An adjustable garden chair is the chair you don't want to leave. Sitting upright with a cup of coffee, leaning back a little with a book, or reclining even further for a nap in the afternoon sun. But adjustable isn't always comfortable: one chair clicks into a few fixed positions, another adjusts steplessly with a gas spring, and without the right seat height or footrest you won't be comfortable after an hour. This buying guide covers what to look for: the mechanism, the frame, the fabric, the cushions and the footrest. It includes a comparison of adjustable chairs from our range and a short quiz that shows which chair suits your moment.
In short: first decide what you'll use the chair for: at the table, for reading or for dozing. If you often want to change position, choose a stepless adjustment with a gas spring. An aluminium frame with Textilene is light and easy to maintain, while wicker with cushions is softer to sit in. If you want to really sink back, look for a footrest.
What do you use the chair for?
There's no such thing as a perfect adjustable garden chair in general, only one for a particular use. Someone who eats at the garden table every evening needs something different from someone who wants to doze off for an hour on a Sunday afternoon. Broadly speaking, there are three types of users:
- At the table: you eat, work or play a game at the garden table and want to lean back afterwards. You need a normal seat height and a backrest that also supports you well when upright.
- Reading and lounging: you sit in the same chair for a long time and often change position. A stepless adjustment and thick cushions make all the difference here.
- Dozing: you want to lean back as far as possible with your legs up. In that case, pay particular attention to a deep seat and a footrest.
Torn between a chair and a sun lounger? An adjustable chair with a footrest takes up less space and can also be used upright. A sun lounger lies flatter and is better if you really want to lie down for a long time. Read about it in how to choose a sun lounger. If you want to almost lie down without a sun lounger, also look at a relax chair, such as the foldable RSX Clip from Lafuma with a steel frame and an adjustable headrest cushion.
Fixed positions or stepless with a gas spring?
The adjustment mechanism determines how comfortable the chair is in everyday use. There are two main types, plus the chair that doesn't adjust but is still comfortable to sit in.
| Mechanism | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed positions | Backrest clicks into a few set positions | Table, leaning back now and then |
| Stepless with gas spring | Pull the lever, lean back, let go | Reading, lounging, dozing |
| Fixed back | Not adjustable | Always the same position |
A chair with fixed positions has a simple mechanism that rarely goes wrong. The downside: you always sit in one of the set positions, even if the most comfortable angle falls somewhere in between, and you often have to stand up to change the backrest. Examples are the Aruba and Da Vinci fixed-position chairs from Hartman and the Altura Curve and Legato Curve from Kettler.
With a gas spring, you pull a lever on the side, lean back to the position you want and let go. That way you adjust without getting up and can choose any angle. The Osborne and the Veracruz work this way: both have a steplessly adjustable backrest with a gas spring.
Always test a gas spring chair in the upright position too. A chair that feels wonderful reclined but hangs too far back when upright is used less often than you'd think.
Frame and fabric
An adjustable chair often stays outside all season and is moved around more than a regular chair, following the sun. The frame therefore needs to withstand the weather and not be too heavy.
Aluminium is the most popular material for this: light, sturdy and rust-free. Powder coating provides the colour and protects the surface. All the adjustable chairs in the comparison below have an aluminium frame.
The frame is covered with fabric or woven material:
- Textilene: a taut, breathable fabric that dries quickly and needs little maintenance. You sit slightly firmer and cooler. The Osaka has a Textilene covering.
- Wicker: synthetic woven material that looks warm and natural. You usually sit on cushions, so it's softer. The Osborne and Veracruz have half-round wicker in vintage willow.
Want to compare materials side by side? Read what is the best material for garden chairs or browse our aluminium garden chairs and wicker garden chairs.
Cushions and seat dimensions
Comfort isn't only about the adjustment. Also pay attention to these dimensions and details:
- Seat height: around 43 to 48 cm suits a standard garden table and makes it easy to stand up. Lower seats are more lounge-like but are harder to get out of.
