Chesterfield (Chester) sofa in the living room interior

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Among the various types of sofas, the Chester model has been popular for half a century. It is made in various interpretations, but there are specific characteristics of the product that distinguish it from other types of upholstered furniture. Traditional leather or modern fabric upholstery allows you to use the Chester sofa for any interior style. The furniture, which is of English origin, is of consistently high quality and can easily be transformed into a comfortable sleeping place.

Design Features

Chester sofas are multifunctional furniture, which is especially appreciated in modern interiors. Products are always made with a low back, which smoothly turns into armrests, which looks original, comfortable, and beautiful. Many models are equipped with a transformation mechanism for organizing a berth. The design has the following distinctive features:

The height of the backrest and armrests is the same, all elements have a similar decor.
Wooden parts are made from high-quality types of wood.
The filler is horsehair.
Carriage or diamond-shaped capitonné screed. Decorative buttons are used to secure the filling.
Tall wooden legs are made from solid, expensive wood.
Curved tops. The back and armrests are made in the form of scrolls.
Upholstery made of genuine leather or high-quality leatherette.
Characteristic backrest tilt.

Modern versions of upholstered furniture are complemented by seat cushions with a smooth structure.

Chester sofa - what is it, main characteristics, history, origins

Nov 2019

Interior design No comments

What is a Chester sofa? Having seen such furniture once, it is difficult to forget it and confuse it with other models. Thanks to its presentability and sleekness, the chester sofa has not lost popularity among furniture makers around the world for several centuries. Its design is a classic that has not changed for a long time. Initially it was only one sofa, but currently a whole collection of furniture is produced under this name. Designs are made in different formats. The upholstery can be not only leather, but also fabric of different colors and compositions.

The unique method of upholstery is called "carriage tie". On a Chester sofa it is done almost by hand, which improves the quality of work. Each furniture factory has its own manufacturing variations, but they are all endowed with certain common features:

the presence of a special angle of inclination of the backrest and armrests; elastic upholstery in the form of diamonds.

Chester sofa - characteristics This piece of furniture appeared back in the 18th century. Thanks to its shape, it looked great in English interiors of that time. The model was gradually improved, but the external differences with the original version are minimal. The Chesterfield sofa has the following characteristics:

Diamond stitch. In the first versions, horsehair was used to securely fix the filler, and the resulting indentations were covered with beautiful buttons. Currently, this technique is called “carriage screed”. The armrests and backrest are made at the same height and at the same time the same thickness. Modern models have neat and almost invisible legs. The armrests are presented in the form of rolled scrolls; in addition, they decorate the back of the sofa. Original upholstery – natural or synthetic leather.

Chester sofa - history This model has existed for a very long time and there are no opinions about who exactly created it. According to one version, the designer was a furniture maker from England, Chesterfield, who introduced the product at the end of the 13th century. Others claim that the furniture is named after the Earl of Chesterfield, who proposed the design. In addition, there is a version that the chesterfield sofa was named after a county in England.

All this only confirms the English origin of the furniture. The model was a pioneer in the use of springs in such products. At that time, this production method was not even patented and was used extremely rarely. The greatest popularity came to the model at the beginning of the 20th century. Now many furniture factories offer a wide range of such furniture.

Modern Chester sofa The classic version was covered with leather in natural shades: the color of clay, sand or evening green. Later, Chesterfield sofas began to be made with fabric upholstery in different colors. In addition, modern models have the following differences:

quite “chubby” armrests; low landing; smooth seats; corner options; difference in height of armrests and backrest; the legs became taller; lack of scroll armrests; addition of smooth pillows.

Types of Chester sofas These models are in great demand in different styles. Thanks to this, furniture is manufactured in a variety of options. According to the design, the Chester sofa is white or any other shade:

straight; corner; with ottoman; with a sleeping place. The color of the material can be varied, solid or patterned. The following division occurs according to the upholstery material:

leather chester sofa; velor; fabric; plush; eco leather. Straight Chester sofa The most common type of upholstered furniture. The size can be designed for two or three seats. A straight Chester sofa looks strict, beautiful and presentable; it will fit into the design of a living room, hallway or study. Currently, this type of furniture is available in different sizes and modifications:

Chester three-seater folding sofa; not folding option; chesterfield retractable.

