Chesterfield Sofa Guide

Many people believe that a leather chesterfield is the most popular settee in the world. Legend has it that it is named after the Earl of Chesterfield, who was an English peer in the 17th century, and a sofa was commissioned especially for him. An alternative explanation for the name is that it is an adopted title from the early 1900s when Canadians and some Americans used it to describe a particular style of sofa. Whatever the origin of its name, a Chesterfield is a distinctive, impressive piece of furniture and it can be a great investment for your home.

Characteristics of a Chesterfield include buttoning on the leather, a swirl effect on the arms of the chair and wooden bun feet. There are many different colors available nowadays and variations on the typical classical style, for example a straight back rather than one which is slightly curved. You can buy a leather chesterfield in black, mahogany, mustard, cream, red, blue and green amongst many others. Chesterfields are available in club chairs and different sizes of settees including two, three and four seaters. You can also buy matching footstools to complement the main item.

Gone are the days when a Chesterfield piece only looked good in an old-fashioned style of study or a university library. With the increased range of color options, a Chesterfield can be a fantastic addition to a modern home. For a retro vibe, you could go for a citrus green model, which gives a real combination of enduring style and contemporary design.

There are a couple of things to bear in mind when shopping for a leather chesterfield sofa or chair. Many retailers claim to be selling Chesterfield pieces.  Unfortunately, some of them are simply poor quality imitations that do no justice to the elegance and history of the genuine article. So, do not rush into making an impulse purchase. Do your research: the Internet is a good place to start. Most furniture manufacturers have websites and these should give you the information about the company and the products they sell to enable you to decide whether you want to give them your business. Do not make an online purchase without trying some leather chesterfield models, however. Test them out at your local furniture or department store and compare different brands in terms of price, quality and comfort. Then you can go back online and try to find the best price for the model you want.

Make sure the manufacturer offers a warranty or guarantee of some sort to protect your position should there be a problem with your item. Make sure you know what the return and exchange policy of the store is. Check what delivery charges apply, as sometimes these can be substantial. If you do your research and know from the outset exactly what you are looking for in your sofa, you should be able to find a leather chesterfield that will be loved and enjoyed by the whole family for many years to come.