Although sitting is quite a passive action, today there are very few things we do without it. Check it out:
we sit at our desks at the office. We sit to watch TV or play a game. We sit to eat. We sit to rest.
We sit at the beach. We sit at a game. We sit in class. We sit to annoy people. We sit to make them happy. We sit people down to calm them.
We sit at the bar to have a drink. And we could go on and on, but you get the picture.
Seeing as we sit so often, it just makes common sense that we put some level of thought and consideration into making the places we sit in as comfortable as possible. Because the truth is that the world we live in requires us to do less and less on our feet, so most of the time, even though we’re working, we are in one seat or another.
Now, especially because homes are becoming more and more cramped for space with more and more people moving to high-rent cities, there’s a need to find the balance between having good seats and saving space. Something just has to give. Yes, we need to sit, but yes, we also need to breathe, and a cramped home doesn’t help with that. Ergo, folding chairs.
Now, the introduction of folding chairs isn’t to rule out sofas and settees. No. Sofas are still really important for giving your living room a homey feel. But to increase the number of chairs in your home, especially for those times such as Thanksgiving when everyone comes around, a folding chair will come in handy.
And it isn’t just about your living room. In fact, folding chairs are even more necessary for outdoor purposes, like when you’re going camping or to the beach or something. With a folding chair that’s the perfect size and weight, you can literally go anywhere and you’ll still be as comfy as you like to be.
Today, we will point out a few things you need to consider while picking out a good folding chair. Remember, it’s not just about picking a folding chair; it has to be a good one for you and for the visitors that might sit on them. You know that there’s no better way to let a visitor know that he’s welcome than saying “have a seat.” The question now is what kind of seat is it going to be? Let’s show you how to pick a good one.
Price
There are different factors that come into play when discussing the price of a folding chair. Usually, they cost between $50 and about $150 or even more. Steel chairs normally cost more than other types, like say, vinyl or wood. Also, the small perks that come with your chair, like an insulated pocket where your drinks can keep cool, or an accompanying foldable table, could also naturally incur more cost.
Cheap folding chairs are a recipe for disaster and laughter (with the butt of the joke being you). We believe you already get the point. Since they are made of cheap materials, expecting them to hold up for long is expecting too much from them. Most cheap folding chairs aren’t even ergonomically designed to, at least, ensure your comfort. It’s just best to avoid them. Don’t be so carried away by the price tag that you compromise your comfort.
Features
Choosing a good folding chair might be easy for some, and not so much for others. Whatever the difficulty level this chore might present to you, we have taken the initiative to list some features you might want to consider when deciding on a particular folding chair. Take a look:
- Where Are You Going?
- Material
- Comfort
- Size Needed
- Your Storage Space
Let’s get into the details already!
Construction and Design
Whatever material you choose for your comfort, what’s crucial is that you choose something of a high quality. The frames come in different materials, such as metal, vinyl or wood. Any of these materials is fine as long as it is top quality.
But then, if you’re going for metal or wood, it becomes important to look for chairs that are finished. Especially if you’ll be using your chair outdoors a lot, the finish is highly important, as it ensures that your chair lasts regardless of the elements. So, ensure that they come finished, or at least, do that yourself when you get them.
Now to the seating material…
Many come as leather, or as foam and cloth. Leather is far easier to clean, as a quick wipe with a damp cloth will do the trick, but it also has its drawback. With continued exposure to heat, leather will buckle and crack, unlike cloth. Cloth, on the other hand, is harder to clean but will stand the heat, even though it’s still susceptible to wear and tear too.
Ensure that your chair is made in such a way that optimum comfort is guaranteed. Granted, you might not be able to test the chair before purchasing online, but always read reviews about any folding chair before you buy. And then when you buy it, make sure you sit in it for a while and see how comfortable it is. If it already makes you uncomfortable while you’re testing, it will make you (or worse, your guests) uncomfortable on your day out. So, simply return.
Performance and Ease of Use
The size you should get depends on the space available in your living room or garden, or wherever you intend to use the chair. Nonetheless, don’t get a chair that’s too light or too small, because you never know when you might get a visit from a really…you know… plus-sized person. So, get a regular-sized chair, but check your space first.
To extend the lifespan of your chair, you have to store it properly and carefully. You can go for stacking and standing carts or hand-hanging carts, so this way, you can easily transport your chair(s) from place to place.
Finally, choose a chair that’s suitable for your purpose. For instance, if you’re looking to take your chair to the beach, you’ll choose differently from someone who needs a folding chair for her garden, or the sidelines, or for camping. Thankfully, various manufacturers carry different kinds of chairs suited for these individual purposes.
Having perused our guide, we’re sure you understand more clearly what to look for to get a folding chair that’s best for you and your space. So, if you’re ready, it’s now time to meet our top five.
You made it! Yaay! Now run along and place the order on that chair that caught your fancy. Do it now!
