For some, the nailhead trim is where the chesterfield sofa loses them. It’s an old-school design touch, and that understandable means it turns some people off. Of all the brands that try to ditch it, Poly & Bark does without dumping the traditional elegance. That’s mostly down to the amazing Italian leather used, which gives plenty of classic flair if you get it in a traditional color.
You want the high-class look of a chesterfield on a lower-class budget? No shame! Kelly Clarkson has a much-loved homey little line at Wayfair, and the chesterfield sofas are a great value. For well under $1,000, you get the classic shape and two surprisingly nice faux leather upholstery options. Can’t be beat.
As far as customizing your classic piece, Pottery Barn was as good as we found it on the World Wide Web. You can choose between four widths, two seat depths, and over 100 fabrics. We really like this “Spice” colored performance fabric, which really makes it a statement piece. But there are even a few herringbone options to really lean into the English countryside history of the sofa.
Let’s start this with an even more simple question: What is a chesterfield sofa? If you’ve made it this far and seen all six, you have an idea of the shape. It’s a traditional look where tufted upholstery and a back that’s the same height as the arms are the most discerning features. Other than that, rounded back and arms are most traditional, but there are some modern squared-off models that still fit the category. And on top of all of that, the most traditional detail is the nailhead trim. Within those parameters, this is what we looked for in testing:
Luxe upholstery – Because the look is so classic, it’s the materials that really make a chesterfield stand out. We love it in leather, but a muted linen or bright velvet are just as nice.
Design choices – Another way a chesterfield sofa stands out is in subtle changes to the form. The CB2 couch really stretches what we’re able to call a chesterfield, but notice the small changes in the other models. The Arhaus sofa has single upholstered seat cushion, which is the most traditional look and obviously shows it’s a hand-built couch. All the others have divided cushions, which is a more effective modern invention.
