Originally Published on March 16, 2023. Last Updated on June 10, 2024.

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 ideas and recommendations to help you find perfect-fit pieces for you and your family. This way, everyone can enjoy the outdoors without worry.

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Best Patio Furniture for Tall People

Here are our tall-friendly furniture recommendations. 

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:

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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:

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.

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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.

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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.

Deep 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:

Deep Seating 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:

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.

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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:

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:

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How to Shop for Big and Tall Patio Furniture

Durable Materials

Invest in brands known for building products from durable, high-quality materials. Browse the list below to learn about some of the strongest outdoor furniture materials available.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE has exceptional strength and durability thanks to its tightly packed molecular structure. It’s ideal for building furniture, fences, playground equipment, and decking.

Teak

A heavy hardwood prized for its sturdiness and longevity. Teak is extremely dense, making it one of the strongest woods available. It’s often used to make furniture, boats, and decking.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel boasts excellent strength because it’s an alloy, or a mixture of metals. One of the elements, chromium, is a big contributor to its strength. The higher the chromium content, the stronger the steel.

Concrete

Strong enough for sidewalks and construction projects, concrete furniture offers ample strength and durability.

UL 4041 Certification Standards

In the outdoor furniture industry, products are tested to meet the UL 4041 certification standard, a rigorous test that evaluates the safety and quality of patio furniture. Designed by Underwriters Laboratories, this program tests furniture strength, endurance, durability, stability, and shear and pinch points. 

Manufacturers and retailers that get their products tested and certified to UL 4041 prove their dedication to crafting high-quality furniture and ensuring customer safety and satisfaction. Brands will sometimes list on product pages if an item meets the UL 4041 standard, but if you don’t see it while browsing, simply reach out to their customer service team, who’d be happy to supply that information for you. 

Design Details

When shopping, scrutinize a product’s construction. If you spot any of these features, you’ve found well-made furniture.

• Mortise-and-tenon joints: This joinery is incredibly strong, and woodworking professionals rely on it often to build furniture and cabinetry.
• Marine-grade hardware: Typically made using marine-grade stainless steel, nuts, bolts, and other fasteners made from this material are strong and resistant to outdoor elements.
• Tee joint: Shaped like the letter “T,” this is considered one of the strongest weld joints one can make. Welded sections have as much strength, if not more, than the base material being joined.

Space

Big and tall patio furniture typically takes up more room. We recommend measuring your outdoor area before shopping to ensure you have enough space for the new additions.

Dimensions

When shopping for styles that can accommodate everyone, pay special attention to these dimensions:

• Seat depth, width, and height: Specifically referring to a chair’s seat, these indicate width, height from the floor, and front-to-back length.
• Back width and height: These speak to the width and height of the chair’s backrest.
• Overall depth, width, and height: These refer to the full size of the furniture piece, including its height, width, and depth.

  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.

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FAQs

 

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. Businesses that hide product information, have poor or non-existent customer service, and/or don’t back their products with warranties 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?