The design and proportion of the klismos have remained almost unchanged since its beginnings. Saber legs splay outward for stability, and the rear legs sweep upward into the vertical part of the back. The rear legs and vertical stiles follow the same gentle arc and are often made from a single piece of wood. A concave horizontal backrest cradles the body just below the shoulders. The chair was originally constructed of wood, with animal skins sometimes used for back and seat cushions.

No original Greek klismos chairs survived into modern times. However, the Greeks left a rich history of sculpture and paintings depicting the chair. One of the most famous sculptures depicting the Klismos is the Stele of Hegeso located in Kerameikos Cemetery in Athens, Greece. Hegeso is seen lounging comfortably in a klismos that perfectly conforms to her back.

The klismos might have faded into history were it not for the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum in the mid-18th century. The discovery of Greek and Roman ruins sparked the neoclassical revival in Europe, which led to a rebirth of the klismos.

The Directoire style that emerged in France in the late 18th century borrowed heavily from Greek and Roman antiquity. The klismos matched well with the clean and simple lines of the Directoire style. The chair also appealed to a public reacting against the excess of the French rococo style.

In England the klismos reappeared during the Regency period of the early 19th century, and soon made its way to America. English architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe designed 36 klismos chairs for the White House drawing room of President James Madison and his wife Dolley.

The klismos continues to inspire chair designers today. They have interpreted the chair to fit contemporary lifestyles, but the basic line of the chair has remained unchanged for thousands of years. The longevity of its design is a testament to the near-perfect proportions of the chair.