Chester corner sofa This type of furniture is more functional. With its help it is easy to achieve the desired comfort; in addition, there are niches for storing things. It is important to remember that such furniture cannot look harmonious in the minimalist style. A Chester corner sofa in beige or another shade can be produced either with or without a folding bed. It all depends on the preferences of the future owner and his financial capabilities, because the first option is more expensive than the second.

Chester sofa with ottoman This addition is suitable for those who like not only to sit, but also to lie on such furniture. The ottoman is a kind of long pouf, the top of which is finished, like the back of the structure. It can complement both the straight and corner versions of the Chester style sofa. It can be easily separated if necessary when transporting or moving furniture around the apartment. The rectangular ottoman has a compartment that can be filled with bedding. In addition to this design, a round version is also available.

Chester sofa with sleeper This model is equipped with a folding or sliding mechanism. The advantage of this design is a comfortable and level place to sleep. The Chester sofa bed is equipped with an orthopedic mattress, which will make your rest high-quality and comfortable for daily sleep. The folding design is convenient for small spaces, and the durable frame can withstand constant loads without losing elasticity. An additional advantage of the folding option is the absence of movement of the structure on the floor, which will maintain its integrity.

Chester sofa - dimensions Due to its great popularity, furniture has a wide variety of appearance and shape options. You can choose a small model that will fit perfectly into a small room, and a folding Chester sofa will become a comfortable place for a whole group to spend time. Modern manufacturers produce Chester sofas of different widths. Today you can find the following popular options on sale:

small single – 110 cm; Chester double sofa – 144, 164 and 184 cm; triple – 208 or 224 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages

The elegant and graceful Chesterfield sofa has numerous advantages:

has a stylish, beautiful appearance;
looks attractive from any angle;
goes harmoniously with any interior style;
has high quality workmanship;
characterized by a long service life.

The Chester soft sofa has not lost popularity for five decades thanks to all the listed advantages. But in addition to the undeniable advantages, the model has some disadvantages. The product does not always have a comfortable sleeping place, and wide armrests are not suitable for all users. The cost of the original model is quite high, so not every buyer will choose a Chester sofa.

When choosing a product you need to approach it very carefully, paying attention to all the details, as you can purchase a low-quality analogue.

Sleek appearance

High quality

Harmony in the interior

Reasons for popularity

The main feature of Chester sofas is their refined, elegant design. Soft quilted upholstery made of genuine leather looks perfect in the luxurious interior of a living room, office or hall. The popularity of the models is due to numerous advantages:

attractive stylish appearance from any angle;
harmonious combination with different interior styles;
high quality construction, filling, upholstery;
long service life of the sofa;
relevance at all times.

Rounded backs and handles have long become traditional elements that provide ease of use. Many modern designers create unusual interior items, inspired by Chesterfield sofas.

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You can fully appreciate all the advantages of furniture only if you purchase a high-quality original model. Although, even in this case, some users note a number of shortcomings of the sofa: the sleeping place does not have a high level of comfort, and the wide armrests will not be comfortable for everyone.

Original models are expensive, so they are available only to a narrow circle of consumers.

Stylish design

Relevance at all times

Ideal compatibility with interiors

Materials of manufacture and dimensions

For the manufacture of the Chesterfield sofa, only selected quality materials are used, which are characterized by strength, durability, and environmental friendliness. It is interesting that each company has its own set of raw materials for the production of luxury furniture. The stability, comfort, and service life of the product depend on the reliability and strength of the frame. Expensive high-quality wood is used to make the frame, armrests, and legs. Oak is best suited for these purposes - a strong, durable material. A sofa made of wood will last a long time, maintaining its original shape.

The beautiful appearance of the product depends on the upholstery. Various modern materials are used for it, but the traditional furniture option is the Chester leather sofa. It looks great in any interior and decorates various settings. The advantages of expensive genuine leather are:

high tensile strength;
long service life;
moisture resistance;
ease of care.

The disadvantages include:

flammability;
low resistance to mechanical damage;
minimum flowers.

Equally popular for upholstery is eco-leather, which has almost no inferior properties to natural material. It has a number of advantages:

resistance to moisture;
wide choice of colors;
softness and elasticity;
environmental cleanliness;
wear resistance;
ease of care.

The disadvantages are:

susceptibility to mechanical damage;
adhesion to human skin;
flammability.

