The Best Wooden Garden Chairs for Relaxing Outdoors: A Complete Buying Guide
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This guide covers everything you need to know when choosing wooden garden chairs – from understanding the different types to knowing what actually makes a chair comfortable for long outdoor sessions.
Choosing wooden garden chairs sounds straightforward until you realise how many different types there are, how much variation there is in quality and comfort, and how easy it is to end up with something that looks beautiful in a photograph but is a disappointment to actually sit in for any length of time.
This guide cuts through the confusion. It covers the main types of wooden outdoor chairs, explains what separates a truly comfortable garden chair from a merely decorative one, looks at materials and what they mean for longevity in the UK climate, and gives you a practical framework for deciding which type suits your outdoor space and how you actually use it.
We have been selling teak garden chairs since 1989 and these are the questions we get asked most often.
- Wooden garden chairs fall into six main types, each suited to a different style of outdoor use – from upright dining to full reclining lounging.
- Grade A teak is the best material for outdoor chairs in the UK – it lasts 20-30+ years and can be left outside year-round with minimal care.
- For deep relaxation and lounging, the Adirondack chair is the standout choice. For sunbathing, a steamer or sun lounger. For dining, a classic teak armchair.
- Seat height, seat depth, back height, and armrest width are the four dimensions that most determine how comfortable a chair actually is.
- Cushions improve comfort but are not essential if the chair is well-designed – a good teak chair with the right angles is comfortable without them.
1. Garden Chair Types Explained
The first and most important decision is choosing the right type of chair for how you actually plan to use it. The most common mistake people make is buying a beautiful upright dining chair and then wondering why it is not comfortable for a long afternoon in the garden. A dining chair and a lounging chair are fundamentally different objects, and the right choice depends entirely on what you want to do in it.
| Chair Type | Best For | Posture & Comfort Style | Typical Materials |
| Adirondack Chair | Deep relaxation, lounging, long afternoons | Deeply reclined, low seat, wide armrests – total comfort | Teak, cedar, recycled plastic |
| Steamer / Sun Lounger | Sunbathing, poolside, fully reclining | Fully adjustable from upright to near-flat | Teak, hardwood |
| Traditional Armchair | Dining, reading, upright leisure | Upright to slightly reclined, supportive back | Teak (Windsor, Oxford, Westminster styles) |
| Banana / Halfmoon Chair | Conversation, facing a companion or view | Gently curved seat, face-forward or angled | Teak |
| Folding / Stacking Chair | Flexible spaces, occasional extra seating | Upright, functional rather than lounging | Teak, aluminium, hardwood |
| Rocking Chair | Gentle movement, porch or patio relaxation | Upright to slightly reclined with rocking motion | Hardwood, wicker |
The Adirondack Chair – The Best Garden Chair for Relaxing
Of all the wooden garden chair types available, the Adirondack is the one most specifically designed around pure outdoor relaxation. Its defining features – a sloped seat that tips you back, a tall fan-shaped back that rises to around 100 cm (supporting your head as well as your back), and very wide flat armrests – are the result of a design that has been refined for over a century.
The original Adirondack chair was designed in 1903 by Thomas Lee in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. The design has changed very little since, which is itself a statement of how well it works. Today it goes by several names – Adirondack, Muskoka chair, cottage chair – but the distinctive silhouette is the same everywhere.
What makes it genuinely different from other garden chairs is the combination of the reclined seat angle, the low seat height (around 35 cm versus the 45 cm of a standard chair), and the head-height back. Together, these put you in a posture that is comfortable for hours without any effort – you are not fighting to maintain an upright position or sliding forward on a flat seat. Add a matching ottoman footstool for full leg support, and you have one of the most genuinely restful places you can sit outdoors.
The Adirondack is not a dining chair. You would not want to eat a meal in one. But for everything else – reading, having a drink, relaxing in the garden, long conversations, or simply doing nothing – it is difficult to improve on.
Sun Loungers and Steamers – The Best Garden Chair for Sunbathing
If the Adirondack is the best chair for relaxed upright lounging, a teak sun lounger or steamer chair is the right choice if you want to recline fully. Unlike the Adirondack’s fixed angle, a sun lounger is adjustable – from almost fully upright to nearly flat – making it versatile for reading, sunbathing, or sleeping in the garden.
