Our home is our place to be alone, rest and relax. It is also a place to entertain friends and family and people you are comfortable with. One of the most important parts of our home, which helps set the atmosphere we desire, is our furniture. It helps make our dreams come to life. One very good piece of furniture that adds both style and comfort to our outdoor living space is a chaise lounge. A chaise lounge is a reclining chair that allows our legs to be stretched out and yet supported. This gives us the ability not only to be able to sit but also lie back and relax or to take a short nap.

1. Truly Great Relaxation

The outdoor chaise lounger has been used in a variety of places both public and private. You may have seen them at the local country club or resort or being used on the beaches for those who want to get a tan or just read a book and watch the day go by. Around the home an ideal spot to use it is on the patio or by the pool. Through the years, the chaise lounge has evolved. Some models are made of wood, steel and plastic and are not upholstered. For mobility, wheels have been added on certain models that make it easy to transport or relocate. You can also adjust the angle of how inclined you want the back to be.

2. Leather, Plastic, Wood?

Before you go out to buy a chaise lounge, you may want to consider if you need to buy one that will require low maintenance. Today there are models made from steel and plastic, they are not just made out of wood.
- Plastic chairs require little maintenance so if they get dirty, you can simply wash off the dirt and wipe them clean. Though this is true the plastic breaks down over time due to UV rays and therefore they do not last very long, only a few years. They also feel light and don’t give the support of a wood chair.
- Steel chairs, even those made out of aluminum, can rust and typically require high maintenance. It is recommended to make sure these models are rust-proofed and kept out of the rain.
- Wood on the other hand, the amount of maintenance required depends on the wood it is made of. For example, furniture made of teak wood requires very little maintenance. This is because teak wood contains natural oils in it and these natural oils protect the wood so it stands up very well to the weather and doesn’t even need to be brought inside in the winter. It is durable enough to withstand conditions even during the winter season therefore it can be used all year. That is why such furniture is called all weather furniture.
Another wood that requires very little maintenance is cedar or western red cedar because it has similar oils as teak to protect it from the elements. Others woods will require some work each year to keep the finish intact in order to protect it from the elements. There are pros and cons with each type of material though I prefer wood for the best feel and comfort.

3. Budget

The last thing you need to consider before buying a chaise lounger is whether it is within your budget. The type of the material used and the quality of workmanship usually dictates the price of the chaise lounger you are looking at. If you have a limited budget, you might have to buy one of the plastic models since it is typically less expensive. However you will probably spend more money in the long run having to replace it every few years. The best quality and longest lasting chairs will be made of teak wood which can last a lifetime. But be sure it is teak you are buying as some places can be misleading.

When you get the one that meets your needs make sure you take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy.

Continually developing “ideas for outdoor living”