- Seat width and seat depth: a wide, deep seat gives you room to shift around and pull your legs up. The Osborne has a seat width of 62 cm and a seat depth of 47 cm, the Veracruz a seat of 59 cm wide and 65 cm deep.
- Cushions: with wicker, cushions are needed to be comfortable. The Osborne comes with 5 cm thick sand-coloured polyester cushions for the seat and back, the Veracruz with three dark grey water-repellent polyester cushions.
- Armrests: handy for support when getting up and for resting your arms. The Osborne has armrests 64 cm high.
Which chair is most comfortable varies from person to person. In which garden chair is the most comfortable you can read how to compare seat dimensions.
The footrest: small item, big difference
Without a footrest, you always sit a little upright in an adjustable chair. With your legs up, you distribute your weight better and almost lie down as on a sun lounger. That's especially nice if you want to read or have a nap.
There are two ways to get one: a chair supplied with a footrest, or a separate footrest from the same series. The Veracruz comes with a footrest in the same wicker (59 x 50 x 40 cm including cushion). For the Osaka and the Osborne, a matching footrest is available separately.
Adjustable garden chairs compared
These are adjustable garden chairs from Garden Impressions, with what the product information says about the adjustment and material. You'll find all adjustable models, including those from Hartman, Kettler and Suns, in our adjustable garden chairs range.
| Chair | Adjustment | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka | Adjustable backrest | Aluminium, Textilene |
| Osaka set of 4 | Adjustable backrest | Aluminium |
| Osborne | Stepless, gas spring | Aluminium, wicker, cushions |
| Veracruz | Stepless, gas spring, footrest | Aluminium, wicker, cushions |
Osaka adjustable garden chair
The Osaka is the sleek, lightweight choice: an aluminium frame in carbon black with a grey Textilene covering and a total height of 110 cm. With a seat height of 43 cm, it suits a standard garden table. You can also get it as a set of four, or together with the Terni table.
Osborne adjustable garden chair
The Osborne adjusts steplessly with a gas spring on the side. The aluminium frame is wrapped in half-round wicker, and the seat and back have sand-coloured cushions. With a seat height of 48 cm, it also works well at the table, but with its wide seat it's mainly a chair to stay in for a long time.
Veracruz lounge chair with footrest
The Veracruz is made for sinking back. With the gas spring you move from sitting to lying position, and the footrest is included. The aluminium frame has a powder coating and half-round wicker in vintage willow. This isn't a chair for eating at, but it is one for drifting off in.
Osaka adjustable garden chairs, set of 4
Looking for chairs for around the garden table? Then a set of four Osaka chairs is more convenient than buying them separately. Or go straight for the complete set with table:
Osaka chairs + Terni table
View set →All adjustable garden chairs
View range →Lounge garden chairs
View range →Which adjustable chair suits you?
Answer four short questions and see which type of adjustable chair suits the way you sit outside.
Which adjustable garden chair suits your sitting moment?
What do you do most often in an adjustable chair?
- Eating, drinking coffee and chatting at the table
- Reading for hours with a drink
- Nodding off in the afternoon sun
How far do you want to be able to lean back?
- A little, sitting upright is just as important
- Exactly to the angle that feels good at that moment
- As far back as possible, almost lying down
Where do you rest your legs?
- Simply on the ground, under the table
- On the ground, sometimes on a loose pouf
- On a footrest that belongs to the chair
What do you most like to feel underneath you when you sit down?
- Taut, cool Textilene that dries quickly
- Soft cushions on warm wicker
- Thick cushions from top to toe
Adjustable chair for at the table You're looking for a chair with a normal seat height that supports you well when upright and can lean back now and then. The Osaka in aluminium and Textilene, individually or as a set of four, suits this well.
Stepless chair for reading You often change position, so a gas spring is handy. The Osborne adjusts steplessly and has cushions and armrests; a separate footrest can be added.
