Discover the full range of shell veneers, upholstery options and base finishes available for the iconic Eames Lounge Chair by Vitra.
Choose your version with confidence and personalise your design classic.
Vitra offers the Eames Lounge Chair in two sizes: Classic dimensions faithful to the 1956 original proportions. Larger version developed for modern users, offering increased seat height, width, and backrest size. If you’re over 185 cm or prefer more spacious seating, the larger version is recommended; the classic size suits most people and retains the original aesthetic. See our Vitra Eames lounge chair classic vs xl version guide to see more about the differences.
The Lounge Chair is offered in six distinctive wood surface veneers for the moulded plywood shell.
Chestnut exhibits prominent growth rings with an open grain that lends it a warm, inviting appearance. In the natural version, the wood has a honey-coloured tone that deepens over time into a light golden reddish-brown.
Known for its subtle grain, American walnut was brought to Europe centuries ago. European black walnut differs from its American counterpart due to its slightly lighter colour with more pronounced grey tones.
Wooden shells in dark European walnut have a refined, understated elegance. Thanks to its even grain, walnut offers a more subdued alternative to palisander, which is similarly dark but more expressive in character.
European cherry has a golden yellow to reddish hue that darkens with age into a warm reddish brown. Its fine-pored texture and uniform grain give it a calm, elegant appearance.
With its lively grain pattern, palisander was an integral part of the original design by Charles and Ray Eames and is still considered the 'classic version' today. Vitra uses santos palisander from FSC-certified forests in Bolivia.
Even in the black lacquered version, chestnut veneer retains its warm, natural look and can be attractively paired with dark leather and fabric colours as well as the black base frame.
These shell options allow a high degree of customisation, enabling matching of interior style, light conditions and personal preference.
The Lounge Chair gives you flexible upholstery options leather or fabric covers over recyclable polyurethane ‘V‑Foam’ cushions.
Nubia is a blended fabric with a very lively, natural appearance. Its fine substructure is interspersed with voluminous bouclé yarn, which gives the fabric depth and a soft, inviting touch. The varying combinations of yarns yield either contrasting or calm colour compositions with a distinctly Mediterranean flair. Nubia is available in 11 colours.
Leather Premium F is a relatively smooth cowhide leather with a fl at grain and fine top sheen. It is dyed-through, lightly pigmented and processed with a tanning agent extracted from olive tree leaves (a waste product of the olive harvest). Leather Premium F is available in 22 colours.
Leather Natural F is a very soft cowhide leather with an untreated grain. It is porous, breathable and acquires a lively patina through use. It is processed with a tanning agent extracted from olive tree leaves (a waste product of the olive harvest), and any chemicals used are harmless and applied in the smallest possible amounts. This sustainable aniline leather exists in a choice of 4 colours.
The base and braces of the chair are made of die‑cast aluminium (with recycled content) and are offered in a choice of finishes to complement the shell and upholstery.
Back braces and base in polished aluminium
Back braces and base in black aluminium, edges trimmed in polished aluminium
Back braces and base in polished aluminium
The Lounge Chair and Ottoman are available with glides in white or black. There are glides for carpeted floors and glides with felt pads specifically for hard surfaces.
Vitra most frequently uses aluminium and steel for metal components. Since 94% less energy is required to produce recycled aluminium in comparison to primary aluminium, Vitra utilises aluminium consisting of 95% recycled material whenever possible. Depending on the product, metal surfaces are either powder-coated, chrome-plated, polished, galvanised, lacquered or blasted. A smooth or textured powder-coated finish provides colour and surface protection.
Complex industrial methods are used to produce sheets of wood veneer, which are further processed by hand. In most cases, wood from a single tree is utilised for a piece of furniture to ensure the uniform appearance of all surfaces. With only two exceptions, Vitra exclusively purchases veneers with a certificate of sustainability from European producers. Vitra‘s veneers are finished with a protective lacquer; exposure to light will alter the colour over time.
Vitra is committed to using wood as sustainably as possible, without compromising on quality, durability or aesthetics. To shorten supply chains and reduce reliance on heavily used species like oak, Vitra is steadily increasing the share of European-sourced timber in its product portfolio and adding new varieties grown in Europe: cherry, chestnut and walnut. These new options complement the existing European woods in the collection, such as oak and ash.
