The History of the Chesterfield sofa

Chesterfield sofas are truly iconic pieces of furniture. With the highest quality luxury leather, deep buttoning, a low back and high arms, this distinctive style is popular in settings across the globe, from hotel lobbies to offices and waiting rooms.

But how have these beautiful pieces of furniture evolved to become one of the world’s favorites? From its inception in the 1800s, to the modern-day design, this is everything you need to know about the history of Chesterfield sofas.

What is a Chesterfield Sofa?

Chesterfield sofas are one of the most renowned sofa designs in the world. Defined by their rolled arms, low back, deep button tufting and traditional dark leather upholstery, these beautiful pieces of furniture simply ooze class and style.

More modern designs may include luxurious velvet or fabric upholstery, allowing people to design a truly custom couch to their exact specifications.

When was the Chesterfield Sofa Invented?

It may surprise you to learn that the Chesterfield sofa was invented back in the mid-1700s, when Lord Philip Stanhope, the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, commissioned a piece of furniture for his guests to sit on.

More specifically, he required a striking piece of furniture with a low seat and high back to allow his gentlemen to sit comfortably, but without creasing their suits. Stanhope employed a local craftsman to design a suitable piece of furniture, thus, the very first Chesterfield sofa was created.

As an authoritative figure within the community and renowned as a trendsetter who people looked to for the latest fashion and styles, it’s no surprise that Stanhope commissioned a piece of furniture that would become a true icon of its time. 

But how did the Chesterfield sofa make it into the homes of the upper-class? It’s thought that Lord Stanhope’s godson went to visit him on his deathbed, when Stanhope asked his butler to ‘give Mr. Dayrolles a chair’ so that he had somewhere to sit down. However, the butler misinterpreted this and thought that he was being asked to pass Lord Stanhope’s Chesterfield chair onto Mr. Dayrolles and arranged for it to be transported to his home.

Soon after, other members of the upper-class society began commissioning their own Chesterfield sofas and chairs and they quickly became a symbol of class and wealth.

Chesterfield Sofas in the Victorian Era

Before the 19^th Century, furniture had been designed to be practical rather than comfortable however, this started to change during the new century when the Victorians began to focus on the comfort of their chairs.

Original Chesterfield sofas were filled with horsehair, had tough leather buttoning and did not utilize a suspension system, presumably making them rather uncomfortable to sit on. It’s thought that Lord Stanhope designed them this way to discourage guests from outstaying their welcome.

However, it was during the Victorian era that some of the luxurious features were added to the Chesterfield design. In around 1828, the deep-set buttoning and coiled spring suspension were incorporated to improve comfort.

Chesterfield sofas continued to grow in popularity among the wealthy, with people opting to have their Chesterfield upholstered in luxurious fabrics, as well as the traditional leather. Additionally, Chesterfield sofas started to make their way into some exclusive gentlemen’s clubs across London, which were frequented by some of the city’s most influential men – continuing to cement the iconic Chesterfield as somewhat of a statement symbol.

Sigmund Freud’s Love for Chesterfield Sofas

Perhaps one of the most well-known historical uses for a Chesterfield was by Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. Freud had a theory that patients would talk more freely and honestly when they’re comfortable, so he opted for a Chesterfield sofa in his clinic to allow his patients to lie back, relax and talk about what was troubling them.  

In fact, as this was a crucial element of Freud’s treatment process, he never traveled without a Chesterfield and always had one on-hand in his clinics across the globe. It’s for this reason that the iconic Chesterfield became synonymous with the practice of psychoanalysis.

Chesterfield Sofas Gain Popularity Across the Globe

As quickly as they gained popularity across England, Chesterfield sofas soon became renowned across the globe, thanks to Britain claiming more territories between the later 16^th and early 18^th centuries.

As the British Empire expanded, so did the reputation of the iconic Chesterfields, as the British took their favorite furniture with them wherever they went. They soon became a true icon in countries such as Canada, India and Australia. In fact, they became so common in Canada that ‘Chesterfield’ became the word used to describe a sofa of any style.

Modern-Day Chesterfield Sofas

Thanks to the timeless style, luxurious upholstery and unfaltering reputation, Chesterfield sofas are still incredibly popular to this day. What was once a piece of furniture that could only be enjoyed by the truly wealthy is now a timeless piece that can be loved in homes across the globe.

As fashions and trends have changed over the years, so too have Chesterfield sofas. Although the iconic style and distinguishing features remain largely unchanged, they can now be adapted to suit any décor style. From chic, modern interiors, to something more lavish and traditional – a bespoke Chesterfield sofa can be handcrafted for any home.

From Chesterfield sectional sofas for large families, to a range of striking chairs that are perfect for reading in – any room in your home can benefit from an iconic piece of Chesterfield furniture.

So whether you’re searching for an opulent velvet Chesterfield sofa, or you’ve got your heart set on a luxurious Chesterfield sofa bed for your guests to marvel at and enjoy, you’ll find the perfect piece of furniture for your home from our extensive collection.