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What does RAF and LAF mean?

Author

Andrew Walker

Published Mar 06, 2026

What does RAF and LAF mean?

The designation right-arm facing and left-arm facing, abbreviated as RAF and LAF, simply refer to the side on which the arm is placed if you are looking directly at the sectional piece.

Also know, what does LAF and RAF on a sectional mean?

The designation right-arm facing and left-arm facing, abbreviated as RAF and LAF, simply refer to the side on which the arm is placed if you are looking directly at the sectional piece.

One may also ask, what is left hand facing? Left-Hand Facing: If you are standing facing a sectional and the chaise is on the left, it is a left-hand facing chaise. The arm of the chaise is on the left, because the sofa continues to the right.

Moreover, should I get a left or right sectional?

Know left from right.

If you want the sectional to extend out at the right side, chose a right-facing sofa; if you want it to extend out at the left, choose a left-facing sofa.

Which side should the chaise be on?

A good rule of thumb is to place the chaise on the side with the least amount of traffic. Note: When a piece is labeled as right arm facing (RAF), it means the arm is on your right as you are looking at it. If a piece is labeled as left arm facing (LAF), the arm is on your left as you are looking at it.

What is the difference between LAF and RAF sectional?

The part with greater seat depth is called chaise. When you look directly at the sectional sofa and the chaise is on your right-hand side, that's what we call a Right Arm Facing (RAF) sectional or simply a sectional facing right. The Left Arm Facing (LAF) sectional has the chaise on your left-hand side.

What is a chaise on a couch?

A chaise, or chaise lounge, is an upholstered sofa in the shape of a chair that is long enough to prop one's legs up on. Chaise is a modern French interior design term that refers to any long, reclining chair and the English translation for the term is “long chair.”

How do I choose a sectional?

Editors' Picks

In general, Ms. Golub said, the higher the seat, the more formal the sectional will feel. A sectional with a high seat might be good in a traditional living room, but for more relaxed spaces, like a media room, lower is often preferable.

What is the chaise part of a sectional?

Chaise – a sectional piece that has a deeper cushion that is designed to allow you to stretch out your legs. Chaise sectional pieces typically come with an arm on one side either LAF or RAF.

Which way should sectional face?

Position a rounded sectional sofa around a circular area rug that's placed in the middle of a square or slightly angular space, or in the common area of an open-design home. The access side of the arrangement should strategically face the room's entryway or the television, if TV viewing is the room's main purpose.

What is a reversible sectional?

Reversible: The shorter arm of these often L-shaped sectionals can be moved from one end to the other to convert the sectional from left-facing to right-facing (or vice versa) with ease. Shop Reversible Sectionals.

What does sofa with return mean?

Sectional with Return: Similar to a chaise, but different; a return piece is an L-shaped extension that also has an arm running about half way down with a “bumper” (basically an attached ottoman) on the end.

What is a left hand facing corner sofa?

'LHF' is an abbreviation of 'Left Hand Facing' Corner Sofa and 'RHF' means 'Right Hand Facing' Corner Sofa – but here's the important bit: when you're looking at the sofa front on (not from a sitting position). The LHF or RHF refers to the longest piece of the sofa.

How do you know if a sectional will fit?

How to Measure for a Sectional Sofa
  • Measure Your Space. To measure your living room or space for a sectional sofa, use a tape measure to measure the length, width, and height of the room. These measurements will be a baseline for what size sectional will comfortably fit in your space.
  • Tape the Area.

Should I get a sectional or two sofas?

However, while a sectional is more versatile than a sofa, it takes up far more space than a regular sofa. Small living rooms benefit from using a sofa over a sectional, since sectionals can easily crowd a room and overwhelm other furniture. Another great option for smaller spaces are modern loveseats and small sofas.

What is the best sectional sofa to buy?

The 9 Best Sectional Sofas of 2020
  • Best Overall: Infini Furnishings Reversible Sectional at Wayfair.
  • Best for Apartments: Mercury Row Morpheus Reversible Sectional at Wayfair.
  • Best Splurge: Design Within Reach Kelston Sectional at Design Within Reach.
  • Best Budget: IKEA KIVIK Sofa at Ikea.
  • Best U-Shaped:
  • Best Sleeper:
  • Best Leather:
  • Best Custom:

Should Furniture touch the wall?

