The Best Patio Chairs, According to Interior Designers

Here’s a classic, affordable set that would work equally well on a small balcony as on a porch. The chairs and table, which come in a few fun colorways, all fold up so you can easily put everything away when it’s not in use.

Another style of bistro chair, this metal set of four is a great value, comes in a range of colors, and can be used indoors, too.

This old-school folding chair from Lawn Chair USA comes in dozens of vibrant colorways, and as the brand name suggests, are all made in the States. They’re also lightweight and affordable. Interior designer Robin Heller ofSurrounded by Colorrecommends the “super-stylish classic” for how portable it is. “You can take it to the beach, kids’ soccer games, or the park, or place it permanently on your patio,” she says. “They’re honestly perfect in every colorway.” (The studio recently designed acollection of chairswith Baltimore-based firm Currency Studio, so it knows a thing or two about what makes a good one.)

The Praia chair is similar in style but a little more compact and lower to the ground. I own this in blue-green and like how portable and lightweight it is. We bring it to our kids’ weekend baseball games, and it’s easy to throw over a shoulder with the included strap. We also use it on our front lawn and back patio when the inflatable pool is out.

And here’s another beach chair, recommended by interior designerSally Breer. “For the utilitarian, the khaki is chic on a modern deck,” she says, adding that she loves its versatility (it folds and packs up, too).

This powder-coated-steel easy chair from Ikea has a loungy silhouette and perforated seat. Fanny Singer ofThe Green SpoonSubstackandPermanent Collectionhas been eyeing it for her husband’s terrace, saying she thinks it’s “quite chic.”

For something a little loungier, Article’s Santo chair is made of solid eucalyptus and strung with polypropylene rope to give it a hammocklike feel. Strategist deputy editor Simone Kitchens owns a few. “I’ve always loved low-sitting Hans Wegner rope chairs; I had a set forever, and these remind me of them,” she says. She chose the charcoal color over the more classic Wegner-looking ecru “because we get a ton of summer storms, and the darker color will patina better over time.” Kitchens also appreciates that these fold up for easy storage.

The bold black frame against the bright white mesh gives this lightweight aluminum chair a graphic look. It’s recommended by Sarah Ramirez ofFound + Collected Design, who likes its “strong, modern style.” She says it would pair just as well with a small bistro table as with a footrest and side table “for a lounge feel.” To balance the chair’s hard edges, she suggests throwing down asisal rugorpillowsto add natural elements or texture.

This wicker chair made of weather-resistant resin nods to mid-century-modern style and Acapulco chairs. It’s lightweight, has a compact frame, and stacks for convenient storage.

Consider a rocking chair for the patio, like this one that has solid-wood construction and weather-resistant cushions. It’s available in a bunch of fun colors likecobalt blueand bright red.

Hay’s outdoor furniture came up a couple of times as a solid option. Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao owns the Balcony side chairs in green and says they are nice considering the price. He likes that they’re made of solid steel and suggests going with the optional seat cushion for more comfort.

Kitchens also owns this sling chair from Steele, which comes in natural and black canvas. “A lot of these metal-frame sling chairs can feel flimsy and also sort of pin your legs together,” she says. “Steele’s is incredibly sturdy and feels a lot roomier than the ones I grew up with.” It’s made in the U.S. of powder-coated steel and industrial-grade fabric. Kitchens says it’s heavy-duty but easy to fold up and tuck inside when it rains.Canyon Coffee’s Ally Walshalso uses this chair at her home in Los Angeles.

Singer owns a pair of the Palissade chairs from the Danish company in green and loves them. They are made of weatherproof powder-coated steel, come in four colors, and are stackable.

Kelsey Peterson, founder and principal ofStyle and Space, likes this set of chairs from Threshold’s collaboration with Studio McGee that incorporates steel, wood, and a woven design. “The price point is nice, and the gray woven texture gives you an updated take on traditional wicker,” she says. The weatherproof chairs come with removable seat and backrest cushions.

You can’t go wrong with an Adirondack-style chair that’s built for reclining. Peterson likes this version from Polywood, calling the chairs “workhorses” and “so comfortable.” They’re made in the U.S. with a proprietary weatherproof material of high-density polyethylene that can be power-washed when it gets dirty from being out in the elements. “The timeless, recognizable design works in almost any setting, whether it be in a back yard or front porch or on a dock,” says Peterson.

Polywood’s more streamlined modern version is one of theStrategist’s Best in Class picksif you want something a little more angular and minimalist.

For a classic wooden Adirondack chair based on the original 1903 design by Thomas Lee, consider Roseland’s Westport chair, another of our tried-and-true picks and a favorite of Breer’s. It’s made from white oak in a ten-person shop in Bosque County, Texas, and takes about 20 minutes to assemble.

In addition to the Steele sling and Article folding chairs Kitchens uses in her outdoor space, she has this chaise (also from Article) made of solid acacia and weather-resistant cushions. “We have an enclosed stone porch off our living room, and this chaise fits perfectly into one of the corners,” she says. While it’s large — “You can really sprawl out on it,” she says — the dimensions are not that obtrusive. “I like that the design is still low-key enough to fit with the feel of my older house.”

For a more traditional French look, consider this wrought-iron chair from Sunset West’sProvence line. Both Knauf andHeather Goerzen, former creative director of Havenly, recommend it for how classic it is. Goerzen likes that it channels the French Riviera or the Amalfi Coast thanks to its elegant black wrought-iron frame, which contrasts nicely with the white Sunbrella foam cushions. The upholstery is removable and machine washable for easy maintenance, and the frame is constructed from fully welded, powder-coated wrought iron sealed with a five-step finish for durability.

You’ll find vintage chairs in the garden atDarling— a children’s boutique in Brooklyn Heights that also hosts events — typically wrought-iron pieces painted in fun colors. For new outdoor furniture, Rachel Jones Bellas, one of Darling’s owners, recommends Nickey Kehoe. She owns this Windsor chair that’s made in Georgia from aluminum and hand-painted.

You can also get an outdoor chair that swivels. Peterson likes the timeless design of this lounger from Pottery Barn that has an all-weather wicker frame. You can choose from a range of performance fabrics for the upholstered cushions.

At her home in Northern California, MillerKnoll creative directorKelsey Keithuses these lounge chairs from Carl Hansen that are made with a solid teak frame and a weather-resistant flat-weave rope seat. She likes that they can be folded up and put away in the rainy season.

Heller also likes this loungy take on ’70s-style lawn chairs for its “vintage vibes with modern construction.” It has a metal frame with PVC-cord seating and a teak side table in a vibrant colorway.

As far as Adirondacks go, Heller is partial to this interpretation by Faye Toogood that’s made of heat-treated Finnish pine. “It’s timeless yet so nuanced with its curves and perfectly matchingottoman,” Heller says.