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Make the Most of Your Patio Space with Folding Patio Chairs

Having folding patio chairs is excellent when you’re short on space and would like to be able to get those chairs out of the way fast and have them occupy as little space as possible.

Folding Patio Chairs

With a variety of different materials to choose from and designs that could easily match outdoor wooden dining tables or round metal bistro tables, folding patio chairs are just as versatile as they are practical. Today’s article is dedicated to all those looking to spruce up their patios or balconies, showing them what a quality outdoor folding chair looks like.

Top 3 Picks

Budget Pick: Zic-Zac Folding Patio Dining Chair

“Super fun and well made outdoor chair. Good price too.” (Customer review)

High Weight Capacity: Spiers Folding Patio Dining Chair

Made with a sturdy metal frame and high-quality plastic seating and backrest, the Spiers folding chair can hold up to 330 pounds in weight, which is pretty impressive.

Best Set: Kriebel Rattan Folding Patio Dining Chair

“They feel like they are well made. And they are very comfortable. We had friends over and we all set in them for four hours with no complaints.” (Customer review)

Folding Chair Materials

Folding patio chairs can be made from a variety of different materials and can even combine two or more of them to bring unique features to the table. Even so, there are three primary materials that you can expect to see in a folding patio chair construction:

Wood

Wooden chairs are usually high in durability, can support a lot of weight, and most of them are treated so they can be all-weather resistant. When properly constructed, the surface of the wooden chairs offers scratch-resistance, and their design makes them suitable for indoor use if needed.

Metal

Metal is known for being a very popular choice when it comes to outdoor chairs, but the chair needs to have rust-resistant coating in order for it to withstand a little moisture without deteriorating. While heavier compared to other chairs, they are also highly durable and can withstand friction and frequent use. The scratch-resistant surface makes this chair perfect for patios with high traffic.

Plastic

People often think that plastic chairs are automatically low-quality products, but they can actually be quite durable if they are constructed properly. Some models even have finishes that can imitate a wooden or a metal look. They are easy to clean, lighter in weight, and easier to transport because of that. They can have weather-resistant properties too.

Choosing a Patio Folding Chair

You might know everything that’s needed in order to buy a regular chair, but patio folding chairs have different requirements and features considering the fact that they need to be more portable and offer a certain degree of weather resistance to ensure long-term durability. When you’re out looking for the ideal folding patio chairs, here are some of the most important shopping considerations to keep in mind:

Type

Folding outdoor chairs can be categorized depending on their design and what they are meant to do. If you want a folding camping chair, you’re mostly interested in lightweight and portability, in which case water-resistant fabrics and metal frames with rust-resistant features are the way to go. Some chairs are designed with zero-gravity features, offering a high degree of comfort. Some other popular types include sling chairs, bistro chairs, or even foldable rocking chairs.

Size

The size of your future foldable patio chair is important for two reasons: you want the chair to fit into the given outdoor space you have in mind, and you want it to have a compact size when folded so it can be easier to transport and store. The width of the seat is another important thing to look into. The majority of adult seats have widths that range between 23 and 31 inches, while the backrest can be 30 to 40 inches high. The standard height for folding chair seat height is around 17 inches from the ground.

Materials

As we’ve mentioned before, there are different materials used to make a patio chair, but the weather-resistance feature is not negotiable regardless of the material used. For instance, metal chairs should always have a powder-coated steel frame for more durability. Chairs that have fabric in their construction should use mesh or waterproof nylon weave. When it comes to wood, teak, redwood, and cedar are the best choices, as they are more resistant to water damage.

Weight capacity

Depending on the materials used and how the chair is constructed, it can have a higher or lower weight capacity. Folding chairs should be able to support between 200 and 400 pounds if they are designed for adults, while those made for children should support between 75 and 120 pounds in weight.

Related: Best Zero Gravity Chair for Lounging in Style

Comfort

Foldable patio chairs should be comfortable if you want anyone to actually sit in them, yourself included. You want to look for features that include curved backs that support the spine’s natural alignment, and materials that are breathable and will prevent your skin from sticking to the chair or sweating too much during the summer.

Best Folding Patio Chairs

Burdette Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

The first suggestion for today’s list comes in the shape of a foldable wooden chair with a sling design that is capable of holding up to 250 pounds in weight. It has a weather-resistant construction, so it’s protected from everything from mildew to UV light. It measures 36” H x 24” W x 25” D and has an overall weight of 16 pounds. It is the type of chair that you could always use on your patio and might even serve as additional seating in front of your indoor fireplace.

Sela Folding Stacking Patio Dining Armchair

Folding Patio Chairs

When you’re looking to spend money on a convenient set of four foldable chairs, this is an option worth considering. These sling-type chairs are designed with a steel frame that promises to offer rust, water, and UV resistance. Each of the chairs can support up to 260 pounds in weight and measures 34.48” H x 22.46” W x 26.85” D. With only 8.75 pounds in weight, they are super easy to carry around and move in and out of storage without too much effort.

