Best Swing Chair for Patios, Gardens, and Outdoors

June 17, 2021

As relaxing and enjoyable as sitting on the couch reading a good book or looking out the window and admiring the view is, everything is ten times better when you do it from outside from a patio swing chair.

There’s something truly amazing about feeling the gentle breeze on your skin from time to time and enjoying the natural sunlight. Patio swings add to all of that a fun touch while also putting lots of emphasis on comfort.

How to Choose A Swing Chair

Choosing a swing chair strongly depends on where you want to place it and what you want to use it for. While there are a few features that you need to look out for regardless of the chair’s positioning, there are other features that matter in an outdoor chair that aren’t important in one that you’re going to use inside the house. If you’re looking to buy a swing chair, keep in mind the following:

Size is really important when you purchase a swing chair, especially one designed for indoor use. The diameter of the seating area, the height, and the width of the chair should always play an important part in the shopping decision process. Then you place it inside, the swing chair has to fit into the given space, so measure the place where you want to put it before committing to a purchase.

The weight capacity of the chair is another important thing, especially for ceiling-mounted chairs. The chains that hang from the ceiling and the overall construction of the chair can usually support a limited amount of weight. The same goes for models that have their stands. Consider who will be using the chair and if a given model can support that person’s weight.

Swing chairs tend to have rather unusual shapes, so it’s also a matter of how comfortable you’ll be when sitting in them. Look for chairs that come with pillows for optimal back support. Some of them even have cup holders that allow you to enjoy your coffee while sitting in a chair.

Swing Chair Materials

As you can imagine, not all swing chairs are created alike, so what do the different kinds of materials used in their construction tell us about the chair itself?

Rope hammock chairs are made to look casual and have a romantic vibe to them. Due to their rope construction and the fact that they could easily get wet, they are mostly chosen for indoor or patio use. Some of these are made with cotton rope, which takes a long time to dry and isn’t very durable. Soft-spun polyester chairs are more durable and tend to try faster.

Padded sofa chairs offer additional cushioning compared to what a rope hammock chair has to offer. They are made from several layers of fabric, with the most common one being dyed acrylic. This is a great fabric for outdoor use and it’s also resistant to mildew.

Both natural and synthetic rattan is used to make swing chairs, but there are differences in features and performance for these two materials. Natural rattan is better suited for indoor use, while synthetic rattan has more resistance against the weather’s elements and is more suited for outdoor use.

Bubble chairs have a specific rounded shape to them and are usually made from polycarbonate or acrylic, and come with PVC cushions. They are great for patio use.

Cool Swing chair design ideas

Covered patios and swing chairs go hand in hand. It’s super easy and convenient to hang the chair from one of the beams plus you also have the roof overhead for protection from the rain and sun.

Wouldn’t it be fun to replace all your regular outdoor chairs with hanging swing chairs? You could set up a custom sitting area with a coffee table at the center and swing chairs facing each other. They can be individual chairs or two-seaters. (found on apowersinteriors).

Hanging chairs are very versatile and can also be used indoors. However, they look more at home outside because of their usually large proportions.

Freestanding designs are also great if you’d rather take your swing chair in the garden or place it next to the backyard fire pit where there no roof or frame to hang it from. (found on cultivatinglife).

As expected, there are tons of different styles, models, and designs when it comes to hanging chairs, swings, daybeds, and so on. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re looking for and to consider all the limitations. (foubnd on mollerarchitecture).

Best Swing Chair Ideas

1. Curved Steel Chaise Lounge Chair Swing

This hanging chaise lounge is stylish. It’s designed for outdoor use which explains its large proportions. The overall dimensions of the chaise are 73”(L) x 46“(W) x 78“(H). It has a weight capacity of 265 lb (120 kg). It has a heavy-duty powder-coated metal frame with a sleek and modern design and it also includes a 46” umbrella canopy which is removable. 

Best Choice Products Outdoor Hanging Curved Steel Chaise Lounge Chair Swing

Pros:

  • Comfortable design.
  • Multiple color options.
  • Canopy for sun protection.

Cons:

  • The metal frame is prone to rust.

2. Best Choice Products 3-Seater Outdoor Adjustable Canopy Swing Glider

There’s also the option of a three-person outdoor hanging chair/ swing. This one for example has a fairly simple and standard design which makes it versatile. It has an adjustable canopy that offers shade but can be taken off if needed. The frame is made of powder-coated steel and is highly durable and sturdy. The seats are made with UV-resistant polyester fabric and are breathable thanks to the mesh screen.

