The Eames chair replica is a classic mid-century modern chair designed by the husband and wife team, Charles and Ray Eames. Initially designed in 1956, these lounge chairs are considered one of the most significant pieces of 20th-century furniture.
The chairs are known for their comfortable and stylish design and are featured in many famous films and TV shows. If you aren’t ready to spend around $7,000 for a new Eames chair and ottoman, you have come to the right place!
Today, many companies sell replicas of the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and you can find them online or in furniture stores. This guide will help you find the best replica Eames lounge chair to let you sit back and relax in style.
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The Benefits of Owning An Eames Lounge Chair
It’s hard to beat an Eames lounge chair when it comes to quintessential mid-century design. These chairs, based on the iconic designs of Charles and Ray Eames, are stylish and comfortable, making them a great addition to any home.
This modern chair can be a foundation for any stylish room. Their clean lines and minimal design provide an excellent starting point for any contemporary or transitional space.
The traditional wood shell paired with black leather upholstery of an Eames chair is an absolute classic. Although this chair has the ultimate Mad Men vibes, the lines are sleek and current, adding chic coziness to a room.
Whether looking for a contemporary chair for your living room or a foundation piece for your home office, an Eames chair replica is an excellent choice. A lounge chair from the Herman Miller Furniture Company is a fantastic investment, and an authentic chair will always be the best Eames chair.
But unfortunately, the cost is beyond most people’s budgets.
How to Choose the Right Replica For Your Home
When choosing the right Eames chair replica for your home or office, there are a few things to consider.
Chair Size
An authentic Herman Miller chair is available in two sizes: standard and tall. People were generally much shorter when this chair hit the market, and the original chair is supposed to be perfect for people between 5′-2″ and 5′-10″. The taller model is ideal for anyone over 5′-10″.
That being said, most people prefer the larger, more roomy chair, even if they are shorter. Not all replica chairs are available in different sizes, but if they do, I recommend selecting the taller size, no matter your height.
Price + Budget
Budget is another critical factor when choosing a chair. You don’t want to spend too much, but you also want one that will last. It’s essential to strike the right balance between these two aspects.
It’s important to weigh the long-term benefits of your chair purchase. If you plan to use it daily, invest in quality that will last. But if it’s mainly for show, it’s best to find an option that offers a lot of bang for your buck.
Chair replicas very close to the original specs are higher in price than versions that take more liberty with the design. If these details are an important factor to you, then consider this when looking at the cost differences.
The original design Eames chairs from Herman Miller come fully assembled, but with replicas, it’s a different story. Higher-end replicas will require less assembly than their cheaper counterparts.
Quality Of The Materials
Finally, quality is essential – especially for furniture you sit on often. You want to avoid ending up with a chair that falls apart after just a few months of use. Ensure you still get high-quality leather, a solid wood structure, a shiny chrome metal base, and a plush cushion.
The number one recommendation on this list uses the same type of foam as a genuine Eames chair. This will make the seat soft and comfortable. Typically, lower-end seating will have firmer cushions.
The leather quality will vary depending on the replica. If you need clarification on the types of leather, I have a detailed description of leather grades here.
With these thoughts in mind, you should be able to find the perfect Eames chair replica for your needs.
What to Look For in an Eames Replica
This guide has options that look almost exactly like the original Eames lounge chair, and some have the spirit of the initial design. Since you aren’t buying the real thing, you can take an artistic license or go with a dupe – the choice is yours.
The molded plywood is one of the most iconic parts of the original furniture design. This is typically produced in either a rosewood or walnut finish, but other woods can be found. I’ve even included a metal option on this list!
If you want something that looks like the original design, look for chairs with correctly proportioned legs and arms that use high-quality materials. Avoid chairs with cheap hardware or stiff, uncomfortable upholstery.
A good replica should look great in your space and be a chair you want to sit in often.
This list will help you find a well-made Eames lounge chair replica that will add modern refinement and comfort to your house and a price tag that won’t break the bank.
What is the Best Eames Chair Replica of 2023?
Here are my top picks for the best Eames chair replicas:
- The Iconic Chair – Most Authentic Replica
- Toomoo Lounge Chair and Ottoman – Best Value
- Corrigan Studio Lounge Chair and Ottoman
- Z-joyee Faux Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
- Italian Red Lounge Chair and Ottoman
- Vesper Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Burrow
- Hetherington Vegan Leather Swivel Recliner
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1. The Iconic Chair – Most Authentic Replica
The Iconic Chair is ideal if you want the closest reproduction to the original Herman Miller Eames lounge chair. This chair is very close to the dimensions of the original chair and features the same plush open-cell foam, ensuring ultimate comfort.
Although it’s a premium price, this chair offers superior detailing that mimics the original. The deep button tufting creates the “classic flower” creases in the leather, and rubber shocks add extra support under the armrests.
