You’ve probably coveted a Barcelona chair for a long time, and that’s not unusual: the simple yet elegant design can be very enticing, though not enough to spend thousands of dollars on it, am I right? The furniture enthusiast’s best bet for the new millennia will always be to purchase quality, true-to-design replicas that keep the features and aesthetic of the original works intact (for a fraction of the price).
Before you make the decision, however, you need to be informed. You need to do your research so you don’t become one of the myriads of people to get scammed trying to add some decent furniture to their homes. Here are 5 things you need to know before purchasing a Barcelona chair:
Suggested Item: Barcelona Chair Replica
- Measurements
Always check for measurements before purchasing a Barcelona chair. You want the real thing, right? Barcelona chairs are probably one of the most copied items from the mid-century period, right below the Eames Aluminum Office chair. A Barcelona chair that’s true to design will be an average of 31 inches wide and long. You can check original retailers like Knoll for more information.
- Materials and build
There are so many variations, colors, and builds of the Barcelona chair that it might be hard to choose from all of them. Keep in mind that a Barcelona chair will always be made out of leather, and some replicas are deviating from this to cut production costs. Keep an eye of product reviews from proposed dealers, you can even go on Reddit to figure out where to purchase.
Suggested Item: Barcelona Chair
- Price
An original Barcelona chair will cost you about $5,000, which means that a replica will set you back about $800-1,200. Why is there such a big difference in price? That’s because “original” items are from extremely big and international retailers who do things like stamping a seal or copy of the designer’s signature on the furniture, which somehow “certifies” them, and makes them better.
But back to our main point: pricing. The price range above is what you’ll probably spend on a Barcelona chair. Material quality does vary between options, so again, read some reviews from external parties that have nothing to do with the dealer you’re considering. If somebody offers you more or less than this price range, it’s probably a scam. Buyer beware!