Originally Published on March 16, 2023. Last Updated on July 19, 2023.
Family and friends come in all shapes and sizes. Outdoor furniture should too. The right designs will mitigate any discomfort folks sometimes experience when invited to pull up a chair and visit.
With a bit of research and pre-planning, shopping for big and tall patio furniture can be easy. We’ve created this list of 12 ideas and recommendations to help you find perfect-fit pieces for you and your family. This way, everyone can enjoy the outdoors without worry.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Things to consider when furniture shopping for different body types.
- Patio furniture suggestions that accommodate everyone.
- Frequently asked questions about big and tall patio furniture.
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How to Shop for Big and Tall Patio Furniture
Best Patio Furniture for Tall People
Best Patio Furniture for Full-Figured People
FAQs
How to Shop for Big and Tall Patio Furniture
Before starting your furniture search, consider the following factors.
Durability
Invest in brands known for building products from durable, high-quality materials. After all, your furniture will be outside and used regularly, so choosing heavy-duty furniture is a must for myriad reasons.
Space
Big and tall patio furniture typically takes up more room. We recommend measuring your outdoor space before committing to a purchase.
Dimensions
When shopping for styles that can accommodate everyone, pay special attention to these dimensions:
- Seat depth, width, and height
- Back width and height
- Overall depth, width, and height
PRO TIP:
If you own furniture that fits you or a loved one like a glove, use its dimensions to find pieces with matching measurements.
Weight Capacity
The weight limit of outdoor chairs varies depending on the type, style, and materials used. If you need extra support, scan product descriptions for high-weight capacities.
Adjustable Furniture Options
Adjustable patio chairs can be modified to fit a variety of body types—a welcome relief for those who need more elbow or legroom. Reclining backrests, extendable legs, adjustable armrests, and other comfort features make it easier to kick back and relax.
Best Patio Furniture for Tall People
Here are our tall-friendly furniture recommendations.
1. Bar Chairs and Stools
Bar chairs tend to be a better fit for taller folks than standard dining chairs. This chair style has an increased seat height, which lets family stretch their legs out at a comfortable angle instead of sitting with their knees higher than hip level.
PRO TIP:
Look for footrests or tall backs when browsing seating for your backyard bar. Footrests accommodate average-height family members, so their legs aren’t dangling uncomfortably, and tall backrests offer upper body support for those with longer torsos.
We recommend:
2. Bar-Height Tables
Bar-height tables sit about 40 to 42 inches high from floor to tabletop. When paired with bar seating, taller family members can dine comfortably thanks to the ample legroom.
PRO TIP:
We advise selecting tables with trestle-style bases—which sit at the center beneath tabletops—giving everyone additional space to stretch out.
We recommend:
3. Deep Seating
The best lounge seating for tall people doesn’t necessarily have to sit higher off the ground. It does, however, need to offer deeper seats. Look for styles with extra depth so those with long legs can sit back with their thighs fully supported as their feet touch the floor.
We recommend:
4. Deep Seating Ottomans
Outdoor ottomans can be paired with seating to give long-legged loved ones full-body relaxation. Pick pieces that match the seat heights of your lounge furniture to extend the comfort and style further. To help you out, we included pairing suggestions for the recommended footstool styles below.
We recommend:
5. Adirondack Chairs
If you think Adirondack chairs are out of the question for you or your tall family member, we have great news. Many traditional-style Adirondacks (the chairs with sloping seats, wide armrests, and reclined backs) sit higher than average, which equals extra legroom for extra-tall people.
Upright Adirondacks have those same comfort-centric features, but the seats are even higher and parallel to the floor. This also makes standing up and sitting down even easier for folks of any height.
We recommend:
6. Chaise Lounges
Long and lounge-worthy, chaises promise head-to-toe comfort for your above-average-height family members. They can lay the backrest flat for naps in the shade, sit upright to watch the kids play in the yard, or ease into that sweet spot that’s perfect for sunbathing.
We recommend:
7. Outdoor Swings
Hanging swings made our list because the chains or ropes that suspend them can be adjusted to raise or lower the seat. A higher-sitting seat offers more room for those with long legs, allowing you to customize the comfort without compromising style.
We recommend:
PRO TIP:
Before buying an outdoor swing, ensure your porch, patio, or deck is sturdy enough to hold one. It’s also important that your architectural structure and swing have sufficient weight capacities to support multiple people.
Best Patio Furniture for Full-Figured People
Here are our ideas for outdoor chairs, sectional sofas, and other seating styles that best accommodate full-figured family members.
