Iconic Designer Chairs Worth Owning (and How to Buy the Real Thing)
Updated October 2026 by Claire Whitmore.
Some chairs are furniture. A few are design history you can sit in. This guide covers the classics we think are worth the investment and, just as important, who legally makes the authentic versions today. The replica market is huge, and the differences in comfort and longevity are bigger than the photos suggest.
The classics at a glance
| Chair | Designer | Year | Authentic maker today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman | Charles and Ray Eames | 1956 | Herman Miller (Vitra in Europe and the Middle East) |
| Barcelona Chair | Ludwig Mies van der Rohe | 1929 | Knoll |
| Wassily Chair | Marcel Breuer | 1925 | Knoll |
| Womb Chair | Eero Saarinen | 1948 | Knoll |
| Egg Chair | Arne Jacobsen | 1958 | Fritz Hansen |
How we chose
We stuck to chairs that are still in licensed production, so you can buy them new with a warranty, and checked each maker’s own authenticity guidance. The Eames Office, for example, publishes which manufacturers are authorized.
Eames Lounge Chair
If we could only own one chair on this list, it would be this one. Molded plywood shells, leather cushions and a recline that feels like being held. Herman Miller makes it for most of the world, and Vitra makes it in Europe and the Middle East. It comes in several veneers and leathers, and a tall version exists for taller people.
Barcelona Chair
Designed for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona exhibition and still one of the most elegant chairs ever made. Knoll’s originals carry the Knoll logo and Mies van der Rohe’s signature on the frame. Beautiful, but it’s more of a perch than a lounge.
Wassily Chair
Breuer’s bent tubular steel and leather straps were radical in 1925 and still look modern. More comfortable than it looks.
Womb Chair
Saarinen designed it for people who curl up in chairs. Knoll still makes it by hand with a molded shell and sewn upholstery. It’s the most comfortable reading chair on this list.
Egg Chair
Designed for the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Fritz Hansen’s version carries a maker label and production year under the seat. It swivels and it’s surprisingly private.
Our original 31-designer gallery
This post began as a gallery of chairs from 31 designers. Many of those pieces are still available through specialist retailers like Aram in London, which is a wonderful place to see design classics in person.
Buying advice
Authentic versus replica
Replicas copy the outline but rarely the proportions, materials or recline. Authentic pieces also hold their resale value, and a good vintage Eames lounge often sells for more than it originally cost.
Each maker lists authorized retailers. Design Within Reach sells Herman Miller and Knoll pieces in the US.
Consider vintage
Auction houses and dealers sell vintage originals. Ask for provenance and check labels.
Looking for something less iconic but still well made? Our RH alternatives guide and luxury office chairs guide are good next stops.
FAQ
Is an authentic Eames Lounge Chair worth the price?
For many people, yes. It’s comfortable, it lasts for decades and it holds its value far better than a replica.
How can I tell if a designer chair is authentic?
Look for maker labels, signatures or medallions, buy from authorized dealers and ask for documentation.
Who makes the Barcelona Chair?
Knoll holds the license and produces the authentic version.
Which designer chair is most comfortable?
Our editors would pick the Eames Lounge Chair or the Womb Chair for long sits.
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