U Shaped Corner Sofas

About this U-shaped corner sofa collection

This collection groups together seven U-shaped corner sofas from three ranges: Carnaby, Sloane and Bishop. Between them they cover three upholstery finishes – fabric, velvet and Alaska Fabric – and colours including grey, silver, black, mink and coal. Four of the seven are currently in stock, so it is worth sorting the grid by availability to see what you can order today.

The collection sits within our wider corner-sofa range. If a full wrap-around shape is more than your room needs, it is worth comparing these against single-return designs in our corner sofas range before you decide.

The size and footprint of a U-shaped sofa

A U-shaped sofa is a wrap-around design with two projecting sides, so it uses more floor area than a two or three seater and needs planning on both sides, not just the front. Exact widths and depths are not confirmed in the current data, so we would not describe any model here as compact without verified dimensions – check each product's full footprint against your room before ordering.

It helps to separate two ideas that often get bundled together: the overall footprint and the seat depth. A sofa can have a relatively modest width yet still project a long way into the room on both sides, which is what makes measuring the full shape so important. If your priority is genuinely tight floor space, a single-return design may suit you better, so it is worth comparing these against our small corner sofas range too.

U-shape versus L-shape corner sofas

A U-shaped sofa wraps around three sides of a space with two projecting sides plus a central run, and seats more people facing inward, which suits sociable households and open-plan rooms; the trade-off is a larger floor footprint that needs space on both sides. An L-shaped corner sofa has a single return off a main run and tucks into one corner, using less floor area and usually leaving one main walkway to plan. Neither is better in the abstract – a U-shape is best in open or larger rooms and for entertaining, while an L-shape is more flexible in a compact lounge or a second room. With either, verify the full footprint (the return length for an L-shape, both projecting sides for a U-shape) before ordering.

To weigh the full U-shape range against other layouts, browse our main U shape sofas collection.

How to measure for a U-shaped sofa

Because exact dimensions are not confirmed in the current data for these sofas, measuring your room first is the single most useful thing you can do. Mark the intended footprint on the floor with tape so you can see how the shape sits and how much walking room is left.

Measure the full width and both projecting sides

Measure the overall width of the sofa, then the depth of each projecting side, then the total front-to-back depth. A U-shape has two sides that stick out, so both need clearance, not just the front. Also measure the height if the sofa must sit under a window or low shelf.

Check the central opening and walking space

Leave enough room in the central opening for a coffee table plus comfortable leg room, and around 40–60cm of clear walkway on the sides you need to pass. The ends of the projecting sides are where a room most often feels crowded, so check those routes carefully.

Do not forget the fixed features in the room. Measure how the sofa will sit relative to radiators, skirting boards, window sills, alcoves and door swings, since any of these can shorten the usable space in a way a bare floor measurement will not reveal. If the sofa needs to sit under a window, check the back height against the sill so the top of the sofa does not block the glass or the curtains.

For a step-by-step method and a printable checklist, see our room measuring guide before you finalise your choice.

Access and delivery planning

U-shaped sofas are large items, and whether the sections detach for delivery is not confirmed in the current product data, so access deserves real attention. Measure the width and height of every doorway, hallway, stairwell and tight turn the sofa must pass through, plus lift dimensions if you are above ground level.

It is also worth clearing the route in advance and protecting anything vulnerable along the way. Move loose furniture out of the hallway, lift rugs that could bunch underfoot, and take down anything hanging in a tight stairwell. A clear path makes the delivery quicker and reduces the risk of marks to your walls or the sofa itself, particularly with a large wrap-around shape that needs turning through doorways.

Delivery to England and Wales is free and handled by our two-person team. Confirm the packaged dimensions and whether a specific sofa splits into sections before your delivery date; full details are on our delivery information page.

Materials: fabric, velvet and Alaska Fabric

This collection uses three upholstery terms taken directly from the product data, and we keep them distinct rather than flattening them into one category. Exact fibre composition and performance properties are not confirmed, so choose on appearance and the care routine you are happy to keep up.

Fabric (Carnaby)

The two Carnaby models are finished in fabric and are described as high-back designs that include a footstool. Fabric offers an everyday, softer surface that is easy to live with day to day.

Velvet (Sloane)

The three Sloane models are velvet, with a soft pile and a richer appearance that shows pressure marks and benefits from gentle brushing. All three are currently out of stock. For velvet designs that may be available now, see our velvet corner sofas range.

