Guest Picks: Blissful Outdoor Relaxing
I'd never put outdoor lounging and beanbag chairs together until I saw this smart-looking quilted version in person. Sinking into it with a book seems far more preferable to awkwardly adjusting in a chair to get comfortable. And it's just as at home indoors as out, so you can drag it inside whenever you want and enjoy it year-round.
The steel tubular frame snaking through loops of recycled black PVC gives this chair a hint of an industrial look, and that's just enough to give your backyard an unexpected edge. You could follow through with the style in the landscaping (cinder blocks, anyone?) or contrast its coolness against the textures of a bright, lush garden.
The Svinga hanging chair for adults offers a more elegant shape and refined weave than the child's version, packing in a lot of style at a reasonable price. I like the gray option that will stay cooler in the sun and shows off that lovely woven texture.
Two people can fit in this wide hammock, meaning you've got lots of space to stretch out if you're lounging solo. I like the open-weave padded strips that act as a cushion and allow airflow, so you'll be comfortable on a hot day. And it looks great too.
I love the arc-shaped design of this wooden hammock stand — it's a force to be reckoned with. Having your own stand offers flexibility with hammock options in terms of style, and this model can be adjusted to accommodate different hammock sizes so you have lots of choices.
No doubt this onion-shaped daybed is a wish-list item, but it deserves a look for its fantastic design. The oval structure and plush bedding create a cocoon-like environment for relaxing, while the open weave allows airflow. As for the finish on the top, a bit of fantasy is always welcome, isn't it?
I'm not sure whether this recyclable polyethylene chair in the Baroque style is meant to amuse or not, but you can't take it all that seriously in its array of acid hues. It's pure fun! I love the idea of a backyard throne of sorts to sit in with a book.
I don't know how I'd remain conscious during the day if I had this bed-like lounger in my backyard. Its substantially thick cushion atop a black rattan base looks straight out of a pampering spa. Just add a side table for your pitcher of ice water and lemon, and call your pedicurist.
Daybeds with canopies can be very expensive, but this one seems like a good value — considering it comes with six thick cushions and a matching rattan coffee table that slides under the cutout in the base when not in use.
Who wouldn't want to hang around in the air, swaddled in organic cotton? This hammock chair is an inexpensive way to relax outdoors and a great alternative to the traditional hammock because it requires just a single tree. Put a high table in front of it to set a drink on so that you don't have to get out before you're ready.
The high-back sofa is already one of those drool-worthy pieces, but it also offers some luxurious benefits for outdoor use: The extended back and sides protect you from the wind and offer a private and cozy alcove-like setting for relaxing.
A good-sized, comfy ottoman with a firm cushion such as this one is a practical piece for outdoors. When you're not putting your feet up on it (shoeless, of course — it's white), it can be used as a bench or a place to set food or drink trays.
Kids don't usually park themselves for long when they're outside, so a seat they can move and play around with makes a lot of sense. These beanbag cubes are great for extra seating for family parties, and they add some fun pops of color to your outdoor space.
I love that you can shape-shift this sofa/daybed into whatever configuration suits your mood or space. Create a U- or L-shaped sofa by moving and rotating the two free pieces, which can also be used separately as ottomans or together as a lounger. And you have the option of buying a glass tabletop to replace the cushion for a proper coffee table.
I smiled when I saw this daybed and imagined how it would look in the backyard; it's just like a real double bed with the pillows propped up. It's perfect if you want to relax with a friend or just spread out. It also easily converts into a sofa or lounging sofa, if that will make you happier.
A heart-shaped daybed is a sweet idea for couples, and it's kind of nice to have that little bit of separation with the head space, isn't it? This will work especially well for couples in which one is significantly shorter than the other, unless you think crossing ankles is romantic! And when alone, you can use the empty side to rest a drink tray and keep spare magazines handy.
I love the sun but I don't like getting burned (or even tanning at my age to be honest), so a self-shading lounger is a great piece for safer summer indulgence. The seat hangs in a way that allows you to adjust for the most comfortable position, and its "helicopter" styling looks pretty cool too.
This little outdoor refuge does almost everything but bring you lemonade. You can swing on the comfy couch or turn it down to make a bed, and the roof is vented to keep the air from getting too stuffy. And you can enjoy it without bugs buzzing around you by pulling the netted curtains closed. Pure bliss.
I think relaxing is always enhanced by beautiful surroundings. This wrought iron gazebo decorated in Victorian scrolls envelops a lovely swing and brings it all to you at once. Unlike most outdoor furniture, this makes for a stunning feature in the garden that can be enjoyed just as much when it's sitting idle as when it's being used.Next: Screen Outdoor Furniture From the Sun
This is a special piece. Designed in 1946, it was featured in two iconic Julius Shulman photographs: Pierre Koenig’s "Case Study House #22" and Richard Neutra’s "Kaufman House." It has been re-engineered for durability, and the cord that creates the gorgeous tension of the lounger's body was switched from cotton to marine, nautical-grade rope. It would be most perfect poolside at a midcentury modern home.
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