Buyers guide to swing chairs

Chilling. That’s what you want to do in your garden. You want to lounge in style, and you’re demanding the ultimate in comfort. It’s likely you care about the look, too. Need help and inspiration? Here’s our buyers guide to swing chairs.

Should I buy the cheapest swing chair I can find?

First, let’s talk quality. There are some cheap swing chairs out there. But like so much in life, you tend to get what you pay for. A cheap swing chair will probably let you down sooner rather than later. If it survives, it won’t look good for very long. It might even be a false economy. You know the story of the person who bought three pairs of cheap shoes lasting a year in total, when one good quality pair would have lasted three years? Like that 😉

Buyers guide to swing chairs – Why quality counts at our place

We run a business. The last thing we want is a load of returns, refunds and complaints. We like to sell quality garden furniture because it means our customers keep coming back for more. We enjoy making people happy, and stocking nothing but high quality products help us do exactly that. Because we make your life easy, our lives are easier!

Different swing chair styles and designs

We have some very different styles and designs for you, each with its own great look. Our most modern-looking swing chair design is the Amner, below, a magnificent wooden swing chair featuring dramatic angles and stylish deep grey cushions.

Hyper-modern swing chair design

Traditional swing chairs

The Sandringham is class itself, a traditional swing chair design that suits every kind of garden. The creamy seat and back cushions and canopy are lovely and subtle. It’s also available in a gorgeous grey. The treated wood lasts for years, strong and durable. Doesn’t it make you think about relaxing days by the pool somewhere hot and sunny?

Woven swing chairs

The Goldcoast swing chair is a stunning design, welcoming and friendly, perfect for one with a two-seater version available. It’s a blend of traditional and modern that looks really good whatever your style of garden. The tough resin weave means it’s long lasting and rugged. The curved frame, in the same sort of subtle colour, complements the curves of the chair itself really well. It hangs with a super-strong rust-free chain.

Metal framed swing chairs

The Newmarket swing chair comes with sleek, curvy good looks, in either cream or grey. The simple shade has a fabulous contemporary feel and it’s a wonderfully simple design. A sensible choice when you’re short on space, the airy metal design makes your garden look bigger. Like all our swing chairs it’s built to last.

Folding swing chairs

Did you know you can buy folding basket chairs for your garden? Ideal when space is at a premium, they’re easy to store to free up space to work in the garden. This neat folding swing chair is such a cool idea. It looks fantastic, too. The entire frame folds up flat – how clever is that! There’s even a Textilene version with a cosy closed cocoon.

Exploring swing chair sizes and maximum weights

• For two people, buy a swing seat 160 – 170cm wide, perfect for smaller gardens. For three people seated in comfort, choose a swinging chair least 190cm wide, ideal for larger gardens.
• A two seater swing chair should take at least 200kg weight, whereas a three person one should be able to bear at least 240kg total weight.

Buyers guide to swing chairs – About swing chair materials

• Powder-coated steel is strong, low maintenance, and highly durable. It can be left out all year, and is lightweight so easy to move around the garden. It stand out and the effect can be dramatic.
• Traditional-looking wooden swing seats blend well with the natural surroundings. You’ll need to treat the wood every year to keep it in good condition. Keep it sustainable by choosing pressure-treated, FSC-certified timber.

Want comfort? Get a swing seat with cushions

Some swing seats don’t have cushions, just a wooden seat on chains. Choose a soft cushioned swing seat for the ultimate lounge, and make sure the cushions are both removable and showerproof. And prepare to store them somewhere dry when it’s winter, very wet, or you’re not using the swing. For the best possible comfort, insist on cushions more than 5cm thick so you can’t feel the bar under the seat.

Look for quality fixings

Quality garden swing seats come with tough, strong fixtures and fittings. The hooks are made to take the right amount of weight. The chains are strong enough for the job. The screws are properly countersunk if it’s a wooden chair, smooth to the surface or covered with a little cap if it’s a metal frame.

Examine the overall look and feel

Have a close look at the swing chair you’re thinking about buying. Make sure the metal doesn’t have any sharp bits sticking out, and that the wood hasn’t splintered. Quality is often a matter of the details. If something feels lighter than it should, step away. If there’s anything loose, don’t buy. If the materials feel cheap, they probably are. If the design isn’t particularly nice, it can be a sign they haven’t taken much care over it.

Alternatively, keep things simple: take a look at our swing chair collection and rely on the quality, the build, and the lifespan.

Need help with choosing the perfect swing chair?

Just ask. We’re always pleased to help.