Wooden sun loungers are significantly more durable than padded outdoor loungers, which can deteriorate quickly in UV light and damp conditions. A teak steamer chair with the classic slatted design can be repositioned on wheels around the garden to follow the sun and will outlast several generations of fabric alternatives.
Teak Dining Armchairs – The Best Wooden Garden Chair for Everyday Use
For a chair you will use at an outdoor dining table, for reading in a more upright position, or as a general-purpose garden seat, a classic teak armchair is the most versatile option. The Windsor, Westminster, and Oxford styles offer different back designs – slatted vertical, flat-armed contemporary, and lattice cross-weave respectively – but all share the same upright, supportive dining chair profile.
These chairs are typically around 45 cm seat height (the standard dining height), have a shallower seat depth than a lounger, and are designed for comfortable sitting rather than reclining. They pair with any teak dining table and are the most popular choice for an outdoor dining area.
2. What to Look for When Buying Wooden Garden Chairs
Once you have decided on the type of chair, the next question is what makes one chair within that type better than another. These are the features that most affect real-world comfort and longevity.
| Feature | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
| Seat angle | A rearward slope of 10-15 degrees | Encourages a relaxed posture without slipping forward |
| Seat height | 45 cm for upright dining chairs; 35 cm for lounging chairs | Lower seats tip you back for relaxation; higher suits dining |
| Back height | At least 90 cm for a lounging chair | Head and neck support is what separates a lounger from a perch |
| Armrest width | 20 cm or wider for comfortable resting | Wide arms mean a book, a glass, and your elbow all fit |
| Seat depth | 55-60 cm for a lounging chair | Shallow seats leave your legs unsupported; deep seats cradle you |
| Slatted vs solid seat | Slatted for outdoor use; avoid solid wood that pools water | Good drainage prevents moisture damage and soggy cushions |
| Ottoman/footrest | Look for a matching footstool that follows the seat curve | Full leg support is what turns a garden chair into a proper rest |
The single most important thing: back height
If there is one feature that most separates a truly comfortable garden lounging chair from an average one, it is back height. A chair that supports only your lower and middle back will leave you holding your head up with your neck muscles within twenty minutes. A chair that rises to 90-100 cm and cradles your head lets you genuinely switch off. This is why the Adirondack’s tall fan-shaped back is so central to its reputation – and why it matters to check this measurement before buying any garden chair marketed as a lounger.
3. The Best Materials for Wooden Outdoor Chairs UK
The UK climate is hard on outdoor furniture. Moisture, UV light, temperature changes, and the inevitable green algae that builds up on anything left in a damp English garden all take their toll. The material you choose determines how much ongoing maintenance your chairs need and how long they will actually last.
| Material | Durability | Weather Resistance | Maintenance | Best For |
| Grade A Teak | Excellent (20-30+ yrs) | Excellent | Very low | All-weather year-round outdoor use |
| Eucalyptus | Good (10-15 yrs) | Good | Low | Budget-conscious buyers wanting hardwood |
| Cedar | Good | Good | Moderate | Traditional aesthetic, sheltered settings |
| FSC Pine | Fair | Fair | High | Painted chairs, covered spaces |
| Recycled Plastic | Very good | Excellent | Very low | Low-maintenance, coastal gardens |
Why Grade A teak is the standout choice
Teak is a tropical hardwood that contains exceptionally high levels of natural oil and silica within the grain. These natural properties mean it resists water, rot, warping, splitting, and insect damage without any treatments or preservatives. A well-made Grade A teak chair can be left outside in all UK weather, year-round, and will last two to three decades with very little care.
The ‘Grade A’ distinction matters. Teak is graded A, B, or C based on which section of the log it is cut from. Grade A comes from the heartwood – the innermost, most mature part of the tree – where the concentration of natural oils is highest. Grade B and C come from sections closer to the bark, contain fewer natural oils, and are significantly more prone to cracking, warping, and discolouration over time. All chairs in the Sloane & Sons range are Grade A only.
Over time, untreated teak develops a silver-grey patina as the surface oils weather. Many owners actively prefer this look – it gives the chair a distinguished, organic character that suits garden settings beautifully. If you prefer to retain the warm golden-brown tone of new teak, a light application of teak oil once or twice a year is all that is needed.
All teak used by Sloane & Sons is sustainably sourced. To find out more about how we source our furniture, see here.
