Comfortable Patio Chairs: Seat, Back and Arms

Comfortable Patio Chairs: Seat, Back and Arms for a Long Evening

By Alexandra PetterssonReviewed by Alexander TjernströmUpdated 1 November 2026

Short answer

Seat height: 18 in
Seat depth: 17 in
Table: 28 to 30 in

A comfortable garden chair has a seat at the right height for the table (18 in for a 30 in table), 17 in deep so it carries the thighs, a back that meets the lower back, and a seat that is dry when you sit down. Arms add the most comfort over a long dinner. For the hour after, a lounge chair sits lower and deeper.

Most garden chairs are bought standing up in a shop, and judged three hours into the first summer dinner. By then the faults are plain: a seat too high for the table, too deep or too shallow, a back that ends below the shoulder blades, a cushion still damp from the afternoon shower. The rules are the same as for a dining chair indoors, with one more added by the weather. This guide covers them, and how our four garden dining chairs answer each one.

What makes garden chairs comfortable?

Four things that apply to any dining chair, and one that only applies outside.

The seat height has to put you at the right height for the table, with your feet flat on the ground. The seat has to be deep enough to carry your thighs without pressing behind the knees. The back has to meet your lower back when you lean back. The seat has to hold its shape. Outdoors, add a fifth: the seat must drain, or comfort ends with the first shower.

Our comfortable dining chairs guide explains the four indoor rules in detail.

Which seat height and depth?

For a garden table at 28 to 30 in, a seat at 18 in, inside the typical 17.7 to 18.9 in. For depth, about 16 to 18 in suits most adults, with a hand's width between the front of the seat and the back of the knees.

All four have the same 18 in seat, 17 in deep, and stand 31 in tall, right for our Diana garden table at 30 in.

Which seat height and depth?
Chair	Seat	Arms	Width
Signe	Teak slats	Yes, at 25.5 in	19.7 in
Edith	Teak slats	No	17 in
Elsy	Mesh with an Oat cushion	Yes, at 25 in	19.7 in
Isa	Mesh with an Oat cushion	No	17 in

Teak or cushion: which is more comfortable?

The cushion, for a three-hour dinner. Elsy and Isa have a structural outdoor mesh in the seat and back that carries you and drains, with a wrap cushion in Oat olefin on top. The cushion is solution-dyed, lifts off and dries fast.

Teak, for the chair you never have to think about. Signe and Edith have slats that drain straight through, so the seat is dry soon after a shower and nothing has to be carried in. It is firmer, and it is the one to leave out all season.

Are garden chairs with arms more comfortable?

Yes, for long meals. Armrests carry the weight of your forearms and shoulders, make it easier to lean back between courses, and help older guests stand up.

They cost space: 19.7 in wide instead of 17 in. Outdoors we allow about 27.5 in of table edge per chair, so arms and cushions do not clash. A common mix is arms at the ends and none along the sides.

Dining chair or lounge chair for the evening?

A dining chair is for the table. When the plates are cleared and the evening goes on, a lounge chair sits lower and deeper and leans back. Kenny has a seat at 15 to 19 in, 21 in deep, with arms and an Oat cushion included.

Do not use lounge chairs at a dining table: your chin ends up at plate height. Our guides to garden lounge chairs and the most comfortable garden armchair cover the low seat.

How do you keep a garden chair comfortable?

Keep the seat dry and the cushion clean. Stand the cushions on edge after rain, bring them in for long wet spells and over winter, and wash marks with mild soapy water. Our outdoor cushion guide has the routine.

The frames are welded stainless steel, so there are no bolts to work loose.

Right height, right depth, a back, and a dry seat

With arms: Signe, Elsy, 19.7 in
Without arms: Edith, Isa, 17 in
Per chair: about 27.5 in of table

A comfortable garden chair puts you at the table at 18 in, carries your thighs at 17 in deep, meets your lower back and drains. Arms for long dinners, a lounge chair for after. Signe and Edith in teak, Elsy and Isa with olefin cushions, all on stainless steel. Welded in Sweden, 10-year warranty.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most comfortable garden chair?

One with a seat at the right height for your table, about 17 in deep, a back that meets the lower back, armrests for long meals, and a seat that drains.

What seat height is comfortable at a garden table?

18 in for a table of 28 to 30 in.

Are mesh garden chairs comfortable?

Yes. The mesh carries you and drains. On Elsy and Isa a cushion in Oat olefin sits on top.

Are garden chairs with arms worth it?

For long dinners, yes. They need more table edge: about 27.5 in per chair outdoors.

Do the cushions come with the chair?

Yes on Elsy and Isa, in Oat olefin. Signe and Edith are teak.

Can I sit at a dining table in a lounge chair?

Not comfortably. A lounge chair is lower and deeper, so the table ends up too high.