Let Furniture Float

Don't push all your furniture up against the walls. Pull your sofa (or other seating) out at least 12″ from the wall. It will make the space seem more inviting and cozy, instead of creating a big bunch of weird dead space in the middle.

When should you float a couch?

Consider floating your sofa in the middle of a large room rather than placing it against the wall instead. Designers often float a sofa as a way to create a room within a room, to delineate different areas in a large space, or simply to center the focus.

Where do I put my chaise lounge in my living room?

Chaise Lounge in the Living Room

Another common way to use the chaise lounge is as a room demarcation, especially for living rooms integrated into the dining room or the kitchen. Try placing a chaise lounge on the border between one room and another and you will see the aesthetic and functional differential.

How big should a room be for a sectional?

A general rule of thumb is that your sofa should not occupy the entire length of a wall. There should be at least 18” of space on either side of the sofa. If you want a sectional with a chaise then the long chaise portion should not extend more than halfway across the room.

How do you arrange a sectional in a living room?

There should be a small amount of space between the sofa and the wall. Place an ottoman or a coffee table or in front. If the sectional is with a chaise, put a small table near it. If there is another chair or a loveseat, put a lamp between the sectional and the chair.

How do I choose the right size furniture?

How to Choose the Right Size Furniture For Your Home
  1. Measure Now or Pay Later. Measure several times before buying furniture and you won't have to sell all those pieces on Craigslist a few months later.
  2. Door Size Matters.
  3. “Try Out” Furniture First.
  4. Don't Sleep Tight.
  5. Leave Room to Live in the Living Room.
  6. Get the TV Right.

What is a sectional?

A sectional (actually short for “sectional sofa”) has a modular design, with two or more pieces typically coming together at a 90-degree angle to create an L or U wrap-around shape.

What is a sectional sofa?

Sectional couches or sofas are a common type of seating found in living rooms and dens. Unlike a conventional sofa, sectionals are composed of multiple independent pieces that may be arranged in a number of different positions.

Can you put a chaise lounge in the living room?

Remember that a chaise lounge is seating for one individual – so it cannot take the place of a sofa or multiple chairs. If you are setting a chaise lounge in an area of the home which may necessitate multiple seating spaces – such as in a living room – then be sure to surround it with additional options.

Are sectionals good for small living rooms?

"A sectional can give you that maxed-out seating and help the room feel like a cozy nook, not a cramped back office." She recommends choosing a piece with a low back and arms to "help a small room not feel engulfed by a piece of furniture," and using either standing lamps behind it or sconces above it to light the room

How do you separate a sectional and make it look good?

Take a look at some of these quick tips to give your sectional sofa an update!
  1. #1. Separate the sections. So many times we keep our sectionals in the same U or L shaped arrangement.
  2. #2. Mix and match.
  3. #3. Contrasting colors.
  4. #5. Use a coffee table for the focal point.
  5. #7. Keep it neutral and clean.

What is the purpose of a chaise lounge?

Chaise Lounges

The chaise lounge provides comfort while sitting upright but they're designed for one person to stretch out upon, making them perfect for relaxing, reading or napping. Structurally, they are essentially sofas with the backrest at only one end.

How do you know if you need a left or right corner sofa?

If you are looking at the sofa, facing the longest edge, it is a right-hand sofa if the corner and the short edge are to your right. Obviously, then, it is a left-hand sofa if the corner and the short edge are to your left.

How do you arrange an L shaped sofa in a living room?

Placing the L-shaped sofa back against the wall is ideal for viewing television, especially since the chaise at the end of the section can serve as a lounging chair for relaxing and watching TV. In large living rooms, where space is not a constraint, L-shaped sofas can be in the centre of the room.

Should you put furniture in front of a window?

As a general rule, you want to avoid putting things in front of windows as much as possible. If you absolutely must place furniture in front of windows, make sure you maximize the remaining natural light through the use of mirrors, reflective surfaces, and a smart lighting plan.

How do I know if my room section is too big?

A general rule of thumb is that your sofa should not occupy the entire length of a wall. There should be at least 18” of space on either side of the sofa. If you want a sectional with a chaise then the long chaise portion should not extend more than halfway across the room.