Pod Chairs
Buy the best pod chairs selected and recommended by interior designers. By Chloe Hughes.
Pod chairs are partially enclosed chairs that offer a unique cozy seating option. They are available in various configurations, from floor-mounted designs that rest on a pedestal to those that hang from the ceiling. They are an excellent choice as an accent seat in a reading nook or living room or place a pair of wicker pod chairs on the patio for a whimsical, relaxing outdoor area. Explore these ten stunning seating options if you are looking for the perfect pod chair for your modern home.
Pod Chairs
Buying Guide
Chloe Hughes
Interior Design Expert
Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.
If there were an accent chair beauty contest, the pod chair would walk away with the crown. Originally called ‘Balloon chairs’ or ‘ball chairs’ due to the obvious resemblance with a balloon, the term ‘pod’ was coined later perhaps as an ode to the pea pod or to the more ominous pods in the ‘Alien’ movies.
The origin of the nom de guerre remains unclear. But these fun and uber comfy chairs have become extremely popular in the past few years. Be it the cradling seat, the spanning wingback sides or the womb-like, encapsulating design, everything about the pod screams relaxation.
Just sit back, pop in your headphones and get lost in bliss. If this is your first attempt at pod chair shopping, then here’s a nifty guide to help you with the process.
As surprising as it sounds, pod chairs come in a variety of shapes and styles.
- There’s the conventional pod, which is like one half of an egg without a flat base.
- Then there’s the floor-mounted one which is an elevated pod on a pedestal.
- Ceiling mounted pods save space on the ground but require more horizontal room around it due to the swing mechanism.
- Some pod chairs feature a footrest that can be extended in front of the chair and allows the user to recline and rest their feet.
Decide on a style and then measure the space where you intend to place it. If it’s a small apartment, then choose a minimalistic design without a pedestal base. The best part about these chairs is that they have a minuscule footprint. You don’t need a lot of room around the chairs to get in and out of it either. Account for the extra space needed for the wingback sides though.
Check the depth of the pod chair as well. While the cradling seat does sound comfortable, you do not want one that’s too deep for comfort. If the chair you like is very deep, you have the option to add cushions to it. For hanging pods, check the maximum weight rating allowed.
Pod chairs make great conversation pieces in just about any type of décor. In a contemporary set up, you can choose one with modernistic elements in the design. Like a sci-fi styled pod. Yes, those are available too. In a classic décor theme, choose a rustic pod made of wicker or wood.
- If the pod chair will be placed outdoors, then the material has to be extremely durable and waterproof. Wicker ticks both these boxes and makes for a great outdoor pod chair material.
- For indoor use, pods can either be made of plastic, synthetic resin, wicker or wood. Other materials like tempered glass and metal are also used, albeit rarely, to make pod chairs. But the weight and the cost make them an impractical choice for home use.
- If the chair has an integrated cushion, then check the quality of the cushion and upholstery.
- In a household with kids, opt for a fabric that’s forgiving. Removable cushion covers will make it easier to maintain them.