With so many womb chair replicas on the market today, choosing the best one can be difficult, and although you know you are saving yourself several thousand dollars by choosing a replica, you want to be sure you are getting one that’s as close to the original one as possible.
We put together comprehensive reviews for the best Womb chair based on the following criteria:
- Quality of materials used – Both for the hardware and choice of fabric.
- Construction – How closely the chair followed the specifications of the original chair.
- Cost – We’ve eliminated poor quality or unjustifiably expensive ones.
You can skip straight down to the my reviews from the table below. But if you want a little background information on the chair first, continue reading.
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Reviews of Our Top Picks for the Best Womb Chair Replica
| Editor’s Award | Brand | Read More |
Our Top Pick Womb Chair Replica | Kardiel Womb Chair and Ottoman Kardiel.com | Full Review |
Alternative Top Pick – Custom Made Womb Chair | Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eternity Modern From Eternity Modern | Full Review |
Our Runner Up Womb Chair Replica | DECORIFIC NYC Mid-Century Minimalist Chair and Ottoman From Amazon | Full Review |
Best Budget Womb Chair Replica | Cashmere Womb Chair and Ottoman by EOE | Full Review |
Another Worthy Mention | Mid Century Saarinen Style Womb Chair and Ottoman by ARTIS DÉCOR | Full Review |
Also in this guide.
What is a Womb Chair?
Designed in 1946 by architect and furniture designer Eero Saarinen, the iconic womb chair is, (and I can’t overstate this) every bit as contemporary and cutting edge as it was when it made its debut over 70 years ago.
Few functional objects have achieved the status of high art, rare exceptions include a few iconic pieces of mid-century modern furniture. The Barcelona, the Eames, and of course the womb chair are such examples – each is equally an object of modern art as it is a chair.
Founded on principles that valued well-designed everyday objects, mid-century modern designers, used natural, as well as modern materials, to create aesthetically beautiful, organic forms that were, both comfortable and functional for everyday people.
The challenge for the womb chair, in particular, was set by architect, furniture, and interior designer, Florence Knoll. She asked Saarinen to design her a chair that would feel, “like a basket full of pillows . . . something I can curl up in.”
The result, after two years and numerous failed attempts to design a chair “that would work” – one that would feel as comfortable whichever way it was sat in, was the elegantly curved, originally titled, Model No.70.
Minimalist, and organic in form, it was described by Saarinen as “a cup-like shell into which you can curl up and pull up your legs.” It was so comforting to sit in and relax, both physically and psychologically, it soon became affectionately known as the womb chair.
Our Top Pick for the Best Womb Chair Replica: Kardiel Womb Chair & Ottoman
The Kardiel Womb Chair and Ottoman wins our top pick by a long way.
Kardiel is a US-based company owned and run by four, Modernism-obsessed family members with a passion for good design, (Debbie, Jason, Brando, and John).
They collaborate with leading furniture designers from around the globe and hand source manufacturers to produce small-scale original designs, as well as occasionally, remanufacturing iconic, mid-century modern pieces of furniture.
This womb chair and ottoman are a testament to the high quality of workmanship that goes into their reproduction of Eero Saarinen’s iconic design.
One reason we recommend choosing an iconic piece such as this, from an independent company, rather than from Amazon, is that you will inevitably have more fabric choices and color options. And you do want a choice if you are investing in a statement piece that will take pride of place in your living space for years to come.
Womb chairs, even reproduction womb chairs, are admittedly not cheap, but that’s because they are not cheap to reproduce.
They are, however, still several thousand dollars cheaper than the official chair! Offering those of us who love and appreciate the cool, classic, mid-century modern design of this chair, a much more affordable option to cater to a smaller budget than the official version would ever accommodate.
With the Kardiel chair and ottoman, you get a good choice of fabrics as well as several color options. You can choose between indigenous boucle, cashmere tweed, or luxurious matte velvet.
We’ll now take a quick look at each of the fabric choices:
Indigenous Boucle – With a weight of 590 grams per square meter, and scoring a very high Martindale rub count of 100,000, this stunning textured fabric is very on-trend and it’s just as durable as it is beautiful. The boucle fabric is made from 95% Polyester and 5% Acrylic.
Cashmere Tweed – Upholstered in 50% cashmere wool and blended with 50% polyester Dacron synthetic fiber, the cashmere tweed option (below) combines all the quality and luxury of boucle fabric with the softness, durability – and indeed the practicality that Dracon provides. Just so you know, Dracon is actually synthetic silk.