Fabric velor is another covering option. The material consists of various components: cotton, polyester, viscose. The advantages are:

good air permeability;
stretch resistance;
softness and velvety surface.

The disadvantages include:

difficult stain removal;
fragility, as the fabric wears out quickly;
gentle cleansing.

Natural horsehair or modern synthetic materials are used as filler for the production of Chesterfield sofas. The first is taken from the mane and tail of the animal. Horsehair has a number of undeniable advantages:

excellent air permeability;
durable;
absorbs moisture well;
hard.

Thanks to the hardness and rigidity of horsehair, the sofa perfectly holds the human body and also follows the contours of the body.

The cheapest models use synthetic materials, mainly polyurethane, as padding. Such filler must be of high density. Then the product will not deform and collapse over time.

Genuine Leather

Eco leather

Velours

Modern Chester sofas vary in size. Two- and three-seat spacious designs are popular. The Chesterfield folding sofa can have any roll-out mechanism, easily turning it into a sleeping bed. Sofa models are produced in volume for spacious rooms, where they can be placed in the center, which is perfect for the living room. There are small sofas for rooms with small dimensions. Single products can be placed in the kitchen or office.

Double

Triple

For spacious rooms

Single for small rooms

What materials are they made from?

High quality natural materials are used to produce classic sofas. The reliability and service life of products depend on the strength and stability of the frame. The frame, legs and armrests are made of valuable wood; solid and strong oak is ideal for this.

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The classic Chesterfield sofa is covered with genuine leather with a glossy or matte surface. Horse hair is used as filler. Traditional furniture looks chic and expensive, suitable for installation in a living room decorated in art deco or neoclassical style.

When creating modern sofa models, the following upholstery materials can be used:

Leather. It is characterized by a long service life, strength, and resistance to moisture. Among the disadvantages are flammability, susceptibility to mechanical stress, and a poor choice of colors.
Eco leather. Its properties are practically no different from its natural counterpart. It is characterized by environmental safety, resistance to wear and moisture, and ease of maintenance. Cons: sticks to human skin, flammability.
Fabric velor. Made from viscose, polyester, cotton, it allows air to pass through freely and does not stretch. The surface of the fabric is soft and pleasant to the touch. Cons: difficult to remove stains, wears off quickly.

Expensive sofa filling made from horsehair is characterized by breathability, durability, sufficient rigidity, and hygroscopicity. Many modern models are stuffed with artificial materials. In most cases, polyurethane is used. Thanks to its high density, upholstered furniture retains its original shape for a long time.

Wooden frame

Filling: horse hair

Leather

Eco leather

Fabric velor

Color options

Traditionally, sofas were made in dark colors: black, brown, green, red. Modern models are available in a wider range of colors. You can see white, beige, blue, yellow, orange options and so on.

For small rooms with a light interior, it is better to choose furniture of the same shades, which will visually enlarge the room.

If the room is spacious, then a sofa in a contrasting color with the overall design will highlight the relaxation area. The highlight of such a room can be furniture in a bright red shade. There are approximately 40 sofa colors in total, from rich brown to silver.

Against the background of light shades, products in purple, rich blue and green colors look great. A delightful ensemble is achieved by using chocolate-colored furniture that harmonizes with many tones. A black sofa will add mystery and elegance to the room.

Which interior will it fit into?

The design of the furniture is so flexible that it looks great both in a strict minimalist style and in a new, trendy room design. The Chester sofa in a classic interior is used in traditional colors, with carved legs and bronze elements. Products that have their own characteristics are suitable for modern design styles:

Loft. In this style, characterized by a combination of luxury and poverty, furniture of English origin will add beauty and comfort. In a loft, for example, you can use a double sofa with plain black or white velvet upholstery. Bright colors are also appropriate for the design direction.
High tech. For a high-tech style, models with strict geometric shapes are suitable. The colors used are grey, metallic, black, white.
Modern. Chester is in perfect harmony with the smooth configurations and floral elements inherent in this style direction. Delicate shades are suitable: pinkish, ashy, light blue, greenish.
Country. Products in brown, natural yellowish and golden shades will fit into the rustic style. Fabric upholstery is more suitable - soft and pleasant.
Fusion Many different styles are mixed in this direction, which makes it unpredictable. If the Chester sofa turns out to be among this “mash” and “twirl,” then it will come in very handy.