Designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1969, the Soft Pad Chair series offers comfortable, iconic seating for meeting rooms, home offices and conference areas. Characterised by three precisely stitched cushions, the chair’s luxurious upholstery provides gentle support and lasting comfort. New colour options have been introduced for 2025.
Featuring a swivel base and armrests, the EA 231 Chair offers flexible movement and ergonomic comfort. Equipped with an adjustable tilt mechanism and continuous seat height control, it allows individual adjustment for different sitting preferences. Designed with a fixed base, the chair has a clean and understated design ideal for any home office setting. The backward tilt can be locked in the forward position for stable desk work.
Three sewn-on cushions are filled with polyurethane foam and upholstered in either fabric or leather. The side profile and spreaders are made from die-cast aluminium, available in polished, chrome-plated, or powder-coated finishes to suit different interiors. The durable construction and high-quality materials ensure reliable performance and stability.
Soft Pad Office Chair EA 231
Soft Pad Office Chair EA 231
by Vitra
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Authentic original designs only
‘Made to Order’ products are ordered in from the manufacturer on the customers request and are considered a bespoke product - special terms and conditions apply. Production (lead) times stated above are an estimate only and do not include transit times from the supplier, or the time taken to deliver to you.
In stock items are available for immediate dispatch from our London-based warehouse. The daily cut-off time is 12:00 am for same day shipping, orders placed in the afternoon will be shipped the following day. Please refer to inventory levels above for live stock availability.
Technical Information
Dimensions:-
Width: 58 cm, Seat Width: 52.5 cm, Depth: 57-66 cm, Seat Depth: 42.5 cm, Height: 83-92 cm, Seat Height: 47-57 cm
Please Note:-
For the leather-upholstered version, the reverse side of the backrest is covered in Vitra’s Plano fabric.
Materials/Construction
Backrest and seat - Medium-high backrest with three sewn-on cushions upholstered in fabric or leather, padded with polyurethane foam.
Side profiles and spreaders - Die-cast aluminium, either polished, chrome-plated or powder-coated in deep black.
Seat mechanism - Adjustable backward tilt, lockable in the forward position. Continuous seat height adjustment with gas spring.
Armrests - Die-cast aluminium, polished, chrome-plated or powder-coated in deep black.
*Base - Four-star base in die-cast aluminium, polished, chrome-plated or powder-coated in deep black.
Glides - Fitted with felt glides for hard floors. Plastic glides for carpeted floors are available upon request.
*Polished aluminium develops a subtle patina over time. Chrome-plated aluminium retains its shine for many years.
The Soft Pad Collection is currently available in the following fabrics. Fabric upholstery is grouped by numbers F40-F120, and leather upholstery is grouped by numbers L20-L50; the higher the number, the greater the cost. Please get in touch for a bespoke quote if you would like a fabric listed here that isn't available to buy online.
F40 - Laser RE
F80 - Cosy 2
F120 - Track
L20 - Leather (The standard grade leather used by Vitra is a robust cowhide leather, dyed-through, pigmented and embossed with an even grain pattern.). This leather option has a back panel upholstered in Vitra's Plano fabric.
L50 - Leather Premium F (Leather Premium F is a relatively smooth cowhide leather with a flat grain and fine top sheen.) This leather option has a back panel upholstered in Vitra’s Plano fabric and a contrast seam.
Like most of our furniture, the Soft Pad series will be custom-made specifically for you. If you would like to see a fabric sample, please get in touch and we'll be happy to discuss all of the available options with you.
Product Downloads
Designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1969, the Soft Pad Chair series offers comfortable, iconic seating for meeting rooms, home offices and conference areas. Characterised by three precisely stitched cushions, the chair’s luxurious upholstery provides gentle support and lasting comfort. New colour options have been introduced for 2025.
Featuring a swivel base and armrests, the EA 231 Chair offers flexible movement and ergonomic comfort. Equipped with an adjustable tilt mechanism and continuous seat height control, it allows individual adjustment for different sitting preferences. Designed with a fixed base, the chair has a clean and understated design ideal for any home office setting. The backward tilt can be locked in the forward position for stable desk work.
Three sewn-on cushions are filled with polyurethane foam and upholstered in either fabric or leather. The side profile and spreaders are made from die-cast aluminium, available in polished, chrome-plated, or powder-coated finishes to suit different interiors. The durable construction and high-quality materials ensure reliable performance and stability.
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This product is designed by
Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray were a married couple who fundamentally changed the way furniture and buildings are designed and manufactured - playing a large role at the inception of the Modernist movement. They worked with Herman Miller and then later Vitra in the 1950’s to pioneer new technologies in moulded plywood, plastic resin and wire mesh products.
Charles was by highly influenced by the Finnish Architect Eliel Saarinen who encouraged Eames to move to Michigan to further study Architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He became friends with Eliel’s son Eero and together they created a prize-winning furniture entry for New York’s MOMA museum ‘Organic Design in Home Furnishings’ competition. Ray Eames was born as Bernice...