Georgia Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

Inspired by director seats, the Georgia folding chairs are made from solid eucalyptus wood and have a comfortable and practical design that we can definitely get on board with. Designed to withstand up to 250 pounds in weight, these chairs come in a set of two products, with each of them measuring 34” H x 21.5” W x 21” D. The only sad part is that the UV-resistant fabric that’s used in the construction of the chair can only be washed by hand.

Westhampton Indoor/Outdoor Folding Teak Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

Teak furniture has quite an impeccable reputation because of the wood natural properties that make it super resistant and one of the best choices for outdoor furniture production. We’ve included this set of two folding chairs to this list not just because of their high-quality teak construction, but also because they can hold up to 300 pounds in weight and the lightweight 15-pounds construction that makes it pretty easy to move them around.

Kriebel Rattan Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

The Kriebel set includes four foldable chairs made from rattan and that offer a set of features we just can’t neglect. Each of the chairs in this set has overall dimensions of 37” H x 22.8” W x 24” D and can support up to 250 pound of weight per piece. Made from durable rattan, the chairs are resistant against various weather elements, offering seating for your patio, outdoor kitchen, or even by the pool.

Bret Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

Designed from quality acacia wood, this set of two folding patio chairs is perfect for those who want a sturdy product with a total weight capacity of 300 pounds per chair. Every chair in the set measures 35.2” H x 15” W x 16” D and features a water and mildew-resistant construction.

Jackson Heights Outdoor Foldable Bistro Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

If your patio design is focused on delivering a bistro-like experience that is reminiscent of Greek or Italian vacations, then you have to check out this set of bistro-style chairs. Combining an acacia wooden frame and rattan seating and backrest, these chairs can support up to 300 pounds in weight each, measuring 33.25” H x 18.25” W x 21” D per piece.

Culbreath Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

Another gorgeous option for bistro-style patios is this set of two metal chairs that have a distressed appearance and would look perfect in all kinds of patio setups. The green-patinated metal has an antique look and details on the backrest that are just beautiful to look at. Every chair measures 37.5” H x 16.5” W x 16.5” D and can support a maximum weight of 200 pounds. The seating portion of the chairs could use a set of cushions, which are available as a separate purchase.

Aguirre Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

This safari-inspired set of two patio chairs offers a foldable design that’s super practical for those of you looking to save up patio space when not seated. Measuring 37.25” H x 20.5” W x 15” D and capable of supporting up to 250 pounds in weight, these chairs combine a natural bamboo construction and woven natural fiber to offer maximum strength for the seating and backrest.

Jolien Living Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

If you love mosaic-style furniture, then you have to check out what the Jolien has to offer. It consists of two chairs that are designed from powder-coated iron for extra strength and durability. Each chair measures 33.9” H x 20” W x 15.4” D and offers support for a maximum weight of 264 pounds. The waterproof ceramic seat is another feature worth mentioning, as it creates a product that’s easy to clean and looks absolutely stunning overall.

Zic-Zac Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

Made from plastic, this foldable chair is designed to offer ease of cleaning, weather resistance, and lightweight construction that makes it easy to move your chair around without putting in too much effort. The chair measures 33.2” H x 17.7” W x 20.3” D and weighs less than nine pounds, being one of the most lightweight products we’ve seen today.

Spiers Folding Patio Dining Chair

Folding Patio Chairs

Our last suggestion for today is a folding chair that combines a steel metal frame with a gorgeous chrome finish and plastic resin reading and backrest. The chair measures 30” H x 19” W x 19” D and has a total weight of 11 pounds. The combination of materials and the transparency of the seating might have you fooled in thinking this is not a strong chair, but the fact that it can support up to 330 pounds in weight is here to prove otherwise.

FAQ

What is the most comfortable folding chair?

The most comfortable folding chairs are either those with a sling-type design or those that offer padded upholstery. If you want to purchase chairs that lack these two properties and still have a comfortable seating experience, we recommend investing in water-resistant cushions for the seating area.

Where can I buy inexpensive patio furniture?

Those of you looking for inexpensive patio furniture can either access websites such as Wayfair, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc. or look for deals and offer straight on manufacturer websites. Take note that once the warm season ends, you are likelier to find good deals on patio furniture.

Who makes the best folding chairs?

There are many different good folding chairs out there, so it really depends on what you’re looking to get from such a piece of furniture. For instance, REI makes some of the best folding camping chairs available, while brands like Ebern Designs and Fleur de Lis have some of the best models for your patio.

Who has the best outdoor patio furniture?

There are plenty of online and brick-and-mortar shops where you can find quality outdoor furniture for your patio. Assuming that you’re looking to shop online, look for offers either directly on manufacturer websites or check out some of the best and most popular third-party retailers, such as Overstock, Wayfair, or Amazon.

In Conclusion

Shopping for folding patio chairs can be intimidating if you consider the many different options that are available on the market. Keep in mind that different materials will have different properties, but will also influence the end price of the product. Consider what type of chair would suit you best, how much weight you want it to hold, how much money you have to spend, and how easy it is to move it around.