Cuddler vs. Chaise: Which Sectional Piece is Right For You?

Est. Reading Time: 10 Mins

When it comes to sectionals, they are the quintessential piece of furniture for anyone who loves to have large gatherings. 

When you think sectional, you likely envision an L-shaped sofa that stretches from one side of the room to the other. However, sectionals are designed with many different pieces to create so many different configurations. 

More specifically, a cuddler and chaise are two examples of sectional pieces used to make unique configurations. Mary Lee Smyth, an interior designer at La-Z-Boy Kingston, says “They are both perfect for anyone looking for something really comfortable.”

But you might be wondering, what are the benefits of having a cuddler vs. a chaise? And which sectional piece is right for me? Stick around to find out why these furniture pieces might be the perfect seat to add to your sectional!

In This Article…

1. Brief Descriptions of a Cuddler and a Chaise
2. How to Incorporate a Cuddler & Chaise in Interior Design
3. Cuddler vs. Chaise: Which Sectional Piece is Right For You?
4. Pros and Cons Breakdown
5. La-Z-Boy Sectionals with Cuddler & Chaise Configurations

Brief Description of a Chaise and Cuddler Sectional

Before we compare these unique and comfortable seats, let’s familiarize ourselves with the definition of a cuddler vs a chaise.

What is a Cuddler On a Sectional?

A cuddler chair is a sectional piece that goes at the end of a sectional with an arm on one side. With this, a cuddler can be either “Right-Arm Sitting” or “Left-Arm Sitting” depending on which side of the sectional it will reside.

A cuddler is similar to a loveseat, but the way that you sit on it is a little more unconventional. 

This modern take on an intimate seating arrangement allows two users to sit on one seat cushion, while still feeling comfortable when laying back on two separate back cushions, creating a curved sectional. 

A cuddler chair is a contemporary piece of furniture, meaning it is a more recent addition to pre-existing furniture. 

What Does a Sectional with a Chaise Mean?

A chaise is also an end sectional piece with an arm on one side, either “Right-Arm Sitting” or “Left-Arm Sitting”.

A chaise is a furniture piece that has one back cushion and an elongated seat that is traditionally used for lying down. It can also be used as another seating spot with the lack of a back seat if someone were to sit on the edge. 

It is also considered a more contemporary piece that is not used as often as other seats. However, because they have been around for a longer time, it does mean that people are more familiar with them. 

With this, there are more options for a chaise seat, not only for your sectional but also for your sofa.

How to Incorporate Cuddlers and Chaise in Interior Design

When incorporating anything in your living room, it is always important to consider how it will play a factor in your overall layout. Here is how a cuddler and a chaise seat can fit within your personal interior design.

When incorporating any new furniture into your living room, it is always important to Measure Your Space.

How to Add a Cuddler Chair to Your Sectional

When it comes to placing a cuddler chair in your living area, it might be harder to distinguish how to properly place it. 

For starters, a sectional with a cuddler does not have the typical shape of a traditional seat. While some may be shaped like a rectangle, others may have a more pentagram shape. 

Because of this, this seat is ideal for any open-concept space that is looking to cover more ground, according to Mary Lee. This, however, does not mean that a cuddler chair is not the best seat option for a smaller space.

When you put two cuddlers together, Mary Lee says that they create a “semi-circular shape with your sofa.” This means that if your living room has an odd shape and you’re looking for something that can fit a semi-circular mould, sectionals with two cuddlers on each end can make things look full. 

A cuddler chair are also known to create better focal points in a room. For example, this configuration below shows three main focal points in a house–the left one being the TV, the center being a window and the right one being a fireplace. 

Cuddlers can help individuals focus on one specific point in the room, without needing to turn their heads. This, of course, is dependent on where you’re sitting.

How to Add a Chaise Seat to Your Sectional

In comparison, chaise seats do have an easier time fitting in big or smaller spaces, but it can sometimes be difficult to place them properly. 

A Chaise seat usually has a better time being placed close to a wall or in the corner of a room, if it is a small space. 

If a chaise seat is placed toward a wall, individuals who sit on the edge of the seat cushion would have a flat surface to lie on, should they feel tired or uncomfortable. This may not be the most comfortable seating, but a simple pillow to the back might make things a little more comfortable for you.

For example, she notes that bedrooms might be great for chaise seats because they can be used as a reading area if people don’t want to lay in their beds. “The single-seat chaise is making a bit of a comeback in the bedroom,” she says.

Having a Chaise and Cuddler Sectional to Your Space

Finally, if you love the idea of both a cuddler and a chaise, it is possible to have both seating styles in one sectional.

If your room is big enough to accommodate these bigger furniture pieces, you can have one end of the sectional have a chaise, while the other end of the sectional has a cuddler. This way you can have the best of both worlds all on one long furniture piece.

Cuddler vs. Chaise: Which Sectional Piece is Right for You?

Now that you are more familiar with a cuddler chair and a chaise seat, what are the important factors to consider when determining which sectional piece is right for you? 

Among these 3 factors to consider, you will notice the pros and cons of both pieces at La-Z-Boy that might help you decide.

1. Relaxing and Seating Positions

Firstly, when looking at a cuddler sectional, the back is typically designed with a natural recline. This means that they are not built-in with a 90-degree angle.

Because of this unique feature, people sitting on a cuddler can recline naturally without worrying about getting in someone’s personal space. Plus, because the singular cushion is made to seat two people, two individuals can recline comfortably and effortlessly. 

A sofa with a cuddler corner is also stationary, meaning they do not recline with a latch or the push of a button. This is because they are already made to naturally recline.

