I'm so confused!!!!! I didn't know there was a certain way that the ironing board would normally stand. I've lived in a trailer forever so I have to haul it out into the kitchen when I want to use it and I've never set it up a certain way, it just depends on which way I open it that particular day (narrow end to the right...narrow end to the left). when I quilt it's all dependent on which way I walk up to it...as my sewing machine is over here but my cutting area is on the table over there...so I access both sides.