With their signature tufted upholstery and high backs, Chesterfield sofas exude traditional charm. While classic Chesterfield sofas combine deep leather with button-tufting and nailhead trim for a more severe look, the Chesterfields of today look just as home in an English study as they do in a contemporary living room. While there are still plenty of classic options you can buy, Chesterfield sofas now can be found with velvet upholstery and bright, eye-catching colors.
Here, we found the best Chesterfield sofas that are guaranteed to make a statement.
Best Overall
Anthropologie Lyre Chesterfield Two-Cushion Sofa
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Anthropologie
Size: 82, 90, or 100 x 41 x 36 inches | Upholstery: Velvet, linen, leather, polyester | Frame: Kiln-dried, laminated hardwood
Whether you're not quite sure what you want or you know exactly what you want, Anthropologie's Lyre Chesterfield Sofa is a smart choice. Completely customizable, this stunning sofa can be whatever you want it to be, although all of them come with the same classic Chesterfield tufting, rolled arms, nailhead trim. This sofa also has two oversized cushions for a plush yet supportive seat you'll have no problem curling up in for hours.
There are three sizes to choose from (from standard to extra large), nine fabrics, 22 colors, three leg finishes, and two hardware finishes, so you're pretty much guaranteed to get the sofa of your dreams.
Best Budget
Willa Arlo Interiors Criss Rolled Arm Chesterfield Sofa
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Size: 81.9 x 31.9 inches x 28.7 inches | Upholstery: Polyester blend | Frame: Solid wood
Chesterfield sofas are typically more expensive than the standard sofas, so finding a truly "budget" option is tricky. Anything under $800 is considered relatively affordable compared to most of the Chesterfields on the market, so this Wayfair find is a good bet. It's a good-looking option thanks to the durable polyester fabric, solid wood construction, and rolled arms, which look a bit more modern thanks to the lack of nailhead trim. It's available in three neutral colors, and has super comfortable foam and spring cushions for easy lounging.
Best Splurge
Arhaus Berwick Sofa
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Courtesy of Arhaus
Size: 88 x 38 inches x 32 inches | Upholstery: Performance, leather, velvet, polyester | Frame: Solid, reinforced hardwood
Willing to splurge? Check out the Berwick Sofa from Arhaus, a luxurious piece that's heavy on tradition. Unlike more modern Chesterfields, both the seat and the back are tufted on this sofa, which also has a hardwood frame and dense foam seat cushions. It's definitely an investment piece, but that's because the construction quality is so high. All wood used is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and each piece is handcrafted by artisans in North Carolina.
Technically there are hundreds of upholstery fabrics and colors to choose from, although only two are considered in stock and able to ship within a few weeks. If you're willing to wait and spend a bit more, though, you have a ton of choices to sift through.
Best Modern
Jayson Home Hawthorne Sofa
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Size: 92 x 34.5 x 30.5 inches | Upholstery: Cotton-acrylic blend | Frame: Ember wood
If you're looking for something a bit more contemporary, Jayson Home's Hawthorne Sofa is a luxurious way to update any space. Inspired by a tuxedo-style frame, this sofa has more of a modern vibe than a traditional one. The clean lines, squared-off silhouette, high arms, and neat button tufting give you a secure, stylish place to sit, while the fluffy filled seat cushions and supportive back cushions offer reprieve from a long day.
You can order the sofa as is—with a beautiful grayish blue upholstery on top of a dark wooden frame—or you can customize your look, choosing from 40 fabric options and nine wood finishes.
Best Upholstered
Old Hickory Tannery Ellsworth Neutral Tufted Sofa 84"
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Size: 84 x 36 x 33 inches | Upholstery: Cotton twill | Frame: Maple wood
This upholstered beauty is a Chesterfield dream. Made by a family-owned tannery in North Carolina, this sofa has clean lines and a sturdy base, with a tufted cotton twill fabric that gives it a lived-in yet elegant vibe. The cream-colored upholstery sits on top of a maple frame that’s distressed and finished with a French dark cherry, giving a beautiful contrast that fits in nicely with any décor.
As for the inner workings: All of the springs are hand-tied to the frame—and to each other—so the sofa is built to last and will remain your favorite place to sit for years to come. The only downsides are the higher price and the fact that it's only available in the cream color.