Selected Eames designs will be the first products to feature the new wood types bringing a fresh, natural aesthetic to these established classics. Palisander from Bolivia will remain available for the shells of the Eames Lounge Chair, as it was a central element of Charles and Ray Eames' original design.
Water-based lacquers will replace the petroleum-based polyurethane coatings previously employed for products whose use or aesthetics still require lacquered surfaces. Water-based coatings have a reduced carbon footprint and a significantly lower solvent content.
Alongside steel, aluminium is the metal most frequently used in Vitra's product portfolio. The production of recycled aluminium consumes only around 5% of the energy required for the extraction and processing of primary aluminium. All Vitra products that contain aluminium therefore include a substantial proportion of recycled material, which is being continually increased wherever technically feasible. The La Fonda base, for instance, contains 95% recycled aluminium. More than 90% of Vitra’s aluminium components are sourced from suppliers in Europe
Developed jointly by Vitra and BASF, V-Foam is the world's first economically recyclable polyurethane foam. Standard polyurethane foam (PU foam) is derived from fossil fuels and utilised extensively worldwide. Its recycling process is very energy-intensive and uneconomical. V-Foam, on the other hand, can be melted, reprocessed and returned to the material cycle in its entirety for use in new products. Vitra will gradually incorporate V-Foam for all its upholstered furniture containing moulded foam from 2025.
Vegetable-tanned leather is produced in a tanning process that involves treating animal hides with plant extracts instead of heavy metals. This is the oldest and most environmentally friendly way to preserve leather. At Vitra, leathers marked with an 'F' (for 'free') are tanned using a tanning agent made from olive tree leaves a waste product of the olive harvest. Throughout the entire process, the use of chemicals is kept to a minimum and only non-hazardous substances are applied. The olive leaf extract is a vegetable-based syrup whose production helps to reduce CO2-emissions, as the leaves are no longer burned after the harvest but collected and processed at the place of origin.
Quality, longevity and Vitra Product Warranty. Designed and manufactured for longevity, Vitra products are backed by a quality promise guiding every aspect of their development and production. Registered products qualify for either a 10 or 30 year warranty, unlocking various benefits including product identification, origin tracing, and access to designer information and care instructions. This warranty reflects Vitra's commitment to sustainability.
Vitra has its own Test Center where all sofas undergo rigorous testing to simulate 15 years of use. Vitra's inspection catalogue includes the world's toughest tests (simulation of worst-case usage), with requirements that far exceed standard regulations. Over the years, Vitra has developed additional tests of its own that are not found in any official catalogue of standards.
The Lounge Chair is eligible for the 10-year Vitra Product Warranty when registered through https://my.vitra.com for private use.
What is the difference between Premium F and Natural F leather?
Vitra’s Premium F leather is a semi-aniline, high-quality leather that offers a soft, even surface and is more resistant to stains and fading — ideal for everyday use.
Natural F leather, by contrast, is minimally treated to preserve the hide’s natural texture and markings. It feels more organic and develops a rich patina over time, perfect for those who appreciate authentic ageing and character.
Which shell finish is original for the Eames Lounge Chair?
The Santos palisander veneer is the most historically authentic finish for the Eames Lounge Chair. It closely resembles the rosewood used in the original 1956 design and showcases the warm, distinctive grain that made the chair an icon.
Can I mix different wood shell and upholstery colours?
Yes, Vitra allows you to mix and match shell veneers, leather or fabric colours, and base finishes. This flexibility lets you create a Lounge Chair that fits your interior style perfectly, whether you prefer natural walnut with black leather or cherry with cream upholstery.
How do I care for my Eames Lounge Chair?
Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth keeps the veneer and base looking fresh. For leather upholstery, use a quality conditioner once or twice a year to maintain suppleness. Always avoid direct sunlight or heat sources to preserve the chair’s finish and colour.
If you need any samples ordering please contact us or if you have any questions please get in touch.
Vitra Eames lounge chair design icon guide
Vitra Eames lounge chair collection
