The standard Womb Ottoman measures 25.5 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 16 inches high. It weighs 13 pounds and supports up to 275 pounds. The medium Womb Ottoman measures 21 inches wide, 17.5 inches deep, and 14.25 inches high. It weighs 11 pounds with the same 275-pound weight capacity.

Authentic Womb Chairs manufactured by Knoll include several identifiable features. Look for the Knoll authentication stamp or label on the underframe, which verifies the piece meets the original specifications. The construction should show a reinforced fiberglass shell with even foam padding distribution and clean upholstery work.


The frame finish quality also distinguishes authentic pieces. Knoll offers three finishes: black powder-coated, polished chrome, or gold-plated steel rod frames. The welds should be smooth and consistent. The stainless steel and nylon glides should bear Knoll markings.


Dimensions provide another verification method. The standard chair measures exactly 35.5 inches high, 40 inches wide, and 34 inches deep with a 16-inch seat height. Reproductions often vary from these precise measurements. The Womb Chair’s 36-pound weight reflects quality materials, as lighter pieces may use inferior construction.

The Womb Chair earned its name from its distinctive enveloping form that wraps around the sitter like a protective cocoon. Florence Knoll challenged Saarinen to create a chair she could curl up in, seeking comfort beyond what traditional rigid seating offered. Saarinen responded with a design that cradles the body in a wide, sweeping shell and provides psychological comfort alongside physical support.

The standard Womb Chair measures 34 inches deep from front to back. The seat depth specifically measures 24.875 inches, providing substantial space for comfortable lounging. This generous depth allows users to sit fully back against the shell or tuck their legs beneath them.


Knoll also produces a medium Womb Chair for smaller spaces. The medium version measures 31 inches deep overall with an 18-inch seat depth. This compact option maintains the enveloping form while fitting tighter room layouts.

The Womb Chair delivers lasting comfort through its perfectly padded fiberglass shell that provides both support and flexibility. The single-piece molded form facilitates a relaxed sitting posture by conforming to the body's natural curves. The wide seat back offers ample room to rest your head, while the enveloping sides create a sense of enclosure without restriction.

Eero Saarinen designed the original Womb Chair in 1946 for Knoll. The Finnish-American architect had already achieved recognition by winning first prize at MoMA's Organic Design in Home Furnishings competition in 1940 alongside Charles Eames. His early experiments with Charles Eames explored molded plywood shells, but Florence Knoll's challenge pushed him beyond wood into fiberglass and resin, materials largely unexplored in furniture design at that time.


Knoll manufactures the chair according to Saarinen's original specifications. The authentic version features a reinforced fiberglass shell with polyester fiber padding over a foam core, mounted on a steel rod frame. The chair has remained in continuous production since its introduction, maintaining the design integrity that made it an icon of organic modernism.

The Womb Chair's design encourages relaxed, informal postures. The wide, sweeping seat back offers ample room to rest your head, while the enveloping form supports multiple sitting positions. You can sit sideways, curl up with your legs tucked, or recline in a traditional forward-facing position.

The standard size measures 40 inches wide, 35.5 inches high, and 34 inches deep, with a seat height of 16 inches. A medium size is also available, measuring 35 inches wide, 31.25 inches high, and 31 inches deep, with a 15-inch seat height.

The standard Womb Chair weighs 36 pounds and the medium Womb Chair weighs 31 pounds.

The Womb Chair comes in two sizes to accommodate different spaces and users. The standard version suits most adults and larger living spaces. Its 40-inch width requires adequate room—plan for at least 48 inches of width to allow comfortable access. The medium size offers a more compact footprint for smaller spaces or secondary seating areas. At 35 inches wide, it maintains the chair's signature enveloping form while reducing overall dimensions.

The Womb Chair’s foundation is a reinforced fiberglass shell mounted on a plywood platform. This shell is padded with polyester fiber padding wrapped around a foam core, creating lasting comfort without excessive bulk. The distinctive base consists of a steel rod frame finished in black powder coat, polished chrome, or gold plating. Stainless steel and nylon glides protect floors while allowing easy movement. The entire piece is upholstered in the buyer's choice of fabric, suede, or leather.

The Womb Chair was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1946.

The standard Womb Chair has a seat height of 16 inches, while the medium version offers a 15-inch seat height.

Yes, the Womb Chair is exceptionally comfortable for reading. Its wide, sweeping seat back offers ample room to rest your head while maintaining proper neck support and its enveloping form accommodates multiple sitting positions. The chair's foam-padded fiberglass shell provides lasting support without creating pressure points. Its generous seat dimensions accommodate shifting postures without requiring constant readjustment.