Comfortable outdoor dining chairs: The key to enjoying meals in your garden

When it comes to enjoying meals in the garden, comfortable outdoor dining chairs aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re essential. It’s easy to get distracted by style, size, or price when choosing garden furniture, but if your chairs aren’t genuinely comfortable, even the most beautiful outdoor setup can fall flat.

We’ve touched on this subject before—whether it's asking How many garden chairs do I need? or diving into specifics like How do you assemble our garden chairs?. But here at the Lazy Magazine, we think comfort and function deserve more than just a passing mention. Because when the sun finally decides to show up, you want to linger outside. And the only way to do that? Seating that lets you relax.

In an Esquire interview, Robert De Niro was quoted as stating, “If it’s the right chair, it doesn’t take too long to get comfortable in it.” A great quote—and we’d never argue with De Niro lightly. He was most likely referring to an indoor lounge chair or sofa. But here at Lazy Magazine, we’d say: when it comes to outdoor dining chairs, comfort isn’t automatic. It’s carefully considered, thoughtfully designed, and absolutely worth getting right.

Why garden chair comfort is often an afterthought

Let’s be honest—indoor dining chairs aren’t always chosen for comfort either. More often, they’re picked because they look good in a room, complement the table, or match the overall aesthetic of the space. And because sit-down meals inside tend to be more occasional, many of us are happy to sacrifice a bit of comfort for style.

But outdoor dining chairs? They're probably more like a kitchen dining space as opposed to a dining room. We think they should be held to a higher standard. When the weather’s good, you’re likely to spend much longer outside—eating, relaxing, hosting, and staying put. And if you have limited patio space, it’s common to rely on one set of chairs to do everything. That’s why comfort outdoors isn’t just a nice bonus—it’s essential.

Let’s be honest: we’ve all bought outdoor furniture that looked great but turned out to be terrible to sit on. Yes, we're looking at you, cool boxy designer rattan garden sofa that felt like sitting on a pile of bricks. But when we finally get that sunny weekend in the UK, we want to stay outside—to eat, sip a drink or two, relax, and enjoy it for as long as possible. That only happens if your garden dining chairs are up to the task.

What makes a garden chair comfortable?

Your outdoor tables and chairs should do more than look good on your patio. They need to work just as hard as your indoor seating—maybe harder. Here’s what we would look for if we were buying new outdoor chairs:

• Right seat height & armrest clearance
  So you can sit close to the table without awkward leaning.

• Ergonomic back support
  Curved lines that follow the spine make all the difference.

• Solid materials
  Like our cast aluminium chairs—lightweight, weatherproof, and easy to maintain.

• Optional cushions
  For that extra level of comfort, especially for long lunches and late-night chats.

From dining to lounging: Different types of garden chairs

There are many outdoor chair styles to choose from, each with its pros and cons, for example:

• Outdoor Dining Chair
• Reclining Garden Chair
• Folding Chair
• Garden Chaise Lounge
• Hanging/Suspended Chair
• Day Bed
• Adirondack Chair
• Swivel, Rocker, and Swing styles
• Garden Bench
• Garden Sofa
• Garden Barstool

At Lazy Susan, our focus is firmly on al fresco dining. Our garden dining sets are designed with comfort, durability, and timeless style in mind.

Lazy Susan chairs are designed for dining, built for comfort

Our patio chairs are crafted from high-grade, rust-proof cast aluminium, designed to pair perfectly with our tables. They don’t rock, swivel, or recline—but they do support you beautifully while dining or socialising.

Need to pull up close to the table? No problem. Want to sit comfortably for hours without adjusting every five minutes? That’s exactly what they’re made for.

At Lazy Susan, comfort has always been front and centre in our design process. Our patio chairs are ergonomically shaped to support your body for longer periods—ideal for everything from long lunches to late-evening chats. They’re also weatherproof and easy to clean, so you won’t need to worry about a sudden shower or muddy footprints.

Depending on your space and preferences, you can choose styles with or without armrests—offering flexibility for both formal dining and more casual lounging. Some of our chairs are even stackable, making them easy to store when not in use or during the winter months.

And perhaps most importantly, our designs aren’t just based on trends—they’re built on years of refinement and real customer feedback. We listen closely to what our customers say about how our chairs feel in everyday use, and we continuously update our designs to reflect that.

Because comfort shouldn’t be a compromise. Especially not when you’re trying to make the most of your garden.

Add seat cushions for extra comfort & style

If you’re hosting longer meals or a BBQ, pair our chairs with our fitted seat cushions—available in green, terracotta, navy, and stone. They are:

• Waterproof and fade-resistant

• Removable, washable covers

• Tailored to fit all Lazy Susan chairs and benches

They enhance both the look and feel of your outdoor space and ensure all-day comfort.

Every day seating with room to expand

Our garden tables and chairs are sold in sets of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10+. Need an extra seat or two? No problem—they’re available individually, so you can scale up as needed.

💡 Lazy Magazine Tip: We always suggest furnishing for the everyday, not the rare occasion. When the garden party comes around and you want to invite a crowd, you can always add a few more comfortable seats, bring inside chairs out, or pull some favours from friends and family.

Our 2025 Garden Chair Collection:

April Chair
Antique Bronze, Slate, White, Sandstone

Emma Chair
Antique Bronze, Slate, White

Rose Chair
Antique Bronze, Slate, White

Kate Chair
Antique Bronze, Slate, White

Shop the full Lazy Susan Garden Chair Range

So, Are Our Garden Chairs Comfortable?

At Lazy Susan, we design our garden chairs with one goal in mind: to create comfortable outdoor dining chairs that look great, feel great, and last for years. Comfort isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the design process from day one.

Each chair in our collection is:

1. Ergonomic
   Shaped to provide excellent support for longer seating sessions.

2. Lightweight
   But durable, thanks to our high-grade, rust-free cast aluminium.

3. Proportioned
   Sized for real outdoor dining, with proportions that let you relax while still sitting upright and close to the table.

4. Timeless
   In design, complementing any garden or patio style.

They’re practical too. Our cast aluminium chairs won’t rust, rot, or warp like some timber or steel options, and they require minimal maintenance—just a quick wipe down when needed.

And if you want to make them even more inviting, our range of outdoor cushions adds a touch of luxury and extra softness, ideal for long summer lunches, BBQ's, or evenings that stretch late into the night.

We offer a variety of chair styles—including models with or without armrests, stackable options, and different colour finishes—so you can build a set that suits your space, your style, and how you like to use your garden.

When you invest in Lazy Susan garden furniture, you're not just buying a chair—you're upgrading your entire outdoor dining experience.

Have you placed our outdoor chairs in your garden? We love to see any of our range taking pride of place in your outdoor space. Tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook, or upload your photos here to support our Do Some Good campaign and help raise money for great causes.