Summer Patio Sitting: What style chair to get?
July 8, 2018 9:12 AM Subscribe
With Prime Day approaching, which type of chair should I get for enjoying my garden? Chaise lounge, camp style zero gravity recliner, or La-z-boy-style outdoor recliner? I intend to read, eat, sip a drink, watch the birds at the feeder, or possibly (but probably not) nap. Specifics below.
I don't have experience owning or even sitting in any of these types of chairs. None of my friends even have them. Chair will be placed on concrete. I guess I'd like to be able to sit up comfortably, or lay back a bit, but lying all the way back (or lying flat) isn't a requirement, although I suppose it could be a bonus. I don't have any height or weight constraints as far as these chairs are concerned. Ignore cost for now. I live in SoCal so I won't need to store it for the winter.
I don't have back issues but need comfy head support. I'm agile enough to get into or out of any style chair, but I've found that the hammock I currently have doesn't get used much since it's fiddly to get into and out of and I can't really grab my drink off my side table comfortably. Are the zero-gravity chairs fiddly like that? If you're laying back and you want to get out, can you get out directly from that position, or do you have to unscrew the knobs to come up straight before you get out?
My derriere does tend to get a little sore if I sit on things that are too hard, and the camp-chair style zero gravity chairs seem like they might not be too cushy? But then, if you're reclined, your weight is spread out so maybe it's fine? Does your bottom get sore if you're sitting up in it for awhile? (Aeron chair seats are too firm for me, as a reference).
What do you love about yours? Is there another style I'm not thinking of that I might like more?
I don't have experience owning or even sitting in any of these types of chairs. None of my friends even have them. Chair will be placed on concrete. I guess I'd like to be able to sit up comfortably, or lay back a bit, but lying all the way back (or lying flat) isn't a requirement, although I suppose it could be a bonus. I don't have any height or weight constraints as far as these chairs are concerned. Ignore cost for now. I live in SoCal so I won't need to store it for the winter.
I don't have back issues but need comfy head support. I'm agile enough to get into or out of any style chair, but I've found that the hammock I currently have doesn't get used much since it's fiddly to get into and out of and I can't really grab my drink off my side table comfortably. Are the zero-gravity chairs fiddly like that? If you're laying back and you want to get out, can you get out directly from that position, or do you have to unscrew the knobs to come up straight before you get out?
My derriere does tend to get a little sore if I sit on things that are too hard, and the camp-chair style zero gravity chairs seem like they might not be too cushy? But then, if you're reclined, your weight is spread out so maybe it's fine? Does your bottom get sore if you're sitting up in it for awhile? (Aeron chair seats are too firm for me, as a reference).
What do you love about yours? Is there another style I'm not thinking of that I might like more?
Best answer: I second Redhush on the zero gravity chair; I just donated my two to goodwill because they were so unwieldy to adjust and get in and out of.
After looking around a bit at options, I chose for my next set a pair of wooden Adirondack chairs with footrests and have been surprised at how comfy they are, even without cushions (which I presume would make it even nicer).
posted by pointystick at 10:33 AM on July 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
After looking around a bit at options, I chose for my next set a pair of wooden Adirondack chairs with footrests and have been surprised at how comfy they are, even without cushions (which I presume would make it even nicer).
posted by pointystick at 10:33 AM on July 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I guess I'd like to be able to sit up comfortably, or lay back a bit, but lying all the way back (or lying flat) isn't a requirement, although I suppose it could be a bonus.
I will tell you my terrible secret, and new visitors always laugh at me until they sit down: office chairs.
This is on a patio, so they're covered from the rain, and if you're not going to be under cover you might want to build a little storage shed to keep them in. But they're sturdy as shit, adjustable height, adjustable back, well-ventilated, armrests up or down. I have two of these ottomans for footrests (and they're filled with blankets for cool nights).
posted by Lyn Never at 10:40 AM on July 8, 2018
I will tell you my terrible secret, and new visitors always laugh at me until they sit down: office chairs.
