Eames Lounge Chair Standard vs XL: Which Size Is Right for You?
Quick answer: Choose the Standard size if you are up to about 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) tall or your room is compact. Choose the XL size if you are 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) or taller, or you want a more generous seat. The two sizes share the same width and the same ottoman. The XL is roughly 6 cm (2.5 in) deeper and 4.5 cm (1.75 in) taller, which is enough to change how the chair supports your head and legs.
Few chairs are as comfortable as an Eames-style lounge chair and ottoman, but a surprising number of buyers hesitate over one question: Standard or XL? Choose well and the chair feels as though it was made for you. Choose badly and the headrest sits too high or too low, or the chair crowds the room. This guide compares the two sizes, explains who each one suits, and shows how to test your choice before you order, with notes for homes in the UK, Europe and the USA.
Table of Contents
- Standard vs XL at a Glance
- Who Should Choose the Standard Size
- Who Should Choose the XL Size
- How Size Changes Comfort
- Will It Fit Your Room?
- How to Test Your Size at Home
- Original vs Replica: Why Two Sizes Exist
- Choosing Your Finish
- Ordering From the UK, EU or USA
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
1. Standard vs XL at a Glance
The figures below come from the size guide for our walnut Eames-style lounge chair and ottoman.
| Standard | XL (Tall) | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended height | Up to 5 ft 8 in (about 173 cm) | 5 ft 9 in (about 175 cm) and above |
| Chair height | 31.5 in (80 cm) | 33.25 in (84.5 cm) |
| Chair width | 33.5 in (85 cm) | 33.5 in (85 cm) |
| Chair depth | 35 in (89 cm) | 37.5 in (95 cm) |
| Seat height | 16 in (41 cm) | 16.5 in (42 cm) |
| Ottoman | 17 x 25.5 x 21.5 in (43 x 65 x 55 cm) | 17 x 25.5 x 21.5 in (43 x 65 x 55 cm) |
The important point is how small the differences are. The width does not change, so the XL does not take up much more space across a room. The extra depth and height are what give taller people a better fit.
2. Who Should Choose the Standard Size
The Standard size is a good choice if:
- You are up to about 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) tall. The headrest and back should line up comfortably with your shoulders and neck.
- You have a smaller living room. Less depth means an easier fit beside a sofa, in a corner or in a reading nook.
- You want a lower, more compact look. The Standard has a slightly lower back and a slimmer profile.
- Several people of average height will use it. The seat height is comfortable for most adults.
If you are in between, for example around 5 ft 8 in, the Standard is usually fine, especially if space is tight.
3. Who Should Choose the XL Size
The XL size suits you if:
- You are 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) or taller. The taller back and deeper seat support more of your body.
- You like to sink back and stretch out. The extra depth gives your legs and the ottoman more room.
- The chair will be the centrepiece of a larger room. A larger chair looks proportionate in a big space.
- Two people of different heights share it. The XL can feel more accommodating for taller family members.
If you are on the borderline, think about how you sit. People who like to recline fully often prefer the extra depth.
4. How Size Changes Comfort
A lounge chair works through three contact points: your head, your lower back and your legs. Size affects all three.
Headrest alignment. In a chair that is too tall for you, your head can feel pushed forward. In one that is too short, your neck may not be supported. A good fit places the headrest at the back of your head when you recline.
Seat depth. A seat that is too shallow leaves your thighs unsupported. One that is too deep can push your knees against the edge. You should be able to sit back fully with a small gap behind your knees.
Ottoman height. The ottoman is the same in both sizes. For taller people, the slightly higher seat height of the XL helps the legs sit naturally on the ottoman.
The product description mentions a gentle recline of around 15 degrees, which suits reading, relaxing and watching television.
5. Will It Fit Your Room?
The chair needs space for the chair, the ottoman and a little movement around them. Standard depth is 89 cm (35 in) and XL depth is 95 cm (37.5 in), and the ottoman adds about 55 cm (21.5 in). Together with a small gap between them, expect to use about 1.5 to 1.6 metres (5 feet) of floor length.
