Sofa Types Explained: Chaise, Chesterfield, Sectional and More

Shopping for a sofa is significantly easier once you know what every type is actually called — and what makes each one different. This guide defines every major sofa type clearly, explains the differences between similar terms, and helps you identify which type suits your home.

What Is the Difference Between a Sofa and a Couch?

A sofa and a couch are the same thing — the terms are used interchangeably in the UK and refer to an upholstered seat designed for more than one person. Historically, a "couch" was a narrower, more reclined piece without a back on one end, while a "sofa" had full back support — but this distinction has completely disappeared in everyday usage. Both words describe the same piece of furniture.

Settee is another term used interchangeably with sofa and couch — particularly in the north of England. Again, there is no meaningful difference in what the word refers to today.

What Is a Corner Sofa?

A corner sofa — also called an L-shaped sofa — is a sofa configuration where two sections meet at a right angle, forming an L-shape. One section runs along one wall; the other (the return or chaise) runs along an adjacent wall.

Corner sofas are one of the most popular sofa types in the UK because they maximise seating in a single piece, define the living room layout naturally, and work well in both small rooms and large open-plan spaces.

They come in left-hand facing (LHF) and right-hand facing (RHF) configurations — the orientation is determined by standing in front of the sofa and noting which side the chaise extends to. For a full explanation of left and right hand orientations, read our guide to left-hand vs right-hand corner sofas.

Browse full corner sofa collection to explore the range — including grey corner sofas, beige corner sofas, cream corner sofas, and black corner sofas.

What Is a Left-Hand Corner Sofa?

A left-hand corner sofa — or left-hand facing (LHF) corner sofa — is one where the chaise or return section extends to the left when you stand in front of the sofa facing it. Browse corner sofa range to find both left and right hand configurations across all styles and colours.

What Is a Right-Hand Corner Sofa?

A right-hand corner sofa — or right-hand facing (RHF) corner sofa — is one where the chaise or return section extends to the right when you stand in front of the sofa facing it. If you're unsure which orientation your room needs, our guide to how to choose the right corner sofa walks through every consideration.

What Is a Chaise Sofa?

A chaise sofa — short for chaise longue — is a sofa with one end extended into a longer lounging section, allowing you to stretch out fully. Unlike a standard corner sofa where the return section has its own back rest, a chaise typically has no arm or back at the extended end — it's purely a lounging platform.

Chaise sofas are a popular choice for smaller living rooms where a full corner sofa would be too large — they provide the lounging function of a corner sofa in a more compact footprint.

What Is a Sectional Sofa?

A sectional sofa — more commonly called a modular sofa in the UK — is a sofa made up of individual sections that can be arranged in different configurations. Unlike a standard sofa or corner sofa, a sectional can typically be reconfigured into different shapes — straight, L-shape, U-shape, or curved — depending on how the pieces are arranged.

Most corner sofas are delivered as separate sections and assembled on site by our 2-man delivery team, which means they share the practical delivery benefits of a sectional design.

What Is a Modular Sofa?

A modular sofa is a sofa built from individual self-contained units — seats, corners, armless sections, ottomans, and end pieces — that connect together to form a larger configuration. The key feature of a modular sofa is flexibility: the sections can be rearranged, added to, or reduced as your needs change.

Modular sofas are particularly popular in open-plan living spaces where the layout may change, and in households that move frequently — individual sections are much easier to move through hallways and staircases than a single large sofa frame. For guidance on getting sections through your home, read how corner sofas are delivered.

What Is a U-Shaped Sofa?

A U-shaped sofa is a large sofa configuration that wraps around on three sides, forming a U-shape. It consists of a central sofa section with two return sections extending outward on both sides, creating a generous seating area that faces inward.

U-shaped sofas are best suited to large living rooms and open-plan spaces — they typically start at around 280cm x 200cm and can reach 350cm x 250cm or beyond. Browse U-shaped sofas to see the full range of sizes and configurations.

What Is a Chesterfield Sofa?

A Chesterfield sofa is a classic sofa style characterised by its deeply buttoned upholstery, rolled arms that are the same height as the back, and distinctive tufted leather or fabric finish. It originated in 18th century England and remains one of the most recognisable sofa silhouettes in the world.

Are Chesterfield Sofas Comfortable?

Yes — modern Chesterfield sofas are comfortable for everyday use, though they tend to have a firmer feel than contemporary sofas due to their structured frame and traditional construction. The rolled arms at seat height mean less lateral support for leaning, which some people find less comfortable for extended lounging compared to a sofa with higher, padded arms.

What Is a Sofa Bed?

A sofa bed is a sofa that converts into a bed — either by unfolding a mattress from within the sofa frame, or by folding the back flat. They are a practical solution for homes that need to accommodate overnight guests without a dedicated spare room.

