Bean Bag Chairs

Bean bag chairs are a new classic piece of furniture for informal living rooms, bedrooms, even bars! Cozy, colorful, fun and simple to move around, these seats are appealing especially for young, active people who take life easy! If you are looking for information on how to choose your first bean bag chair and what to look for in this piece of furniture, here we will tell you all you need to know, so keep reading.

In this article, we will begin by explaining you what bean bag chairs are. Then, we will discuss the different types available, how much money can you spend on them, and how should you choose the one that better suits your needs. Finally, we will give you some useful tips for making the right choice. After reading this, you will be able to choose the best bean bag chairs for your home.

Also known as sofa bags, bean bag chairs are typically made of fabric and filled with some kind of material that makes them soft and strong at the same time. The first chairs that came into the market were filled with actual bead beans, but they were replaced by polystyrene beads eventually. Nowadays, as technology has advanced, its innards consist on small pieces of Styrofoam or PVC pellets, with a diameter that varies from 3mm to 9mm. There is also a micro-bead variety that ranges from 1mm to 3mm in diameter. Depending on the quality of your bean bag chair, the filling can last many years, or become compressed and the firmness reduced. In that situation, you always have the chance to refill the chair.

Simple, yet elegant, bean bag chairs appeared in the 1960’s, in Italy. They became very popular then, and even when their popularity waned in the 1990's, nowadays they have made a comeback. Many people are paying attention to details such as comfort and relaxation, and a traditional sofa or a regular chair does not adjust to your bodyweight as well as bean bag chairs do.

Pay attention on the style you want to give to your decoration: a bean bag chair is a rather informal piece of furniture that will look great in a living room, in a bedroom (especially the children’s), or in a college dorm. It is not the best chair for kitchens or for homes that look too formal. On the other hand, young people who are moving away from their parents, or those who want to give their home more of a casual, easy-going look, may find this kind of chair the perfect complement.

When buying a bean bag chair, you should, first of all, consider which of the available designs you find more adequate. Bean bag chairs generally come in four basic designs:

- The teardrop: As the name implies, it is shaped like a teardrop. They are also called dorm bag chairs since they are widely popular among college students. Special for sitting comfortably after a long day of study and listening to your favorite music, the teardrop is a “social” chair, common in college dorms where students like to relax and have a talk with their friends. In fact, many of these chair's fabrics are in the school colors and also include the school logo.

- The sack: This is the most popular style of bean bag chairs. They get their name from their appearance when someone is sitting in them, because then, they sink down into it, and the sides come up around them... making them look just as if they were in a sack.. These bean bag chairs are round and very cushiony. Furthermore, since they come in a variety of sizes ranging from 3.5 feet to 8 feet in diameter, they may as well replace the traditional sofa. Two people could sit comfortably on them!

- The armchair: Also known as lounger bean bag chairs, these chairs come in a rectangular shape, range in size from 5 feet to 8 feet long, and are typically design to sit more than one person at the time. They are very comfortable seats that make you feel as if you were sitting on a real lounge chair.

- The cylinder: Also called “fatboy” chairs, these bean bag chairs are quite similar to the armchair, only that taller. This way, with the shape of a lounger and the softness of a sack chair, they combine the best of both models! Especially recommended for those who dislike sitting too close to the floor.

Bean bag chairs don’t cost a lot of money. In fact, its affordable price is, together with their style and softness, one of the main advantages of this product. The price may vary according to the different brands, but you should consider that price ranges for children’s chairs go from US$ 10 to US$ 60, and for adults’ chairs, from US$ 20 to US$ 300. So, as you can see, you don’t need to spend a fortune in them!

Should you buy a bean bag chair? Go try them on the store! You’ll find out, they are flexible, they are more comfortable than an ergonomic chair, and they provide plenty of back support. When you choose your design, consider the amount of space available at home (you may find a huge sack chair that you love, but if your room is rather small a teardrop chair may be better). As for their designs, they are endless! Choose a colour that goes well with the painting on the wall, and consider that lighter colours require more often cleaning. Always buy one that meets US Flammability and Safety Standards. And consider that the cover and liner seams should be double-stitched for strength.

Now that you know all these facts about bean bag chairs, you are ready to choose one, sit down and just enjoy relaxation!