Best Choice Products 3-Seater Outdoor Adjustable Canopy Swing Glider

Pros:

  • Breathable mesh construction.
  • Resistant powder-coated steel.
  • Protection against UV rays.

Cons:

  • Small seating area.

3. Modway Wicker Rattan Outdoor Patio with Hanging Steel Chain

This patio swing chair has one of the most versatile designs when it comes to this type of furniture. It’s designed to hang from the ceiling or roof beam and has a sturdy and strong powder-coated steel frame. The actual seat forms a comfortable shell around the user’s body and is woven with synthetic rattan. The delicate curves and soft edges give the chair a very pleasant and organic vibe. The included cushion is super soft and comfy and it both water and fade resistant.

Modway EEI-2657-GRY-WHI-SET Abate Wicker Rattan Outdoor Patio with Hanging Steel Chain

Pros:

  • Powder-coated steel frame.
  • Suited for patio and indoor use.
  • Available with and without a stand.

Cons:

  • Cushions not suitable for humid environments.

4. Karriw Hammock Chair Macrame Swing

The Karriw hammock chair is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. It looks amazing on covered patios as well as in living rooms, bedrooms, and reading nooks. It has a versatile yet special design that allows it to blend in and stand out at the same time plus it makes it a very beautiful accent piece. The overall dimensions of this hanging chair are 31.5″(L) x 23.6″(W) x 47″(H) with a weight capacity of 265 lb (120 kg). 

Karriw Hammock Chair Macrame Swing

Pros:

  • Lightweight design.
  • Playful tassels.
  • Easy to mount.

Cons:

  • The rope starts to unravel quite fast.

5. LA SIESTA Domingo Almond – Outdoor Comfort Hanging Chair

This quirky hammock chair/ chaise lounge is ideal for poolside decks as well as for patios. It’s large enough to lie down in if you want to read a book or even take a nap. The frame is robust and made of high-quality bamboo, with a simple and modern design. It’s also weather-resistant thanks to the high-pressure lamination and waterproofing process that it went through.

LA SIESTA Domingo Almond - Weather-Resistant Outdoor Comfort Hanging Chair

6. Double 2 Person Hanging Egg Chair

This right here is the two-person version of the iconic hanging egg chair. It’s sort of like a hanging love seat, something that you can put out on the patio or the terrace or maybe in the garden under a tree. It has a stylish wicker shell complemented by a soft and comfortable seat cushion.

Double 2 Person Hanging Egg Chair

Pros:

  • Adjustable seat height.
  • Cushions included.
  • Comes with a stand.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t feel spacious enough for two people.

7. Asher Amada Hanging Chaise Lounger

The Asher Amada hanging chair has a recognizable design as well. It features a strong and very sturdy and durable powder-coated steel frame and a fabric seat that’s designed to allow the user to lie down and relax in a comfortable and ergonomic position. It has a very gentle and pleasant swinging motion and there’s also a canopy for shade.

Asher Amada Hanging Chaise Lounger Chair Arc Stand Swing Hammock Chair

8. Garden Winds Replacement Canopy Top Cover for Sonoma Swing

Of course, if you want to take things one step further, there are quite a few different ways to do it. One particularly cool option is the Sonoma swing which is perfect for gardens and backyards. The canopy can be replaced in case it gets damaged.

Garden Winds Replacement Canopy Top Cover for Sonoma Swing

9. Tangkula 3 Seats Converting Patio Swing

The Tangkula swing is also really great for gardens, backyards, and patios. It has a durable and sturdy frame made from weather-resistant steel and heavy springs connected to the swing. It has a weight capacity of 750 lb which is 340 kg. The canopy offers shade and protection from the rain, dust, wind, and UV and can be adjusted to offer coverage throughout the entire day.

Tangkula 3 Seats Converting Patio Swing, Outdoor Porch Garden Canopy Swing

Pros:

  • Seats up to three people.
  • Adjustable backrest.
  • Soft cushions included.

Cons:

  • Assembly instructions could be better.

FAQ

How should I mount my swing chair?

When you’re looking to mount a swing chair that requires ceiling support, you’re going to have to drill a hole for the eye hook, screw the eye hook in that hole, loop the first metal link to the eye hook and the second one to the chair, and attach the chair to the chain.

What is the best material for a swing chair?

When it comes to swing chairs, rattan is usually the most popular choice in terms of durability and aesthetics.

How heavy is a swing chair?

The weight of a swing chair depends on a lot of different features that influence it, such as the materials it’s made from or how many people it can support. For instance, a simple swing chair made from rope that can hold one person can be as light as 5 pounds. On the other hand, a swing lounge chair with a metal frame can weigh even 80 pounds.