The words Chesterfield sofa conjure up many images: smoky elite men’s clubs, classic movies from the 1940’s, and stuffy paneled studies in ultra-large homes. Whatever your image of the sofa, it exudes sophistication, luxury, and elegance. The distinctive design characteristics of chesterfield furniture have made this style of sofa a popular piece of upholstered furniture for over a century.
The most distinguishing design element is the rolled arms of the Chesterfield sofa that are as high as the back of the sofa. Added to that distinctiveness are the deep tufted and buttoned fabric, the nail head accents on the upholstery, and deep seating. These features point toward a masculine look and feel, but the sofa is simply stylish and classic that had stood the test of time. Even though we think of the Chesterfield as more at home in a home with traditional decor, it is now frequently being used in modern and contemporary settings.
Since there is not much wood on this sofa, the legs are usually constructed of mahogany, cherry, or walnut and feature Chippendale or Queen Anne styling or have bun feet. You can find chesterfields in a variety of covering materials with the leather sofa being the preferred choice for this piece of furniture. The leather Chesterfield is made of top grain leather with colors favoring the traditional black, brown, burgundy, gray, and blackberry. Less expensive sofas are covered in vinyl and come in the same colors as the leather ones. Also available is cotton upholstery in neutral or denim colors.
Even though this is a classy and stylish piece of furniture, a criticism is that the large tall arms are not conducive to napping. While comfortable for sitting and reading, the sofa may be uncomfortable if you want to stretch out for a short nap. However, since the sofa has endured decades of changing styles, this one small disadvantage has not damaged its reputation.
Available for most budgets, the cost ranges from under $2,000 to well over $4,000 depending on the type of upholstery. The Chesterfield sofa is a classic that adds instant grace to a room and is at home in traditional or contemporary rooms.