If you’re shopping for the best Adirondack chairs, you’ll quickly discover a wealth of options to choose from. In our extensive Adirondack chair buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through all the different considerations so you can make the right choice.
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Step 1: Do Adirondacks Suit You?
Step 2: Explore Materials
Step 3: Find the Perfect Fit
Step 4: Select the Ideal Style
Step 5: Choose the Best Hue
Step 6: Accessorize
Browse the considerations below to see if an Adirondack chair would fit your lifestyle.
Adirondacks are primarily intended for lounging. They often offer practical features, such as wide armrests to hold drinks or cell phones, supportive contoured seats, and optional cushions and ottomans for linger-worthy comfort.
Traditional Adirondack chairs are longer due to their reclined backrests, which translates to them taking up more room than upright styles. However, some styles can be folded and stacked, sliding easily into storage to free up space.
Traditional designs have low-sitting, tilted seats, and individuals with mobility concerns may have difficulty sitting on or arising from these chair types.
The reclined backrests may also cause difficulties for those with hip or back problems.
Upright Adirondacks may be better fits for those with accessibility challenges. The taller designs stand up straighter with minimal recline in the seats and backs.
From classic to modern, Adirondacks come in a wide variety of styles—but most (if not all) will give off that quintessential summertime relaxation look. The array of designs means there’s an Adirondack for just about every motif. But more often than not, you’ll find these laid-back seats by fire pits, swimming pools, and other settings where comfort and leisure are top priorities.
Keep these factors in mind when choosing the best materials for Adirondack chairs:
Known for its beauty and superior density, hardwood like teak, cherry, and ipe are popular Adirondack chair materials.
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Furniture built from pine, cedar, and other softwoods are beautiful and budget-friendly—attractive qualities to homeowners.
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Aluminum Adirondack chairs are popular due to their lower costs and lightweight designs.
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HDPE is prized for its durability and easy upkeep. It’s used in a variety of outdoor applications, from furniture to fencing.
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Injection-molded plastic is a common furniture material because it’s readily available and inexpensive.
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Once you’ve decided on the right materials, you will want to think about the size, height, and spacing of your Adirondack chairs.
Most Adirondack chairs stand between 34 to 44 inches tall, 24 to 33 inches wide, and 24 to 38 inches deep. Depending on the material, they could weigh between 7 and 58 pounds.
We suggest spacing Adirondack chairs two to three feet apart so guests have room to move around them and provide three feet of clearance in front for comfortable sitting and standing. A 10-foot square area comfortably fits three to four chairs.
This refers to the seat size in its entirety. Looking at the overall sit will tell you if there’s enough room to rest comfortably or if you should search for a larger or smaller chair.
Cozy: Just the right amount of room to relax.
Roomy: Offers extra snuggle-up space.
Grand: Large and sturdy with ample elbow room.
This refers to how high a seat sits off the ground at its lowest point. Lower seats angle downward from front to back, while taller designs come closer to standing parallel to the floor.
Lowest: Sits near the floor with a pronounced pitch, the go-to for serious lounging.
Classic: An elevated profile with a subtle recline that supports extended relaxation.
Highest: Tall and slightly sloped, making standing up a simple task.
All Adirondack chairs have reclined backrests—it’s one of the style’s signature features—but the level of lean varies.
Relaxed: The most intense tilt, ideal for cat naps and stargazing.
Conversational: A slighter incline that holds you a little higher.
Upright: Set higher and angled forward, similar to a dining chair.
Explore how Adirondack chair designs have evolved to prioritize comfort, convenience, and diverse preferences.
A sleek interpretation of the iconic design, modern Adirondacks blend clean lines and crisp angles with the details you’re familiar with, such as wide arms and contoured seats.
Classic Adirondack styles are the closest in appearance to the original design, boasting soft lines and a timeless charm that appeals to everyone.
This fresh take on the traditional design offers stronger angles while maintaining the seat’s reclined silhouette, subtle curves, and contours.
These collapsible seats are great travel companions and store with ease.
This seat features a rounded slat design cascading over the front like a waterfall. It’s visually appealing and offers extra knee support.
The ultimate relaxation seat. These curvaceous chairs feature contoured seats and rounded backs that cradle your body.
Often reserved for alfresco occasions, bar- and counter-height Adirondacks elevate any outdoor meal or happy hour.
Larger-scale seats designed to support individuals who desire ample space to stretch out.
Adirondack chairs with attached ottomans save space without compromising comfort. Pull the footrest out when you want to kick up your feet, then tuck it away beneath the seat when you’re finished.
Ideal for swaying away summer days on the porch or grouped around a glowing fire, Adirondack rockers combine the best elements of two beloved styles.
Adirondacks come in ample color options to open up a world of palette-pleasing possibilities. Before settling on seat colors, ask yourself the following questions:
What shades fit my home’s current color palette?
Make furniture selections that work with your home’s hues, the surrounding landscape, and your tastes.
What outdoor aesthetic am I aiming for?
Select shades that complement the look you want. A dark and moody design calls for black or navy chairs with charcoal cushions, but citrus-hued seats work best with a tropical-themed patio.
How will the climate impact furniture colors?
It depends on your environment, but there are a few general considerations to make. Darker shades are better at hiding stains and dirt, but they absorb heat more quickly than lighter colors—not ideal for areas that experience intense sun.
Additionally, climates with higher sun exposure can cause colors to fade faster. No material is completely immune to fading, but your safest bet is to choose ones that offer some UV resistance. You can also increase color longevity by using durable covers and moving seats to shaded areas or storage when they’re not in use.
Browse our suggested outdoor color schemes to put your Adirondacks in the best light.
Coastal Comfort
Evoke the serene ambiance of the seaside with this cool, calming color palette. The selection of relaxing shades creates an airy, casual atmosphere that beckons you to sit back and relax.
Earthy Oasis
Design an earth-toned color scheme by drawing on your home’s surrounding landscapes. The resulting look is warm and welcoming to all who enter.
Sunny Side Setup
Warm and cheerful, a sun-kissed color palette energizes an open-air room and encourages lively conversations.
Monochrome Home
Elegant yet simplistic, a monochrome scheme relies on various shades of a single color, which turns down the visual noise and brings balance to a space.
Dreamy Desert Dwelling
Highlighting the natural beauty of arid landscapes, this color palette shines with warm neutrals and refreshing hints of green.
Tropical Getaway
Mirror the lush greenery and clear blue skies of the tropics with this colorful palette.
Mediterranean Escape
Bring the sun-soaked style of southern Europe to your home with this warm-meets-cool color scheme.
Timeless Elegance
A true classic transcends trends. Try this refined color combination in your home to create an inviting and enduring aesthetic.
Pastel Paradise
Soft and subtle, this color scheme leans on light hues to create a delicate and airy vibe.
Surround your Adirondack with comfort-boosting accessories.
Comfort is subjective, so choosing a seat that gives you the most relaxing experience is a discovery you get to make on your own. Easily peruse all of our styles with our POLYWOOD Adirondack comparison guide.
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