A hanging chair is the chair everyone wants to sit in first. You hang off the ground, you sway a little, and you curl up in your own little corner. But buying a hanging chair is more than choosing a nice model. Does it hang from a stand or from the ceiling? Is your fixing point strong enough? Which material can stay outdoors? In this guide you'll read what to look out for, what's best avoided, and which chairs give a similar feeling.
In short: first choose between a stand or hanging. Only hang a hanging chair from a load-bearing structure, and have the fixing point checked if you're unsure. Always read the maximum load of both the chair and the hanging kit. Wicker or rope on an aluminium frame can stay outdoors; store the cushions dry. You can compare available hanging chairs from Amazonas and La Siesta further on, along with chairs that come closest without hanging.
Comparing hanging chairs and hammocks
Hanging chairs and hammocks from Amazonas and La Siesta can be compared. You'll find four available models under hanging chairs compared; all models are in the hanging chairs and hammocks sections. The buying advice below applies to any hanging chair.
What types of hanging chairs are there?
Hanging chairs look alike, but they differ. Broadly speaking there are three types:
- Egg-shaped hanging chair: a half-enclosed woven bowl on a frame, with a cushion inside. You sit sheltered, a bit like being in a cocoon. This is the best-known model for the garden, often with a stand.
- Round or open hanging chair: a round seat with a low back. Airier and lighter, you sit a little more upright and see more around you.
- Fabric hanging chair: a cloth or macramé that falls around you, often hung from one point. Light and soft, but usually meant for indoors or a covered spot.
Almost every hanging chair swivels and sways a little. That's exactly what's lovely about them, but it also means you need room around the chair and the hanging kit must be able to move with it.
With a stand or hanging?
This is the most important choice. It determines how much space you need, whether you have to drill, and whether you can move the chair later.
| Hanging method | Advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Stand | No drilling, movable | More floor space, level surface needed |
| Beam or ceiling | Airy, little floor space | The fixing point must be strong |
| Tree branch | Natural spot | Hard to assess |
Hanging chair with a stand
A stand is the easiest choice for most gardens and balconies. You don't need to drill, which is handy in a rented home, and you can place the chair wherever you like: in the sun, under the canopy or in the shed after the season. The base of a stand is wide, because it has to keep the chair stable. So don't just measure the chair, measure the whole base, and leave space around it. Place the stand on a flat, hard surface such as paving or a decking platform. On grass or gravel it can sink or end up at an angle.
Hanging from a beam or ceiling
Without a stand the chair looks like it's really floating, and you keep the floor clear. That looks lovely under a veranda, pergola or in a conservatory. The downside: the entire load sits on one point. That point therefore has to be strong enough, even if someone plonks down a bit wildly. A sturdy wooden beam or a solid ceiling may be suitable; plasterboard, a suspended ceiling or a light canopy are not. If you want to use a canopy, first read veranda or canopy for the difference in construction.
From a tree
A hanging chair from a tree branch sounds romantic, but it's the hardest to assess properly. You can't tell from the outside whether a branch is healthy, and a branch moves in the wind. If you're in doubt, choose a stand under the tree instead. You get the shade without the risk.
Choosing the fixing point in 5 steps
If you're going to hang it, take your time with these steps. It's the most important part of the whole purchase.
Is it a solid beam, a concrete ceiling, or a panel that's just screwed on top? Knock on it, check the building plans or ask. Never hang from a ceiling if you don't know what's behind it.
Check the maximum load of the chair and of every part of the hanging kit: hook, chain, spring and karabiner. The weakest component determines what the whole combination can carry.
Timber, concrete and metal each need different fixings. Preferably use the hanging hardware the manufacturer supplies or recommends, and follow the fitting instructions.
If you're not sure whether a beam or ceiling is strong enough, have it assessed by a builder, carpenter or other professional. That's a small effort compared with a chair coming down.
