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These Chesterfield Sofas Will Add Classic Elegance To Your Space

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

Classic But Stylish, Affordable And Sized Just Right

MOST POPULAR

Greyleigh Lemington Upholstered Sofa

Dimensions: 33 x 30 x 84 inches | Fabric: Polyester | Frame: Solid and manufactured wood | Color options: 6 total, including Charcoal and Camel

The Greyleigh Lemington sofa from Wayfair adds a modern touch to the traditional Chesterfield design. The classic button tufting, softness of the polyester upholstery and support of pocket springs and foam filling make this couch an equally eye-catching and functional addition to any living room. This three-seater also features sleek black metal corner legs that give it a modern edge and comes in six colors including a vibrant blue and green for those who want a pop of color.

Pros:

  • Supportive seating
  • Frame includes solid wood (combined with manufactured wood)

Cons:

  • Assembly required, but tools are included
  • Seat cushions aren’t removable

Best Chesterfield Loveseat

A Compact Option With Traditional Elements

Kelly Clarkson Home Provence Upholstered Loveseat

Dimensions: 28 x 18 x 61 inches | Fabric: Polyester or linen blend | Frame: Solid and manufactured wood | Color options: 6 total, including Beige and Black

Want to add a classic look to a tighter space? This 61-inch loveseat, featuring traditional Chesterfield elements like rolled arms, nailhead trim and button tufting, can easily seat two and accommodate up to 600 pounds. The sofa uses a combination of spring seats and foam filling for comfort, and it’s also durably constructed with solid and manufactured wood. This pick is ideal for your home office or smaller living room as a seat to curl up on.

Pros:

  • Great for small spaces
  • Frame includes solid wood (combined with manufactured wood)

Cons:

  • Assembly required
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Best Value Chesterfield Sofa

Cozy And Sturdy With A Solid Wood Frame

Alcott Hill Strock 81-Inch Upholstered Sofa

Dimensions: 30.4 x 81 x 34.3 inches | Fabric: Linen blend and velvet | Frame: Solid walnut and rubberwood | Color options: Cream Linen and Green Velvet

With plenty of seating space for three, this affordable sofa gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It seamlessly blends traditional Chesterfield elements, like nailhead trim, rolled arms and deep tufting for an overall classic appearance. Its sturdily constructed with a hardwood frame and solid walnut wood legs, lending the sofa extra height and visual warmth. Additionally, the seats are deep and the removable cushions are filled with foam and supported with a coil spring—perfect for lounging.

Pros:

  • Removable seat cushions
  • Solid wood frame

Cons:

  • Assembly required

Best Chesterfield Sofa For Larger Homes

A Luxe Option With Enough Room For The Whole Family

Lyre Chesterfield Two-Cushion Sofa

Dimensions: 82, 90 or 100 x 41 x 36 inches | Fabric: 6 total, including leather and performance linen | Frame: Kiln-dried, laminated hardwood frame | Color options: 8 total, including Rouge and Malachite (emerald green)

Need lots of seating space but still want something that’s tailored to your style? This 18th century-style Chesterfield sofa will fit the bill. It features sought-after classic details like a nailhead trim, classic tufting and rolled arms, but it’s also plenty customizable. You’ll first pick from three sizes (82 to 100 inches wide) then pick out everything else: the fabric type and color, leg finish and hardware finish. The sofa also comes with two large plush seat cushions (which are removable), making it extra cozy for curling up.

Pros:

  • Very customizable
  • Three sizes options, up to 100 inches wide
  • Kiln-dried hardwood frame

Cons:

  • Customized options can take several weeks to ship, though there are “ships soon” options available

Best Velvet Chesterfield Sofa

A Modern 4-Seater Swathed In Quality Velvet

Willa Arlo Sickels Velvet Sofa

Dimensions: 30 x 90 x 34 inches | Fabric: Velvet | Frame: Solid birch wood | Color options: 6 total, including Navy and Pink

This contemporary take on a Chesterfield sofa features a modern rectangular silhouette and is supported by a solid birch frame. It’s also swatched in a rich velvet upholstery, which, combined with the foam fill and pocket springs, make for an cozy and supportive feel (not to mention it can hold up to 1,200 pounds of weight). Plus, you have a handful of colors to choose from, allowing you to customize your couch to your decor style. One thing to note: The couch is on the firmer side, so it’s best for those who like a little extra support.

