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19 of the best outdoor armchairs to sink into this summer
The perfect spots to relax with a book or glass of something chilled, these seats are all stylish and (importantly for British summers) shower-proof
Unleash your interior style in the garden with our selection of outdoor armchairs – this year’s must have piece of furniture. Some of the most recognisable chairs – think the ‘Pacha’ by Pierre Paulin for starters! – have been given a hardy makeover and are now ready for any weather. Catching some Zs in the sun just got a lot more cosy…
‘Rouli Center Modul’ lounge chair, Ferm Living
After a chair that will look just as good inside as it does out? This modular lounge chair by Ferm Living may be the answer. Inspired by the French word ‘Roulis’, which means ‘to roll or rock’, it reflects the motion of waves with its dynamic form. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the modular pieces can be standalone seats or combined to create an undulating sofa. From £1,115 per unit, fermliving.co.uk
‘Copacabana’ chair by Mathieu Matégot for Gubi
Originally created in 1955 by Hungarian designer Mathieu Matégot, this updated version of the design classic sits in the Centre Georges Pompidou’s permanent collection. The revised edition comes in a bold new burnt orange with stainless steel material upgrades and additional drainage holes. £1,299, hauslondon.com
‘DS-266 Yoga’ lounge chair by Stefan Heiliger for De Sede
Designer Stefan Heiliger has folded the steel frame of this chair into a position you wouldn’t be surprised to see in a yoga class to create a sculptural, parallelogram offering for De Sede. The seat’s flexibility doesn’t just end there though; all it takes is a slight shift in body weight and anyone who was just sitting upright can immediately assume a different position. Approx £550, desede.ch
‘Petalo’ armchair by Vincent Van Duysen for Molteni & C
The latest addition to Molteni & C’s ‘Outdoor Timeout Collection’, this enveloping armchair is constructed from a lightweight solid aluminium base in a distinctive merlot red colour, while the fanned backrest is made of polypropylene fibre ribbons. From £3,210, molteni.it
‘Onsen’ lounge chair, by Francesco Meda and David Quincoces
Informed by the calm colours and clean lines found in Japanese buildings, ‘Onsen’ is a lounge chair that says understated cool. It's made from elegant stainless steel tubes and hardy vinyl straps which give it the ideal functionality. Most importantly, it can be customised with different combinations of fabrics and piping. Approx £3,055, gandiablasco.com
‘Crate’ armchair, by Gerrit Reitveld for Hay
This vintage-looking chair draws on a design originally created in 1934 by Gerrit Rietveld using surplus wooden crates, hence the name ‘Crate’. The chair has just been relaunched by Hay with the same carefully balanced proportions, softly sloping back and sturdy armrests. £269, scp.co.uk
‘Fletcher’ armchair, by Soho Home
For a chair that fits just as well on your lawn as it does in your living room, Soho Home's ‘Fletcher’ is the answer. Inspired by the hotel group's Nashville outpost, it's constructed from Iroko wood while a light fabric covers the cushioned seat. £2,995, sohohome.com
‘Papyon’ lounge chair, by Dedon
Take outdoor seating to the next level with Dedon's ‘Papyon’ chunky chair, a real treat for any design lover. We're drawn to its cocooning, sinuous back – perfect for nestling up to while reading a good book. What makes this designer armchair truly special though is that the woven fabric is made entirely by hand. Price on application, tomassini.com
‘Net’ armchair, by Nardi
Available in six bright colour options, ‘Net’ is designed for pure relaxation with its low-slung seat and sloping back. Not only that, but its radial patterned perforations will cast pretty shadows when set against decking (as in left). £146, nardioutdoor.com
‘Fold’ outdoor armchair, The Conran Shop
British designer Samuel Wilkinson’s design, created exclusively for The Conran Shop, has been given an update this year with a new cinnamon-coloured metal frame (treated with rust-proofing to keep it looking tip-top). It’s the height of comfort for the outdoors, thanks to the fold-over armrests that gave it its name. £3,685, conranshop.co.uk
‘Rotin’ outdoor chair, Ethimo
Inject a bit of tropical fun into your garden with these designs (there’s a sofa and ottoman as well as the armchair) by Zanellato/Bortotto for Ethimo. The upholstery colours used are unapologetically sunny and the frame, made from pickled teak, has been designed to look like bamboo. £3,500, ethimo.com
‘Rock n Roll’ outdoor armchair, Fatboy
Think a rocking chair is something your grandmother used to sit in while sipping iced tea? You haven’t seen this joyous seat by Fatboy. Emblazoned with the phrases ‘Rock this way’ and ‘Don’t rock me now’ it’s a tongue-in-cheek piece for modern gardens. Top with one of the brand’s oversized beanbags for extra comfort. £299, fatboy.com
‘Carlotta’ outdoor armchair, Cassina
When Afra and Tobia Scarpa first designed this chair back in 1967, their aim was to create a piece that would appeal to a new dynamic tribe of young people. Today, reissued by Cassina, it’s ready to inspire a whole new generation to spend more time outdoors. £2,710, cassina.com
‘Cuba’ outdoor chair, Carl Hansen & Søn
Easy to fold up and store, this design by Morten Gøttler is ideal for smaller homes. Crafted from untreated teak with a waterproof flat rope seat, it’s a weather-proof version of a Carl Hansen & Søn favourite. £686, twentytwentyone.com
‘Daiki’ outdoor armchair, Minotti
Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan was inspired by the importance Japanese culture places on spending time in nature when designing this future garden classic. Its curved teak shell also brings to mind the forms of mid-century furniture. A winning combination. £7,890, minotti.com
‘Frida’ outdoor chair, Vincent Sheppard
The compact circular silhouette of this teak chair is perfect for terraces and patios. It may look sculptural, but this design is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Plus, the teak frame will age gracefully over time, fading to a light grey. £1,030, heals.com
‘Marenco’ outdoor armchair, Arflex
Summer afternoons in the sun can never be more comfortable than when spent lounging on this design by Mario Marenco, originally launched 50 years ago and recreated for the outdoors in 2022. Generously plump, it typifies the trend for making iconic pieces garden party ready. From £3,470, arflex.it
‘Pablo’ outdoor armchair, B&B Italia
Easy maintenance was in the forefront of designer Vincent Van Duysen’s mind when creating this chair for the Italian furniture house. Its sleek geometric frame makes the teak wood simple to treat, while the extra-deep seat means you can curl up in it when reading a book in the sun. £4,261, bebitalia.com
‘Secret Garden’ outdoor armchair, Poltrona Frau
It may be named after Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous novel, but there’s no secret to what makes Roberto Lazzeroni’s design so successful. It’s the pleasing combination of curved teak frame and two-toned cotton webbing. Price on application, poltronafrau.com
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