In contrast, with a chaise, you can seat two people comfortably, but one person would have to sacrifice the back cushion. The second seater wouldn’t have anything to lay their back on, which isn’t the worst situation, but it can lead to feeling less comfortable faster.

Further, depending on the type of seat, a chaise may or may not have the ability to recline depending on whether the sectional is stationary or motion. 

At La-Z-Boy, reclining sectionals offer some chaise pieces that can move from a seated position to a reclining position by pushing back on the back of the seat.

2. Versatility Comes with Limitations

Cuddlers and chaise furniture pieces do have a lot of versatility. However, this can also be a downfall for them because their versatility is specific to one living room, and may not work in other living rooms.

Sectionals are usually made for rooms with lots of space or rooms that feature an awkward (uncommon) shape. 

Say you were moving from one home to another and decided to bring your sectional with you to your new place. You might have a harder time placing your sectional in your new living area because the room is either a different shape, has different dimensions, or isn’t big enough. 

This is especially true if you have a unique end piece to your sectional like a cuddler or a chaise. Cuddlers are not the typical shape for a furniture seat, meaning it might be harder to place them in a new environment if you bring them somewhere else. 

Chaise seats, though rectangular, might also be hard to place since they are also end pieces. 

Mary Lee explains, “If you have a sectional with a chaise that is on the right side–because something would be obstructing it on the left side like a door or a window–you might not be able to place it in a room that has an obstruction on the right side. The chaise might be blocking a door or a window which is not great.” 

At La-Z-Boy, chaise furniture pieces actually have a slight edge when it comes to fixing this problem. Some sofas with chaise seating can be interchangeable on either side or even in the center, allowing you to have an easier time placing your chaise seating if you’re moving to a new place.

3. More Storage in Your Living Room

One other advantage that chaise seating sometimes has is the ability to offer storage. The Colby, one of La-Z-Boy’s sectional selections, has a chaise seat that offers storage space beneath the seat. 

This can be beneficial if you need more storage space in your home for blankets, extra pillows, or other things. Simply lift the seat cushion to store anything you wish. 

A Sectional with a Cuddler, unfortunately, does not have storage space at La-Z-Boy.

Cuddler vs. Chaise: Pros and Cons Breakdown Summary

Now that we’ve talked about each advantage and disadvantage of a sectional, here is a summarized breakdown table for an easier look at the pros and cons of a sectional piece.

Examples of Sectionals with Cuddlers & Chaise Pieces at La-Z-Boy

At La-Z-Boy, there are many different options to choose from when it comes to sectionals with cuddlers and chaise seating options. Here are 4 options that Mary Lee recommends for anyone looking for a comfortable sectional with a cuddler or a chaise option.

1. The Collins Sectional - Chaise Piece

The first sectional with a chaise option is the Collins sectional. As stylish as it is comfortable, Collins is a versatile sectional that offers a wide variety of pieces. Each configuration lets you personalize your Collins to rooms of virtually all sizes and shapes. 

Generously scaled, it features casual pillow-top seats, ultra-plush pillow backs, and padded curved arms that make it perfect for family use. 

The Collins is also available as a chair, a loveseat, and a sofa. You can learn more about The Collins Sectional by checking out this review article.

2. The Paxton Sectional - Chaise & Cuddler Pieces

Up next with a chaise and cuddler option is the Paxton sectional. The Paxton’s cuddler has slightly less of a curve to its back, making it easier to place in your living room.

With its wide arms and deep seats, the Paxton Sectional calls out for you to sink in and get cozy. Ideal for entertaining guests or relaxing on your own, Paxton is the comfortably casual sectional with clean lines and crisp welt trim for a look that’s neat and structured. 

The Paxton is also available as a chair & a half, a loveseat, a sofa, and a matching ottoman. To learn more about The Paxton Sectional, check out this review article.

3. The Alani Sectional - Chaise & Cuddler Pieces

Another sectional with a cuddler option is the Alani Sectional, which also has a chaise seat.

This clean-lined, casual design looks at home in any space with our popular rolled arms, welt trim, and decorative wood legs for just enough detail. Premier cushions offer plenty of support, an array of modules that can be customized for your perfect configuration, and a 20" accent pillow for added style.

To learn more about The Alani Sectional, take a look at this review article. For more information about both the Alani and the Paxton, take a look at this comparison article.

4. The Colby Sectional - Chaise Piece w/ Storage

The last sectional on this list is the Colby, another unique sectional because of the added storage space underneath the chaise seating.

Not only is it perfect for anyone looking to lounge by reading a book or watching TV, but the Colby sectional also might be perfect for someone looking for a small sectional configuration in an apartment looking to optimize storage space.

The Colby is also available as a recliner, a loveseat, and a sofa. The Colby furniture family is also part of The Duo Collection at La-Z-Boy, which you can learn more about by reading this article.

What's Next?

After reading this article, you have gained more knowledge about La-Z-Boy’s unique sectional pieces.

So, now that you have read about the cuddler and chaise pieces, why not try them out yourself? In addition to the cuddler and chaise, La-Z-Boy has many more sectional pieces to choose from so you can create the ideal sectional configuration for your home. 

Make sure to discover your next furniture piece by doing a sit test at any of our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston. You can also schedule an appointment online.

Our interior design consultants, like Mary Lee, are always eager to lend a helping hand. Take advantage of our interior design services to see how our loveseats could fit in your home. 

Related Articles:

How to Arrange a Sectional Sofa: Top Considerations

Review of the Collins Sectional

Review of the Trouper Reclining Sectional