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The 6 Best Chesterfield Sofas That'll Class Up Your Space
From classic shapes to new modern choices, the style is anything but outdated.
Sure, a leather sofa or a contemporary high-design model is plenty classic for some. Others don't care about history and they prefer a big sectional, an extra deep sofa, two-in-one futon, or even a reclining sofa. But for those who prefer the home design classics that have stood the test of time, nothing in regular circulation today is more classic than a chesterfield sofa.
The design came about in the 1700s when the Earl of Chesterfield commissioned such a sofa with tufted upholstery, rounded arms and back of the same height, and a nailhead trim. In leather, the most common way to find them these days, a chesterfield sofa is a decidedly masculine looking piece of furniture, like something from a cigar lounge. But you can now do it up in a velvet or linen fabric—to have it can have a softer, more colorful look.
But the real issue with the chesterfield sofa is finding a good one. Since the design is so old, anyone can rip it off for their own profit. That means there's a lot of weird, sub-par options on the internet. So to help you, we put our furniture experts to work. We went out, found, and tested the six absolute best chesterfield sofas from across the internet—from ultra classic interpretations, to sleeker modern ones. This is what we found, the best chesterfield sofas you can buy right now.
Arhaus Berwick Sofa
Pros
- The best upholstery we've found on any chesterfield sofa
- The linen performance fabric is an easy clean
Cons
- High-end price tag
Since the chesterfield sofa is such a specific form, with the shape and size being pretty standard, materials are where the best-of-the-best really shine. The one shown is a performance linen-type fabric, and yet, it's as classic as ever with a softer touch. But all the other options Arhaus offers are beautiful, buttery soft recycled leathers that really complete the look of this classic chesterfield sofa. Either way, you just can't go wrong with a quality choice like this.
| Dimensions | 88" W x 38" D x 32" H |
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CB2 Savile Leather Tufted Sofa
CB2 Savile Leather Tufted Sofa
Pros
- A more understated modern look
- Great leather
Cons
- Some may prefer the classic chesterfield design
For a modern take on a classic form, of course we're going to turn to CB2. With tufted leather, the Savile sofa definitely still captures the feel of a chesterfield, but the sharp lines and chrome legs are decidedly modern. It's a simple change, but one that completely changes the feel, ideal for someone that's not ready to lean all the way into the classics.
| Dimensions | 92.5" W x 34.25" D x 29.5" H |
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BOWERY HILL Leather Tufted Back Chesterfield Sofa
BOWERY HILL Leather Tufted Back Chesterfield Sofa
Pros
- All the classic details
- Surprisingly high-quality leather
Cons
- No way to get swatches on Amazon
This feels crazy, given the chesterfield sofa is such an old piece of furniture, but the most classic version on the internet is actually on Amazon. We say "most classic" mainly because the tufted upholstery is carried over to the bottom of the sofa, as well, an old-timey design choice. Pair that with nice smooth leathers, and you've got the perfect true to form chesterfield sofa.
| Dimensions | 95" W x 40.5" D x 30.5" H |
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Poly & Bark Lyon Sofa
Pros
- High quality Italian leather
- More modern look without nailhead trim
Cons
- Looks a bit more basic than other options
For some, the nailhead trim is where the chesterfield sofa loses them. It's an old-school design touch, and that understandable means it turns some people off. Of all the brands that try to ditch it, Poly & Bark does without dumping the traditional elegance. That's mostly down to the amazing Italian leather used, which gives plenty of classic flair if you get it in a traditional color.
| Dimensions | 87.5" W x 34" D x 31" H |
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Kelly Clarkson Home Provence Rolled Arm Sofa
Kelly Clarkson Home Provence Rolled Arm Sofa
Pros
- Incredible price
- The faux leathers actually feel quite nice
Cons
- Not the highest of quality
You want the high-class look of a chesterfield on a lower-class budget? No shame! Kelly Clarkson has a much-loved homey little line at Wayfair, and the chesterfield sofas are a great value. For well under $1,000, you get the classic shape and two surprisingly nice faux leather upholstery options. Can't be beat.
| Size | 84" W x 34" D x 29" H |
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Pottery Barn Chesterfield Sofa
Pottery Barn Chesterfield Sofa
Pros
- A ton of options to design your own sofa
- Ordering swatches is incredibly easy
Cons
- No leather options
As far as customizing your classic piece, Pottery Barn was as good as we found it on the World Wide Web. You can choose between four widths, two seat depths, and over 100 fabrics. We really like this "Spice" colored performance fabric, which really makes it a statement piece. But there are even a few herringbone options to really lean into the English countryside history of the sofa.
| Dimensions | Varied |
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What to Look For In a Chesterfield Sofa
Let's start this with an even more simple question: What is a chesterfield sofa? If you've made it this far and seen all six, you have an idea of the shape. It's a traditional look where tufted upholstery and a back that's the same height as the arms are the most discerning features. Other than that, rounded back and arms are most traditional, but there are some modern squared-off models that still fit the category. And on top of all of that, the most traditional detail is the nailhead trim. Within those parameters, this is what we looked for in testing:
Luxe upholstery - Because the look is so classic, it's the materials that really make a chesterfield stand out. We love it in leather, but a muted linen or bright velvet are just as nice.
Design choices - Another way a chesterfield sofa stands out is in subtle changes to the form. The CB2 couch really stretches what we're able to call a chesterfield, but notice the small changes in the other models. The Arhaus sofa has single upholstered seat cushion, which is the most traditional look and obviously shows it's a hand-built couch. All the others have divided cushions, which is a more effective modern invention.
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