In modern cities, living space is becoming increasingly precious. With an average apartment size reduction of 15% over the last decade, interior design has become a real challenge. The living room, the heart of the home, must not sacrifice comfort for the sake of square footage. This is where the small corner sofa comes in. Long reserved for spacious living rooms, this iconic piece of furniture has reinvented itself to conquer studios and small urban spaces. More inviting than a simple two-seater and more structured than a bench, the corner sofa for small spaces has become the cornerstone of an optimized interior. Discover how to combine design, space saving, and ergonomics with our compact models designed specifically to maximize your living space.
Why choose a small corner sofa for your studio apartment?
The misconception that corners are only for large spaces is a persistent one. Yet, in a narrow room or studio apartment, a small corner sofa offers a much more advantageous layout than a pair of armchairs or a poorly positioned, classic straight sofa. It's all about maximizing floor space.
Optimizing wasted space
The main advantage of a compact corner sofa lies in its ability to utilize dead zones in your living room. A corner is often an underutilized space. By placing a left- or right-hand corner sofa there, you free up the center of the room, thus facilitating movement. Unlike an arrangement with a separate sofa and armchair that visually fragments the space, the "L" shape creates a cohesive and fluid whole.
More seating in a smaller space
Mathematically, a mini corner sofa offers a better seating-to-floor-foot ratio than a standard sofa . Even a short chaise longue can accommodate an extra person or provide a reclining position for relaxation, without requiring the length of a traditional 3- or 4-seater sofa. It's the ideal solution for entertaining friends in a small living room without having to bring out uncomfortable folding chairs.
Visual delimitation
In a studio apartment or open-plan living space, the return of the sofa acts as a low, virtual partition. It subtly separates the living area from the kitchen or sleeping area without blocking the light.
Increased conviviality
The corner arrangement naturally encourages conversation by allowing occupants to face each other, creating a cozy and intimate sofa atmosphere.
What dimensions are needed for a compact corner sofa?
Choosing furniture for a small space requires surgical precision. At Kings Canapé, we understand that every centimeter counts. But what exactly do we mean by "small size" in the world of furniture?
The quest for a corner sofa under 2m
The market standard for a corner sofa is often over 250 cm. To meet the needs of city dwellers, we have developed ranges of corner sofas under 2m (200 cm). These models are feats of design. They maintain a comfortable seat while reducing the thickness of the armrests, which are often responsible for unnecessary wasted space.
For a student studio or a small Parisian living room, it's crucial to aim for a width between 180 and 220 cm. This allows the furniture to be integrated without overwhelming the room. If you have a little more space, a model up to 240 cm will still be considered a reasonable size, far from the gigantic proportions of a panoramic sofa .
The myth of the corner sofa under 150 cm
We frequently receive requests for corner sofas under 150 cm. Let's be clear: this size is more like a wide armchair with an attached ottoman than a true sofa. Technically, to comfortably seat two people side by side, you need at least 120 cm of seat space, plus the armrests and corner return. However, thanks to our Modular Sofa concept, it's possible to create ultra-compact configurations, approaching these "XS" dimensions, by combining, for example, a chaise lounge and a corner unit—perfect for tiny spaces.
| Model type | Total Width | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| XS Corner Sofa | 160 - 190 cm | Studio < 20m², student room |
| Compact Corner Sofa | 200 - 230 cm | Urban lounge, T2 |
| Reduced standard | 230 - 250 cm | Large 2-bedroom apartment or small 3-bedroom apartment |
The importance of depth
Width isn't the only factor. In a small living room, the depth of the chaise longue (the return section) is critical. A small corner sofa should have a chaise longue that doesn't extend excessively beyond the living area, generally between 120 and 150 cm, so as not to obstruct access to a bay window or another room. For those who need to adjust this depth depending on the time of day, a sofa with a sliding mechanism can be an ingenious solution, allowing you to modulate the space it occupies.
Styles and decorating tips to visually enlarge the room
Incorporating a space-saving corner sofa isn't just a matter of measuring tape; it's also a question of visual perception. Certain stylistic choices can make a room feel cramped, while others will give it a more airy feel.
Lightness through design
To avoid a "blocky" effect in a small space, choose models with clean lines. Sofas with raised legs are particularly recommended: by revealing the floor beneath the sofa, they create an optical illusion and make the room appear larger. Opt for slim armrests rather than bulky frames.
