Seating for Your Outdoor Space
Sunny or shady spot? Covered porch or uncovered patio? Splurge or budget-friendly option? There’s much to consider when selecting outdoor seating, but it doesn’t have to be a mystery. The following historical roundup shines the light on some all-time favorite types of seating and what you should think about when making a purchase.
ROCKING CHAIRS
The rhythmic motion of the rocking chair seems to suit the lazy, hazy days of summer. You might associate the rocker with the American South, but it’s actually a European import. The earliest stateside versions were wicker, but by the mid-1800s the bentwood style became popular. This style used wet wood that was curved and then allowed to harden into interesting shapes.
In the mid-1900s, John F. Kennedy popularized the rocker once again. When Kennedy was a senator, his physician advised him to rock to ease his chronic back pain, so he purchased a rocker from P & P Chair Company and popularized it once in the White House. You can still purchase an authentic Carolina/Kennedy Rocker from Troutman Chair Company. Wood rockers are best kept out of the sun, but some manufacturers add polyurethane finishes that help them withstand all kinds of weather conditions.
METAL CHAIRS AND GLIDERS
Metal lawn chairs gained popularity post-World War II. Ed Warmack, an Arkansas sheet metal fabricator, started stamping out steel chairs, 
gliders, and tables at The Warmack Company in 1946. His goal was to meet the demand for outdoor furniture created by the postwar housing boom. These chairs are known by several names based on their shape and use. You might know them as motel chairs because they appeared poolside at motels along iconic roadways such as Route 66. They are also called tulip or clamshell chairs because of their shape. Metal gliders often have designs stamped into their backs that are reminiscent of quilting patterns. The powder-coat finish makes the metal seating suited for the outdoors and comes in any number of lively shades to easily match your outdoor color scheme. Metal seats get hot, so it’s best to use them in shadier locations or add cushions when used in sunny spots.
ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
Thomas Lee created the first Adirondack chair in 1903. While at his Lake Champlain, Vermont summer home, he realized he needed some outdoor furniture to enjoy the sunset and lake views. He created a prototype out of just eleven pieces of wood, creating the low-slung seat with sloped back and wide armrests suitable for holding a cool drink. Harry Bunnell, Lee’s friend and a carpenter by trade, suggested he could build and sell the chairs, so Lee gave him the plans. Bunnell made a few and they sold quickly. Realizing he had a winning design, Bunnell, unbeknownst to Lee, patented the design and began manufacturing. He named it the Westport Plank Chair and sold the popular chair for many years. It gradually became known as the Adirondack chair because of its popularity in that region.
Many manufacturers make these chairs today. The wooden chair is traditional, but less-expensive versions are now made from polyethylene. These chairs work well in shade or sun and come in options suitable for any budget.
PORCH SWINGS
Unlike many individual chair designs, there is no one iconic porch swing style. They come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. The main consideration for using this type of seating is ensuring a secure installation and unobstructed motion. The most common porch swing consists of a wooden frame with thin wood slats forming the body. Swings typically seat up to three people comfortably, but also come in single and double seats. The rising star of the porch scene is the newly popular bed swing or hanging bed. These swings are reminiscent of daybeds and consist of a frame topped by extra-thick cushioning and pillows. They typically hang from a porch ceiling by thick ropes or chains and are great for napping away a warm afternoon. Bed swing manufactures often offer finish options for both the frame and the outdoor fabric that covers the cushions. Keep in mind that porch swings can get pricey, and if you’re not handy, you may also need to budget for installation costs.
Like any home purchase, outdoor furniture is an investment. Look for quality, well-made pieces that showcase your personality and add to your home’s curb appeal and comfort. Written by Ronda Swaney. Photography provided by (from top) ©iStockphoto.com/Yobro10, ©iStockphoto.com/rgbspace, ©iStockphoto.com/stevecoleimages.