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The original Chesterfield sofa is large and handsome, with dark leather upholstery and elegant design details that hint at its widespread popularity in Victorian homes. It is one of those indefinable classics that remains as relevant today as it did then. Modern Chesterfields retain the same silhouette and detailing, but serve more contemporary homes with colourful fabric or punchy velvet upholstery, extended sizes and new features like the clever Chesterfield sofa bed on our list below.
The origins of the Chesterfield sofa are largely contested and accuracies lost to time. Its silhouette however remains one of the most recognisable in furniture design. Traditionally, a Chesterfield sofa has a structured frame and stout, unobtrusive feet. It's rolled arms usually sit at the same height as its back, and both have distinctive button tufting and neat pleating. It is traditionally upholstered in a dark brown or black leather. A Chesterfield can be pricey – a reflection of its premium materials and skilled craftsmanship – but a good quality leather Chesterfield will last for more than 25 years.
A leather Chesterfield sofa is typically tightly stuffed, offering fairly firm support – you won't sink into a Chesterfield as you might sink into a velvet sofa. This isn't to say that a Chesterfield isn't comfortable, and firmer support is preferable for a lot of people. Do also keep in mind that leather becomes more supple with time and use, as do seat cushions, so the initial firmness of a Chesterfield will inevitably give way.
Here we look at some high street favourites, from DFS to Habitat, to find the best Chesterfield sofas for all tastes and budgets.
If you were to picture a traditional Chesterfield, this is likely what would come to mind. Black leather with a slight shine – matt leather is popular too, but tends to be distressed – a plump button back, a gentle roll to the arms and unobtrusive wooden feet.
At first glance, this Furniture Village sofa has all the markers of a traditional Chesterfield, but it does have some modest updates, namely in the squared off arms that highlight the subtle metal studding and more unusually, a hidden USB charging port. This is a great shade too – brown leathers can sometimes appear almost black, but this has some nice caramel tones.
This Habitat Chesterfield feels like the perfect option for homes that value a balance of old and new. Whilst the shape nods to tradition, the grey velvet feels light and contemporary.
Dusk can always be relied upon for neutral furniture fit for an understated home. Ideal for a small living room, this is slimmer and more compact than you would usually see in a Chesterfield, with a nice addition in the contrasting wooden base frame.
You would never guess that this velvet Chesterfield sofa from Dunelm transforms into a spacious sofa bed. At just £599, and available in four colours – navy blue, teal, grey and black – this is a must-buy for anyone who needs extra space for guests.
There are endless variations on brown leather, so if the traditional deep chestnut isn't for you, don't write it off altogether. A pale tan leather will forever feel modern – and the distressed finish on this Darlings of Chelsea model only gets better with age and a bit of scuffing up.
This gold velvet is one of our favourite colourways on our list. It looks decadent and infused with a vintage feel, and would fit beautifully in a home that mixes old and new.
A corner chesterfield is a bit of a novelty, especially in this soft curved shape. This would do particularly well in a large room where the number of seats is more of a priority than saving space. Plump velvet seats give a sink-in comfortable result.
This modernised loveseat has heaps of charm. The silhouette reinterprets a classic Chesterfield design, making it more compact and adaptable for contemporary homes, and it is available in over 50 fabrics for a truly customisable finish.
Scour vintage sites like Vinterior or Pamono, and you will find a real gem at a considerably reduced price. This large, three-seater chesterfield in a striking reddish leather is just £626. Even if it requires a touch of restoration, that is a handsome saving.
You cannot beat Sofas and Stuff for their variety of fabrics. You can have a Chesterfield – they sell two designs – upholstered in a choice of hundreds of fabrics, from exaggerated botanicals to quaint ticking stripes.
If the firmer support of a leather Chesterfield isn't quite right for you, head to Loaf. All Loaf sofas – Chesterfield or otherwise – are designed for sink-in comfort for those who prefer their sofas squishy.
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