Also allow:
- 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 inches) for walkways
- About 45 cm (18 inches) between the chair and a coffee table
- A little room to swivel, if you like to turn the chair
If your room is small, our guide on how to fit a lounge chair and ottoman in a small living room shows layouts that work.
6. How to Test Your Size at Home
You do not need to guess. Try these quick tests before you order.
- Tape the footprint. Mark the width and depth on the floor with tape, and live with it for a day.
- Sit in a similar chair. In a showroom or a friend’s home, check whether the headrest lines up with your head.
- Check your height. Use the recommended height ranges as a starting point, and think about how you like to sit.
- Measure the delivery route. Check doorways, hallways and stairs, as the packaging will be larger than the chair.
- Think about everyone. If several people will use it, choose for the person who will sit in it most often.
7. Original vs Replica: Why Two Sizes Exist
Even the original designers’ chair now comes in more than one size. Vitra, which makes the Eames lounge chair for Europe, offers both the original classic dimensions and a more spacious modern size, because many people found the classic proportions too small.
Replica sellers offer the same choice for the same reason. If you are weighing a replica against an original, our guide to Eames lounge chair replica vs original explains the differences in price, materials and value. Our chairs are replicas, not originals, and you should always check dimensions on the product page, because they can differ from the original maker’s figures.
8. Choosing Your Finish
Once you know your size, the finish is the fun part. The Eames-style lounge chair and ottoman in walnut is available in both Standard and XL. It is listed from £1,024.99 for the Standard size, and £1,184.99 for the XL at the time of writing.
If you prefer a richer, redder wood tone, the Iconic Eames Lounge Chair Replica in rosewood is listed from £874.99. Check the product page for its specific dimensions before you order.
You can compare more designs in our Eames lounge chair collection or the full living room furniture collection.
9. Ordering From the UK, EU or USA
Interior Furnishes ships through international fulfilament partners across the UK, Europe, the USA and Australia. Processing takes 1 to 3 days, then delivery takes 3 to 7 days to the UK and EU and 5 to 10 days to the USA. The product page lists zero import and customs charges, but check the details at checkout for your country.
The store offers a two-year warranty and a 14-day returns policy. Items must be unused and in their original packaging, return shipping is normally paid by the customer unless the product is faulty, and damage should be reported within 48 hours of delivery with photos. Read the full policy before you order, as terms can change. Payment options include Karna and Shop Pay.
Our ordering guide explains delivery, assembly and returns in more detail. Customers in the EU and USA can also shop from our EU store.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Standard and XL? The XL is about 6 cm (2.5 in) deeper and 4.5 cm (1.75 in) taller than the Standard. The width and the ottoman are the same.
Which size is right for someone 5 ft 8 in tall? The Standard is recommended for heights up to 5 ft 8 in (173 cm). If you are close to the limit and like to recline, compare both sizes.
Is the XL much bigger? Not in width. It is deeper and taller, so it needs slightly more floor space from front to back.
Does the ottoman change between sizes? No. The ottoman measures 17 x 25.5 x 21.5 in (43 x 65 x 55 cm) in both.
Can I return the chair if the size is wrong? The store has a 14-day returns policy for unused items in their original packaging, but check the conditions, including who pays for return shipping.
11. Final Thoughts
For most people, the choice is simple. If you are up to about 5 ft 8 in tall or your space is limited, choose the Standard. If you are 5 ft 9 in or taller, or you love to stretch out, choose the XL. Measure your room, check your route, and compare the dimensions with how you actually sit. The right size makes this chair feel like a long-term favorite.
Author: Interior Furnishes Editorial Team Last reviewed: October 2026
Author disclaimer: This article is written by the Interior Furnishes editorial team for general information only. Recommended heights and dimensions are guidelines taken from the product size guide, and comfort varies from person to person, so always check the current product page and measure your space before you order. Interior Furnishes sells replica designer furniture, which is not manufactured or endorsed by the original designers or brands mentioned. Prices, warranty terms, delivery times and returns conditions may change over time, so please read the current policies. Guidance covers typical homes in the UK, Europe and the USA and may not apply to every situation.