Alaska Fabric (Bishop)

The two Bishop models use the exact term “Alaska Fabric” (in coal and silver), both in stock. We keep this product-specific wording because the precise composition is not confirmed, and it should not be reclassified as velvet or as a generic fabric until the approved specification defines it.

In short: the Carnaby fabric (grey, silver) and Bishop Alaska Fabric (coal, silver) models are in stock, while the Sloane velvet models (black, grey, mink) are currently out of stock; confirm the exact composition and care on each product page.

High-back and footstool options

Four of the seven sofas are described as high-back designs: both Carnaby models and both Bishop models. A high back offers more support behind the head and shoulders, which some people prefer for longer sitting.

Carnaby models with a footstool

The Carnaby Grey and Carnaby Silver Fabric U Shape High Back Corner Sofas both include a footstool according to their product titles. This footstool inclusion applies only to the Carnaby models, not to the Sloane or Bishop sofas.

High-back designs across the range

If a supportive high back is your main priority regardless of shape, it is worth also comparing our wider high back sofas range alongside these U-shaped models.

Colour choices and styling

Across the collection you can choose from grey, silver, black, mink and coal. Grey and silver are versatile neutrals; coal and black give a deeper, dramatic look; and mink adds a soft, warm tone. Bear in mind the darker Sloane velvets are currently out of stock.

If grey is your preference, you can compare shades across shapes in our grey U shape sofas range.

For a bolder scheme, the darker tones make a strong statement, though the Sloane black velvet is currently out of stock.

When styling a U-shaped sofa, anchor it with a rug large enough to sit under the front feet, keep a coffee table central within the opening, and avoid crowding the projecting ends so the room still flows. In a smaller room, lighter colours and a single statement piece help the layout feel open rather than boxed in.

In an open-plan space, a U-shaped sofa can double as a gentle room divider, marking out the seating area without a wall. Face the opening towards the main focal point, whether that is a television, a fireplace or a window, and keep the back of the sofa tidy if it will be seen from the rest of the room. Layering a couple of textures – a woven throw over a velvet seat, for example – adds warmth without adding clutter.

In a smaller room, restraint tends to work best. Let the sofa be the main event, keep surrounding pieces low and simple, and choose a footstool or coffee table that can be moved aside easily so the central opening does not become a permanent obstacle.

Stock and delivery

At the time of writing, the two Carnaby fabric models and the two Bishop Alaska Fabric models are in stock, while all three Sloane velvet models – black, grey and mink – are out of stock. Stock changes, so treat the live product pages as authoritative and use the “notify me when back in stock” option on the Sloane models.

If you would like a velvet U-shaped look while Sloane is unavailable, the Sloane sofas range is worth watching for restocks, and the in-stock Carnaby and Bishop models are the quickest options to order now.

Delivery is free to England and Wales through our two-person team. The timeframe shown on each in-stock product page is the one we treat as authoritative at the point of ordering; please confirm it there before you buy.

Caring for your U-shaped sofa

General care depends on the material. For the Carnaby fabric and Bishop Alaska Fabric models, vacuum regularly with an upholstery attachment and blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth. For the Sloane velvet models, brush gently in the direction of the pile and blot rather than rub. Keep any upholstery out of prolonged direct sunlight where possible.

A little routine goes a long way. Plumping and rotating the seat cushions where they are reversible helps them wear evenly, and dealing with spills straight away is far more effective than tackling a set-in mark later. Lighter colours such as silver, grey and mink will show everyday marks a touch more readily than coal or black, so a slightly more regular clean helps them stay looking fresh.

Detailed care codes, whether any covers are removable, and product-specific instructions are not confirmed in the current data, so always follow the care label on the individual product before attempting a deeper clean.

The seven sofas at a glance

The collection holds seven U-shaped corner sofas across three ranges. In fabric, the Carnaby Grey and Carnaby Silver high-back models each include a footstool and are in stock. In Alaska Fabric, the Bishop Coal and Bishop Silver high-back models are in stock. In velvet, the Sloane Black, Sloane Grey and Sloane Mink models are currently out of stock. Dimensions, seat counts and assembly detail are not confirmed in the current data for any model and should be verified on the product page; the Bishop Coal listing also needs its image checked before publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions About U-Shaped Corner Sofas