---
title: "Open Corner vs Closed Corner Sofa: One Backrest Apart"
url: "https://cushionguide.com/answers/open-vs-closed-corner-floor-sofa/"
section: "The Cutting Table"
author: "Hana Lindqvist, The Quiet Geometer of Seattle"
author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/hana/"
published: "2026-03-20"
updated: "2026-03-20"
keywords: "open corner vs closed corner sofa, closed corner floor sofa, open corner floor sofa, L-shaped floor sofa backrest, modular floor sofa layout"
---

# What's the difference between an open-corner and a closed-corner floor sofa?

*One backrest decides it. The rest of the sofa stays the same.*

Also asked as: What does closed corner mean?; Difference between the open corner and closed corner?

> **The quick answer:** The difference between an open-corner and a closed-corner floor sofa is the backrest at the end of the run. A closed corner ends with an L-shaped backrest that wraps the end. An open corner ends with a straight backrest, so that end stays open like a chaise. The closed corner measures 79 x 118 in (200 x 300 cm).

![Sage green L-shaped corner window seat cushion on a cream plaster bench between two arched windows, terracotta tile floor](https://cushionguide.com/media/l-shaped-cushions/sage-l-shaped-corner-seat-arched-windows-villa-1600.webp "A sage L-shaped cushion wraps a plaster corner seat between two arched windows. Terracotta tiles and an olive tree set a villa mood.")

## Key facts

- A closed corner ends with an L-shaped backrest that wraps the end.
- An open corner ends with a straight backrest, leaving the end open like a chaise.
- Closed corner: 3 L-shaped backrests and 1 straight backrest.
- Open corner: 2 L-shaped backrests and 2 straight backrests.
- The closed corner measures 79 x 118 in (200 x 300 cm).
- An open end can be asked for in the order note, and the width of one end can be customized.
- One extra straight backrest lets you switch between the two layouts.
- The open corner lays out at about 117 x 78 in.
- Each seat mattress is about 39 x 79 in (100 x 200 cm), and each L-shaped backrest about 39 x 39 in (100 x 100 cm).

## Counting the backrests

|   | Closed corner | Open corner |
|---|---|---|
| Last backrest in the run | L-shaped, wraps the end | Straight, end left open |
| L-shaped backrests | 3 | 2 |
| Straight backrests | 1 | 2 |
| The end reads as | Enclosed | Open, like a chaise |

## Where the corner question really sits

A [modular floor sofa](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/modular-floor-sofas/) is built from the same seat cushions either way. Only the last backrest changes.

The closed end holds you on two sides. The open end lets you stretch out and swing your legs off the side. Think about which you will do more.

The [floor sofa layouts pattern](https://cushionguide.com/guides/modular-floor-sofa-layouts/) shows straight, L and U runs, and the glossary explains the [open corner](https://cushionguide.com/glossary/#open-corner) and the [corner backrest](https://cushionguide.com/glossary/#corner-backrest).

Which end of your room faces the window?

## How to order an open end on a corner floor sofa

1. **Pick the open-corner option**: It is the simplest route, chosen on the listing.
2. **Or write it in the note**: On the corner listing, write “1 L-shaped backrest + 1 straight backrest” in the personalization box.
3. **Add one straight backrest**: With a spare straight back, you can close or open the corner whenever you like.
4. **Ask for photos of both**: The workshop sends both versions, plus a fabric photo. The corduroy brown reads as a dark chocolate.

> **Tailor's margin:** A closed-corner floor sofa has 3 L-shaped backrests and 1 straight; the open corner swaps one L for a straight back and leaves the end open.

> Open or closed corner is one backrest: an L-shaped back wraps the end of the floor sofa, a straight back leaves that end open like a chaise.
>
> — Hana

## Buyer questions

**A common question:** What changes between the closed-corner and open-corner L-shaped floor sofa?

**The workshop's answer:** The closed corner has 3 L-shaped backrests and 1 straight backrest. The open corner has 2 L-shaped and 2 straight, which leaves one side open. An extra straight backrest lets you switch between the two.

**A common question:** What do the open-corner and closed-corner names mean on the modular sofa?

**The workshop's answer:** The closed corner ends with an L-shaped backrest wrapped around the end; the open corner ends with a straight one, open like a chaise. The closed corner is 79 x 118 in (200 x 300 cm). An open end can be requested with a note on the closed-corner listing.

**A common question:** So the only difference is how the ends finish?

**The workshop's answer:** Yes. Open corners end with straight backrests, closed corners with L-shaped ones. The width of one end can also be customized.

**A common question:** Can I buy a single backrest later?

**The workshop's answer:** Yes. Straight and L-shaped backrests, seat cushions and covers-only sets are sold individually, so you can replace a corner or fill a gap.

## Questions buyers ask next

### Are the backrests fixed to the seat cushions?

No Velcro or ties. The cushions stay put by their weight, a non-slip base and free-standing metal bars behind the backrests, which keep them from tipping when you lean. Every piece lifts off for rearranging.

### Can I turn a closed corner into an open one after delivery?

Yes, with one extra straight backrest. Swap it in for the L-shaped back at the end and the corner opens. Swap back and it closes again.

### Is the floor sofa available in fabrics outside the listing?

It depends on the model. Some come only in their 9 to 10 listed colors. Others can be made in any fabric from the velvet chart or samples page, for a surcharge and a longer lead time.

## Related at the atelier

- [What are the dimensions of the L-shaped corner floor sofa?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-floor-sofa-dimensions/): The standard L-shaped corner floor sofa measures 118 in (300 cm) on the long side and about 79 in (200 cm) on the short side, wall to wall, and 14 in (35 cm) high.
- [How big is the L-shaped corner floor sofa?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-corner-floor-sofa-dimensions/): The closed-corner L-shaped floor sofa measures 118 x 79 x 14 in (300 x 200 x 35 cm) overall.
- [How big is the floor sofa ottoman, and does it fold open?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/floor-sofa-ottoman-size-foldable/): The floor sofa ottoman is 39 x 39 in (about 100 x 100 cm), made as one connected, foldable piece whose two stacked layers open flat into a longer rectangle, like two pillows side by side.
- [Corner floor sofa layouts: L-shapes, U-shapes, open or closed corners, straight runs](https://cushionguide.com/guides/modular-floor-sofa-layouts/): A modular floor sofa can be laid out straight, as an L, as an open or closed corner, or as a U, all from the same pieces.
- [Modular Floor Sofa Corner in Light Gray Tufted Modules](https://cushionguide.com/readings/light-gray-tufted-floor-sofa-corner-modules/): A modular floor sofa suits long sitting when every piece stays loose and the modules stay put.
- [Modular Floor Sofa in Espresso Linen-Look: How the Cloth Wears](https://cushionguide.com/readings/espresso-brown-tufted-floor-sofa-corner-window/): An espresso linen-look modular floor sofa has a matte, dry hand and a deep color that shows tufting as soft shadows, so the seat looks plumper than it would in light gray.
- [Can you sleep on a floor sofa? Bed size, firmness and sheets](https://cushionguide.com/guides/floor-sofa-bed-size-firmness/)

*— Hana*

---

Written by Hana Lindqvist (https://cushionguide.com/masters/hana/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/answers/open-vs-closed-corner-floor-sofa/