Matte Velvet– Additionally, the chair is available in fern, petrol, or merigold matte velvet. This is a heavy velvet made from polyester and cotton yarns which results in a high Martindale rub count of 100,000. This means it’s certified for heavy usage and it’s also fade and stain-resistant.
Whichever fabric you go for, each chair and ottoman is stunningly handmade including the neatly, cross edge-stitched, finish which gives the chair its distinctive handcrafted appearance.
The fiberglass shell is true to the original design and supports sturdy, well-made steel legs with adjustable feet, the chair comes with chromed steel legs or a black steel finish.
The modular multi-density foam cushions are detachable and adhere to all safety and fire regulations. Without, (we’d like to emphasize) any added chemicals.
And that’s the thing, Kadiel is a reputable company, their customer service is friendly and most importantly they are contactable.
They offer a lifetime warranty on bases, legs, and hardware, and a 3-year warranty on all fabrics, cushioning, and seams.
What We Like:
- More fabric choices and color options – Because this one is from an independent company you get a much wider selection of fabric choices and colors.
- High Quality – It’s a very well-made replica, nearly identical to the original design.
Chair Dimensions: 37.8″ (W) x 38.6″ x Height 35″
Ottoman Dimensions: 24.8″ (W) x 21.7″ x Height 18.9″
Best Custom Made Womb Chair – New Review: Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eternity Modern
This is a stunning new addition to our top pick list. To sum it up it’s an exceptionally high-quality, faithful reproduction of the original Saarinen design.
But before we talk in more detail about the quality of its construction, we have to mention the thing we absolutely love about this chair – and that’s that it’s completely customizable.
If you are choosing an accent chair, especially one that’s as iconic as the womb chair, you want it to be the perfect color in the perfect fabric choice -something that takes you to your happy place every time you look at it.
Eternity Modern custom makes each chair, especially for you. You can choose between the impressively wide range of fabric choices listed below, or you can choose to have a chair made, using your own fabric.
Here are your fabric choices:
Boucle wool, velvet, chenille, helios linen, Sunbrella fabric, aniline leather, and vintage.
The wide choice of fabric options makes the Eternity Modern chair our most practical option too.
For example, if your chair is likely to be exposed to sunlight for much of the day, you can opt for Sunbrella fabric.
If you’ve read our outdoor chaise lounges, guide, you’ll know how amazing this fabric is. But in brief, it’s highly UV-resistant so it’s not going to fade. It’s also water repellent, breathable, and it’s super easy to clean.
Perfect for sunrooms or for homes with children and pets.
And whereas most womb replicas only come in bouclé wool, this chair also comes in a rare, full aniline leather option too – aniline leather being the highest quality leather you can get. If you what to learn more about aniline leather, just check out our Barcelona replica guide.
So let’s take a look at the details.
The shell is molded fiberglass just like the original, and it’s supported by black powder-coated steel legs.
The cushions are filled with highly-resilient, baby-friendly, urethane foam, and, of course, all materials on this chair are fire-retardant and non-toxic.
What We Like:
- Completely Customizable | You can have one made in your own fabric or choose from a wide choice of fabric and color options. Most notably Sunbrella fabric is perfect if your chair will be situated in a sunny location. Or even (a rare find) – a leather option.
Buying Factors to Consider:
Established in 2005, Eternity Modern is a highly respected company specializing in high-quality mid-century modern furniture, and their womb chair is a testament to the exceptionally high standard of workmanship that goes into their pieces.
As we’ve already mentioned, these chairs are custom made, so each one is made to order – that means there will inevitably be a few weeks’ wait. That said, this chair is, in our opinion, totally worth it.
Our Runner Up for the Best Womb Chair Replica: DECORIFIC NYC Mid-Century Minimalist Chair and Ottoman
This is another very well-made option that is faithful to the original design. To be honest there’s not much between this one and our top pick.
But its availability is limited and it’s currently available in just gray and red so it missed our top spot.
That said, DECORIFIC NYC specializes in producing high-quality reproductions of the most iconic pieces of mid-century modern furniture, and their womb chair is a great example of their high standard of craftsmanship.
And as with their Eames chair replica, they have stayed true to the original design.
Admittedly this is the most expensive replica of all our picks, but the quality is far above that of a cheaply made one – and it’s still more than four thousand dollars cheaper than an original womb chair.
Hand Stitched and upholstered in premium Cashmere wool over custom-formed foam cushions, the shell is fabricated from reinforced fiberglass – just as Saarinen designed all those years ago.
You can see the quality of stitching in this chair in the photo above.
