For decades, chaise lounges have been used for relaxing. Their origin traces back to the 16th century when the French craftsmen would create them for the rich to rest. There’s a long history behind the modern chaise lounge that we all use today to relax or add as a special piece of furniture in our homes. In ancient Egypt, gods and royalty were portrayed lying on chaise lounges. A few changes have been made since the time of the pharaohs to these modern long, sofa-like models we now see today.
What is a chaise lounge?
The name comes from French which directly means ‘long chair’. Simply put, this is a reclining chair. The upholstered sofa is long and takes the shape of a chair so you can relax with your legs laid straight. The chaise lounge is the perfect addition to any living room or bedroom. There are also those models designed for the outdoors so you can put them in your patio, backyard, or poolside. Their designs make them great for relaxing whether you want to sit up or lie down.
What is a chaise lounge used for?
A chaise lounge chair is a sofa designed with a backrest only on one end. Aside from sitting upright, a chaise lounge lets you stretch out and relax or take a nap. If you want to read a book outdoor or enjoy the sun, then an outdoor chaise lounge is a useful piece of furniture to have in your home.
Its fantastic visual appeal also makes it a great addition to any room in your house from the living room to the bedroom or study room. The chaise lounge chair blends well with your furniture and completes the room’s overall appeal especially if your house has a classic French style setup. Throw in an elegant cushion and a pillow and you have a nice decorative piece of furniture that becomes the room’s focal point.
Advantages of having a chaise lounge chair
These chairs are just so elegant and would be a great addition to any room. These models complement other furniture especially when you find the right design and color tone.
Because their heights are low to the ground, they don’t block your view so you can place them in front of the window or fireplace.
They are the best reading spots because you can either sit upright or stretch out when reading your favorite novel.
Having a chaise lounge means you can fully utilize the corners in your house. The corner walls are a problematic space that may end up with, say a table, to fill the space. Given the shape of a chaise lounge, you can fully take advantage of this space.
A chaise lounge also allows additional seating. Although the elongated section of a chaise lounge is designed as a footrest, it can still be a seating place for visitors.
Another great advantage of a chaise lounge is that you can transform it into a bed when you have a surprise guest over.
If you want something more practical, you can consider buying a chaise lounge that provides additional storage space where you can put items to keep your room tidy. If you have the chaise lounge in your bedroom, you can use this storage space to store spare beddings and pillows for your surprise guests.
A chaise lounge is a great piece of furniture to have especially on those days when you just want to relax, curl up with a book or take a nap. These models are quite comfortable and some have adjustable backrests that let you relax in any position you want.
Aside from the fact that you can take advantage of the corner wall in your house, we love chaise lounge chairs because you can place them virtually anywhere. The market is also full of outdoor portable models that you can place by the pool or on the deck.
The disadvantages of having a chaise lounge
While the advantages are quite valuable, there’s no doubt that these models also have their share of disadvantages. For one, you might not want to consider buying a chaise lounge if you’re working with limited space. Although these models come in different sizes, the truth is you might want to settle with a conventional sofa if you don’t have enough space in your room.
If you have visitors around but you do not have enough seating space, the footrest is a great option to consider. It is worth pointing out though that this area may not be quite comfortable because there is no support.
How long is a chaise lounge?
The dimensions of chaise lounges vary from one model to another. You need to think about the size and height when purchasing a chaise lounge. Most of these models have a length of between 73 and 80 inches, their overall height lies between 35 and 40 inches while their widths are between 25 and 30 inches.
Types of chaise lounges
Chaise lounges are stylish and attractive pieces of furniture in any home. We divide these models into two broad categories – indoor and outdoor chaise lounges. Whether you want an indoor model, an outdoor model, or a combination of both, there’s a lot of important factors to consider when buying chaise lounge chairs.
Interior chaise lounge
These models add style to different rooms in your home. They are great additions in your living room, bedroom, home study, or office. The chaise lounge chair is a functional alternative to the traditional sofas. They come in different styles and materials so it is easy to find one that matches your room’s interior décor. Chaise lounge chairs are a popular choice available in 5 different styles: French, Victorian, chair, contemporary, and bench sofa.
