Barcelona-style chairs and ottomans from £475 — hand-tufted Italian leather panels on a mirror-polished stainless steel frame. The form dates from 1929, created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the German Pavilion at the Barcelona International Exposition, and it has barely changed since, which is why it sits comfortably in both period and contemporary rooms.
Independent reproductions: Our Barcelona-style chairs and ottomans are inspired by the 1929 design associated with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich. These are not original Knoll products and are not made, licensed or endorsed by Knoll.
Barcelona-Style Chair Only or Chair & Ottoman Set?
This is the first decision, and it splits the range in two:
- The chair on its own — five leather colours from £475. Upright and firm, for hallways, landings, reception areas and accent corners.
- Chair and ottoman together — three leather colours from £649. Legs supported, weight back, and the firmness becomes a virtue rather than a limitation.
The short version: if it is going into a reading corner or a bedroom, buy the pair. If it is an accent chair in a hallway, the chair alone is enough.
Not sure which configuration suits your room? Read our guide on buying the Barcelona chair with or without an ottoman.
Barcelona Chair & Ottoman Dimensions and Room Planning
The chair measures W 79 × D 79 × H 85 cm, with an internal frame of W 75 × D 77 × H 75 cm. The ottoman measures W 63.5 × D 59.1 × H 37.5 cm; with it positioned in front of the chair, allow roughly 79 × 130 cm of floor.
On paper the chair is a large footprint, but the open steel frame and the gap beneath the seat make it read much lighter than an upholstered armchair of the same size. It is one of the few full-size lounge chairs that works in a small room or a wide hallway.
Neither piece reclines, so the chair can sit closer to a wall than an Eames-style lounge chair — 20 cm of clearance is enough, against roughly 110 cm for the Eames. A pair of chairs either side of a small table is the classic arrangement, and needs roughly 200 cm of wall.
Barcelona-Style Italian Leather Colour Options
The tufted panels are the whole design, so colour choice matters more here than on most chairs. The chair is offered in five colours, and the chair-and-ottoman set in three.
- Black — the most graphic and the most forgiving. The tufting reads as shadow and pattern rather than colour. Available in both.
- Cream — shows the tufting and stitching most clearly and gives the lightest look, but needs more care. Available in both.
- White — the sharpest contrast against the frame, and the most demanding to keep looking new. Available in both.
- Tan Brown — warms up the steel and works best against wood floors and mid-century timber. Chair only.
- Red — the one statement colour in the range. Best in a room that is otherwise restrained, where the chair is meant to be the focal point. Chair only.
Polished Stainless Steel Frame & Construction
Mirror-polished stainless steel is the dominant visual element. It is bright and reflective, so try to match it to other metals already in the room — it can clash with brass or matte black fittings.
Delivery and assembly
UK delivery only. Delivery is free on every product, Dispatched in 1–3 business days and delivery usually takes 5–10 business days after dispatch. Arrives part-assembled — the one-piece frames need no building, and the cushions fasten to them in typically under 10 minutes. Two-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a Barcelona style chair?
W79 × D79 × H85cm, with an internal frame of W75 × D77 × H75cm. On paper that is a large footprint, but the open steel frame and the gap beneath the seat make it read much lighter than an upholstered armchair of the same size.
Will it fit in a small room?
Yes. It is one of the few full-size lounge chairs that works in a small room or a wide hallway, because the frame is open rather than solid. The chair does not recline, so 20cm of clearance behind it is enough.
How much does a Barcelona style chair cost?
From £475, with free UK delivery on all orders.
Is this a genuine Barcelona chair?
No. These are Mies van der Rohe inspired chairs made by Habitat Furnishes. The authentic Barcelona chair is produced under licence by Knoll. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Knoll.
Who designed the Barcelona chair, and when?
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe with Lilly Reich, in 1929. The design has barely changed since, which is why it sits comfortably in both period and contemporary rooms.
Which leather colour should I choose?
The tufted panels are the whole design, so colour matters more here than on most chairs. Black is the most graphic and the most forgiving. Cream and white show the tufting and stitching most clearly and give the lightest look, but need more care. Tan brown warms up the steel and works best against wood floors and mid-century timber.
Will the steel frame clash with my other fittings?
It might. Mirror-polished stainless steel is the dominant visual element and it is bright and reflective, so try to match it to metals already in the room. It can clash with brass or matte black fittings.
Should I buy the chair on its own or with the ottoman?
The ottoman turns an upright occasional chair into something you can genuinely relax in. If the chair is going into a reading corner or bedroom, buy the pair; if it is a hallway or accent chair, the chair alone is enough.
How long does delivery take?
Free UK delivery on all orders, dispatched in 1–3 working days and delivered 5–10 working days after.
Does it need assembly?
It arrives part-assembled and takes typically under 10 minutes, with a 2-year warranty.