Stainless-Steel legs with a polished chrome finish give strength and stability to the shell and they are constructed in the same materials as the original design.
What We Like:
- Cashmere Fabric | The seat and ottoman are also piped in the same fabric.
- Stainless-Steel Legs with Polished Chrome Finish | As per the original design.
Best Budget Womb Chair Replica: Cashmere Womb Chair and Ottoman by EOE
This replica is as cheap as you will find anywhere for one that remains true to the original design.
Womb chairs are not cheap to reproduce, simply because they are replicating a chair that is, by nature, costly and labor-intensive to make.
So considering you get the lounge chair and the ottoman too, for just under $600 (that’s more than $5,000 cheaper than the original) it’s a very affordable option for those who love the style but can’t justify the high price tag that usually comes with it.
What we love about this chair is that it’s still made with 100% Cashmere wool. You can see a close-up of the stitch above. It’s not going to be quite as thick and soft as the original, or even as thick and soft as the higher quality reproductions.
But then the original doesn’t have super thick cushioning to start with. All the comfort of an original Saarinen is in the ergonomic shape of the chair rather than in the cushioning itself and it’s the design of the shell that cocoons and envelops the sitter to create the perfect place to relax.
This replica comes in a good choice of bold color options too and whichever you choose, this chair will be the statement piece in any room.
Check the latest price and color options for the Cashmere Womb Chair and Ottoman by EOE on Amazon.
Another Worthy Mention: Mid-Century Saarinen Style Womb Chair and Ottoman by ARTIS DÉCOR
This high-quality womb chair reproduction is another worthy mention and well-deserved addition to our top pick list.
Made from cashmere wool fabric, the chair is meticulously handed lock-stitched in a braided thread with reinforced piping over high-density, synthetic silk-wrapped modular cushions.
Like our other higher-end options, the frame is constructed in polished # 304-grade stainless steel.
The chair is also available in a red option and comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Check the latest price for the Mid Century Saarinen Style Womb Chair and Ottoman by ARTIS DÉCOR on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How comfortable is a womb chair?
The womb chair is very comfortable to sit in. It was designed by Eero Saarinen at the request of architect, furniture, and interior designer, Florence Knoll who wanted a chair in which she could “sit in sideways or any other way I want” – a chair that would feel, “like a basket full of pillows . . . something I can curl up in.”
The organically curved, minimalist chair originally titled, Model No.70 was the result of many failed attempts to produce the perfect design.
When it finally made its debut, the chair was so comfortable and comforting to sit in, it became affectionately known as the womb chair.
What is the womb chair made of?
The main components of the womb chair are an underlying molded fiberglass shell covered with latex foam, supported by chrome-plated steel legs, and a u-shaped section that supports the underside of the chair and forms the back legs.
Foam-filled cushions are upholstered in hand-sewn tweed or bouclé wool/cashmere fabric.
What is Eero Saarinen famous for?
Eero Saarinen was a Finnish-American architect. He is most famous for designing Washington Dulles International Airport, the TWA Flight Center in New York, and the Gateway Arch, Washington.
He was also a furniture designer, famous for his tulip chairs and tables as well as the iconic womb chair.
When was the womb chair designed?
Although the womb chair looks very modern, it was in fact designed by Eero Saarinen in 1946 and officially launched in May 1948 at Knoll Associates’ New York showroom.
Other Womb Chair Replicas We’ve Reviewed:
These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:
High-End Option with Stainless Steel Legs
The Wombat Lounge Chair and Ottoman by AP
This is another good-quality chair that has stayed true to the original design.
Key Features:
- Upholstered in a 100% premium cashmere wool blend.
- Multi-density foam cushions – which provide a layer of firmer foam for the base and a softer topping.
Soho Modern Style Mid-Century Minimalist Chair
Soho Modern Style Mid-Century Minimalist Chair
This is another great option by Soho Modern Style.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel frame for both the chair and ottoman.
- Premium wool bouclé fabric.
Lastly, if you’d like a free mid-century modern print, hop over to our free printable page.
Terrific article, thank you! But none of your links are working except Kardiel!
Hi Andrea, Yes unfortunately many have just gone out of stock. I am currently working on sourcing some more to review.
How about Roveconcepts.com?
Hi Rachelle, thanks for your question. The Roveconcepts womb chair is another high-quality chair from a well-established company that has been around since 2011. They have a good reputation for their furniture and their womb chairs have received many positive reviews. You can see what the actual chair looks like here. Things to consider: They do have a membership program that if you join for a fee you receive discounts on their products. ( But it must be said, not everyone has been happy with the membership.).