The 5 Ways to Style an Eames Lounge Chair

The single most famous piece of furniture in history, clad in leather and curved in timber, carries centuries of design heritage and inspired reinterpretations upon its shoulders. A design so iconic it catapulted its creators into interior immortality, it transcends the knowledge of even the most dedicated design geek and is recognisable — if not by name, then certainly by sight — to the untrained eye. The Eames Lounge Chair sits, both figuratively and literally, among the annals of design folklore like no other.

To own one is something of a rite of passage for any self-respecting interior aficionado. Undoubtedly the centrepiece of any room it inhabits and available in more configurations than ever, its surroundings must be chosen carefully to do it justice. Fortunately, we’ve developed something of a knack for just that — after all, we’ve been selling them for as long as we can remember. So we’ve put together a cheat sheet: five simple-yet-special ways to style your space, future proof a project, and get the best out of furniture’s foremost.

The first of these recommendations requires a brief history lesson. The 1956 love child of Charles and Ray Eames, the eponymously named Lounge Chair instantly took the design world by storm. But for it to garner such rapid acclaim, it had to be more than a vision of the future — it needed to be a solution for the present. It had to excite people about the direction of design, while still finding its place among the already stylish lounges and libraries of mid-century homes.

And it did just that — exceptionally well. It slipped seamlessly between Saarinen tables and low-slung conversation pits, while offering something new, something bold. In doing so, it became the undisputed figurehead of 1950s furniture. When creating your own retro reading area, try pairing it with this combination of 20th-century-inspired interiors.

From New York to London, lofts and luxury apartments have seen their aesthetics evolve considerably over the past few decades. However, as the second industrial revolution took hold in the late 1990s, one thing remained a stalwart: our aforementioned icon. Not content with being a symbol of a single design era, the Eames found a natural home amongst exposed steel structures and free-standing floor lamps.

The all-black edition is particularly well suited to this style. From its strong, steely characteristics to its obsidian colourway, it lends itself effortlessly to the raw, monochromatic prerequisites that industrial design demands.

Relaxation — some would argue that it is the primary purpose of a lounge chair. After all, the clue is right there in the name. For those who take their time away from the wider world seriously, our next recommendation is for you. Combining the soft hues and natural materials of the Scandi palette with an Eames brings such balance to your home, you may as well be living in a spirit level.

Fill the floor space with a Fabula rug, a Gubi Moon side table and the soft spotlight of a Louis Poulsen pendant, and you have a ready-made Danish designer setting to place your brand-new interior icon centre stage.

At the end of the day, your home is your canvas, and self-expression is your brush. If your interior is an abstract collision of moods and passions, then more recent editions of the Eames — such as the Mohair versions — may be for you. While the custodians of the chair, Vitra, long adopted an, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to customisation. Only in recent years has that stance evolved, with more adventurous upholsteries, including Blue and Orange Mohair, opening the door to a world of possibilities.

There are no real recommendations to this one, it's likely that your home is already an ecclectic mix of your memories, for which there is no stylish substitute. But if you're looking for something abstract to go alongside this armchair take these pieces into consideration.

This one is ideal for the 'cosy up with a good book' specialists. If you prefer to surround yourself with the gentler comforts of home, this style may feel familiar. Some might argue it’s similar to our Scandi option; we see it as something with just a little extra warmth and whimsy. A blanket of plush textures that turns winter nights into evenings of pure comfort.

The softer style works because it can be created with such a huge variation of materials, so long as you get the colour correct. Even lacquer and wool will play gently into the arms of a boucle upholstered Eames, paired with the right lighting your secluded sanctuary is the perfect blend of cosy and carefree.