Barcelona Chair Dimensions

Barcelona Chair Dimensions in cm and Inches

The figures Knoll publishes for the original

Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich designed the chair in 1929 for the German Pavilion in Barcelona. Knoll makes the licensed original today, and these are the measurements it publishes.

Why two depths? Thirty inches converts to 76.2 cm. Most European shops selling the Knoll chair round that up and list 77 cm. It is the same chair either way.

The seat is as wide as the whole chair, because there are no arms. That makes the Barcelona chair one of the wider single seats you can buy, but it also means nothing sticks out beyond the frame. What you measure is what you get.

Barcelona Ottoman Dimensions

Also called the Barcelona stool

Mies and Reich designed a matching stool for the same pavilion. Knoll still makes it, and you will see it sold as either a stool or an ottoman. Published sizes differ slightly between European and American shops, so here are both.

The useful number is the height. At about 39 cm, the ottoman sits a few centimetres below the chair seat. That is the right height for resting your legs, and it is also low enough to work as a spare seat when guests arrive. If you are still deciding whether you need one, our guide to buying the Barcelona chair with or without an ottoman weighs up both sides.

Barcelona Chair and Ottoman Dimensions Together

The number most people forget to check

Placed in a line, the chair and ottoman take up about 75 cm of width and roughly 1.35 metres of length. Most people leave a small gap between the two so their legs stretch out comfortably, which brings the total closer to 1.5 metres.

On its own, one chair covers a little under 0.6 square metres of floor. Add the ottoman and you are using just over a square metre. That is less than most armchairs with a separate footstool, because the Barcelona set has no arms and no skirt.

Our Barcelona Chair Measurements

Our chair and ottoman, side by side with the original

These are the sizes of the Barcelona style chair and ottoman we sell, set against the figures published for the original. We show both because a few centimetres matter when a chair has to fit a particular corner.

Our chair is a little larger than the published original: 2 cm wider, 2 cm deeper and 6 cm taller. If you are planning a tight alcove, or placing our chair beside an original, use our figures rather than Knoll's. Our ottoman is slightly wider and taller, and a few centimetres shallower front to back.

You can buy the Barcelona single chair on its own, or the Barcelona chair and ottoman as a set. The best sellers are the black Barcelona chair, the white Barcelona chair and the black chair with ottoman.

Standard or Relax: Does the Size Change?

A common question with a simple answer

Knoll sells the original in two versions, Standard and Relax. Many people assume the Relax is bigger. It is not. Both versions share the same outside measurements. The difference is inside the cushions.

The Standard chair uses firmer foam, which keeps the classic crisp shape. The Relax version adds a softer foam and an extra fibre layer, so you sink in a little more. If a Barcelona chair fits your room in one version, it fits in the other.

Why Sellers Publish Different Numbers

And how to check a replica before you buy

Search for Barcelona chair dimensions and you will find heights from 75 cm to over 80 cm, and some depths that are plainly wrong. There are three reasons for this.

• Different measuring points. Some shops measure height to the top of the steel frame, others to the top of the back cushion.
• Rounding. Converting inches to centimetres and rounding each figure can shift a number by one or two centimetres.
• Smaller frames. Some low-cost copies use a shorter, thinner frame to save steel. The chair then looks slightly off, even if you cannot say why.

Size is only one clue. Our guide on how to tell a real Barcelona chair covers the frame, the leather and the stitching as well.

How Much Room Does a Barcelona Chair Need?

Three common layouts, measured

The chair itself is compact, but it looks best with space around it. It was designed to stand in an open pavilion, and it still reads better as a single piece than squeezed into a row.

We suggest leaving at least 80 cm of clear walkway in front of or beside the chair, so nobody has to edge past it. For more layout ideas, read our guide to styling a Barcelona chair in a living room.

Will It Fit Through Your Door?

Check this before you order, not on delivery day

This is where the Barcelona chair differs from most furniture. The steel frame is one welded piece. It does not come apart, so it cannot be packed flat into a smaller box. The cushions simply strap on once it arrives, which is why setting one up takes about ten minutes and no tools, as our Barcelona chair assembly guide shows.

The chair box is close to a cube, so turning it on its side does not make it any narrower. You need a clear opening of at least 77 cm. Measure the door with the door itself fully open, because the door leaf and hinges take a few centimetres off the gap. Check your front door, any inside doors, the turn at the top of the stairs and the inside of the lift.

The ottoman box is much easier. Stood on its edge it is only 35 cm thick, so it fits through almost any door. At 22 kg, the chair box is manageable for two people on the stairs. If any opening looks tight, email us at hello@sederica.com before you order and we will help you check.

How the Size Feels When You Sit

Numbers only tell part of the story

At 43 cm, the seat is fairly low. The back tilts gently backwards and there are no arms to push against, so you stand up using your legs rather than your hands. Most people find that easy. If you have stiff knees or hips, it is worth sitting in one first, or pairing it with the ottoman so you can shift your position.

The chair suits sitting upright to read, talk or have a drink. It was designed to receive guests, not for curling up. Our article asking is the Barcelona chair comfortable goes into this in more detail.

How to Measure Your Space

Five minutes with a tape measure

1. Pick the exact spot where the chair will stand.
2. Mark out a rectangle 77 cm wide and 78 cm deep with masking tape on the floor. That is the size of our chair.
3. If you want the ottoman, add a shape 61 cm wide and 54 cm deep in front, leaving a small gap.
4. Walk around the taped shape. Check that doors open fully and that you still have a clear path.
5. Leave the tape down for a day. If it still feels right after living with it, the chair will fit.

Questions About Barcelona Chair Size

Short, factual answers