The everlasting design and comfort of the iconic Herman Miller Eames chair, designed by Ray and Charles Eames, has been in continuous production since 1956. This furniture design hall-of-famer made waves in the U.S. and around the world. If you want to know more about the legendary Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, follow along as we break down all the components of what makes this fabulous piece of furniture withstand the test of time.
We rarely give perfect tens but the Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman fully deserves this rating. Gracing museums, art galleries, movie sets, luxe penthouse units of the rich and famous, photographed for design and furniture magazines, this is one piece of furniture that is highly celebrated, requested and ever-present 61 years after it was introduced to the world.
What makes it amazing is that it is ergonomically designed decades before the advent of ergonomic design in home and office furniture. Until today, the comfort and design of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is unmatched. Our review below offers a glimpse into the overall construction and design of this historically significant piece.
PROS
CONS
Based in Zeeland, Michigan, Herman Miller has thrived in the furniture industry for 100-plus years. Founded in 1905 as the Michigan Star Furniture Company, it was renamed Herman Miller Furniture Company in 1923 after then company president D.J. De Pree's father-in-law became the majority shareholder of Michigan Star Furniture. Aside from producing furniture pieces that have gone on to win several prestigious design awards, Herman Miller has a solid reputation of placing primary focus not only on their customers' well-being but most especially on their employees.
Today, Herman Miller is synonymous to ergonomic home and office furniture with an everlasting design that’s a perfect fit for modern,
luxurious spaces.
| Eames Lounge Chair | Classic | Tall |
|---|---|---|
| Total Height | 31.5" | 33.5" |
| Seat Height | 15" | 15.25" |
| Width | 32.75" | 32.75" |
| Depth | 32.75" | 34.5" |
Craftsmanship & Design Features
| Eames Ottoman | Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 17.25" | |
| Width | 26" | |
| Depth | 21.5" | |
Ergonomic Features
$6,370.75
Reseller prices may vary.
Disclaimer:
The price included in this article is the price of the product as of this article’s publish date. Prices may change without prior notice.
Upholstery & Color
MCL Leather Upholstery: Ivory or Pearl
Mohair Supreme Upholstery: Armory, Lupine, Peat, Rich Chocolate, Slate
Shell Veneers
Oiled Palisander, Oiled Walnut, Palisander, Ebony Ash, White Ash, Walnut
Shipping options depend on the item purchased as well as other factors including location. Deliver, however, is available within the contiguous United States. You can find Herman Miller’s shipping details and other related information in their Shipping and Delivery page here.
If you are unhappy with your purchase, Herman Miller accepts returned items for a full credit within 30 days of delivery. You can find full return details and other related information in their Returns and Exchanges page here.
The Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair comes with a 5-year, full-service warranty. You can find full warranty details from their Warranty and Service page here.
Contact Herman Miller or any authorized retailer if you need more specific information.
The Herman Miller Eames Chair was designed by brothers Ray and Charles Eames for the furniture company, Herman Miller. What made it so special is that it was the first chair to ever have a signature top notch design. This, however, came after many years of development. Finally, in 1956, they started releasing what would be known worldwide as the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.
The brothers' inspiration for the overall design of the chair revolved around 19th-century English club chairs. These chairs had bulky leather armchairs with rounded arms and tufted back seats. These also featured either wood accents or nailhead designs. Thus, began the start of design that would influence other companies.
The result is an understated, posh design that instantly adds class to any space. The timeless design that this lounge chair and ottoman has, does not only look appealing, but also does a great deal of comfort as well. In fact, according to Charles Eames, he wanted people to “fit like a glove” when sitting down on it.
With this lounge chair and ottoman, one can expect top notch comfort that is superior to any other brand. On top of that, the level of sophistication that it adds to any home is truly extraordinary.
In addition with its design, this lounge chair is constructed to be in a permanent reclined position. It helps decrease the amount of pressure on the entire spine, especially the lower back. This feature is also something that makes the Eames chair unique from the rest of recliners. That is because some would only recline when a person sits down on it.
The Eames Chair is made with recyclable materials to ensure that there is no waste. Aside from that, it is also composed of sustainable materials gathered from the forests. So, with this lounge chair, users do not need to feel any guilt, since what they are spending on affects the environment in a much more positive way.
If interested with the exact numbers, the Eames lounge chair and ottoman are composed of 29% recyclable content, and another 24% of the chair is made out of recycled materials. All the steel materials and die-cast aluminum materials are also 100% recyclable. Plus, regarding its steel materials, they are finished with a powdered paint finish that also releases minimal volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which is terrific news for people with sensitive noses.
Aside from that, the foam inside the lounge chair is also recyclable. Infact, these foam materials are part of a system where when disposed of, they can be used for other products, such as car seats, carpets, paddings, etc. Simply put, this lounge chair does not only provide an elegant design and posh comfort, but it also provides an environment-friendly solution.
To go more in-depth with the seat’s construction the Eames chair is not constructed by machinery. It is made by hand. The shells surrounding the chair are made with a 7-ply natural cherry or walnut veneer. A few other well-constructed details include a built-in swivel on the base, and shock mounts made with natural rubber.