8. Sturdy Seating
Give your family cozy lounge seating they can enjoy all year long. High-quality fabrics, supportive cushions, and durable, wide-set frames should be top priorities when outfitting spaces where friends and family gather. There are many sofa, loveseat, and chair options out there, but we have some recommendations below to shorten your search.
We recommend:
9. Cushioned Ottomans
Anyone can experience full-body comfort with the right footstool and seat combination. Along with our outdoor ottoman recommendations, we included pairing ideas that guarantee both form and function.
We recommend:
10. Adirondack Chairs
There are many Adirondack styles on the market today, so you’re sure to find something that meets your needs. Well-constructed frames with roomy seats, tall backs, and curved armrests are all features that ensure a comfy experience for yourself and your family.
We recommend:
11. Rocking Chairs
The best outdoor rocking chair designs will give your loved ones a long-lasting lounge spot they can kick back in season after season (after season). Sturdy runners, a generously sized seat, and a tall back are all ingredients for a top-notch rocker.
We recommend:
12. Benches
Wider seats offer more room for everyone to relax. When designing your inclusive outdoor space, a bench can accommodate one or more people to sit back and enjoy the fresh air.
We recommend:
FAQs
What are the best materials for big and tall patio furniture?
The best furniture materials that fit your patio and the needs of your loved ones are high-density polyethylene (HDPE), teak, and heavy-duty aluminum. Designs with steel frames are also good choices. All of these materials are strong and durable, but HDPE is your best bet. In addition to durability, HPDE furniture is easy to clean and won’t rust, corrode, splinter, crack, or chip if left outside.
Should all furniture in a room be the same height?
If varied furniture heights will impede their functionality, you should keep them the same height. For example, sectional pieces need to sit flush to create a smooth sitting space. Bar chairs won’t work with dining tables, and drinks are easier to reach when the side table they’re sitting on is paired with an Adirondack chair of equal stature. But you can certainly group a few low-slung seats with taller styles to create a conversation zone that prioritizes all comfort levels.
How can you tell if furniture is good quality?
You can gauge the quality level of outdoor furniture by the way it’s built and the materials used in its construction. Steer clear of wobbly or uneven frames, excess glue and staples, and cheap wood hidden beneath veneers. These are indicators of low-quality craftsmanship. You can also assess quality by how the company itself operates. Companies that hide product information, have poor or non-existent customer service, and don’t back their products should be avoided. Ask yourself these questions when browsing furniture brands:
- Does the company offer a great warranty?
- Are they transparent and honest?
- Do they offer extra resources and information like a help center or blog?
- How’s their customer service?
- What do customers have to say in product reviews?
I am looking for a patio swing that has a deep seat so that it can swing all the way forward and all the way back. It needs to be freestanding as I do not have a porch to hang it from.
Hi
I was wondering if you make all your own furniture on the blog?
I am a large male. 6’5″ tall and just over #300. I am also over 70 years of age, so getting out of an Adirondack is challenging (I have sprained a wrist launching myself out of an HDPE Adirondack). Seat height is a priority, not just seat depth. Why don’t manufacturers provide a seat height above 17 1/2″ for people my size? One recommendation I received at a well-known patio furniture store was just to triple the number of seat cushions. Really? I have to believe I am part of a large enough segment of the population that would warrant attention from a company like Polywood. The ball’s in your court. Thanks.
Hi Blaine, we encourage you to look into our Grand Adirondack Chairs as they may fit the bill for what you are looking for.
THIS!!!
My son is 6’4″, I am 5’11”, lots of tall people who find it uncomfortable to need to fold our knees under our chins to sit.
Also, people with mobility issues….
which can include my 5’5″ 83 year old mother who needs a tall chair height or she cannot sit there, and myself, who has arthritis in both knees, and a huge growing segment of the population, not just tall people.
We need 20 inch seat height and arms on the seats.
And we are willing to pay for it.
It’s one thing to have to be uncomfortable sitting as a guest in someone else’s home for a short period of time.
It’s quite another to have to be uncomfortable in your own %!@*$! home.
am looking to replace patio chairs I purchased 7-8 years ago………the floor to seat height is 21″…..heavy duty metal with gray mesh seat/back. Help.
Hi Billy, While we don’t manufacture metal frame furniture, we do offer the Coastal collection which has a sling fabric seat. We also offer different chair heights; dining, counter, and bar height in this collection. Thanks! Lana