The Ultimate Guide to Garden Chairs and Sun Loungers
Is there a better feeling than sitting or lying out in your garden, in the sunshine, with a beer/ Pimms/ your tipple of choice in hand?
For the best possible experience, you need the right garden chair or sun lounger to support you: one that’s comfortable, stylish, and has your back – literally.
Overwhelmed by choice? We don’t blame you! There are so many great options on the market. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to garden chairs and sun loungers, including buying considerations and FAQs, to help you find your perfect lounging partner!
Types of Garden Chairs
Perhaps the biggest consideration when choosing a garden chair is ‘what style?’ Just as there’s a world of difference between your favourite cosy armchair and your work-from-home office chair, outdoor chairs have a lot of variety. Some examples of popular garden chair styles include:
- Egg Chair
An egg chair consists of a seat inside a semi-enclosed ‘egg-shaped’ cover, often made from rattan. You can choose a hanging egg chair, if you have somewhere to suspend it, or a freestanding option, such as our Cuckooland Hampstead Double Egg Chair.
- Sun Lounger
An outdoor sun lounger is a seat or bed that allows you to relax in a reclined position and soak up the rays (we can hope, right?) Sun loungers can be fixed or adjustable, so you can alter your lounging position.
- Bean Bag Chair
For a fun and comfortable garden chair, you could consider a bean bag. These are available in chair or bed form and mould to the shape of your body. They often come in bright colours, and if you add a few to your garden, they can double up as decorative accessories to create a vibrant, party feel.
- Day Bed
Another type of garden chair that’s perfect for creating a relaxing outdoor living space is a day bed. Exactly as it sounds, this bed-style chair offers a larger seating area for you to put your feet up and curly up on!
- Deck Chair
Fancy a folding garden chair you can also take camping or to the beach? Consider a deck chair! Typically made from wood or metal and canvas, deck chairs are space-saving, affordable and flexible products that will bring beach vibes to your garden.
Materials
Once you’ve chosen the style of garden chair you’d like for your outdoor oasis, you need to decide on the material. When doing this, consider factors such as climate, appearance and durability. Bear in mind the amount of maintenance that each material will likely need – wood, for example, will need annual oiling for weatherproofing – and how long it might last. Some material options for garden chairs include:
- Rattan
Rattan is one of the best materials for a garden chair or sun lounger. This is most likely to be synthetic PE rattan, which is more durable than natural rattan. PE rattan is also stylish, affordable and easy to clean and maintain. Maze Rattan offer a comprehensive and high-quality range of rattan garden furniture, available at Cuckooland.
- Wood
Wood is an excellent choice for your garden chair. It’s strong and sturdy, and providing you keep on top of treating it, it can be highly durable. Some wooden garden benches offer a traditional and timeless look; others, such as our Amazonas Garden Bench, provide a modern take on a classic with an unusual half-moon shape.
- Plastic
Plastic is one of the most affordable materials for garden or patio chairs. It’s a good choice if you want something weatherproof and easy to move around the garden, but it might not be the best-looking or most long-lasting option.
- Metal
Metal is one of the strongest materials for a garden chair or sun lounger, particularly rust-resistant aluminium. The Maze Rattan Allure Cabana Double Sunlounger has a powder-coated aluminium frame covered with an acrylic fabric and quick-drying foam cushions.
Size
When you’ve found the perfect style and material for your garden chair, measure your space to narrow your search to options that will suit your garden and ensure you still have room around your furniture. For example, a single egg chair might be preferable to a double if you have a smaller patio or deck.
Budget
Budget is always an important consideration when making any purchasing decision. Remember that cheaper is not always better, as your outdoor chair may be less durable and need replacing sooner.
FAQs
How long will my garden chairs last?
This depends on the material and construction of the chairs, as well as your climate and maintenance plan. If you choose a durable material such as PE rattan or aluminium, and look after them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, there’s no reason why your garden chairs shouldn’t last for many years.
Should I store my sun loungers inside over winter?
If it is possible to bring sun loungers inside over winter, this may increase their longevity. However, most garden furniture is designed to be weatherproof and should be ok outside –check the manufacturer’s guidance. We always recommend using a cover to keep your outdoor furniture in the best possible condition.
Do garden furniture covers work?
Yes! A cover will help protect your garden chairs from rust and weather damage, reducing the amount of cleaning and maintenance needed. However, they are not infallible. With many garden chairs and sun loungers, you can leave the frame outside under cover, but you should still store the cushions inside.
Ready to Chair Your Next Garden Meeting?
Hopefully, you’ve identified the best sun loungers and garden chairs for your outside space and are ready to commit! If you’d like more information about our Cuckooland garden chairs, call us on +44 (0)1305 231231 or email customerservice@cuckooland.com – we’re always happy to help.
