A Guide for Buying an Eames Lounge Chair Replica

As one of the most replicated furniture designs, purchasing an Eames chair replica requires careful consideration of various factors. These include:

Price: Based on numerous Eames lounge chair replica reviews, expect to spend between $850 for a low-quality piece and $1,400 to $1,800 for a high-quality replica. Although some replicas have a retail price of up to $2,500, there is no need to spend this much. You may find replica chairs that cost less than $1,000, but their quality may be subpar. However, some chairs that usually retail for over $1,000 may be on sale for less.

Manufacturer: The original chair is the only one made in America, while all replicas are made overseas, primarily in China. However, the location of manufacture is not always an indicator of quality. Some Chinese factories produce high-quality replicas.

Dimensions: One of the most common complaints about replicas is that their dimensions are often inaccurate, which affects the overall design’s aesthetic. The Eames chair combines comfort and compactness, making it attractive to users. However, replicas are often too large, disrupting the Eames’ intended aesthetic. The original chair comes in two sizes: classic and tall, with some reviewers claiming that the original dimensions are too small for larger individuals. The chairs in this guide aim to maintain the original dimensions, but some may be slightly larger and more suitable for bigger people.

Seating posture: The Eames chair is not a typical recliner, and it swivels at the base but is not meant to move forward or backward. Its tilt is 15 degrees, and users are supposed to sit in a position between sitting and lying down. Good replicas should replicate this seating posture as closely as possible, but some online reviewers may complain about this feature without realizing that it was the original intention.

Finish and leather color options: The lounge chair with walnut wood and black leather is the most iconic and replicated look, especially with budget options. However, the original chair has various wood and leather color options, as the Eames intended their lounge chair to match the buyer’s lifestyle. The best Eames chair replicas should offer a range of colors and wood finishes.

Removable cushions: The original Eames chair and the best replicas have removable cushions. This feature is essential because you may need to reupholster the chair at some point to prolong its lifespan, and removable cushions are also easier to clean. The original chair’s wooden shells have a veneer on both sides, indicating exceptional craftsmanship, a feature also present in the best replicas. If the cushions are not removable, then the wood is most likely not veneered on both sides, indicating lower quality.

(In)visible hardware: The Eames let the nuts and bolts of their furniture designs remain visible, making them unique for their time. However, the only visible hardware in the Eames lounge chair should be the two spines connecting the headrest to the seat back. Many low-quality replicas have screws visible through the wood, which spoils the wood pieces’ smooth look. The Eames invented a rubber shock mount that holds the components together from the inside to create an elegant look. All chairs in this guide have invisible hardware, preserving the original Eames design.

Leather quality: The best replicas use the same 100% full-grain Italian aniline leather as the original, which comes from the cow’s back and is of exceptionally high quality. This leather comprises only 5% of the world’s leather, and all chairs in this guide use this type of leather. It is durable and easy to clean. However, vegan options are available but not discussed in this guide, as its purpose is to inform buyers aiming for the closest possible original experience.

Wood quality: The original chair uses 7-ply laminated plywood, with the Eames’s pioneering molded plywood as an industrial process