Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman
A definitive buying guide
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about one of the most iconic designs in modern furniture history.
Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames were pioneering American industrial designers whose work at the Eames Office helped define modern design. Charles (born in 1907) studied architecture at Washington University before earning a fellowship at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he met Ray, a fashion designer and student of Hans Hofmann. Their shared curiosity and creative vision sparked one of the most influential design partnerships of the 20th century.
Married in 1940, the Eameses gained international acclaim for their contributions to furniture, architecture, and film. Their collaboration with Herman Miller in the late 1940s produced enduring icons like the Eames Lounge Chair and Eames Dining Chair—now part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. As former Eames Office member Peter Pearce noted, Charles’s high standards inspired excellence in everyone around him. Together, Charles and Ray Eames continue to shape generations of designers through their blend of creativity, functionality, and innovation..
Why Choose an Authentic Eames Lounge Chair?
Nothing compares to the genuine article. Hand-assembled in Michigan by Herman Miller, every Eames Lounge Chair stays true to the 1956 design. The fixed angle is engineered for perfect relaxation — relieving pressure on your lower back while evenly supporting your spine. Replicas may mimic the look, but they can’t match the refined ergonomics or lasting comfort of the original.
How Can I Tell If My Eames Chair Is Authentic?
New and vintage Eames Chairs produced by Herman Miller are stamped with a medallion on the chair’s underside to signify authenticity.
Form, Function, and the Materials That Define the Eames Chair
Choose from a wide range of premium leathers and fabrics, from soft, natural, and richly textured hides to durable, breathable, and vegan options. Distinct textiles like Mohair, Flamiber, and Checker offer unique color, texture, and character for every design.
The Eameses’ pioneered the use of molded plywood in the ’40s, ultimately creating a lounge chair with light, supportive wood shells and cushions that cradle the body. Available in seven wood finishes and more than 60 shades of leather and fabric upholstery.
Shock mounts and rubber and metal connections allow the seven-ply molded wood shells to flex independently. The meticulously upholstered, button-tufted cushions snap into the shells and can easily be removed for cleaning or recovering. Set on a die-cast aluminum base, the Eames Chair swivels 360-degrees for ease of movement.
The True Worth of an Authentic Eames Chair
Built to endure generations, the Eames Lounge Chair is an investment in craftsmanship. Follow our Care & Maintenance Guide for cushion cleaning, veneer polishing, and longevity tips.
Timeless in any setting, whether in a living room, study, or executive office, the authentic Eames Lounge Chair delivers comfort and presence no replica can replicate.
Key Design Highlights
- Fixed Pitch, Not Recline: Molded plywood shells hug your body at an ideal angle for lounging.
- 360° Swivel Base: Effortless movement without compromising stability.
- Herman Miller Warranty: Industry-leading protection for peace of mind.
- Authenticity Medallion: Proof of origin on every chair.
How to Select Your Eames Lounge Chair
1. Pick the Right Size
Two heights available to suit modern proportions.
At 5'5"? It’s personal preference. Users 5'10" and up typically need the Tall size for full headrest support.
Classic
Ideal for those 5'4" and shorter
Tall
Recommended for 5'6" and above
2. Choose Your Wood Finish
Seven premium veneers:
- Ebony Ash
- White Ash
- Walnut
- Oiled Walnut
- Palisander
- Oiled Palisander
- White Oak
Oiled finishes (Walnut, Palisander) echo the original rosewood aesthetic—rich and warm, but require occasional hand-oiling.
Lacquered finishes are low-maintenance—just dust as needed.
White Ash
Oiled Santos Palisander
3. Select Your Upholstery
Choose from a wide range of premium leathers and fabrics, from soft, natural, and richly textured hides to durable, breathable, and vegan options, including:
- All Grain Leather: Supple with subtle texture
- Prone Leather: Natural markings, minimal processing
- Checker: Bold Girard pattern (1965)
- Mohair Supreme: Plush, velvety luxury
- Vegan Leather: Water- and scratch-resistant, smooth touch
All Grain Leather
Maharam Mohair Supreme
Details
The iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, originally released in 1956, began with the designers' desire to create a chair with "the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." The result embodies what it really means to relax. In continuous production since its introduction, this authentic contemporary lounge chair is assembled by hand to ensure the highest level of quality and craftsmanship. Available in a range of wood finishes, upholsteries, and sizes, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman remains ever more relevant today as it was in 1956.
- One of the most significant designs of the 20th century.
- Pairs fine fabric or leather with molded wood.
- Chair and ottoman comprised of molded wood shells filled with removable cushions.
- Stamped with a medallion on the chair’s underside to signify authenticity.
- Suited for living spaces, reception areas and executive offices.
Eco-Friendly Description: LEVEL Certified and Indoor Advantage Certified. LEVEL® by BIFMA is an evaluation and certification system for environmentally preferable and socially responsible office furniture. The LEVEL program has three performance tiers: LEVEL 1, 2, and 3. The higher the number, the more criteria considered and met across 4 key areas: materials, environmental impact, human health, and social responsibility. Indoor Advantage Gold certification is SCS Global Services’ highest level of indoor air quality performance for furniture. The certification assures that furniture products support a healthy indoor environment by meeting strict chemical emission limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Standard Chair
- Height (in): 31½
- Width (in): 33½
- Depth (in): 35
- Weight (lbs): 95
- Seat Height (in): 16
- Seat Width (in): 21
- Seat Depth (in): 21¼
- Weight Capacity (lbs): 300
Tall Chair
- Height (in): 33¼
- Width (in): 33½
- Depth (in): 37¾
- Weight (lbs): 100
- Seat Height (in): 16½
- Seat Width (in): 21
- Seat Depth (in): 23¼
- Weight Capacity (lbs): 300
Ottoman
- Height (in): 17¼
- Width (in): 26
- Depth (in): 20¾
- Seven-ply walnut, santos palisander, white ash or ebonized ash veneer shells
- Molded plywood internal frames
- Die-cast aluminum back brace and swivel base on chair, stationary base on ottoman
- Polyurethane foam cushions
- Stainless-steel leveling floor glides
- Notification of Filling Contents
Charles and Ray Eames
Through their furniture, corporate projects, World’s Fair displays, and in the aesthetics of their own California Case Study home, the Eameses exemplified modern living in postwar America. The Eames Lounge and Ottoman, introduced by Herman Miller in 1956, remains a touchstone of American style.
Care & Maintenance
With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.
The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.
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