Coatings and Colors
Light colors (beige, pearl gray, cream) reflect light and make a space feel larger. If you have pets in a small apartment, the fear of stains on light-colored fabrics is understandable. Fortunately, our durable fabric technologies combine a bright aesthetic with resistance to scratches and everyday mishaps.
If you want to add character without saturating the space, a small corner sofa in colorful velvet can become the centerpiece of a minimalist decor, attracting the eye without visually cluttering the rest of the room.
Modularity and Storage: The Superpowers of Small Formats
In a small living space, each piece of furniture should ideally fulfill several functions. Kings Canapé has integrated this requirement into the heart of its design.
The Modular Revolution for Difficult Access
One of the biggest obstacles for city dwellers is delivery. How do you get a corner sofa into a narrow stairwell or a small elevator? The answer is the Modular Corner Sofa . Delivered in separate, easy-to-handle packages, our models can be assembled directly in your living room. Furthermore, this modularity means your mini corner sofa can evolve. Moving to a larger place? Simply add a module to transform it, rather than having to buy a whole new piece of furniture.
Invisible Storage
Clutter is the number one enemy of small spaces. To compensate for a lack of closet space, opting for a modular corner sofa with storage is a winning strategy. The space under the chaise becomes an ideal storage area for blankets, winter cushions, or administrative documents, thus freeing up your shelves.
Bonus Features: Relaxation and Sleeping
Just because you opt for a compact corner sofa doesn't mean you have to sacrifice high-end features. Technological innovation now makes it possible to incorporate luxurious comfort into smaller formats.
Electrical relaxation in an XS format
Imagine being able to stretch your legs after a long day, even in a 15m² living room. It's possible with our range of electric reclining corner sofas . Thanks to the "zero wall" mechanism, the sofa can recline without requiring any space behind it, which is crucial when every centimeter counts and the furniture is placed against a wall.
Sleeping arrangements: Occasional or Daily?
Many of our compact models offer a convertible function. This is an undeniable advantage when accommodating a friend or family member who's visiting. A sofa with a temporary bed allows you to transform your living room into a guest room in seconds.
However, if you're specifically looking for a bed for everyday use (for example, for a studio apartment where the sofa is your main bed), we recommend checking out our page dedicated to small corner sofa beds . These models are specifically equipped with thicker mattresses and mechanisms designed for heavy use, while still maintaining compact dimensions.
Flexible Orientation
Are you hesitating between a right or left corner sofa ? Our modular systems often allow you to change the direction of the corner according to your needs.
Right-wing alternative
If the configuration of your room makes a corner impossible, a straight convertible sofa combined with a mobile pouf may be a relevant alternative.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Small Corner Sofa
What is the minimum size for a corner sofa?
For true comfort, the minimum width of a small corner sofa generally starts around 180 cm. Below that (150-160 cm), it would technically be considered a large chaise longue or a specific modular assembly such as a "love seat" with a return, which is nevertheless perfectly feasible with our modular solutions.
How to furnish a small living room with a corner sofa?
The golden rule is to avoid blocking the flow of traffic. Place the long side of the sofa against the longest wall and make sure the chaise longue doesn't obstruct the path to a window or door. Using a rug to define the seating area in front of the sofa helps structure the space without cluttering it.
Can you find corner sofas that are less than 2 meters long?
Absolutely. Kings Canapé offers several corner sofa models under 2m . These compact models are optimized by reducing the width of the armrests rather than that of the seat, thus guaranteeing the same comfort as a standard model while fitting into small spaces.
Is a small corner sofa disassemblable for transport?
Yes, that's one of our specialties. Our models, including the Modular Corner Sofa , are designed to be delivered in several packages. This allows them to pass through spiral staircases or narrow doorways typical of small urban apartments without any difficulty.
Conclusion: Great comfort in a compact format
Investing in a small corner sofa is the most strategic decision for anyone wanting to reconcile limited space with the need for comfort. Far from being a default compromise, the compact corner sofa is a stylish solution that structures your interior, fosters conviviality, and offers exceptional versatility. Whether you're looking for a model with storage to optimize your space ( see our models here ) or a modular seat that can adapt to future moves, Kings Canapé has designed the perfect solution. Don't let the size of your living room dictate your well-being any longer: embrace the corner sofa that will change your perspective on small spaces.