Modern models of French style chaise lounges can have a full back, halfback, or no back. You have to choose one that meets your need if this is the style you want. These models are available in 3 different designs: the Recamier, duchess brisee, and meridian.
Which material do you prefer for an interior chaise lounge?
Unlike their outdoor counterparts, indoor chaise lounges are made from premium quality luxurious material. You don’t have to worry about choosing a weather-resistant material therefore think about the quality and luxurious feel of the material before making a decision. Remember that these materials both have their share of advantages and disadvantages. Leather and woven fabrics are quite popular with indoor chaise lounges.
On one hand, leather chaise lounges look quite elegant and give your home a modern look. They are quite durable and easy to clean as well. On the other hand, leather chaise lounges require a lot of maintenance and may be difficult to repair.
Fabric chaise lounges come in different patterns, textures, and tones. This is the major selling point of these chairs – you have hundreds of options to consider. These chairs are also less affordable than leather pieces. Spills on fabric chaise lounges are quite daunting to clean. They may be prone to damages from sharp objects and pet claws. These models require a lot of care and maintenance for them to last longer.
Factors to consider when choosing an interior chaise lounge
You have to look beyond the design and material if you want a piece of furniture that completes the look of your room. Think about the room’s existing décor before making a final decision. The best chaise lounge should complement the other furniture. It can also match the room’s color palette.
Because this is not a small piece of furniture, you need to look at the available space within the room to find the right model. Remember that you might also want to add other furniture like a side table so make sure there is enough space.
Understanding the chair’s overall purpose also helps when narrowing down your options. Do you want an additional luxurious piece for your living room or a comfortable chair for study or master bedroom? How many people will be using the chaise lounge? Once you figure out the chair’s purpose, you’ll be able to find the right size, material, and design for your space.
Outdoor chaise lounge
There are a lot of factors that come into play when choosing the best outdoor chaise lounge chair as well. They are also made from different materials so choosing one depends on your specific need and preference.
Aluminum is a great option for outdoor chaise lounge chairs because they require little maintenance. Unlike wicker and wood chaise lounge chairs, aluminum is resistant to pests. It is rust-proof and depending on their quality, it is resistant to scratches. These models are quite affordable.
Most people love wooden chaise lounge chairs because their neutral tones and natural looks let them blend well with outdoor furniture. The type of wood you choose impacts the product’s durability.
Softwoods are inexpensive choices although hardwoods are more durable than their counterparts. Softwood chaise lounges may be prone to rotting but regular maintenance helps reduce the impacts. Hardwood chaise lounges are more comfortable to sit on.
Teak and wicker are also great options to consider when choosing the best material for a chaise lounge chair. Most homeowners who choose wicker consider having plush cushions as well to make the chair more comfortable.
We recommend choosing stackable models that are easy to put away when they are not in use. Folding chaise lounge chairs are also better options to consider since they do not take too much space during storage. Some people also prefer buying a chaise lounge chair with wheels for easy transportation.
Two-person chaise lounges
If you are considering buying a two-person chaise lounge or as is commonly known, double chaise loungers, look for a model that is wide enough to accommodate two people comfortably. A double chaise lounge that is at least 35 inches wide would be a great place to start. Make sure the arms are also wide with ample cushioning for maximum comfort.
A double chaise lounge with an adjustable backrest equally lets you relax in the right position with your loved one. Whether it is an outdoor or indoor model, make sure the double chaise lounge blends well with the existing furniture.
Wrapping up
A chaise lounge is a wonderful addition in any room especially when you find a model that matches your room décor. Whether you are looking for an interior chaise lounge or an outdoor model, there are a lot of factors that come into play before making a final choice. We have pointed out a few considerations above.
For outdoor models, make sure the material is resistant to the weather elements. Besides, you have to make sure the model you choose is easy to move around so that you can easily put it away when it is not in use.
With the market flooding with numerous choices to consider, we recommend having a budget in mind so you can narrow down your options to something more affordable. Think about the available space, your personal preference as well as the interior décor before choosing a specific model. We hope that this article has helped you learn everything you need to know about chaise lounges.