Sofa Chaise Side: How to Pick Left or Right for Your Room

What left-arm and right-arm facing means

When you stand in front of a sectional and face it, the chaise sits on one side of the long seat section. If the chaise is on your left, the sofa is called left-arm facing, often shortened to LAF. If it is on your right, it is right-arm facing, or RAF. The name comes from the arm that is closest to you when you look at the sofa: the chaise replaces the regular seat and arm on that side.

Some manufacturers state the chaise side in the product name, others list it in the dimension chart. For a fixed sectional the chaise side is locked at the factory. For a modular sofa you can usually move the chaise module to the other side, which makes the orientation decision far less permanent.

Start with your main sitting position

Decide where the main user will sit and what they will face before you pick a side. In most living rooms the focal point is a television, a window or a fireplace. If the screen is mounted on the wall to your left as you enter, you will want the long seat facing it directly, which often means the chaise goes on the right. Sit in the spot you will use most, face the focal point, then check which side the chaise falls on.

You can sketch the room on paper or mark the footprint with masking tape on the floor. If you are unsure about the distances, follow the step-by-step layout method in measuring a room for a sofa before you place the order.

Map the traffic flow

The most common reason people regret a chaise side is that the chaise blocks a path. The chaise extends further into the room than the seat cushions, so it takes up floor space and can become an obstacle. Walk the route from the entry, the kitchen or the hallway to the seating area, and make sure the open end of the chaise points away from that route.

Watch for these signs of a poor orientation:

• The chaise sits directly in the line from the doorway to the seats
• The open end points at a high-traffic zone such as a kitchen pass-through
• You cannot easily reach the vacuum or clean behind the chaise

Match the chaise to the room shape

Rectangular rooms usually work best with the long seat along the longer wall and the chaise turning into the shorter dimension. That places the chaise tight against the side wall with the open end facing into the room. Square rooms give you more freedom, but the chaise should still fill a corner rather than sit at the middle of a wall.

If you see any of the signs above, try the opposite chaise side in your sketch. For a tighter room, a 90 to 109 inch sofa with a shorter chaise may keep the path clear while still giving you the lounging position you want.

In an open plan room the chaise can double as a room divider. Position it so the back of the chaise creates a visual separation between the seating zone and the dining or entry area. See sofas for open plan living for layouts that use the chaise as a partition.

Fill the corner that makes sense

The chaise side decides which corner of the room the sectional occupies. To hug a left-hand corner, choose a left-arm-facing piece so the chaise meets the corner wall and the long seat runs along the adjacent wall. For a right-hand corner, choose the right-arm-facing version.

Look at the corner from across the room and check that the chaise tucks cleanly into it. A gap between the chaise and the wall collects dust and makes the layout look unfinished. If you are comparing modular options, the corner module configurations article explains how the sections connect and where the seam will fall.

Think about delivery before you commit

The chaise side also affects how easy the sofa is to move in. Sectionals ship in pieces, but the chaise module is usually the largest single section. Check whether you can angle it through the door, hallway and stair landing. If one side of the room is far from the entry, the orientation that gives the movers more turning room is often the better choice.

This matters most in apartments, basement rec rooms and narrow hallways. Measure the doorways and the stair landing, and compare them with the dimensions of the chaise module before you order. A few minutes with a tape measure can save you from a delivery-day surprise.

Safety and emissions standards to check

Chaise side does not change the safety standards a sofa must meet, but those standards still matter when you buy. In the United States, upholstered furniture must comply with the flammability requirements of 16 C.F.R. part 1640, which tests cover fabrics, filling materials, barrier materials and decking for smolder resistance. Look for a permanent label that states the sofa complies with the U.S. CPSC requirements.

Many sofa frames use composite wood products such as particleboard or medium-density fiberboard. The EPA requires these panels to be labeled as TSCA Title VI compliant, which sets limits on formaldehyde emissions. If you are sensitive to odors, ask the seller what the frame is made of and prefer plywood frames when you can.

What to pick for your chaise side

Questions

What does left-arm facing mean?

When you stand in front of the sofa and face it, if the chaise is on your left, the sofa is left-arm facing. The chaise replaces the seat and arm on that side, so the main row of seats shifts to the right.

Can I switch a chaise from left to right later?

Only if the sofa is modular with a movable chaise module. Fixed sectionals have the chaise side built in, so measure your room, map the traffic, and confirm the side before you order.

Does the chaise side reduce the number of seats?

Yes. The chaise replaces one seat section, so count the upright seats you need before choosing. If you regularly host more than a few people, consider a sectional with a shorter chaise or a loveseat on the other side.

Which chaise side is best for a corner?

The side that lets the chaise tuck into the corner with the open end facing the room. For a left-hand corner choose left-arm facing; for a right-hand corner choose right-arm facing.

How do I pick a side in an open plan room?

Use the chaise as a room divider. Place its back toward the dining or entry area and the open end toward the seating zone, and keep the walking path clear.