How to Choose an Eames Lounge Chair
Introduced in 1956 by iconic designer duo Charles & Ray Eames, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman remains one of the most recognizable designs in modern furniture history. But it hasn’t endured more than 70 years of relevance completely unchanged. The Eames Lounge Chair has undergone several thoughtful design updates over its years in production at Herman Miller to improve its accessibility and sustainability. Though it has retained its iconic silhouette, the Eames Lounge Chair is now available from Herman Miller in a multitude of size, shell material, and upholstery options.
This leaves those wishing to add one to their space with one big question: How to choose the right Eames Lounge Chair?
Table of Contents
Standard vs. Tall Chair Dimensions
Wood Shell Finishes
Leather vs. Fabric Upholsteries
Eames Lounge Chair FAQs
1. Choose Your Size: Standard vs. Tall
Recognizing the need to accommodate a better range of body types, Herman Miller launched the Tall Eames Lounge Chair in 2010, offering the chair’s ergonomic comfort to a greater audience.
Standard
The Standard chair best suits users 5’11” tall and below and works well in smaller living rooms or reading areas where visual scale is a concern.
• Chair Height: 31.5”
• Chair Width: 33.5”
• Chair Depth: 35”
• Chair Weight: 95 lbs
• Seat Height: 16”
• Seat Width: 21”
• Seat Depth: 21.25”
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Tall
The Tall Eames Lounge Chair provides approximately 2” of additional seat depth and back height, making it more comfortable for those taller than 5’11”.
• Chair Height: 33.25”
• Chair Width: 33.5”
• Chair Depth: 37.75”
• Chair Weight: 100 lbs
• Seat Height: 16.25”
• Seat Width: 21”
• Seat Depth: 23.25”
• Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Optional Ottoman
While the chair is famously paired with its ottoman, Herman Miller also offers the Eames Lounge Chair without its ottoman for customers who want greater flexibility in tighter spaces or who already own a footrest. The chair’s comfort and functionality remain intact even without it.
• Height: 17.25”
• Width: 26”
• Depth: 20.75”
2. Choose Your Materials
Originally offered in a limited range of wood veneers and upholsteries, the Eames Lounge Chair is now endlessly customizable with numerous wood shell finishes and dozens of upholstery materials to choose from. Much of your choice will come down to taste, but certain materials have different drawbacks and advantages depending on your lifestyle and maintenance preferences.
Wood Shell Finishes
The Eames Lounge Chair’s signature shell is constructed from seven‑ply molded wood, a technique pioneered by the Eameses in the 1940s that allowed complex curves to be produced efficiently and consistently. Over the years, Herman Miller has retired some shell veneer options and introduced others, both for aesthetic variety and a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Santos Palisander
Finishes: Bolivian Rosewood veneer, standard & oiled
Features:
• Introduced in 2006 as a sustainable homage to the ELO’s original Brazilian rosewood veneer
• Closely matches the look & feel of the original 1956 rosewood ELO
• Dramatic & detailed grain containing a kaleidoscope of complementary hues ranging from light caramel to espresso
Care: Occasional dusting (standard), periodic hand oiling (oiled)
Walnut
Finishes: Walnut veneer, standard & oiled
Features:
• Popular shell that pairs well with dark spaces & upholstery
• Complex, warm & deep honey & chocolate hues with detailed grain atic & detailed grain
• Known for its durability & timeless beauty
Care: Occasional dusting (standard), periodic hand oiling (oiled)
Oak
Finishes: White oak veneer, standard
Features:
• Simple & understated cream color that plays well in any space
• Grain contains hints of caramel & gray
• A clear coat finish
Care: Occasional dusting
Ash
Finishes: White or ebony ash veneer, standard
Features:
• Contemporary finishes introduced as part of a move toward more renewable, fast‑growing hardwoods
• Strong & durable shell
• Consistent color & loose grain
• Sustainably stained (ebony)
• A clear coat finish
Care: Occasional dusting
Upholstery Options: Leather vs. Fabric
Upholstery is where the Eames Lounge Chair becomes most personal. Herman Miller offers the chair in premium leathers (including vegan leather made from bamboo), and select textiles, each with distinct advantages related to durability, aging, maintenance, and lifestyle.
