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Big, squishy sofas are in.
Our love affair with sleek and spindly mid-century sofas is dwindling. Big, squishy sofas are in, and the generous U-shaped sofa is the biggest of them all. You can sit, lounge, lie down, cuddle up and welcome as many guests as you like onto a U-shape, and in our increasingly multipurpose homes, they can be used for seating, entertaining and zoning.
Occasionally called a double end chaise sofa (if you're shopping around, keep that in mind), the U-shape is a little harder to get hold of than a standard corner sofa or large three seater, and you are looking at a smaller pool of options. Saying that, there are some brilliant designs on the high street – from stalwarts like DFS and Ikea to smaller brands like Sofa Club – with a variety of shapes and finishes to suit most tastes.
The U-shape is truly the best sofa for a large family or for those who like to host because it simply cannot be beaten on size. It will always have three sides that face towards each another to better facilitate conversation, and unlike a chaise, you won't be fighting for the cocooning corner spot, because the U-shape will always have two.
Unless your U-shaped sofa is modular, it's likely that it will be delivered in one or two units, so do measure entranceways and staircases to make sure your sofa will fit upon delivery.
There are also very few U-shaped sofas that will allow for a coffee table to be positioned in between each of its chaise ends, so you usually cannot have one within reaching distance. It is usually more practical to have a side table nearby, or consider buying a U-shaped sofa with a matching ottoman (see the Gather U-shaped sofa at DFS below), that can double as a coffee table in a pinch.
This XL model looks its best in the centre of a room with plenty of space to manoeuvre around it, or with its back against your longest wall. An XL rug can be used underneath your U-shaped sofa to further delineate your seating area.
In smaller flats with a combined kitchen and living room, the U-shaped sofa can act as both a physical and visual divider to separate the two functions. A low console table is often placed against the back of the sofa, to hold a table lamp and some accessories.
Below, we've scoured some of our favourite sofa brands and retailers to find the best U-shaped sofas to suit all tastes and budgets...
This stylish U-shaped sofa was recently added to the bestselling Ada collection at DFS, which is popular for its contemporary and unfussy silhouette and seriously squishy seats. This design is available in three sizes (the largest is a generous 354cm in length) and comes in 20 different colours and finishes.
Some U-shaped sofas really lean into their boxiness and here, the back and cushions all follow suit. A low profile like this will always look relaxed and casual in situ, and this Wayfair model has a slight corduroy effect to its upholstery that gives it a tactile quality.
A compact U-shaped lounger, this Emilia sofa would work a treat for smaller living rooms. There's no need to compromise on features either, as this one comes with sprung seats and squishy cushions, soft hopsack chenille for a tactile touch, and small details like dark wood feet and curved, cushioned arms for the perfect finishing touch.
This is a good example of a U-shaped sofa that might be labelled as a double end chaise in store or online. It is a nice mix between the elegant shape of the midcentury designs we have all loved for so long, and the generous proportions of the U-shape that we're increasingly favouring. Plus, this clever design reclines into a sofa bed for guests.
The Sofa Club offering is always contemporary, luxurious and considered, with a calming and neutral colour palette. The Edie is no different, with the added bonus of having a totally distinct shape, and a premium textured chenille upholstery in classic cream.
We don't know if it's the perfectly chopped cushions, the extra deep seats or the irresistibly plump chaise units, but this Lenox sofa from Rowen Homes looks like the perfect spot for some serious relaxation. If you're going to invest in something big, why not make it seriously oversized?
This is a great example of what you can do with a U-shaped sofa and matching ottoman. The extra piece fits snug next to your sofa creating a squared shape for some serious lounging, heaps of extra seating and storage too. A must buy.
Thanks to its slim metal legs, sleek cushions and low arms, this contemporary faux leather sofa looks sophisticated and lightweight despite its generous size. Perfect for homes that favour a pared-back, industrial design scheme.
You can always rely on Ikea to offer something contemporary, fuss-free and convenient. This versatile U-shaped sofa has a number of really attractive design features – its chaise longue module contains some handy hidden storage, its innovative corduroy fabric is super resilient and easy to clean, and it can be extended with extra modules to make it as large as you wish.
An extra large, contemporary U-shape with deep, bouncy seats and chunky arms. The clever thing about this modular design is that it will be delivered in boxes to fit through any door or narrow hallway. Like all Snug sofas, it is upholstered in a spill resistant fabric too.
The modular Kruze collection really gives you control over the configuration of your sofa, and you can make your U-shape as compact or as large as you wish. If you're not a fan of pink, this modular piece comes in a vast selection of colourful velvet options.
Perfect for urban gardens, this generous outdoor set has space for up to eight people and includes a fire pit table for a ready-made garden party. It's finished with water-resistant cushions and powder coated aluminium to guarantee protection from water, rust and sun exposure.
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