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How do I Choose the Best Porch Chairs?
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
When choosing porch chairs, it is important to consider the function, durability, and aesthetics of the chairs. The chairs should fit well within the space and, if necessary, be light enough to move on a regular basis. Some people with small porches prefer to use collapsible chairs on their porches so that the chairs can be stowed away when the porch is used for something other than sitting. Durability is also important because porch chairs usually have to stand up to hours of direct sunlight, heat, and dampness. Finally, it is best to choose porch chairs that one finds to be visually pleasing and that fit in with the overall aesthetics of the porch and exterior of the house.
For people who plan to spend a great deal of time sitting in their porch chairs, it is best to choose very comfortable chairs. Some especially comfortable chairs include porch rocking chairs and chairs that have thick cushions on their seats. Those who enjoy spending a great deal of time on their porches may even want to consider purchasing an entire seating area set that includes porch chairs as well as a couch or glider to match.
It is also important to choose porch chairs that have a pleasing aesthetic value. This choice is based on personal preference as well as the aesthetics of the porch and the exterior of the house itself. The porch of a cabin in the Adirondack Mountains, for example, has a much different aesthetic value than the back porch of a very modern house in Brooklyn. A person choosing porch chairs for the Adirondack cabin might choose chairs that are accented with roughly hewn twigs and painted in a deep green. Chairs for the modern Brooklyn home, on the other hand, may be made out of metal with a mesh seat and they might be a bright red or electric blue.
Another option is to choose antique porch chairs. There are wooden and metal antique porch chairs from various times and eras of design. These sorts of chairs can be used to fit in with an antique aesthetic. A person who has restored an old Victorian home may choose to purchase mostly antique Victorian furniture when outfitting the house, including the porch. These pieces of furniture may be actual antiques or they may simply be newly fabricated pieces based on antique models.
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
Learn more...
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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![Durability is key when choosing porch chairs, particularly ones that will fare well in a warm, damp environment.]()
By: Iriana ShiyanDurability is key when choosing porch chairs, particularly ones that will fare well in a warm, damp environment. -
![Woods such as cedar or teak tend are recommended for outdoor rocking chairs.]()
Woods such as cedar or teak tend are recommended for outdoor rocking chairs.
Discussion Comments
Some of the better porch and patio furniture sets cost a lot of money. I don't want to pay a fortune for furniture. If I did spend a lot of money on furniture it would be spent on my indoor furniture.
The thing to do when you want to save on outdoor furniture is to wait until the end of summer. At this time of year, most stores are trying to get rid of outdoor furniture so they don't have to put it back in the warehouse and store it all winter. If they hold on to it too long it will become outdated anyway.
I like wooden outdoor furniture, but like this article says, your porch furniture has to be able to stand up to the weather. Wooden chairs are not as durable as chairs made from some of the other materials. However, you can stain the wood and this will protect it, just like most people stain and protect their wooden decks.
Also, all wood is not the same, so some of the hardwoods will hold up better than other types of wood. I've heard that cypress is a really good and lasting wood for porch and patio furniture chairs.
I agree with the article when it says you want to choose porch chairs that look good. You also want to choose chairs that fit your house. Modern chairs can look so out of place on the porch of an old colonial house. With older homes, white wooden rocking chairs are a good choice. I think the color can make a big difference. Black or brown rockers look better for newer more modern homes.
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