4. Which Wooden Garden Chair is Right for You?
If you are still deciding after reading through the types, these quick scenarios should make the choice clear.
| If you want to… | Choose this type |
| Sink in and truly switch off for an afternoon | Adirondack chair with ottoman – the low seat and high fan back are designed for exactly this |
| Sunbathe or stretch out completely flat | Teak steamer / sun lounger – fully adjustable recline from upright to near-flat |
| Read or have a drink in comfort without getting too low | A traditional teak armchair (Windsor, Westminster, or Oxford style) – upright but supportive |
| Sit facing a companion for easy conversation | Banana halfmoon chair or a couples bench – curved seating that naturally faces you towards each other |
| Maximise flexibility for a multipurpose space | Teak stacking chairs – nest away neatly and bring out extra seats when needed |
| Create a full outdoor dining setup with occasional lounging | Mix dining armchairs with a sun lounger or Adirondack on the side – different chairs for different needs |
5. How to Care for Wooden Outdoor Chairs
One of the practical advantages of choosing teak is that care is genuinely minimal. Here is the full routine – which for most owners amounts to very little.
- Leave it untreated if you like the weathered look. The silver-grey patina that develops over time is entirely superficial – it does not affect the wood’s structural integrity, and many people find it more attractive than the original colour.
- Oil once or twice a year if you want to retain the golden colour. Apply teak oil with a clean cloth in the direction of the grain. Allow to dry fully before using the chair. There is no need to sand or strip between applications.
- Clean with mild soapy water. A soft brush and warm soapy water is all you need to remove dirt, bird droppings, or seasonal green algae. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry naturally.
- Do not use a pressure washer. High-pressure water raises the wood grain and can permanently damage the surface. Gentle hand-cleaning is all teak ever needs.
- Store cushions indoors in winter. The chair itself can stay outside, but cushions will last significantly longer if stored somewhere dry during prolonged cold or wet spells.
Frequently Asked Questions
For pure relaxation and lounging, the Adirondack chair is widely considered the most comfortable garden chair design available. Its sloped seat, high fan-shaped back, and wide flat armrests are specifically designed to put you in a deeply rested posture. Paired with a matching ottoman for full leg support, it is difficult to beat for long afternoon sessions outdoors. For those who want to recline fully flat, a teak steamer or sun lounger is the right alternative.
The key things to consider are the material (Grade A teak is the most durable and lowest maintenance hardwood for outdoor use in the UK), the intended use (upright dining versus reclining lounger), seat height and depth, back height (essential for head and neck support in a lounging chair), and whether the chair is compatible with an ottoman or cushions. For all-weather outdoor use year-round, Grade A teak is the most practical choice.
Grade A teak is the best material for wooden outdoor chairs in the UK. It contains natural oils and silica that make it highly resistant to water, rot, warping, and insects without any treatments. A Grade A teak chair can be left outside year-round and will last 20 to 30 years or more. Over time it develops a silver-grey patina if left untreated, which many owners prefer. Eucalyptus is a good lower-cost alternative, though less durable long-term.
An Adirondack chair is specifically designed for deep relaxation rather than upright sitting. Its defining features are a sloped seat that tips you back, a tall fan-shaped back that supports your head and upper back, very wide flat armrests, and a low seat height of around 35 cm compared to 45 cm for a standard dining chair. It is a lounging chair, not a dining chair. Most designs pair with a matching ottoman footstool to provide full leg support.
Yes, if they are made from Grade A teak. Teak is naturally weather-resistant and requires no indoor storage during UK winters. Over time it develops a silver-grey patina if left untreated – many owners prefer this look. If you want to retain the warm golden-brown colour, applying teak oil once or twice a year is all that is needed. Chairs made from softer woods such as pine will require treatment and ideally winter storage.
The key difference is how far you want to recline. An Adirondack chair reclines to a fixed, deeply relaxed angle – ideal for reading, having a drink, or watching the garden. A sun lounger adjusts fully from upright to almost flat, making it better for sunbathing or sleeping outside. If you want something that looks like a proper chair and is easier to get in and out of, the Adirondack is the better choice. If you want maximum reclining flexibility, choose a sun lounger.
Teak dining chairs, Adirondack chairs, sun loungers, and more – all Grade A sustainably sourced teak, with free next-day UK delivery on orders placed before 2pm and a 12-month guarantee on every piece.