The first time, sit down carefully and check that everything stays in place. After that, now and then check hooks, chains and ropes for wear or rust, especially if the chair hangs outdoors.
Also think about the space around the chair. A hanging chair swivels and sways. Sit in it, push off gently and check that you don't hit a wall, post or plant.
Load capacity: what does that number mean?
Every hanging chair comes with a maximum load. That's the weight the chair is according to the manufacturer. A few things to watch:
- It applies to everything together: chair, stand and hanging kit each have their own limit. The lowest figure counts.
- Movement counts: swinging, plonking down roughly or sitting two people at once loads the chair and the fixing point more heavily than sitting calmly.
- Children: a hanging chair invites climbing and swinging. Agree how the chair will be used and choose a model with a clearly stated maximum load.
- Isn't it stated? Then ask the shop before you order. Don't assume a figure you've read somewhere else.
Materials for indoors and outdoors
The material determines how the chair looks, how it feels and whether it can cope with the British weather. With a hanging chair you look at two things: the bowl or seat, and the frame or stand.
| Material | Outdoors? | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Wicker (plastic) | Yes | Rinse off, soft brush |
| Rope | Yes | Lukewarm water, soft brush |
| Natural rattan | Preferably covered | Keep dry |
| Cotton or macramé | Indoors or covered | Keep dry, sometimes washable |
| Aluminium frame | Yes, doesn't rust | Damp cloth |
| Coated steel | Yes, as long as the coating is intact | Touch up paint damage |
Mind the difference between wicker and natural rattan: outdoor wicker is plastic and can cope with rain, while natural rattan can warp or discolour with prolonged damp. A steel stand is sturdy, but if the coating is damaged it can start to rust. So touch up paint damage promptly. You can read more about woven materials in rope or wicker, and about caring for rope in how to maintain rope.
Cushions and comfort
In a hanging chair you mostly sit on the cushion. The woven frame gives the shape, the cushion determines how comfortable you are. Look out for:
- Thickness and shape: a thick, round cushion fills the bowl and lets you sink in. A thin cushion feels firmer but is less like a cocoon.
- Back cushion: in an egg-shaped chair you sit half reclined. A loose back cushion or an extra decorative cushion gives support to your lower back.
- Removable cover: handy for washing, especially in a light colour.
- Water-repellent is not waterproof: an outdoor cushion can handle a shower, but in prolonged rain it will still soak through. Store it dry.
If you're looking for new or extra cushions, have a look at the lounge cushions. You can read how best to store them in storing garden cushions.
Can a hanging chair stay outside?
A hanging chair made of outdoor wicker or rope on an aluminium frame can stay outside all season. A few habits will keep it looking good for longer:
- Bring the cushions inside when it rains and when you're not using the chair for a while.
- Rinse the woven material now and then so sand and leaves don't stay trapped in it.
- Check the hanging hardware and stand for rust or wear, especially after winter.
- Cover the chair with a breathable cover outside the season, or put it in the shed.
If you already have a hanging chair with a stand, measure it and compare the dimensions with those of the cover. This cover is breathable and closes with a drawstring:
AeroCover hanging chair cover ø100 x H200 cm
You'll find more covers in the protective covers range. General tips for the colder months are in what to do with garden furniture in winter.
Choice test: stand, beam or relax chair?
Not sure which solution suits your spot? Answer four short questions.
Stand, beam or relax chair: what suits your hanging spot?
Where would you most like the chair to be?
- On the patio or balcony, with no fixed place
- Under a veranda with a sturdy beam
- Just with the rest of the garden furniture
Are you allowed to drill and hang things in your home?
- Preferably not, or I rent
- Yes, and I know what I can hang from
- No idea, I don't want to think about that
How often do you want to move the chair?
- Now and then, following the sun or to the shed
- Never, it'll have a fixed place
- Often, I like rearranging furniture
What feels best to you?
