Which kind of garden chairs are most comfortable?

In this article, the Lazy Susan product design team are looking at which kind of garden chairs on sale in the UK are the most comfortable...

We recently published a buying guide to our garden chairs that touched on the importance of comfort. 

However, we felt this subject needed a closer look to establish why comfort is just as important as being weather resistant.

In an interview with Esquire, Robert De Niro discussed what he’d learned as he approaches his seventies. The icon reflected on his Godfather days, his relationship with Marlon Brando, and why he'd never retire. 

However, for us, it was the following quote that stuck in our minds and was shared around the office:

“If it's the right chair, it doesn't take too long to get comfortable in it.”

Is that true though? As much as we love the man and his work, we would probably have to disagree. Not that we want to pick a fight with Travis Bickle.

We are specifically talking about outdoor dining chairs here too, whereas one would assume Bob is talking about an indoor sofa or lounge chair.

However, when it comes to garden dining chairs such as those in our collection, then comfort is often somewhat of an afterthought over style and material.

Dining-style chairs for the inside of our homes are purchased to sit down for an hour or two, eat, and then retire to the lounge. But outside use is a little different.

Do people have the luxury of space for more than one garden set? Sofa and dining? 

If you do, then great, we would advise that you zone your patio and create areas for cooking, eating, relaxing, etc.

Also, if we are brutally honest, we have probably all purchased patio furniture based on looks. Form over function so to speak.

Even when it comes to the indoors, we've all purchased a sofa or a bed before that looked great but was awful to sit or sleep on.

Of course, looks are important. You don’t just want some big bean bag on your patio just because it is super comfortable. You want both style and substance.

Why do you need comfort when dining in your outdoor space?

Why do you need comfort when dining in your outdoor space?

In the garden, we think our chairs have to work even harder than their indoor counterparts too. 

When you dine outside, you don’t want to rush. You want to linger over your meal. Sit with drinks, chat, and have a good catch-up with loved ones. 

Plus, most of us have limited outdoor space. You generally need pieces that serve several different purposes. 

You have to make sure your garden/patio makes the best use of that space and allows you to use said space in the way you like to use it.

In the UK those sunny days can feel few and far between. Especially, on a weekend when we usually have free time. So when we do get them, you want to make the most of them.

Outdoor furniture is more than just a side room feature like a dining table might be. They’re a focal point!

In many ways, a better comparison would be the kitchen table or breakfast bar. They are more likely to be the main hub of activity inside the home. 

Just as they’re often a focal point inside the home, a garden table can become the focus of the outside. 

However, what is the point of a garden chair if it is uncomfortable to sit on? 

Even if it is just for a few hours or so of outdoor dining, surely you still want it to be comfortable. And if it is, those few eyes might extend long into the evening.

Popular types of garden chairs on sale in the UK

  1. Outdoor Dining Chair

  2. Reclining Garden Chair

  3. Folding Garden Chair

  4. Outdoor Ottoman

  5. Outdoor Sofa

  6. Hanging Egg Chairs

  7. Garden Chaise Lounge

  8. Suspended/Hanging Garden Chair

  9. Day Bed

  10. Sun Lounger

  11. Outdoor Patio Stool

  12. Adirondack

  13. Swivel Chair

  14. Folding Chairs

  15. Rocking Chair

  16. Wooden Chairs

  17. Synthetic Rattan Chairs

  18. Wrought Iron Chairs

  19. Cast Aluminium Chairs

  20. Plastic/Resin Chairs

  21. Deck Chairs

When choosing the right type of garden chairs for your outside space, think about:

  1. Material Durability

  2. Comfort

  3. Space

  4. Weather Resistance

Why is garden furniture comfort is important?

Why is garden furniture comfort is important?

Take into account all those factors above when choosing the type of garden chair you need. You want the perfect combination of durability, comfort, fit and weather resistance.

At Lazy Susan the bulk of our offer is focussed on outdoor dining. Yes, we sell Garden Benches and Sun Loungers that can be set to a seating position, but our garden dining sets form the core of what we sell.

So, for us, a good garden dining chair should do what it says on the tin: 

  1. They are designed to be paired with our tables. 

  2. They should be the right height to sit comfortably at the table and enjoy a meal. 

  3. You should be able to pull it close to the table so that you can eat without leaning forward, without arms clashing with the table edge, etc.

  4. They should be ergonomically shaped to support the back and provide comfort by following the contours of the spine. 

  5. You should be able to sit for a long time without constant adjustment.

We think our collection does all of the above and more.

They're not designed to rock or recline so that you can fall asleep, they are designed for outdoor dining. However, that does not mean we’ve sacrificed comfort.

Constructed from high-grade cast aluminium with a protective painted finish to make them highly weather resistant.

Our metal chairs are designed for outdoor spaces so they can easily be wiped down, and you don’t have to worry about spills or weather damage.

They are classically styled to complement your outdoor living space and function with the tables in our collection. 

Each set comes with a default choice of chair, however, there's also an option to upgrade. Y

ou may want a chair that is stackable, or wider, with or without armrests, so check the options and select the style you prefer at checkout.

Pair our garden chairs with outdoor cushions

Pair our garden chairs with outdoor cushions

If you love to host long, leisurely outdoor dinner parties or BBQs, then you might want to pair our garden chairs with our outdoor furniture cushions too.

We offer a choice of different colours that help up the comfort and look of your chairs.

All our cushions are made from a waterproof fabric that won’t fade in the sun. Plus, you and can easily remove the fabric cover from the foam via a zip to wash if they get dirty. 

Our collection includes seat pads and high-back styles that can be tied on and fit any of our Lazy Susan chairs and benches perfectly. 

Available in green, terracotta, navy or stone, each design is created in an armless silhouette that’s lightweight and perfectly complements our furniture.

Add extra outdoor seating for when there's a few additional guests

Add extra outdoor seating for when there's a few additional guests

Our Garden Chairs are sold in sets of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10+ seaters. However, if you need additional seating, they can also be purchased individually.

It’s normal to think of big family BBQs when we’re furnishing our patio, but at Lazy Susan we take a different approach… 

Furnish your patio for the everyday, then worry about seating 12 guests when the sun is shining and you’re firing up the BBQ.

Our garden chair range for Summer 2021

April Garden Chair £150.00

Available in Antique BronzeSlateWhite and Sandstone.

April Garden Chair

Emma Garden Chair £169.95  

Available in Antique BronzeSlate and White.

Emma Garden Chair

Rose Garden Chair £169.95

Available in Antique BronzeSlate and White.

Rose Garden Chair

Kate Garden Chair £179.95  

Available in Antique BronzeSlate and White.

Kate Garden Chairs

Shop the full Lazy Susan Garden Chair Collection for Summer 21.

Share this article
Please enter these characters in the following text field.

The fields marked with * are required.