Left-Facing vs Right-Facing Sectional: Which One Do I Need?
Stand facing the sofa, the way you would to sit down. If the chaise (the extended leg-rest end) is on yourleft, that's a left-facing sectional. On your right, that's right-facing. That's the whole rule — this calculator uses it consistently everywhere.
The clearance numbers are identical either way
In an empty rectangular room, a left-facing and right-facing version of the same sectional produce the exact same walkway clearance — mirror images of each other. The calculator's verdict doesn't change based on which one you pick. What actually decides which side you need is your room's layout, not the numbers.
Worked example
Say your living room has a doorway on the right wall as you face the sofa's spot. A right-facing chaise would stick out toward that doorway, narrowing the path through it. A left-facing chaise keeps the doorway side clear and pushes the seating toward the wall with no traffic. Same sofa, same clearance numbers — the room decides which orientation actually works.
Reversible chaise sectionals
Some sectional configurations allow the chaise to be moved to either side. IKEA's KIVIK sofa-with-chaise is one example for this specific Canadian configuration — not every KIVIK configuration or every sectional works this way. You can test both orientations in the room planner. Always check the exact product configuration before buying.
Terminology varies by retailer
Not every retailer labels "left-facing," "right-facing," or "reversible" the same way, and listings can be worded ambiguously. Before ordering, confirm the exact configuration against the manufacturer's own diagram or product photo for that specific listing rather than relying on the label alone.
Open the room planner and pick "Has a chaise" to see either orientation drawn to scale in your own room, or browse the sofa catalogue for sectionals with verified dimensions and stated orientation options.