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Garden chairs allow you to sit comfortably outdoors. Sitting in the sun with the family, barbecuing with friends, moving work outside when the weather is nice – all this is possible with the right garden furniture set. Garden chairs come in a wide variety of materials, colours and styles. The design also varies greatly: from foldable to stackable to chairs with a reclining function, everything is available.
You can therefore give free rein to your creativity when designing your garden, balcony or roof terrace. However, due to the large selection, the search for the right garden chairs is often difficult. To help you find the right garden chair for you, we have listed various product recommendations and buying criteria in this guide, as well as answering relevant questions.
Summary
- Garden chairs are available in different materials. The most popular are wood, metal, plastic and polyrattan.
- Garden chairs come in different designs. There are folding and stackable chairs as well as garden chairs and deck chairs. The decision for one of these four types depends mainly on the space on your terrace, the space in your storage room for the winter and your personal comfort preferences.
- Garden chairs are usually very easy to care for. You just need to make sure that you clean or treat them with special products at least once a year, if necessary, to ensure their longevity. In winter, you should store them indoors or cover them with a tarpaulin.
The Best Garden Chair: Our Picks
Buying and evaluation criteria for garden chairs
To help you decide on the right garden chair, we have listed the most important buying and evaluation criteria below. They should help you to compare the different models with each other. The criteria are as follows:
We will then go into more detail about each criterion and explain them to you. In this way, you can form a basis for deciding which garden chair is right for you.
Material
Garden chairs are available in many different materials. The most popular are metal, wood, plastic and polyrattan. Each of these variants has certain characteristics that you should consider before buying. Metal garden chairs, for example, are very robust and weather-resistant. They do not require much maintenance if they have been properly sealed.
In the garden, however, they look less natural and more cool. Wooden garden chairs, on the other hand, blend better into the garden because of their natural character. However, they require more care, for example with the help of varnish or oil. If this is done conscientiously, however, they are very weatherproof and long-lasting. Plastic chairs are the cheapest of the garden chairs.
They are also light, easy to clean and usually stackable or foldable. However, they are sometimes not very stable and can fade or tear in sunlight if the quality is poor. Garden chairs made of polyrattan are very popular because they are robust and easy to care for. In addition, they look natural and yet modern at the same time due to their weave pattern. However, they are sometimes quite heavy and expensive.
Weather resistance
Since your garden chair will be outdoors most of the year, it is important to make sure that it is as weather-resistant as possible when buying it. Weather resistance depends primarily on the material. Garden chairs made of plastic, aluminium, stainless steel or teak are particularly weatherproof with regard to moisture.
However, you should always sufficiently impregnate metal chairs. The same applies to wood: with the right care and protection, wooden chairs are also very weather-resistant. UV radiation also plays a major role. Plastic chairs in particular can suffer from UV radiation and fade. Garden chairs made of polyrattan, on the other hand, are very insensitive to UV radiation.
Resilience
Before you buy a garden chair, you should also consider how much weight it has to withstand. Most garden chairs can withstand a weight of 100 kilograms. However, if you or someone in your family or circle of friends exceeds this weight, you should buy a model with a higher load capacity. There are garden chairs that can support up to 300 kilograms.
Seating comfort
Another important point to consider when buying a garden chair is seating comfort. After all, you will spend a lot of time on your garden chair and ideally it should not be uncomfortable. Of course, the most important thing is the seat. It should be at least 40 centimetres wide to ensure optimal comfort.
Depending on the material, you should upholster it with cushions: especially wood, plastic and polyrattan become uncomfortable to sit on after a while without cushions. The backrest is also crucial for seating comfort. It should not be too steep, but also not too far back. Of course, adjustable garden chairs are ideal.
These can be adapted to any situation, whether it is eating upright at the table or relaxing in a reclined position. However, there are also differences in the length of the backrest. There are both high-back chairs and models with shorter backrests. If you prefer to be able to lean on your upper back while sitting, you should choose a high-back chair.
Guide: Frequently asked questions about garden chairs answered in detail
Who is a garden chair suitable for?
What types of garden chairs are there?
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Stacking chair | Stackable, space-saving, stable | Not adjustable, not easy to transport |
| Folding chair | Folding and adjustable, space-saving, easy to transport | Unstable, seat pad needed |
| Garden chair | Stable, large seat, high comfort | Static, takes up a lot of space |
| Lounger | Seating and lounging function in one | Takes up a lot of space, expensive, not the same comfort as that of a sun lounger |
As you can see, each type of garden chair has its own characteristics. It all depends on what your needs and wishes are for your garden. Based on this, you can find the right garden chair for you.
How do I care for my garden chair properly?
Plastic chairs are very easy to care for. It is sufficient to clean them with microfibre cloths, water with soap or scouring powder. You can also rub them with a car polish. This makes them shine beautifully and increases their weather resistance.
Garden chairs made of metal and polyrattan do not need much care either. You can clean them with a mild detergent solution. Stainless steel chairs should be cleaned at least once a year with a special stainless steel cleaner to prevent rust. If the chairs are sufficiently sealed, they do not need any special care beyond that.
How do I winterise my garden chair?
If you don’t have the option of bringing your garden chairs indoors for the winter, you can also winterproof them outdoors. To do this, you need a protective cover. Cover your garden furniture with it and fasten the tarpaulin so that it cannot fly away or slip. Make sure that the cover is not airtight so that moisture can escape and mould can be prevented.
Conclusion
Garden chairs ensure a comfortable stay outdoors. Depending on the design, they invite you to sit or lie down in the greenery. They are available in different materials, which also determine their weather resistance, resilience and stability. However, garden chairs are mainly distinguished by their construction, which provides information about their possible uses and storage options.
The choice of the right garden chair depends above all on your personal preferences in terms of seating comfort, adjustment options and appearance. But also your space capacities on the terrace and in the storage room for the winter as well as your willingness to maintain the chair play a role. If you are aware of these points, you will find the right garden chair for you.
Image source: Robin Wersich/ Unsplash
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