Lounge Chair & Ottoman

The Lounge Chair, created by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950s, was designed with the aim of combining an elegant appearance with ultimate comfort. It has been produced by Vitra using virtually the same methods ever since, and is now recognised as a great classic of twentieth-century furniture design. Offered in two sizes and various configurations with different types of leather upholstery covers, wooden shells and bases, the Lounge Chair is ideally complemented by the matching Ottoman.

‘Why don’t we make an updated version of the old English club chair?’ With this comment, Charles Eames initiated the development of the Lounge Chair, a process that took several years. The aim was to satisfy the desire for an amply proportioned chair that combined ultimate comfort with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. The armchair designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956 set new standards: it is not only lighter, more elegant and more modern than the conventionally ponderous club chair – it is also more comfortable. Thanks to these qualities, the Lounge Chair became one of the most famous designs by Charles and Ray Eames and has attained the status of a classic in the history of modern furniture.

The Lounge Chair is now available from Vitra in two sizes: with classic dimensions and with new, larger dimensions. Furthermore, the various combinations of leather upholstery covers, wooden shells and bases are complemented by a white edition and a black edition with corresponding details.

Since the Lounge Chair first went into production, average human height has increased worldwide by nearly 10 cm. In close coordination with the Eames Office, Vitra developed the new larger version so that taller people, too, can enjoy the same exceptional comfort that Charles and Ray Eames intended with their original 1956 design.

Vitra has produced the Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames using the same manufacturing methods since the 1950s. In consultation with the Eames Office, Vitra has now expanded the selection to include new combinations of carefully coordinated leather upholstery colours, wood veneers and bases.
Material description-
Seat and back: moulded plywood, different face veneers. Standard version in cherry, santos palisander (certified sustainability) or walnut with a black pigmented finish. White version: walnut with a white pigmented finish. Black version: ash with a black lacquer finish.
Upholstery/cover: removable cushions, covers in Premium or Grand leather, black version only in Premium leather.
Armrests: attached to the seat and back shells with shock mounts (bonded rubber and metal connectors).
Base: five-star swivel base or four-star non-swivel base and back braces in die-cast aluminium.
Glides: all bases fitted with hard glides for carpet, felt glides optionally available for hard floors.