The Chesterfield Leather Sofa, an Investment in Quality

One of the most important considerations in buying a new couch is how sturdily it’s built. A couch is a major investment, and you want it to last for a number of years.
Many homeowners are discovering the classic Chesterfield leather sofa.

The Chesterfield leather sofa design has been around for over 300 years, gracing palaces, private clubs, and upscale hotels.

The classic Chesterfield begins with a frame constructed of hardwood—usually birch or beech. The fine grain of hardwood creates the most solid fit for screws, pins, and other fastenings. Springs are hand-tied, and padding is added in layers. The leather upholstery is aniline dyed, and develops a rich patina as it ages. The button tufting—sometimes as many as 300 buttons are used on a single couch—helps prevent padding from shifting to create uncomfortable lumps or shallow spots.

Building a Chesterfield leather sofa is labor-intensive, and generally follows the time-honored procedures of yesteryear. (Some cheaper models may not maintain those quality standards, so you may need to investigate before you invest!)

There are modernized versions available which may feature either velvet or fabric upholstery. However, the classic black or brown leather Chesterfield leather sofa may be a better choice for several reasons. Fabric upholstery may stain easily, or fray at stress points. Fabric may fade or grow dingy with age. Fabric colors and styles may reflect modern trends, and become dated in a few years. However, the classic leather is easily cleaned, durable, and the neutral colors can blend well with other colors without appearing dated.

Redecorating is expensive. By investing in quality classic foundation pieces such as the Chesterfield couch, the homeowner can update décor easily and inexpensively by rotating inexpensive accessories such as artwork, rugs, pillows, and window treatments.

So enjoy elegance while making a practical investment in a quality-built Chesterfield couch.

Leather Sofas

The Chesterfield leather sofa has a noble tradition going back over 300 years. As one of the first pieces of furniture to be fully upholstered, the Chesterfield couch, embodies a long-standing tradition of opulent elegance.



According to legend, the first Chesterfield leather sofa was commissioned by the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Phillip Stanhope. Stanhope requested a cabinet maker to create a piece of furniture that would allow a gentleman to sit properly in optimum comfort.

The result was the traditional Chesterfield leather sofa. With distinctive rolled arms and back, deep tufting, rich leather patina, and finished oak feet, the Chesterfield has epitomized high-class luxury for most of its history.

The Chesterfield has been a typical fixture in private clubs, stately mansions, and luxury hotels for hundreds of years, and is said to add “instant class” to any space. It is also said that the Chesterfield couch was used by Sigmund Freud when he hypnotized patients.

Because leather upholstery was so expensive, the traditional Chesterfield was marketed to upscale clients. That, and the legend surrounding its origin, associated the Chesterfield design with royalty, adding to the image of luxury.

But with increased prosperity and newer options in upholstery, the Chesterfield leather couch is no longer the exclusive property of the rich and famous.

Chesterfields are available in a wide variety of sizes, with numerous options in upholstery. The clean, simple lines work well with the popular eclectic trend in home décor,. The classic leather version is an excellent choice for formal living rooms. Many business offices also use traditional Chesterfield couches to enhance their image and provide a subtle psycholoigical advantage when doing business.

But it takes more than attractive appearance to make a design “classic”. The Chesterfield was designed to be comfortable, and it is. In fact, the Chesterfield couch represents the perfect blend of elegance and comfort.