you to wipe away accidental spills with a damp microfibre cloth before they soak in.

Pair your seating with low-profile side tables that sit close to the arms, keeping drinks safely within arm's reach without overcrowding the open chaise area.

Affordable ways to refresh your home

Upgrading your living room furniture should be an exciting milestone, not a source of financial stress. If a poor credit history or unexpected household bills have held you back in the past, traditional high-street finance options can feel frustratingly out of reach.

With flexible shopping options like a monthly payment plan, you can spread the cost of high-quality furniture with simple 0% APR instalments and no credit checks. This sensible approach lets you bring home a comfortable, durable sofa right away while keeping your monthly household budget completely intact.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I need a left-hand or right-hand chaise?

Always check the orientation by standing directly in front of the sofa looking at it. If you want the foot-lounging cushion on your right, you need a right-hand facing model; if you want it on your left, choose a left-hand facing option.

Can a chaise settee fit into a compact UK living room?

Yes, compact two-seater and three-seater chaise models are specially designed for snug spaces. Because they eliminate the need for a separate armchair and footstool, they actually open up usable floor space in smaller lounges.

Can the chaise section be swapped from side to side?

Only if the product is explicitly listed as a 'reversible chaise'. Standard fixed models are built with a rigid internal timber frame on either the left or right side and cannot be altered after delivery.

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