Enjoy the beautiful days and have good times at home and outdoors: it takes little to be happy! With the right garden furniture, you can create a nice and cozy corner on your balcony, terrace, or in your garden. A table and a few comfortable seats are enough. What type of garden armchair should you choose? Here are some tips to find inspiration!
📋 The essentials at a glance: Personally, I believe that the choice of a garden armchair should primarily be based on resistance to UV and moisture, because a poorly adapted model will deteriorate in just two seasons. Ergonomic comfort is crucial for prolonged relaxation, while ease of winter storage ensures the longevity of your investment. I recommend favoring aluminum or certified teak for a perfect balance between lasting aesthetics and minimal maintenance.
The four important criteria for choosing a garden armchair
To properly choose your garden armchair, four criteria should catch your attention: quality, comfort, practicality, and design.
Quality furniture
🌟 The advantages
- Superior comfort (fixed models)
- Premium aesthetics and design
- High wind stability
🔍 Drawbacks
- Bulky storage in winter
- Generally higher price
- Heavier to move
Since your furniture will spend time outdoors, opt for materials resistant to moisture and UV rays. A structure made of epoxy-treated steel or aluminum and synthetic woven resin are good solutions. You will be able to enjoy your garden lounge without fearing it will become rusty.
🗣️ My experience: In 2024, I chose “entry-level” woven resin armchairs for my south-facing terrace. After a particularly scorching summer, the resin began to become brittle and lose its shine. The lesson learned is valuable: for outdoor furniture, immediate savings come at the cost of early replacement. Investing 50 euros more per seat for an aluminum treated structure is much more cost-effective over a decade.
Fully comfortable armchairs
The garden armchair can be used for dining at the table or for moments of relaxation (enjoying a coffee or reading a good book, for example). So, we focus on soft and flexible materials that guarantee comfortable seating and good back support. Polyester and textaline are often used as upholstery for garden armchairs. But there are also models padded with cushions.
To go deeper, I recommend the guide on garden borders which also provides useful tips for defining your relaxation area. And to go further, our file on choosing outdoor materials offers additional insight.
Practical armchairs
To gain practicality, choose armchairs that are easy to move. Do you need space-saving furniture? Consider stackable garden armchairs. Opt for materials that are easy to clean! Simply wipe with a dry, soft cloth to remove dust from aluminum, steel, or synthetic woven resin. Just use a little soapy water to remove stains.
💡 Practical tip: For resin or plastic armchairs that have dulled over time, never use solvents. Apply a thin layer of plastic renovator or, more ecologically, rub the surface with a cloth soaked in linseed oil to restore shine and a protective layer against dust.
Garden furniture with trendy design
Trendy garden furniture is a successful combination of modern materials, current colors and lines. Bet on mix and match by choosing armchairs that combine wood and metal. Do you like color? Treat yourself to a pomegranate tone, mustard yellow, or even teal blue.
🌍 Did you know? Using recycled aluminum furniture saves 95% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum. Choosing FSC-certified wood armchairs also ensures that your comfort does not contribute to illegal deforestation.
Three trendy styles this season
There are trends in outdoor design too! We draw your attention to three styles in particular: bohemian chic, elegant modern, contemporary and sober.
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*Prix moyen TTC indicatif pour des fauteuils individuels.
The bohemian style for a chic garden armchair
Bohemian style is a subtle blend of romanticism and a taste for travel as well as for other cultures. For outdoor furniture, it is characterized by woven coverings, soft and warm tones. Opt, for example, for mesh or rope-effect armchairs. You can pair them with garden cushions in pink, orange, or brick colors. To accentuate this style, choose some accessories, such as outdoor lanterns made of water hyacinth to place on your coffee table.
Make modernity rhyme with elegance
If you want modernity, opt for elegant two-tone armchairs: white and honey, green and gray, or gray and white. There are particularly trendy materials for outdoor furniture, such as acacia wood or aluminum. Texaline is recommended for upholstering your armchairs. It is flexible, durable, and comes in various colors. Create an elegant outdoor space by adding a side garden table and a rug with geometric patterns.
Designer garden armchairs for a contemporary style
For garden armchairs with a contemporary style, bet on simplicity. It involves choosing metal furniture with clean lines. The seats and backs are rather rectangular, to offer simplicity and comfort. This type of armchair fits as well around a small round table as a large extendable garden table. To protect yourself from the sun, enhance your armchairs with a parasol.
Relaxing in the sun, enjoying an aperitif with friends outdoors: is that your plan for the coming weeks? Create your cozy space with quality furniture, prepare your cocktails and grills, then send out the invitations!
| Material | Durability | Required Maintenance | Average Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Excellent | None (soapy water) | €80 – €250 |
| Teak / Acacia | Very good | Annual oiling | €120 – €400 |
| Woven resin | Good (if UV treated) | Light brushing | €60 – €200 |
| Polypropylene | Average | Simple washing | €30 – €100 |
FAQ: Everything you need to know to choose your garden armchair well
Can garden armchairs be left outside all year round?
How to test the comfort of an armchair before purchase?
Which fabric to choose for outdoor cushions?