Premium Leathers
Leather upholstery honors the Eameses’ design vision for ELO to look like a well-worn baseball mitt, as leather is favored for its longevity and natural aging. High‑quality leathers like those offered by Herman Miller develop a patina over time. Herman Miller recently introduced a vegan leather alternative made from sustainable bamboo.
Features:
• Extremely durable with proper care
• Easy to wipe clean; spills absorb slowly
• Resistant to everyday wear from sitting & repositioning
• Breathable & temperature‑adaptive
• Requires occasional conditioning
Rich Fabrics
Where leather is classic, fabric is fun. Fabric Eames Lounge Chair upholstery options offer expanded color, pattern, and texture choices for those looking for a truly custom experience.
Features:
• Comfortable for extended sitting in warmer climates
• Softer to the touch than leather
• Greater visual variety
• More susceptible to pet hair and staining
Care: Professional cleaning recommended. Spot-clean with mild spray detergent. Do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals.
Eames Lounge Chair Fabric Upholstery Options
Checker
Go bold with Checker, a timeless patterned fabric designed by textile master Alexander Girard. Available in a range of colorways, it’s the perfect pop to add visual interest to furniture or pillows. Plus, it’s recognized as a Greenguard Gold Certified upholstery for its sustainability.
Content: 77% Cotton, 23% Polyester
Width: 55"
Durability: Wyzenbeek 50,000 Double Rubs
Origin: Germany
Flammability: CAL 117-2013, FR Free
Mohair Supreme
Sink into the sumptuous comfort of the Maharam Mohair Supreme. Made purely of mohair, a highly coveted fiber collected from the Angora goat, this velvety upholstery is the ultimate distillation of simple luxury.
Content: 100% Mohair
Width: 54"
Durability: Wyzenbeek 70,000 Double Rubs
Origin: Netherlands
Flammability: FR Free
Sustainability: PFAS-Free Textile, PVC Free, Contains Bio-Based Materials, Healthier Hospitals Compliant, LBC Red List Compliant
Flamiber
An extraordinarily durable blend of nearly equal parts wool, cotton, and acrylic, Flamiber presents a modestly textured surface that is both pleasing in appearance and satisfying to the touch, similar to bouclé.
Content: 33% acrylic, 30% wool, 29% cotton, 7% polyester, 1% viscose
Width: 54"
Durability: 120,000 Rubs Martindale Method
Origin: Belgium
Flammability: CAL 117-2013, FR Free
Luce
Woven in Italy, Luce is a rich, sustainable, and tactile fabric. By shredding and then spinning recycled wool garments back into yarn, Luce is formed with an offset twill weave to add texture while highlighting its heathered yarns.
Content: 75% PC Recycled Wool, 20% Polyester, 5% Nylon
Width: 59"
Durability: 100,000+ Double Rubs
Flammability: CAL TB 117-2013
Sustainability: PFAS-Free Textile, PVC Free, Recycled Content, Greenguard Certified, Contains Bio-Based Materials, FR Free, LBC Red List Compliant
Eames Lounge Chair FAQs
What size Eames Lounge Chair should I buy for my height?
Those 5'11" or taller should choose the Tall version to ensure proper head & neck support. The Standard ELO should be a comfortable fit for anyone shorter than 5’11”.
Can the Eames Lounge Chair’s recline, height, or swivel be adjusted?
The chair and ottoman are at a fixed height & a permanent 15-degree recline, but the chair does swivel. The swivel does not have a locking mechanism.
Will the Eames Lounge Chair damage my floors?
The glides that come with the Eames Lounge Chair are intended for use on carpets & hard floors.
Can I purchase the chair or ottoman separately?
You may purchase an Eames Lounge Chair without an ottoman online, or contact Customer Service to order just an Eames Ottoman.
Final Considerations
Choosing an Eames Lounge Chair is less about customization for its own sake and more about aligning fit, materials, and values. With every version hand‑assembled and backed by a five‑year warranty, each configuration remains faithful to the original vision, offering what the Eameses famously described as “a special refuge from the strains of modern living.”
Customize Your Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