Pros:

  • Solid wood frame
  • 1,200 weight capacity

Cons:

  • Might be too firm or too shallow for some

Best Leather Chesterfield Sofa

Quality Materials Plus Cool Metal Caster Wheels

Grandin Road London Sofa

Dimensions: 40.5 x 30.5 x 89 inches | Fabric: Top-grain leather, velvet | Frame: Kiln-dried hardwood | Color options: 5 total, including Cocoa (leather) and Indigo (velvet)

Chesterfield sofas traditionally come in brown leather upholstery, and Grandin Road’s London style is a chic example of the classic. It features a durable kiln-dried hardwood frame and luxe top-grain leather and velvet upholstery options. Furthermore, the deeply tufted cushions are made of body-conforming foam that provides balanced support. Another cool feature: The couch comes on metal caster wheels so you can easily adjust and move it as needed.

Pros:

  • Kiln-dried hardwood frame
  • Body-conforming foam cushions
  • Features rolling castor wheels

Cons:

  • Color options are neutral and limited

Best Chesterfield Sleeper Sofa

A Sturdy But Plush Option That Does Double Duty

Sustainable

Pottery Barn Chesterfield Roll Arm Upholstered Sleeper Sofa

Dimensions: 89 x 22 x 90 inches | Fabric: 8 total, including suede and boucle | Frame: Kiln-dried engineered hardwood frame | Color options: 120+ total, including Oatmeal and Navy

For the classic look of a Chesterfield with the added benefit of a becoming a pull-out bed, Pottery Barn’s versatile sleeper sofa is extra versatile. This sustainably made couch folds out to reveal a queen-sized mattress made with 5-inches of high-density and gel-infused foams. Steel springs and polyester-wrapped cushions give you a firm feel and the kiln-dried engineered wood is especially durable. Just keep in mind that the couches are made to order, meaning you might have to wait several weeks for yours to arrive.

Pros:

  • Kiln-dried wood frame
  • Stain-resistant performance fabric options available
  • Pull-out queen-size mattress

Cons:

  • Custom couches can take 5-plus weeks for delivery

Best Modern Chesterfield Sofa

A Polished, Contemporary Model That's Surprisingly Affordable

All Modern George 82-Inch Upholstered Sofa

Dimensions: 30 x 32 x 82 inches | Fabric: Velvet | Frame: Kiln-dried solid oak and rubberwood | Color options: 10 total, including Blush and Rust

The George sofa by All Modern perfectly captures that vintage-modern look so many home decor fans look for in a Chesterfield. Available in 10 solid shades of velvet and featuring a foam-padded seat and a kiln-dried wood frame, this option rings up at just over $1,000—a fraction of the price of other Chesterfield sofas of similar construction and style. We’re also fond of the warmly finished conical legs and the deep seating (23 inches). Plus, the sofa seats up to four people and is long enough to lie down on comfortably, according to some reviews.

Pros:

  • Sleek, modern style
  • 10 velvet color optiosn
  • Kiln-dried wood frame

Cons:

  • Some say the leg placements make the couch slightly unstable
  • Assembly required

Best Chesterfield Chair

Classic And Modern With A Sink-In Seat Depth

Interior Define Ms. Chesterfield Leather Accent Chair

Dimensions: 31 x 28 x 38.5 inches | Fabric: Leather | Frame: Kiln-dried solid wood | Color options: 8 total, including Cognac and Marine Blue

This is the kind of seating you’d find in an Edwardian library; with its clean lines and lighter shape, it’s decidedly modern. This elegant chair is a great option if you want to add Chesterfield-style seating in your home but don’t have the room for a full couch. Made of pigment-dyed leather, the chair comes in a number of shades, from Pecan to Blue. The shape and color of the chair’s legs are also customizable; options include oiled walnut stiletto legs and tapered square oak wood. Also important to note: It has a firm back for optimal support, a deep 31-inch seat that encourages lounging and a kiln-dried solid wood frame that’s backed by the company’s 10-year frame warranty.

Pros:

  • Customizable leather color and legs
  • Extra deep seat (31 inches)
  • Kiln-dried wood frame

Cons:

  • Custom chairs take 16 to 18 weeks for delivery

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.