- Gently swaying above the ground
- Truly floating, with no legs underneath
- Sinking deep in with my feet up
Hanging chair with a stand You want the hanging feeling without drilling and with the freedom to move it. Pay attention to the size of the base and a flat, hard surface.
Hanging from a beam You have a fixed spot and a sturdy structure. Have the fixing point checked if in doubt, and look at the maximum load of all components.
Relax or lounge chair You're mainly after comfort without the hassle of hanging. A deep armchair or an adjustable lounge chair with a footstool gives that feeling too.
Four available hanging chairs compared
These four hanging chairs are available, each for a different situation. The specs come from the title and the product information; you can see the current prices on the cards. Note: most hanging chairs come without a stand or fixings, which you buy separately.
| Hanging chair | Type | Max. load | Indoors or outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazonas Globo Chair | Wooden frame with cushions | 120 kg | Outdoors |
| La Siesta Domingo basic | Hammock chair | 130 kg | Outdoors |
| La Siesta Habana | Hammock chair with cushion | 160 kg | Indoors and outdoors |
| Amazonas Brasil | Hammock chair | 150 kg | Indoors and outdoors |
Amazonas Globo Chair: a sphere to curl up in
A spherical wooden frame with thick anthracite cushions, for one person. You sit sheltered, as if in a cocoon. According to the product information the maximum load is 120 kg. Hang it from a sturdy beam or ceiling, or place it in a suitable stand.
Globo Chair 1-person anthracite
La Siesta Domingo basic: hammock chair for outdoors
A hammock chair from La Siesta for outdoors, with a wooden spreader bar. According to the product information, 130 kg maximum. No cushion and no stand, so it is light and easy to take to the shed.
Domingo hanging chair basic sea salt
La Siesta Habana: with cushion, indoors and out
A black hammock chair with cushion, suitable for indoors and outdoors according to the product information, with a maximum load of 160 kg. Lovely under a canopy or in a conservatory.
Hanging chair Habana Onyx
Amazonas Brasil: an easy way to start
A beige hammock chair from Amazonas, up to 150 kg according to the product information and supplied with fixings. An affordable way to find out whether hanging suits you.
Hanging chair Brasil Natura
A stand or a hammock as well? Also worth a look:
La Siesta Mediterraneo: stand
View stand →
La Siesta Brisa: outdoor hammock
View hammock →
All hanging chairs
View range →Compare all models in the hanging chairs and hammocks sections, or by brand at Amazonas and La Siesta.
Rather not hang? This comes closest
No suitable spot to hang from, or simply don't fancy floating? These chairs give a bit of the same feeling. They don't hang, but they let you sink in, recline or swivel. The specs come from the product information; you can see the current prices on the cards.
| What you're after | Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Light and airy | Danzig relax chair | Aluminium, Textilene |
| Sinking in like in a bowl | Houston | Lounge chair with cushions |
| Reclining, feet up | Veracruz | Gas spring, footstool |
| Swivelling along | Acate swivel | Swivel seat |
| Lying flat | Sun lounger | Fully stretched out |
Danzig relax chair: light and relaxed
The Danzig is a relax armchair with a powder-coated aluminium frame and a Textilene seat, with a thick, water-repellent cushion on top. With a seat height of 36 cm you sit low and relaxed. The frame is light, so it's easy to move to another spot, including a balcony.
Danzig relax chair taupe / valley sand
Houston: sinking into rope
The cocoon feeling of an egg-shaped hanging chair mainly comes from the thick cushion in the bowl. The Houston lounge armchair is a lounge chair with cushions, in taupe rope around an aluminium frame. The seat height is 43 cm and the seat depth 53 cm.
Houston lounge armchair taupe / rope
Veracruz: reclining with your feet up
In a hanging chair you lie half reclined. The Veracruz does that too, but with a infinitely adjustable backrest with gas spring and a matching footstool. The seat is 59 cm wide and 65 cm deep, with vintage willow wicker on an aluminium frame and three dark grey cushions.