Sofa beds vary significantly in quality — the most important factor is the mattress type and thickness, which determines sleep comfort. Browse sofa bed collection to explore options in a range of sizes and fabrics.

Are Sofa Beds Comfortable?

Comfort varies by type. Sofa beds with a pocket sprung or memory foam mattress are significantly more comfortable than those with a simple fold-out foam mattress. As a rule, the thicker the mattress, the more comfortable the sleep — look for a mattress depth of at least 10–12cm for regular guest use.

What Is a Clic Clac Sofa Bed?

A clic clac sofa bed — also spelled click clack — is a type of sofa bed where the back reclines in two stages to create a flat sleeping surface. The name comes from the clicking sound made when the back mechanism locks into position.

What Is the Difference Between a Clic Clac and a Standard Sofa Bed?

A standard sofa bed has a fold-out mattress stored within the sofa frame — you lift the seat and unfold a separate mattress. A clic clac works differently: the back of the sofa clicks backward to recline to a flat position, with the seat and back forming the sleeping surface. Clic clac sofa beds are typically more compact and simpler in mechanism, making them a good choice for smaller rooms.

What Is a Split Sofa?

A split sofa — sometimes called a split-back sofa — is a sofa where the back is divided into separate reclining sections, each of which can be adjusted independently. This allows different people sitting on the same sofa to recline at different angles simultaneously.

What Is a 4-Seater Split Sofa?

A 4-seater split sofa is a sofa with four seats and a split-back mechanism — each back section can be adjusted independently, giving everyone on the sofa individual control over their recline angle. These are popular for media rooms and dedicated TV spaces where individual comfort is a priority.

What Is a Recliner Sofa?

A recliner sofa has one or more seats with a mechanism that allows the back to recline and a footrest to extend simultaneously — either manually via a lever, or electrically via a button. Recliner sofas prioritise comfort for watching TV or relaxing, and are available in both fixed and corner configurations. Browse recliner sofas for the full range.

What Is a High-Back Sofa?

A high-back sofa has a taller back than a standard sofa — typically 90cm or above from the floor to the top of the back. High-back sofas provide better head and neck support, making them a popular choice for people who sit upright rather than lounging. They also tend to feel more substantial and generous in a room. Explore high-back sofas to see the range.

What Is a Scatterback Sofa?

A scatterback sofa is one where the back support comes entirely from loose scatter cushions rather than a fixed upholstered back panel. There is no structural back — instead, a row of cushions is arranged along the back of the sofa to provide support. Scatterback sofas offer a relaxed, informal look and allow you to style the cushion arrangement to suit your taste. Browse scatterback sofas for styling inspiration.

Sofa Types at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a sofa and a couch?

There is no meaningful difference — sofa, couch, and settee are interchangeable terms for the same piece of upholstered furniture designed for more than one person.

What is a modular sofa?

A modular sofa is built from individual self-contained sections — seats, corners, ottomans, and end pieces — that connect together and can be rearranged into different configurations as needed.

What is a chesterfield sofa?

A Chesterfield is a classic sofa style with deeply buttoned upholstery, rolled arms at the same height as the back, and a structured, formal silhouette. It originated in 18th century England and is one of the most recognisable sofa designs in the world.

Are chesterfield sofas comfortable?

Yes, modern Chesterfields are comfortable for everyday use, though they tend to feel firmer than contemporary sofas. The rolled arms at seat height provide less lateral support than higher padded arms, which some people find less suited to extended lounging.

What is a clic clac sofa bed?

A clic clac sofa bed is a sofa that converts into a bed by reclining the back in two stages to form a flat sleeping surface. The mechanism clicks into place — hence the name. It's simpler and more compact than a standard fold-out sofa bed.

Are sofa beds comfortable?

Comfort depends on the mattress type and depth. Pocket sprung and memory foam sofa bed mattresses are significantly more comfortable than basic foam options — look for a mattress depth of at least 10–12cm for regular guest use.

What is a left-hand corner sofa?

A left-hand corner sofa has the chaise or return section extending to the left when you stand in front of the sofa facing it. This is the standard UK furniture industry convention for describing corner sofa orientation.

What is a split sofa?

A split sofa has a divided back where each section can be reclined independently, giving different people on the same sofa individual control over their recline angle.

Find Your Perfect Sofa at Airedale Living

Now you know exactly what every sofa type is called, you can shop with confidence. Browse full corner sofa collection — including large corner sofas and U-shaped sofas — or explore sofa beds and armchairs to complete your living room.

Not sure which size corner sofa works for your room? Read how big is a corner sofa for a full breakdown by configuration and room size. Ready to buy but want to understand what to expect on delivery day? Read how corner sofas are delivered — every sofa is delivered by a 2-man team and assembled in your room.

Already chosen your sofa type and thinking about colour? Read what colours go with a grey sofa or what colours go with brown, beige, teal and other sofa colours for complete room styling guidance.