Best Velvet
Soho Home Aderyn Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa
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Courtesy of Soho Home
Size: 87 x 39 x 32 inches | Upholstery: Velvet, linen | Frame: Engineered hardwood with maple feet
Another Chesterfield sofa with a stately vibe, the Aderyn Sofa from Soho Home brings a statement to any living space. It combines velvet upholstery and narrow rolled arms with a timeless tuxedo-style frame that sits on top of pure maple legs. It's available in 16 colors in both velvet and linen upholsteries, from classic indigo to bold currant, so you can fit it into any aesthetic.
Take note that each sofa is made-to-order, so you'll have to wait several months before you get your custom piece. If you're willing to wait, you'll get a gorgeous sofa that will never go out of style. Another thing to note: Soho Home members get 15 percent off.
Best Leather
Poly & Bark Essex Sofa
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Size: 89 x 32.28 x 30.31 inches | Upholstery: Full-grain pure-aniline or semi-aniline dyed Italian tanned leather | Frame: Solid wood
There’s just something about a leather Chesterfield sofa that makes you want to sit down and relax with a good book and some scotch over ice. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but this Poly & Bark Essex Sofa gives off all of the "Mad Men" vibes, while somehow warming up any sitting room. The soft leather upholstery is stylish yet totally inviting, and the tapered mahogany wood legs give it a high-end finish. This sofa is meant to last for many years, and with proper care will only get better with time.
Best Sleeper
Pottery Barn Chesterfield Roll Arm Upholstered Sleeper Sofa
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Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Size: 89 x 41 x 31 inches | Upholstery: Velvet, linen, cotton, suede, polyester | Frame: Kiln-dried engineered hardwood
This stylish Chesterfield sleeper sofa from Pottery Barn is a long way off from the unattractive pull-out couches of the past. With its rolled arms, deeply-tufted upholstery, and round tapered legs, it gives off the Edwardian-style vibe that Chesterfield sofas are known for, but with a super functional twist. Plus, you can choose from more than 100 fabric types, from an oatmeal Sunbrella tweed to deep red twill. And as for the five-inch Queen mattress inside: It’s made of a responsive memory foam that’s infused with gel that helps wick away heat and moisture as you (or your guests) sleep.
Best Sectional
Frontgate Barrow Chesterfield Chaise Sectional
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Frontgate
Size: 98 x 68 inches x 32 inches | Upholstery: Performance, leather, velvet | Frame: Kiln-dried wood
With enough seating for five adults (and some extra space for a child or fur child), this Chesterfield sectional is equal parts comfy and stylish. The cushions are built with double-coil steel springs and high-density foam wrapped with feathers and down, providing both support and coziness. The button tufted details on the back and arms give it a classic Chesterfield look, while the deep solid wood base adds upscale detail.
The chaise is the perfect place to settle in and read or take a nap. and while this sectional isn’t configurable once you get it, it does come in a variety of different sizes and configurations.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Lyre Chesterfield Two-Cushion Sofa (view at Anthropologie), thanks to its high-quality construction and impressive range of customization options. It's on the high-end though, so if you're looking for something more budget-friendly we recommend the Willa Arlo Interiors Criss Chesterfield Sofa (view at Wayfair), which has all the style of a luxury Chesterfield sofa at a much more affordable price.
What to Look for in a Chesterfield Sofa
Style
The hallmarks of a Chesterfield sofa include a few features: button tufting, rolled arms, nailhead trim, and a back that's the same height as the arms. There are plenty of traditional Chesterfields out there that hit all those marks, as well as more contemporary pieces that play around with that style. Nowadays you can find Chesterfields with narrow, not rolled, arms, different types of tufting, and no nailhead trim. Any style is fair game, so think about your personal style and go from there.
Upholstery
While traditional Chesterfield sofas were upholstered in dark leather, modern iterations of the style come in a variety of fabrics and colors. Velvet is a popular option, although it's not as durable as other fabrics and needs to be treated with care. Leather is always a good choice, as it's easy to care for and will get even better with time—just like your Chesterfield. Polyester is the least expensive option, and it's incredibly durable, making it a solid choice for those with kids or pets.
Construction
Be sure to look for a sofa with a solid wood frame to ensure it's built to last. Most sofas will have seats containing a combination of foam and springs, as well as down or feathers if it's on the high end. It's always best to see a sofa in person and do a seat test before you buy it, but if that's not possible just be sure to double-check the return policy.
Why Trust MyDomaine?
This article was written by Nicole Lund, MyDomaine's commerce editor. She selected products based on the quality of construction, number of upholstery options, and other stylistic features, taking care to source from established retailers.