Veracruz adjustable lounge chair with footstool
Acate: a chair that swivels with you
Mainly missing the way a hanging chair moves with you? The Acate is a swivel dining chair with an aluminium frame in a light teak look. It's a dining chair, so you sit more upright than in a hanging chair: the seat height is 49 cm and the seat cushion 10 cm thick. Handy if you want to turn at the table towards whoever is talking.
Acate swivel dining chair light teak look
For which type of chair suits your way of sitting, with the seat dimensions side by side, read which garden chair is the most comfortable. If you really want to lie down, buying a sun lounger: what to look for will help you further. Also worth a look:
Danzig: 2 relax chairs and side table
View set →
Lounge garden chairs
View chairs →
Adjustable garden chairs
View chairs →Not sure yet what you're looking for? The selection guide will help you find the right garden furniture in a few questions. Or browse all relax garden chairs and garden chairs.
Checklist for your purchase
If you're buying a hanging chair soon, run through these points before you order:
- Chosen between a stand and hanging
- Space measured, including the base of the stand and room to swing
- Fixing point assessed, or checked by a professional
- Maximum load of chair and hanging kit read
- Material chosen that suits indoors, covered or outdoors
- Cushion with a removable, water-repellent cover
- A dry place for the cushions and a cover for winter
How to choose quickly
- No fixed spot or rented home: choose a stand
- Sturdy beam or solid ceiling: hanging is possible, with the right hardware
- Outdoors: wicker or rope on an aluminium frame
- Indoors or covered: cotton, macramé or natural rattan also work
- Comfort without hanging: choose a relax or lounge chair
Common mistakes
Hanging from an unknown ceiling
A ceiling that looks sturdy may be a panel that only supports itself. If you don't know what's behind it, don't hang anything from it and have it checked first.
Only looking at the chair
The maximum load of the chair says nothing about that of the hook, chain or stand. The weakest component counts.
A stand on grass or gravel
A soft or uneven surface lets the base sink. The chair ends up hanging at an angle and may start to wobble. Place it on paving or a decking platform.
Too little space around it
A hanging chair swivels and swings. If it stands too close to a wall or table, you'll bump into it. Test it before you fix the spot.
Leaving cushions outside
Water-repellent is not waterproof. A wet cushion in a bowl dries slowly and can go mouldy. Bring it in when it rains.
Renting? Choose a stand
With a stand you don't need to drill, and you can take the chair with you when you move. On a balcony it's often the only option too. More ideas for a small outdoor space are in decorating a balcony.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hang a hanging chair from any ceiling?
No. A hanging chair should only be attached to a load-bearing structure, such as a solid ceiling or a sturdy beam, using fixings suited to that surface. Plasterboard, a suspended ceiling, a thin branch or a light canopy are not suitable. If you're unsure, have the anchor point checked by a professional first.
How much weight can a hanging chair hold?
This varies by model. The maximum load is stated in the product information for the chair. If you use a separate stand, chain or hook, check the load rating of those too: the lowest figure of all the components applies. Keep in mind that swinging and plopping down place more strain on the chair than sitting still.
Is a hanging chair with a stand better than one hung from the ceiling?
A stand is more convenient if you rent, don't want to drill or plan to move the chair around. You do need more floor space and a flat, firm surface. Hanging from a beam or ceiling looks lighter and takes up less floor space, but the anchor point must be genuinely strong enough.
Can a hanging chair stay outside?
The frame and weaving can stay outdoors if they are designed for it, such as wicker or rope on an aluminium frame. Cushions are usually water-resistant rather than waterproof, so store them dry. Outside the season, protect the chair with a breathable hanging chair cover or bring it indoors.
Which alternative gives the same feeling as a hanging chair?
If you want to sink into a deep seat, choose a lounge armchair with a thick cushion. If you want to recline with your feet up, an adjustable lounger with a footrest suits you. If you're mainly after movement, a swivel chair turns with you. If you want to lie flat, look at a sun lounger.
