You know the Eames lounge chair, even if you don’t think you do. Maybe you’ve seen it in your therapist’s office, or in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art; perhaps you’ve spotted it on episodes of Frasier, Mad Men, or giving clout to countless Architectural Digest home tours. The molded plywood-and-leather ottoman set made its debut more than half a century ago, and evolved the classic English club chair into a design that felt at once familiar and totally futuristic; comfortable, yet Spartan in design.
It has been called “a cross between a Mercedes-Benz and a Barcalounger” by The New York Times, and the “throne of zaddies” by a hot person in Loewe that I met smoking Vogue cigs outside of Lucien once.
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“Pal, it’s a chair,” you might say, in between chomps of sopressata. “How life-changing can it be?” To which we, your faithful decor jesters, would humbly say: Very. The lounger was released in 1956 for the legendary furniture company Herman Miller, keeper of all MCM grails, and since then, it’s acquired quite the legacy. Typically, a new Eames lounge costs around $8,000, and some of the OG vintage chairs boast a $35,000 price tag, but there are plenty of folks slinging Eames-inspired chairs that deliver us from such hefty numbers.
Naturally, we’ve made it our quest of the week to find you the best places to buy an Eames lounge chair, and some even more affordable Eames lounge chair alternatives on the world wide web.
best eames chairs – and Eames lookalikes
- The OG Eames chair – Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
- Best vintage Eames chair find – 1962 Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Brazilian Rosewood
- This Amazon Eames chair pick – EWEESS Mid-Century Chaise Lounge and Chair
- Best restored Eames chair – Restored Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Custom New Cushions
- Best Eames chair find on Etsy – Elouichair Classic Chaise Lounge Chair
- This more affordable Wayfair Eames chair – Marquie Genuine Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
The OG Eames chair – Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Herman Miller
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (opens in a new window)
You best believe that Herman Miller is still out there slinging authentic Eames loungers. Granted, H-Mills is selling these beauties for nearly $7,000 a pop, so use someone else’s Amex. If you do decide to shell out your dough for a new model of the real thing, you can rest assured you’re buying a supremely comfortable piece of furniture that will stand the test of time. Inspired by “a well-used first baseman’s mitt,” the Eames chair turns the simple act of sitting down into a thing of exquisite luxury.
Best vintage Eames chair find – 1962 Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Brazilian Rosewood
In the words of Dakota Johsnon, the patron saint of blending contemporary and MCM decor like a pro, “I f*cking love 1stDibs so much.” You can find a wide selection of vintage Eames loungers in a variety of colorways and jazzy restorations on the site, from OG black leather recliners to this rare 1962 Brazilian Rosewood leather bébé that will remind everyone that your taste is timeless.
This Amazon Eames chair pick – EWEESS Mid-Century Chaise Lounge and Chair
We couldn’t help but Eamesdrop and hear that you, too, are not flush with rubies/have a more modest budget in your quest for an Eames-inspired chair. Luckily, Amazon is filled with plenty of affordable Eames lounge chair alternatives with similar vibes, including this chaise that also comes in funky colors like emerald green and bright white.
Best restored Eames chair – Restored Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Custom New Cushions
For the interior design eccentric and connoisseur (with cash to burn), opting for a restored Herman Miller Eames chair can open up uncharted territory. For example, this chair has the authentic Herman Miller label and dates back to the 1960s-70s. However, it’s also a restored edition – giving it some more flare (see the bright blue cushions. According to 1stDibs, “This shade is not a color we have ever come across before as an original option.” So you’re getting something pretty damn unique!
Best Eames chair find on Etsy – Elouichair Classic Chaise Lounge Chair
Scour Etsy long enough and you’ll find some pretty authentic-looking Eames chair replicas for half the price that the original are going for. While I’m not so discounted from reality to say that $3,600 for a chair is affordable or a good deal, it is a pretty appealing price when we’re in the land of Eames. Many of the shop’s five-star reviews also call out how satisfied shoppers have been with customer service, offering some more peace of mind when you click add to cart on a big-ticket item like this.
This more-affordable Wayfair Eames chair – Marquie Genuine Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
There is a lot to love about this genuine leather Eames-style lounge chair and ottoman set from Wayfair. Firstly, it comes in ridiculously cool white leather. Secondly, it’s less than $1,000. One reviewer Melissa writes, “I have always wanted one of these chairs! I purchased it for our lake house and was not disappointed. It is very comfy and it’s easy to assemble.” What more can one ask for?
Put those feet up, king. You deserve it.
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.
