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When it comes to something as large and often pricey as a sofa, there’s no way to keep up with the constant ebb and flow of what’s trending. And though there’s no wrong answer when it comes to picking a couch that works for your aesthetic, designers will always have strong opinions on what’s “in” and “out.” Some are over the “duped to death” Bellini style, while others want to bring back the slipcover, but according to consumers, the overwhelmingly unpopular choice is the classic Chesterfield. Furniture and decor company Living Spaces polled 400 people about their favorite couch styles, and respondents had strong feelings about the tufted design, which came in last with only 9 percent of the vote. But we’re left wondering, is there really that much to hate?
Chesterfield-style sofas, which are characterized by large rolled arms that are the same height as the back and deep button tufting, have a reputation for being traditional. When you hear the word, you probably picture a dark leather version in a smoky hotel bar. But the bad and the ugly aside, these couches can be cool under the right circumstances.
For starters, lose the typical nailhead trim. The metal detailing is what can make this kind of couch seem overly formal and definitely not suitable for Netflix watching. Soft velvet or linen upholstery, on the other hand, is. Consider silhouettes that are a little out of the ordinary as well, like one with longer legs or an exaggerated back. You can also cheat with a tufted, straight-arm tuxedo sofa (a close cousin of the Chesterfield), pictured above.
We gathered a few of our favorite modern Chesterfield renditions just to prove this traditional pick won’t be the least favorite for long.
