How To Choose An Adirondack Chair

Since they were invented in the early 1900s, Adirondack chairs have been fixtures on decks and patios all over the world. There are all kinds of styles, sizes, and colors available, so it's no wonder why the choice is such a difficult one.

In this guide, we'll tell you everything you know to make choosing your next chair quick and easy.

What is an Adirondack Chair?

An Adirondack chair is the perfect tool for relaxation. Designed by Irving Wolpin and named after the picturesque mountain range in northern New York, the Adirondack chair has a sloped, contoured back and seat. It sits close to the ground, allowing you to sink deep into it while also offering good back and bottom support.

These chairs are perfect for balancing drinks or tiny plates and are easy to style up with cushions, headrest pillows, and blankets.

What Materials Can Adirondack Chairs Be Made Of?

You can find Adirondack chairs in all kinds of materials, including wood, aluminum, resin, and plastic. Before selecting a material, ask yourself the following questions:

• How often will I leave my chairs outside? 
• How easy is this material to care for? 
• What will the material look like over time?
• Is this material comfortable?
• Does the material make the chair too heavy to be moved? 
• How much will it cost?

Wood is the classic material used for Adirondack chairs. The original chairs were made out of hemlock, but the downside to this material is that it is extremely heavy. Today, multiple types of wood are used to build Adirondack chairs, including teak, acacia, and cedar. All of these are durable and while teak lasts the longest, it has a tendency to be quite heavy.

The downside of choosing a wood Adirondack chair is that it can fade after being exposed to the sun and rain.

Plastic will also fade, but it's extremely inexpensive and easy to care for. Plastic also lends itself to a lightweight chair, so if you want a chair that's easy to store, this is the way to go.

Resin is another option, as it does not rust, fade, or crack in the sun. Often, resin can be painted to look just like wood, but it tends to be a bit heavy.

A final option is aluminum - although it's heavy, it is durable and resistant to rust. Unfortunately, you'll sacrifice a bit in the way of comfort.

What Size Should My Adirondack Chair Be?

The classic Adirondack chair will measure 36"x30"x36". The seating area will be about 20"x20" with a height of 13 to 16 inches off the ground. They can weigh anywhere between 15 and 45 lbs depending on the material.

However, you have some flexibility in the height of an Adirondack chair. There are some that are sold with lower seat heights - ideal for short people - while others have a taller seat height. There are even special Adirondack chairs for kids!

What Other Adirondack Chair Features Should I Look For?

While the original Adirondack chair was more or less a bare-bones piece of outdoor furniture, today's Adirondack chairs offer all kinds of unique features.

For example, there are lightweight folding chairs that are great for hikes into the woods. They're also easy to store. Some come with matching ottomans, while others have cup holders built into the arms.

You can even buy Adirondack chairs that have curved bases or leg rests to help support your tired feet!

Quick Tips

When you're setting up your Adirondack chairs, whether it's on your patio or around a crackling bonfire, make sure you space them at least two to three feet apart. The low profile of these chairs makes it somewhat awkward if guests need to get out of chairs that are spaced too closely together.

A great way to arrange your new chairs is to position them around a fire pit or angle two chairs toward each other overlooking a point of scenery.

No matter how you choose Adirondack chairs as a fixture in your style plan, there are options out there for any personality. Start shopping now so you can get to relaxing in front of that warm summer bonfire even faster.