Furniture shopping thinking of sofa with a chaise - anyone?

I have one and love it and it has two recliners, one on the end and the middle.  We opted for that over the hide-a-bed.   Our room is small and it fits really well in the corner with the chaise along the wall.  It makes better use of the 'dead' space under the window.  

A "chair and a half" and an ottoman.  My wife just bought a new sofa with the "chair and a half".  It's smaller than a love seat, but bigger than a standard chair and then there is an oversized ottoman that can be easily moved.  My wife is always snuggled on it with one of our kids......and they love to crash on it alone.

This isn't the chair we have, but I did a quick search on "chair and a half" and this is similar.

http://www.homeclick.com/advantage-furniture-9447-231-chair-and-a-half-in-showcase-oak-madison-chutey-pillows/p-584476.aspx?srccode=cii_18492716&cpncode=30-166098692-2&chnl=cse&ven=bing&kw=9447-231

Its been a few years since we bought it so I dont know of the top of my head.  I will find out when I go home tonight.

I'm a male engineer, so hardly qualified to answer any questions about home décor, but...I would ask whether the designer you hired has listened to you?  You already said it is a small space, and even if a Chaise is her favorite piece to work with, it may not be at all appropriate for your living arrangements. 

Can you test out the placement of the chaise before committing to the purchase?  If you are limited on space, opt for smaller pieces (so a smaller couch, and smaller chairs or the more modern look compared to the old, overstuffed styles). 

I'd also suggest leather, as it's much easier to keep clean with kids. 

I have one from Room & Board, they have a ton of styles.  I really like it, but it's pretty much lined up to the TV and it's my spot.   I only have to share the living room with my husband, so our needs are different.

Some observations:

1. I find guests tend to avoid it.  It required putting your feet on the furniture and even though I have put a throw across it, they avoid it.  So, I always have to sit on the chaise.  This is awkward when there's someone in the seat adjacent.
2. HOWEVER, I can separate it from the couch and, at an angle, can be sort of like a bench.  I have done this, although it's only marginally more successful in a pinch.  Make sure if you get a sectional of any kind that the sides aren't terrible looking (or have weird things that stick out) if you need to separate.
3. Don't pick one with a cushion that isn't symmetrical.  I think the design of this sort of couch begs for an unsymmetrical cushion.  I can't flip it and it will get dirty/faded more quickly.
4. It limits orientation of furniture, due to walkways, etc. 

That is what we have now, leather and a smaller couch with a recliner and a chair. No one sits in the chair, one person lays across the whole couch and at least 2 of us try to squeeze into the recliner.

What she picked out fits the measurements of our space and makes sense to solve those issues, but no rearranging. It fits one way but that way would be the most appropriate - facing the television. I'm just concerned, like I said, that the end of the chaise sticking out all the time will eventually get on my nerves.

Ha ha ha ha, I am not footing the bill for a really nice doggie bed. My puppy got himself kicked out the house about a month ago though so this should not be an issue!

This is very helpful. I was worried about where visitors would feel comfortable sitting although we don't have grown up visitors all that often. The way she has designed the room we would have the sectional, one other chair and a couple of small ottomans.

I have emailed her with our concerns but so far had no reply. We have already paid for half of her fee upfront so we better be getting some service!

Ha, I am buying a new couch also! I have been looking for a couple months. I have a sectional now with 4 recliners in it and I want to switch to one with a 'chaise'.

I think I am going to order one from this place.

http://www.opulentitems.com/sectional-with-chaise.html

Me too!!!

This is just what we did last night and we have decided on a sectional with a chaise on one end and a recliner on the other. I don't love the style of it, arms are a little too large for my taste but the rest of the family loved it and it was very comfy! I think furniture shopping is completely boring and I would have to drive 2.5 hours to the city to look at more stuff when I would rather be riding my bike so I think I will just be satisfied and we will just go with this .

No wonder we have lived here 6 years and the house is not finished.

I couldnt find the brand name of mine.  We got it at a Bob's Furniture about six or seven years ago. I looked online for a pic or to see what they had and they dont have it anymore.  But it looks like you found one and your family likes it.