If you have been looking at corner sofas, you will have seen three phrases used almost interchangeably: left hand facing, right hand facing, and universal. Getting them wrong is one of the easiest mistakes to make when buying a corner sofa, and one of the most annoying to discover on delivery day. Here is what they mean, and why a universal corner takes the guesswork out.
Left hand facing or right hand facing?
The rule is simple once you know it: stand in front of the sofa and look at it. If the corner, or the longer chaise end, is on your left, it is left hand facing. If it is on your right, it is right hand facing.
The trouble is that plenty of people picture it the other way, as if they were sitting on the sofa looking out into the room. That flips everything. It is an easy mix-up, and on a fixed corner sofa it can mean a sofa that simply does not suit the room.
What a universal corner is
A universal corner, sometimes called a reversible corner, is built so the corner section can go on either side. It is one sofa that works for both layouts, so you do not have to decide between left and right when you order.
That matters more than it sounds. The side your corner needs to be on depends on where the door is, where the window is, and which wall the TV goes on, and it is easy to be sure of that in your head and then find it looks different once the sofa is in the room.
Why it is worth having
- No wrong side. The most common corner sofa mistake is taken off the table.
- It suits the room you have now. Whichever side your long wall falls on, the same sofa works.
- It is easier to live with if things change. If you rearrange or move house, a universal design gives you options a fixed corner does not. Whether a particular model can be swapped over after it has been put together varies, so if that matters to you, ask us about the one you like before you order.
How to measure for a corner sofa
A corner sofa has two lengths. On our product pages, Length 1 is the long side and Length 2 is the shorter return, alongside the depth and height where we have them. Measure both walls the sofa will sit against, and leave room to walk past the end.
Our size finder checks a corner sofa both ways round, so it will show you a universal corner that fits whichever side your corner needs to go.
Corner sofa beds
Many of our universal corners also fold out into a bed, which makes them a good fit for a living room that doubles as a guest room. We list the sleeping area on the product page, so you can check it before you buy. A few examples:
- Palermo Universal Corner Sofabed: sleeping area 199 x 120 cm
- Capri Sofabed Universal Corner: sleeping area 200 x 125 cm
- Hudson Sofabed Universal Corner: sleeping area 198 x 123 cm
If you are choosing a sofa bed, allow space in front of it for the bed to open out, not just for the sofa itself.
What they cost
Most of our universal corner sofas sit between around £900 and £1,500. Every one comes with free delivery to the room of your choice on orders of £499 or more, usually within a week, and a 12 month guarantee.
See all our corner sofas, or send us your room measurements on WhatsApp on 07418 613890 and we will help you pick.
Quick answers
Is a reversible corner the same as a universal corner?
Shops use the words a little differently, but both describe a corner sofa where the corner can go on either side. On our site they are listed as universal corners, and the product title says so.
Which side is left hand facing?
Stand in front of the sofa, facing it. If the corner is on your left, it is left hand facing.
Can I change the side later?
It depends on the model. Message us on WhatsApp on 07418 613890 with the sofa you are looking at and we will tell you.
Owen and Will, Sofa Renewals
Questions people ask
What does "right hand facing corner sofa" mean?
To find out if your sofa is right hand facing, stand in front of it and look directly at it. If the corner or the longer chaise end is on your right side, it means the sofa is right hand facing.
Do I really need to get left or right handed sofa?
You do not have to choose a specific left or right handed design if you opt for a universal corner sofa. These models are built so the corner section can go on either side of your room. This gives you helpful options if you ever rearrange your room or move house.
What side is a left-hand corner sofa on?
When you stand in front of the sofa and look directly at it, the corner or longer chaise end will be on your left. Many people mistakenly picture it from the perspective of sitting on the sofa, which flips everything.
How to know if a couch is left or right facing?
The rule for checking your sofa orientation is simple once you learn it. Stand in front of your sofa and look directly at it to see which side the longer chaise end falls on. If the corner is on your left, it is left hand facing, and if it is on your right, it is right hand facing.