The best materials for outdoor chairs

A dinner for two in the warm moonlight, a lunch with friends under the shining sun, a sunset with a book in your hands… Outdoor chairs accompany us on countless beautiful and important occasions, so it is important to know how to choose them to enjoy them to the fullest. So, when it comes to choosing one outdoor chair or another, several factors must be taken into account, and aspects ranging from comfort to maintenance, including, of course, materials, must be considered. Will you join us to review them all?

The aesthetics of outdoor chairs

The days of those stackable white plastic chairs are gone, blackened by use and inclement weather. Now our outdoor spaces are a continuation of the style that predominates inside our homes, to the point that the new trends in decoration dictate that the boundaries between the two spaces should be increasingly blurred. This way the indoor/outdoor trend allows both areas to dialogue continuously, maintaining the decorative concept and the warmth of the interior outside, and the freshness and casualness of the exterior inside. For this reason the options when it comes to choosing designer outdoor chairs are increasing, as shown by models such as Tenna. This Bistró-style synthetic rattan furniture, with a tubular aluminum structure finished in bamboo imitation, would not go amiss in a dining room because of its beauty.

The comfort of outdoor chairs

It is impossible to enjoy outdoor chairs if they are not comfortable, no matter how attractive they look. It is crucial to ally with designs that embrace ergonomics and allow us to relax pleasantly, for which it is often useful to look at the width of the seat (the wider the better), the height of the backrest (it helps if it is not too low) and the presence of armrests (it will be more comfortable if it has them). One outdoor chair that responds positively to all these requirements is Vivian, which features a very fashionable material for outdoor furniture: polyester rope. Beneath its handcrafted and cozy look, this element maintains its flexibility and precious appearance also when wet, to the point that it is often used for boat moorings. Moreover, its tubular aluminum structure is coated with a bamboo-effect finish, making it a wonderful addition to spaces with Japandi and Eco-Friendly décor.

The materials of outdoor chairs

An outdoor chair made of plastic is not the same as an outdoor chair made of wrought iron, nor are outdoor chairs made of natural fibers the same as outdoor chairs made of synthetic fibers. Which material to choose? Let’s take a look at the most popular this season:

Metal: Metal outdoor chairs can be made of aluminum, steel and iron. The first is perfect for those who are looking for lightweight outdoor chairs that can be moved easily. In addition, this element is hard and resistant, and easily withstands inclement weather (it does not rust) and sudden changes in temperature. Its maintenance is very simple: just use a damp cloth to clean it.

The aesthetics of aluminum outdoor chairs can be very varied, as shown by the Bistro-style Ámbito outdoor chair. It has a tubular aluminum frame finished in bamboo imitation, with seat and back in braided synthetic rattan pith. Also, thanks to the lightness we were talking about and its design, this chair can be easily stacked.​

Steel, on the other hand, is the most resistant and hardest of the metals used to manufacture outdoor chairs. It is composed of an alloy of iron and small percentages of other metals, which guarantee its resistance and durability against all types of atmospheric phenomena, as well as against scratches, corrosion and shocks. This hardness is enhanced when it has a powder finish. Maintenance of steel outdoor chairs? Very easy: simply wipe with a damp cloth. Lastly, iron is a material that is not recommended when choosing outdoor chairs: humidity and rain deteriorate it, causing the paint to peel off and rust. They also splinter quite easily. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t still enjoy the beauty of charismatic wrought iron outdoor chairs. These coquettish vintage outdoor chairs, with French echoes, which were once heavy and difficult to maintain, are now made of steel. A wonderful example of this development is the Paony outdoor chair, a tubular steel frame with a rust powder-coated finish. It also has a polyester cushion with anti-rain treatment, making it completely weatherproof. Due to its light weight, it is also easily stackable.​

Synthetic fibers: Although we love the trendy natural fibers, we must surrender to the practicality of synthetic fibers when it comes to outdoor chairs. Natural rattan, for example, is a lightweight, virtually unbreakable and easily adaptable material, but it can only be used for outdoor chairs when it has been treated against pests, as well as with a special varnish against sun, saltpeter and water. However, it is preferable to always keep it indoors. In addition, dust tends to accumulate in its braiding and in its joints which, with time and use, become loose. If this dust is not removed regularly, outdoor chairs made of natural rattan will eventually blacken. Synthetic rattan, however, has all the beauty of natural rattan, which it imitates. It is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), making it highly resistant to rain, salt water and other environmental factors that are potentially degrading to plant fibers. They are also more economical than their natural counterparts, and their design possibilities are also greater. The bistro-style Prismy outdoor chair, for example, has a seat in braided synthetic rattan and a backrest in synthetic rattan mesh, and its tubular aluminum frame is finished in imitation bamboo. For all these reasons, the appearance of this outdoor chair will remain practically intact no matter how much time passes, besides being very easy to maintain: just wipe it with a damp cloth, adding some vinegar if it gets too dirty.

Rope: As we pointed out before, rope is not only fashionable in outdoor chairs, but it is comfortable, attractive and very resistant: it easily withstands UV rays and does not absorb water. Therefore, it is a top choice when it comes to choosing comfortable outdoor chairs and Contemporary style as Samanta, with tubular steel structure finished in powder coating.

The best materials for outdoor chairs

This spring-summer, the indoor-outdoor style will continue to triumph, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Therefore, we will look for outdoor chairs with a warm and handcrafted look, durable and resistant, for which we will ally with materials such as synthetic fibers, steel, aluminum and rope.