This is on a patio, so they're covered from the rain, and if you're not going to be under cover you might want to build a little storage shed to keep them in. But they're sturdy as shit, adjustable height, adjustable back, well-ventilated, armrests up or down. I have two of these ottomans for footrests (and they're filled with blankets for cool nights).
posted by Lyn Never at 10:40 AM on July 8, 2018
Best answer: Oh, and we do have zero gravity chairs and they're okay for movie nights in the yard but they're entirely the wrong angles for getting in and out of (and the leg part of the chair is in the way, even upright, for getting up and down like a human-shaped person so you have to do this weird splayed-leg thing to get up) and I do not like reading in them because you'd have to hold your book/device up in the air to see it from any sort of reclining angle.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:49 AM on July 8, 2018
posted by Lyn Never at 10:49 AM on July 8, 2018
Best answer: I'll be the dissenting voice and say that I love my zero gravity style chair especially to read in, I have had two sets and the biggest problem with them is fighting to be the one to get to use it.
I buy the cheap ones, and the only reason I got rid of the first set is that wasps built nests in the arms, so I replaced them with ones that had no room for that.
I do think that they are better for the shorter among us.
posted by jeather at 11:29 AM on July 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
I buy the cheap ones, and the only reason I got rid of the first set is that wasps built nests in the arms, so I replaced them with ones that had no room for that.
I do think that they are better for the shorter among us.
posted by jeather at 11:29 AM on July 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I have a deck, sitting on it now, in one of several director's chairs. The chairs do not get proper care and have to be replaced @ 4 - 5 years. The canvas for seats and backs have to be replaced more often. I buy the chairs when I see them cheap, and buy extra canvas covers when I need them. I have had different types of patio furniture and these are always the chairs that get the most use. I do have a couple mesh lounge things, mostly because I like to lie under mosquito netting to watch stars and meteor showers. I seldom use them for reading. I use a 2nd chair for my feet; a hassock-type thing would be pleasant, if I ever happen to think of that.
The table + umbrella is super handy for keeping sun out of my eyes, and at my particular house, helps shade the living room and keep it cooler. I should have done a bunch of stuff today, but the deck was perfect, so I haven't left for much.
posted by theora55 at 4:37 PM on July 8, 2018
The table + umbrella is super handy for keeping sun out of my eyes, and at my particular house, helps shade the living room and keep it cooler. I should have done a bunch of stuff today, but the deck was perfect, so I haven't left for much.
posted by theora55 at 4:37 PM on July 8, 2018
Best answer: Seconding an Adirondack chair. Get a nice wooden one, not plastic. Super-comfortable and really makes you feel like it's summer. The footrests are nice as well.
posted by lunasol at 6:38 PM on July 8, 2018
posted by lunasol at 6:38 PM on July 8, 2018
Best answer: I adore my zero gravity chairs. After all day sitting at a desk, it's so nice to ease the strain on my lumbar spine, with a glass of cold white wine and a book, beside the pond, feeding the fish. That's my happy place. I don't find them hard to get into or out of (I'm a pretty average size, 5'7", ~150lbs). I have been known to fall asleep in them. They're also great for stargazing.
I can't bear those collapsible camp chairs with no footrests. They kill my back. My camp chair reclines, and has a footrest and a sun shade. Chaises are too flat. Adirondack chairs are too hard.
This is my second set of two ZG chairs; I replaced the first before I figured out that you can replace the elastic that holds the fabric to the frame. They carry the elastic lacing on Amazon.
posted by caryatid at 6:31 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]
I can't bear those collapsible camp chairs with no footrests. They kill my back. My camp chair reclines, and has a footrest and a sun shade. Chaises are too flat. Adirondack chairs are too hard.
This is my second set of two ZG chairs; I replaced the first before I figured out that you can replace the elastic that holds the fabric to the frame. They carry the elastic lacing on Amazon.
posted by caryatid at 6:31 PM on July 10, 2018 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Redhush at 9:31 AM on July 8, 2018 [1 favorite]