The removable cushions are available in six rich colors, and all leather is full-grain aniline, the highest grade of leather. Imported from Italy, this leather is exceptionally durable and will only improve with age.
Shipping is free, and assembly only requires the installation of 8 screws. The chair has a 3-year warranty against defects, and customers love their dedicated customer service.
Use code BETH150 to save $150 on your Iconic Chair purchase!
The Iconic Chair is the most high-end replica and the best Eames chair dupe you will find on the market without investing in an original design. Their color selection and attention to detail set them apart in the reproduction market. And it’s priced significantly less than a genuine Herman Miller lounge chair.
2. Toomoo Lounge Chair and Ottoman – Best Value
When it comes to finding the perfect mid-century chair at a budget-friendly price, the Toomoo Lounge Chair and Ottoman is your best option. This version offers an impressive selection of wood and leather finishes compared to other sellers, especially at this price.
Black leather is the quintessential mid-century classic, but the optional white and brown leathers are also chic.
This lounge chair replica is available in two sizes: a standard and a tall option, similar to the original Eames lounge chair. If you are taller than 5′-5″, the seller recommends the tall model, but I recommend the taller version no matter what.
This chair will require more assembly than my #1 pick, but the install guide includes a YouTube video to make things easier. The foam will also be firmer in this option, but this might be fine if you consider the cost savings.
The Toomoo Lounge is my pick for the best value. The quality is fantastic, and it’s hard to beat this price tag!
3. Corrigan Studio Lounge Chair and Ottoman
This lounge chair and ottoman from Wayfair looks virtually identical to the real thing but for a fraction of the price. The molded plywood frame and leather upholstery in white leather is especially chic, making it the perfect mid-century accessory.
The dimensions of this style are very close to the original Eames chair. However, this replica is even more sturdy, giving it a higher weight limit than the original Eames lounge chair.
This is a good Eames chair replica if you have a rowdy family or don’t want to be too dainty with your furniture.
4. Z-joyee Faux Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
If you prefer faux leather, the Z-joyee is a wonderful option that offers great color options and doesn’t sacrifice style. Faux leather makes this chair very easy to care for and clean in case of accidental spills.
The build quality is excellent, and sitting in for long periods is very comfortable. Since this lounge chair is sold at Home Depot, you can either have it shipped to your house or pick it up in the store for free.
5. Italian Red Lounge Chair and Ottoman
It’s hard to improve upon this iconic lounge chair, but if you are looking for a piece that really stands out, this vibrant red leather is a standout amongst other chair replicas.
I don’t know what Charles and Ray Eames would think, but I know this piece will surely be a conversation starter in any space!
6. Vesper Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Burrow
The Vesper isn’t trying to be an Eames chair replica, but that’s part of its charm. The sleek wood shell paired with the supple black leather gives the same vibe as the original Herman Miller version, but this design takes on a new look.
This chair may not swivel, but customers’ reviews rave about the high quality and superior comfort. The aesthetic is still chic and classic but with a modern twist, making this a great updated set for your modern living room.
7. Hetherington Vegan Leather Swivel Recliner
Ok, I know what you are thinking…How is this an Eames chair replica? This looks pretty far from the iconic chair. Are you crazy? But hear me out…
If you are on an extreme budget but want Herman Miller vibes, this chair might just surprise you. Gone are the luxury materials, but what it lacks in design, it makes up in function. It can swivel a full 360 degrees and easily recline significantly. And the faux black leather is still pretty nice.
I gave my husband an authentic Eames chair as a wedding gift, and he couldn’t love it more. But he wanted a cheaper substitute for his dorm room for one of his long military deployments.
This is the chair he purchased, and it was a pretty good substitute. The headrest is less supportive than the original, and the tilt has to be manually adjusted, but he found it easy to relax in this chair.
He still misses his Eames chair but was happy with this buy, considering the amount of money he was able to save.
Final Thoughts
For a good reason, the Eames lounge chair has been around for over 60 years and is still one of the most popular chairs on the market today. But that doesn’t mean you need to drop a ton of money to add this iconic chair to your home.
The Iconic Chair is perfect if you want the closest replica to the original Eames chair. This chair has been built to the exact dimensions and uses the same premium foam to ensure comfort. This lounge chair and ottoman is the best Eames replica you will find on the market without investing in an authentic original.
I recommend the Toomoo Lounge Chair and Ottoman in premium leather if you want a faithful dupe for a great price. Pick the taller version to ensure everyone who sits down feels relaxed and comfortable. You will be hard-pressed to find a better deal with this level of quality.
Whether looking for a perfect duplicate or something with a little more flair, one of these lounge chair replicas will look great in your space. Not only are all the chairs on this list comfortable, but they will add instant polish to any room.
If you have any questions about the differences between these chairs or why a certain chair isn’t on this list, please feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to give you more information.
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you found this guide helpful! If you enjoyed this information, you might also like reading about the best Womb Chair replica or best modular sectional sofas.
