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What is a Chaise Lounge and 
 How Does it Complete a Living Room?
Chinese Takeout on Dark Smoke Leather Ottoman and Sofa
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.” 

In today’s home decor, the chaise is most often seen on the end of a sectional and sofa or, in rarer cases, as a stand alone long chair. It helps bring together the look and feel of a living room by adding space for families to kick their feet up and relax more deeply, in a half sitting, half lying position.
Amber 6-Seat Corner Sectional with Double Chaise and Walnut Legs
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A Brief History of Chaise Lounges

As you may have guessed in the previous section, chaise lounges originated in the French Victorian (16th century) era. The original chaise lounges, also referred to as fainting couches, were created by craftsmen during the Rococo period as a status symbol for the wealthier population. 

The chaise lounge served as a sort of daybed for them to rest without having to return to their bedroom. Only the most exclusive materials were used in the construction of the chair. They came in three forms:
Duchesse Brisée
A chair and a long footstool, or two chairs with a stool in between them
Récamier
A chaise with two raised ends, and nothing on the long sides, named after French society hostess Madame Récamier.
Méridienne
A reclining seat with a high head-rest, and a lower foot-rest, joined by a sloping piece

Chaise Lounge vs. Sofa: 
 What's the Difference?

Now that you know what a chaise is, it should be pretty clear how they differ from a traditional sofa. Each piece of furniture is designed for sitting, but a sofa is designed to be sat on in an upright position, with knees bent and feet on the ground. Conversely, a chaise lounge is meant for sitting a more reclined position, with the legs straight and feet up off the ground. However, we believe you can choose your own position based on what makes you comfortable. 

Additionally, sofas tend to be much larger than a chaise as a chaise is truly just a long seat whereas a sofa comprises multiple seats. A sectional sofa will even often have a chaise attached to it. A standard sofa can have a chaise as well.

Furthermore, sofas can come with arm rests on both sides or no arm rests at all, whereas a chaise will typically have only one arm and then an open side to lay into.
Woman Sitting on Light Grey Corner Sectional with Chaise
Additionally, sofas tend to be much larger than a chaise as a chaise is truly just a long seat whereas a sofa comprises multiple seats. A sectional sofa will even often have a chaise attached to it. A standard sofa can have a chaise as well.

Furthermore, sofas can come with arm rests on both sides or no arm rests at all, whereas a chaise will typically have only one arm and then an open side to lay into.

Using a Chaise in Your 
 Living Room (and Beyond)

Balance Out a Lounge Chair

One option for a chaise lounge is to use it to balance out other living room furniture like a lounge chair or smaller sofa. For smaller spaces, there may not be enough room for a full sofa. Adding a chaise lounge will make the small room seem more balanced and add additional seating options for guests.

Sofa Alternative in a Small Space

Another potential use for a chaise lounge is to add additional seating in a small room such as a home office, bedroom or guest room. Additionally, a chaise lounge is a great option for smaller living spaces, like apartments that don’t have enough room for a full sofa.

Complement a Sofa or Sectional

Another use case for the chaise lounge is as a compliment other living room furniture such as sofa or loveseat. For extra large, open spaces, an additional chaise lounge chair can help to fill the room out more and also supply you with additional seating for guests.

Combine a Chaise and Sofa in a Sectional

You could even take a chaise with a sofa and combine both pieces of furniture to create a chaise sectional. As a matter of fact, many sectionals come with a chaise sofa attached already, or in the case of a custom sectional, with an option to add a chaise lounge onto the sectional. Both are a great way to add additional seating options to your living room.
Man and Woman lying on Dark Smoke Leather Sofa with Ottoman

Where to Find a Chaise 
 or Chaise Sectional

If you’re interested in purchasing a high-quality chaise or a chaise sectional to create a living room fit for lounging, Allform can help.

We have a lot of helpful guides to support you in the furniture buying journey. Some of our helpful articles that you might enjoy include:
HAPPY SHOPPING!