Known for their deep button-tufting upholstery and rolled armrests, Chesterfield sofas command attention while fitting in with your particular space and budget. A British invention crafted in the mid-1700s, these uniquely elegant couches were traditionally made of buttery leather. These days, you’ll find Chesterfield sofas in a wide variety of styles, from those with classic silhouettes like Wayfair’s Greyleigh Lemington Sofa, to ones with a more contemporary design like the velvet-upholstered All Modern George Sofa.
As is the case for any of the best couches, Chesterfields come in a variety of upholstery options from soft, dreamy velvet to performance fabric—and this sophisticated design is worth considering if you have your heart set on a leather sofa. As such, you’ll also find Chesterfields in different sizes and price points to accommodate your space and budget. So if you’re interested in adding this distinctly stately style to your home, here are the best Chesterfield sofas from budget-friendly options to those suitable for large spaces.
- Best Chesterfield Sofa Overall: Wayfair Greyleigh Lemington
- Best Chesterfield Loveseat: Kelly Clarkson Home Provence
- Best Value Chesterfield Sofa: Alcott Hill Strock
- Best Chesterfield Sofa For Larger Homes: Lyre Chesterfield
- Best Velvet Chesterfield Sofa: Willa Arlo Sickels
- Best Leather Chesterfield Sofa: Grandin Road London
- Best Chesterfield Sofa Bed: Pottery Barn Chesterfield Sleeper
- Best Modern Chesterfield Sofa: All Modern George
- Best Chesterfield Chair: Ms. Chesterfield Leather Accent Chair
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our home content library includes a vast number of furniture stories, so our writers editors have become experts on the topic of outfitting every room in your home. Particularly, we’ve written dozens of articles on couch styles over the years from sectional sofas to futons. This piece was authored Korin Miller, a longtime Forbes Vetted contributor who’s written dozens of home and kitchen stories on our site; the product selections and publishing of this story was overseen by senior home and kitchen editor Rebekah Lowin.
We also frequently refresh this story to ensure accuracy and keep our readers apprised on the latest styles. This article was last updated in September 2023 by our staff home writer Fran Sales, who re-evaluated the picks, updated prices and added specs to help you make a buying decision.
How We Chose The Best Chesterfield Sofas
In the process of narrowing down our list of the best Chesterfield sofas, the Forbes Vetted home editorial team kept multiple features in mind, including style, material, size, construction and overall quality. We also considered various budgets and spaces to include styles for every shopper. During our research, we found the top-rated furniture brands (such as Wayfair and Pottery Barn), scanned customer reviews and made sure to include highly rated sofas with a rating of at least four stars or above. In the cases where we thought there was noteworthy feedback, critiques were added to the product descriptions.
What To Consider When Choosing A Chesterfield Sofa
Size
Before picking out a Chesterfield, make sure you know the measurements of your space and where you plan to place the couch. It’s also a good idea to measure your doorways so you don’t end up purchasing a sofa that can’t fit through the frame.
Then, take into account the number of people in your household and how you’ll typically use the sofa. A large family calls for a larger Chesterfield such as Anthropologie’s Lyre Sofa, which is available in widths of up to 100 inches. At the same time, if you have a small family but like to entertain guests, you may still want to consider a medium-to-large size to accommodate. And if you live in a smaller home and barely have any space, consider going for a Chesterfield chair instead of a sofa, such as Interior Define’s Ms. Chesterfield Leather Accent Chair.
Upholstery
While Chesterfield sofas are traditionally made of leather, they now come in a whole slew of fabrics and colors. That said, leather remains the most popular for this style; that’s because it lasts long, is easy to maintain and it seamlessly blends in with different styles of decor.
Velvet options like the Willa Arlo Sickels Velvet Sofa are also popular, and you can often get them in a wide variety of colors—bright and neutral alike. Just note that most velvet is a little high-maintenance and demands special care, making it less durable than leather. Other upholstery options include linen, polyester and performance fabrics, which can be great for those with young children and pets; in general, these fabrics are durable, breathable and highly resistant to stains, scratches and fading.
Frame Materials
It’s easy focus on the fabric when shopping for Chesterfields, but don’t forget to consider the frame. When it comes to Chesterfield sofas, you can’t beat one made from kiln-dried wood (like several of our top picks are)—they contain little to no moisture, making them super-strong and long-lasting. Another solid frame option is one made of manufactured or engineered hardwood, which tends to be less pricey and more eco-friendly. Manufactured wood is also typically water-resistant.
Durability
Everyone has different durability needs, depending on how they intend to use the couch. For example, families with young children or pets will likely want a Chesterfield made of stain-resistant and scratch-resistant fabric that’s less likely to wear and tear. Performance fabrics and linen are also good options. If you’re looking for a more decorative sofa to entertain guests from time to time, you won’t need such heavy-duty materials. Velvet or leather are good options in this case; both will bring elegance to your room. Velvet, in particular, is a great choice for those who only intend to use the couch on special occasions. Grandin Road’s London Sofa is a quality pick that’s available in both top-grain leather and microfiber velvet.
Who Makes The Best Quality Chesterfield Sofa?
Traditional Chesterfield sofas were originally made from leather with large, sturdy rolled arms, but these days, you can find options in various fabrics, styles and sizes. Because of this, it's essential to dig deeper into the sofa's overall construction. The sofas we selected are from top-rated brands with rave customer reviews and high marks for quality and design; these include Anthropologie Home, Pottery Barn, Wayfair and All Modern. If you're still unsure of which will withstand years of wear and tear, reference our shopping guide, above, which highlights features like upholstery and frame material.
What Is The Best Color For A Chesterfield Sofa?
Chesterfield sofas come in many different colors and materials, so choose one that suits your style and needs. If you’re not worried about stains and you keep your couches relatively clean, any color will work for you. If you find yourself constantly cleaning or scrubbing stains from your current upholstery, sticking with a performance or forgiving fabric in deeper or darker tones is likely your best bet.
Is The Chesterfield Sofa Outdated?
Quite the opposite: The Chesterfield sofa is considered a classic style and is still popular today. The great thing about the Chesterfield style is that there have been so many reinventions of the silhouette. Today, you can find versions that look traditional, modern and versions that blend old and new, like the Greyleigh Lemington, our best overall pick from Wayfair.