Lounge chair with footrest You want to sink back. Choose a chair that reclines steplessly far back and comes with a footrest, such as the Veracruz.
Want to coordinate not just a chair but your whole patio? Then use our selection tool.
Checklist for your purchase
- I know whether I'll use the chair at the table, for reading or for dozing
- I've chosen between fixed positions and a stepless gas spring
- The seat height suits my garden table (around 43 to 48 cm)
- The seat width and seat depth are generous enough to shift around in
- I know whether cushions are included and where I'll store them dry
- I've checked whether a footrest is included or available separately
- I've compared the external dimensions of the chair with my patio and a cover
How to choose quickly
- If you eat in the chair, choose a normal seat height and a back that supports you well when upright
- If you often change position, choose a stepless gas spring
- If you want to sink back, choose a deep seat with a footrest
- Choose aluminium for a light frame that doesn't rust
Common mistakes
Only paying attention to the reclined position
A chair that feels wonderful leaning far back can hang too far back when upright. Check how the chair sits in all positions, including when you're eating or have a book on your lap.
Buying a lounge chair for at the table
A low, deep chair with a footrest is very comfortable, but at a standard garden table you sit too low and too far from the tabletop. Compare the seat height with your table.
Forgetting the footrest
Anyone who wants to doze off only notices after buying that their legs keep dangling. Check in advance whether a footrest is included or available separately from the same series.
Leaving cushions outside
Water-repellent is not waterproof. Cushions that stay wet will go mouldy. Read how to store garden cushions.
No room to lean back
A chair in reclined position with a footrest takes up much more space than when upright. Keep enough room behind the chair and in front of the footrest, especially on a balcony.
Keeping your chair in good shape
An adjustable chair has more moving parts than a regular chair, so a little attention goes a long way. Wipe the frame down now and then with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, then rinse with clean water. Clean wicker with a soft brush and lukewarm water. After winter, check that the mechanism still adjusts smoothly and that no sand or leaves have got in.
Use a cover outside the season
A breathable cover keeps out dirt and moisture and prevents mould. Compare the size with the external dimensions of your chair: the AeroCover gas spring chair cover is 67 x 67 cm with a height of 80 to 110 cm.
AeroCover gas spring chair cover 67 x 67 cm
You can read more about maintenance in how to maintain Textilene garden furniture and how to maintain wicker garden furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: a garden chair with recline positions or one with a gas spring?
That depends on how you like to sit. A chair with recline positions locks into a few fixed positions and is simple and sturdy. A gas spring adjusts steplessly: you pull a lever, lean back and let go at the position that feels good. If you often switch between upright and semi-reclined, a gas spring will be more comfortable.
Can you eat at a table while sitting in an adjustable garden chair?
Yes, as long as the seat height suits your table and the backrest can also be set upright. A seat height of around 43 to 48 cm suits a standard garden table. The Osaka has a seat height of 43 cm and is also sold as a set with the Terni table; the Osborne has a seat height of 48 cm. A low lounger with a footrest is more for relaxing than for eating.
Which material is best for an adjustable garden chair?
An aluminium frame is lightweight, rust-proof and easy to move. With Textilene fabric, you get a chair that dries quickly and needs little maintenance. With wicker weave and cushions, you sit more softly and the chair looks warmer, but you need to store the cushions dry when it rains.
Do I need a footrest with an adjustable chair?
Not always, but if you like to read or have a nap in the chair, you will notice the difference. With your legs up, you lie almost as if on a sun lounger, while the chair takes up less space. The Veracruz comes with a footrest. For the Osaka and the Osborne, a matching footrest is available separately.
Can an adjustable garden chair stay outside?
An aluminium frame with Textilene or wicker can handle a passing shower, but a cover protects against dirt, leaves and sunlight if you don't use the chair for a long time. Store cushions in a dry place, as water-resistant is not the same as waterproof. For a chair with a gas spring, check after winter that the mechanism still moves smoothly.
