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If somebody asked you to think of a Chesterfield sofa, there is a very good chance that you would picture something in dark leather with elegant rolled arms and intricate detailing. Perhaps it would be next to a roaring fire or taking pride of place in the centre of a grand living room. This reputation is well deserved, as the Chesterfield is a British classic and has been the sofa of choice for those looking to create a timeless décor in their homes for hundreds of years.
With the reputation for class also comes a reputation for quality. The very best Chesterfields have always been handmade with only the finest wood, leather, and fabric available, and this high standard is very much alive today (read our history of the Chesterfield article to discover more about the rich heritage of this furniture style).
Unfortunately, with the increase in mass-produced furniture that has saturated the market, there has been an increase in the number of Chesterfield-like pieces that share similar looks but lack the premium materials and superior craftsmanship of the sofas they are imitating.
At first glance, a good-quality and a cheap Chesterfield may appear identical, but if you look closer you will begin to see the differences that set them worlds apart. In addition, as you make use of a poor-quality Chesterfield over time, it is inevitable that you will become aware of the difference in craftsmanship. To help you to make an informed decision, we’ve put together this guide to spotting a quality sofa. You will be able to use the advice here to make sure that your new sofa meets the high standards you should expect from a piece in the Chesterfield style.
Why should I avoid cheap Chesterfield sofas?
When it comes to purchasing a new sofa, you may find some manufacturers offering what seems like an inexplicably low-cost piece of quality furniture — and sometimes it’s extremely difficult not to be blinded by the discount.
Unfortunately, when investing in a cheap Chesterfield you will most likely get what you pay for. These manufacturers will often purchase second-rate furniture from Eastern Europe or the Far East and pass it off as their own, which means the price of the item is normally reflecting its poor quality. Even furniture produced in the UK can be inferior, with many manufacturers using below-standard materials and inexperienced staff to turn out furniture that simply won’t stand up to the test of time.
In the mass-production of furniture, the whole process is undertaken by an unskilled or semi-skilled workforce where each employee has only one area of the item to work on. Their individual task can be learned within a matter of hours. The finished item will resemble a Chesterfield, but close inspection will reveal flaws.
Although buying a cheap Chesterfield sofa may be easier on your bank balance, what you’re saving in monetary terms you’re giving up in comfort, durability, and the iconic style of a lovingly handcrafted sofa. This false economy means that you may well find yourself shopping for another sofa before long — cheap furniture tends not to stand up to everyday wear and tear, and the support and comfort it provides at first is likely to decline under use.
How do I spot poor-quality Chesterfields?
When producing cheaper Chesterfields, some companies will cut corners with raw materials and production processes so they can offer a lower price. These cost-cutting measures will manifest themselves over time, the result of which isn’t always obvious from a photograph or a quick inspection.
Although the furniture may appear similar, in person there will be many differences — the vast majority of which will be hidden under the leather or fabric. To make things easier, we’ve complied some of the key features of a Chesterfield sofa, with guidance for what to look for in a good-quality piece and what to watch out for in a poor-quality piece.
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