With this lounge chair and ottoman, you have a place where you can rest all your thoughts. Thanks to the brilliant design that it offers, you have a chance to fully relax yourself. So, the Eames chair provides you with a stress-free zone, literally. It offers you a place of solace where you can quietly read a good book or browse through your phone’s apps.
Also due to its design, one might find it hard to become productive. It is a recliner for a reason. The Eames chair cannot help you with anything that is work related. What it really is, is your luxurious comfort zone.
We know that we have been going on and on about how comfortable this thing feels. Now, we finally discuss what made us rave about it earlier. The Herman Miller Eames chair comes with a super soft urethane foam cushion, which Herman Miller provides a generous 6-inches cushion for extra comfort. On top of that, the cover is made with a fine leather material that is upholstered to the chair itself.
From the urethane foam alone, it shows that the company wants to sell comfort-in-a-box. Urethane foam is well-known to be highly responsive, too. This makes it more durable, plus, it also means that this lounge chair offers a great support system as well.
Another feature that makes this Herman Miller chair more unique is the fact that it does not offer adjustments. Basically, after assembling the furniture, the chair is already good to go for most people. Unlike other chairs that require you to spend time in adjusting for the most optimal position, the Eames chair is already at an optimal position as soon as you sit down.
This can either be good or bad news, depending on the person who will be using the chair. As stated earlier, tall people won’t fit well with the chair’s design.
Now, maybe you are worried about spending a few thousand dollars just for it to last for a few years. Well, with the Eames chair, you won’t need to worry about that one bit. When it comes to durability, all the materials used are superb and quite sturdy. This ensures that you will have a good time staying comfortable on this chair for years to come.
No matter how fantastic the Herman Miller Eames Chair is, it is still a product that you are going to spend, albeit a lot, on. With that in mind, it is important that you always know what you are getting for your money. This avoids any regrets, and also prevents you from going through the return process. So, continue reading below, and see if this chair is the one for you.
One of the most iconic features of the Eames chair is that it does not have any levers for one to adjust the chair, such as the tilt and height. This piece of furniture simply works. Thousands of customers can attest that once you sit down on it, you are instantly met with optimal comfort. This is, of course, the intent of the Eames chair’s design.
However, there is a downside to that as well. Having no adjustments means if you are not comfortable with how the chair feels, there is no way to adjust it until you are comfortable. This is especially true for our taller neighbors who are at least 5’10” or above. So, this is one major factor that you need to consider prior to purchasing it.
An elegant design is most commonly paired with a premium price tag. With the Herman Miller Eames Chair, you are already spending about $5,000 for one piece of furniture. Now, that is a lot of money. Although we can confidently say that this chair is quite worth the money you are going to spend on it, that still depends on your financial situation.
There are also a few “replicas” of the Eames chair, which you can get for a lower price. However, as stated, those are replicas, and they do not offer the real deal. That said, this is not a chair for those that are on a budget.
As stated earlier, it is not suitable for people with above average heights. And, yes, It is true that tall people have more advantages, but sitting snugly on an Eames chair is not one of them, even in the tall version. This seat is designed for the average person. That is because when sitting down on the chair by default, a tall person’s head already goes over the head rest. Therefore, they would need to scoot forward, so that they have a place where they can rest their heads.
If you do have a height of at least 6 ft, it would be best to look for other alternatives. However, if you don’t mind adjusting your seating position, then there is no problem if you decide to spend your money on the Eames chair.
Herman Miller Eames chair is a premium brand, and so, other furniture companies try to mimic its design as best they can. So, if you’d like to get your hands on the same look and feel of the Eames chair but do not have the budget for it, here are some companies that created their own version of the Eames chair.
This product is well-known as the closest thing to the Eames chair in terms of size. Plus, it also significantly priced lower than the original. It offers genuine leather and also features the exact same dimensions as the original product.
This lounge chair and ottoman design by manhattan is also known as the best replica of the Eames chair in more ways than one. Like the one before this, it also has the exact dimensions of the original and also sports real leather. It takes it a step further, though, by having 7-ply molded plywood and mounted rubber shocks. Lastly, this one is also the most budget-friendly.
This one is another fantastic replica, but instead of having a one-size-fits-all design, it offers customizability options. This can help you find the most optimal comfort for your body.
Yes! If you are looking for the closest thing without paying a premium price tag, then purchasing a replica of the Eames chair is a fantastic option. However, like with all things, nothing can ever feel as the same as the original product.
There is no doubt in our minds that the Eames chair is arguably the most comfortable lounge chair available. In fact, we probably said the word comfortable way too many times in the review above. Read it now and see just what we are talking about.
What makes this chair so special is that both the Eames lounge chair and the Ottoman were the brothers’ first direction into high-end design. Not only that, but it also features comfort unlike any other lounge chair today.
Commonly, the prices for an original Eames chair would range from $5,000 to $6,500. This depends on the materials used for the chair. So, this furniture set does not come cheap.
In a world where we are always stressed out with work and other things, it is always good to have a place where we can be comfortable - place of rest. With the Eames chair, you are provided with exactly that. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman offers world class comfort unlike any other. If you would like to know more about this product, click here.
