Short answer: choose a corner sofa if you want as many seats as possible in a corner of your garden and like to lie back. Choose a sofa with loose chairs if you want flexibility, have a narrow or irregular space, or enjoy chatting around a table. A corner sofa is often more affordable per seat. With loose chairs, you can arrange the set differently every day.
The two arrangements in brief
A corner sofa is an L-shaped sofa, often made up of loose elements that you place together. A chair-sofa arrangement is a lounge sofa with one or two loose lounge chairs, sometimes with a second sofa. In our collection, you will find plenty of choice for both: around 90 corner sofa lounge sets and over 80 chair-sofa lounge sets.
| Corner sofa | Sofa with chairs | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats per m² | Many, the corner also counts | Fewer, space between sofa and chairs |
| Flexibility | Fixed shape, sometimes reversible | Chairs can be placed anywhere |
| Lying back | Yes, especially with a chaise longue | Only on the sofa |
| Fits in a narrow garden | Less well | Well |
| Price at our store | from €1,095 | from €1,089 |
| Median price | approx. €2,190 | approx. €2,900 |
The difference in the median price is mainly due to the brand. The majority of the corner sofas are Belito. The majority of the chair-sofa sets are Apple Bee. Also read Apple Bee or Belito: what is the difference.
When should you choose a corner sofa?
A corner sofa makes the most of a corner on your patio. You place the set with two sides against the wall or fence and keep the middle free. This gives you many seats in a small number of square meters.
- You want to accommodate many people. A Belito Lotte corner sofa measuring 288 x 220 cm seats 6 to 7 people, from €1,195.
- You want to lie back. On a corner sofa, it is easy to put your legs up. With a chaise longue, such as the Apple Bee Santorini or the Belito Daan, you have a real lying area.
- You have a fixed corner. If you know exactly where the set will go, a corner sofa is the most stable solution.
- You want a lot of seats for your money. The cheapest complete corner sofa in our collection is the Belito Lotte Corner Sofa No. 3 measuring 220 x 220 cm for 4 to 5 people, for €1,095.
Note: left or right long
A corner sofa often has a long and a short side. So take a good look at which side goes where. With the Apple Bee Santorini and Belito Daan, you choose left or right long. With the Belito Lotte Corner Sofa No. 1, you move the middle element yourself, so the long side can be on the left or right. Read more about this arrangement in the guide to corner lounge sets.
When should you choose a sofa with chairs?
A sofa with loose chairs is the flexible choice. You can move the chairs into the sun, to the table, or aside if you need space.
- You have a narrow or irregular space. A sofa against the wall and two chairs opposite also fits where an L-shape will not fit.
- You like chatting with each other. Sitting opposite each other works better for conversation than sitting next to each other on a long sofa.
- You want to vary. In the summer, you place the set open on the grass, in the autumn close together under the cover.
- You want to expand later. You can easily add an extra chair or second sofa in the same style.
How big are the components?
A 3-seater lounge sofa in our collection is 190 to 219 cm wide. A 2-seater sofa is usually 145 to 155 cm. A lounge chair is approximately 73 to 87 cm wide. Here are a few examples:
- Belito Birmingham: 3-seater sofa measuring 211 cm and lounge chairs measuring 82 cm wide. View the Belito Birmingham collection.
- Apple Bee Condor: sofas measuring 150 and 217 cm and chairs measuring 82 x 82 cm, with BEE WETT® cushions. View the Apple Bee Condor collection.
- Apple Bee Pine Key: 3-seater sofa measuring 190 cm, 2-seater sofa measuring 145 cm and chairs measuring 77 cm wide. View the Pine Key collection.
The best of both: corner sofa with a loose chair
You do not always have to choose. Many people take a corner sofa and add a loose lounge chair. The Belito Lotte Corner Sofa No. 5 is an example of this: a corner sofa measuring 288 x 220 cm with an extra lounge chair, for 7 people. Also, a 3-seater sofa and a 2-seater sofa, with a chair on the side, creates an almost L-shaped arrangement that you can still arrange separately. View the loose lounge chairs.
Which table fits?
Both arrangements require a low coffee table within easy reach. With a corner sofa, it stands in the inner corner. With a sofa with chairs, it stands in the middle, so everyone can reach it. Do you also want to eat at the lounge set? Then choose a higher or adjustable table, such as the Belito Lotte table measuring 138 x 80 cm. View the coffee tables or read lounge dining set: lounging and eating at one table.
Will it fit in your garden?
For both arrangements, the following applies: measure your space and keep at least 60 cm of walking space free along the sides where you need to pass by. How to calculate this exactly can be found in how much space do you need for a lounge set.
Still in doubt?
Visit our showroom, without an appointment. There you can sit on a corner sofa and loose chairs and feel what you prefer. If you order online, we deliver with our own team and you choose the delivery day. For an order over €3,000, we assemble it free of charge and take away the packaging. Does the arrangement still not fit? Within 14 days, we will pick up the set free of charge.
Frequently asked questions about corner sofas or sofas with chairs
What is better, a corner sofa or a sofa with chairs?
A corner sofa provides more seats in the same space and is nice for lying back. A sofa with chairs is more flexible and fits better in a narrow garden. Choose based on your space and how you sit outside.
How many people fit on a corner sofa?
A corner sofa measuring 220 x 220 cm is for 4 to 5 people. A corner sofa measuring 288 x 220 cm is for 6 to 7 people. Larger sets measuring 320 x 245 cm are for 6 to 7 people with more space per person.
Is a corner sofa more expensive than a sofa with chairs?
Not necessarily. At our store, a corner sofa starts from €1,095 and a chair-sofa set from €1,089. The price depends mainly on the brand, the material, and the size.
Can I arrange a corner sofa on the left or right?
Yes, for many models. With the Apple Bee Santorini and Belito Daan, you choose left or right long. With the Belito Lotte Corner Sofa No. 1, you move the middle element yourself.
Can I expand a chair-sofa lounge set later?
Yes. With the Belito Birmingham, Belito Lotte, and Apple Bee Condor, you can buy loose sofas and chairs in the same style.
