Chaise Lounge - Chairs For Indoors And Outdoor

Can a chaise lounge chair help you relax? In this hectic, modern world, our home has become our haven. From sitting rooms directly attached to master bedrooms to luxurious soaking tubs with jetted streams for relaxation, a person’s home is their respite from the demands of the outside.

The furniture and décor of a home is not only a reflection of a person’s style, but can help guests to feel immediately comfortable in a space. Gone are the days when furniture was for purely functional or utilitarian purposes, because the aesthetic appeal of a room has become of paramount importance as well. For the home decorator looking to encourage relaxation in a gathering space, there is no better piece of furniture than a chaise lounge.

Broadly speaking, it is a form of flat reclined chair with a seat that is long enough to support the user’s legs. When shopping for one these days, a buyer will find a huge variety and selection of chaise lounges to choose from including indoor models that are upholstered in a variety of rich fabrics as well as outdoor models, made of more weatherproof materials, designed to withstand the exposure to the elements of outdoor spaces. Before we go shopping though, let us take a brief look at the history and evolution of the the chair to better appreciate this classic piece of furniture.

The chaise lounge itself can be considered a visually appealing combination of a day bed and a chair, and was first created in ancient Egypt as a comfortable seat upon which only royalty reclined.

Ancient Grecian artwork also frequently depicts the chaise lounge as the furniture of choice for the gods in need of a few moments respite. Even early African and Mexican cultures had their own versions of the day bed for the elite to enjoy. Throughout history and across the world, the idea of reclining with the feet raised even during the day was one that appealed to all cultures.

But it was really the French art and architecture of the 18th century Rococo period that brought the chaise lounge into the forefront of interior design and made it a focal piece for wealthy aristocrats and royalty. With its often ornately carved feet and arm rests, a quality chaise lounge was a challenge for any craftsman to create, which is why the lower classes were still restricted to using benches and stools for sitting in their homes.

The idea of furniture as a status symbol was cultivated even more by the various qualities of fabrics and woods available to construct the chaise. The more expensive the fabric and the rarer the wood, the more highly regarded the piece of furniture became.

The original French name for this furniture item was chaise longue, which literally translates to “long chair.” Through time, it has come to be known in English as a chaise lounge, directly referring to the activity and mood encouraged by this lovely piece.

In typical American fashion, it has also evolved from an item reserved solely for aristocracy to an item that can be purchased and used to furnish the homes of many different types of people, regardless of social status.

As it no longer must be created by hand by only the most skilled craftsmen, and because shipping bulky items of this type is no longer such a logistical challenge, chaise lounges are an excellent choice for any homeowner who seeks to make his or her home a comfortable one.

When a consumer shops for the right one, he or she will find many options to choose from. In terms of indoor chaise lounge chairs, the buyer can choose from the more ornate traditional designs or more sleek and streamlined contemporary designs.

He or she will also be able to choose from leather, fabric, or microsuede upholstery to match the décor of the home. If shopping for an outdoor chaise, the buyer will be able to choose between double and single chaises, metal framed, zero-gravity chaise lounges, and chaises constructed using whicker, wood, aluminum, and durable treated plastic.

Historically, the chaise lounge as a daybed was an indoor item, and is still frequently built and purchased as such.

Indoor chaises of the more traditional variety will generally have more curvaceous backrest and armrest designs, often adorned with embellishments such as nail trim, button tufted upholstery, decorative tassel fringes, and coordinating throw pillows. These chaise lounges are often upholstered in jacquard, silk shantung, toile, or microsuede. Ornately carved feet and muted, classic colors are signature to traditional chaise lounges.

The contemporary chaise will have a more sleek appearance, with clean lines, smooth fabrics, and fewer design details. Often these will not have armrests and will be upholstered in leather, microsuede, or poly-blend fabrics.

Some contemporary models feature an adjustable design so the owner can control the level of the recline in the chaise. These contemporary models can more frequently be purchased in bolder, brighter colors than their traditional counterparts, so are a good choice if the decorator is looking for a statement or accent piece for a room.

As outdoor living has become more popular, so has the outdoor chaise lounge. The materials and construction of the outdoor chaise versus the indoor varies greatly, but the focus on comfort and relaxation does not.

The outdoor chaise lounge can be constructed with durable textaline attached to the powder-coated steel frame using sling & strap technology. Or perhaps the homeowner would prefer the cozier look of a whicker frame topped with weather-resistant fabric-covered cushions. Traditional wood is also always an option when shopping for an outdoor chaise lounge. The wood is available in a variety of colors and finishes and can be topped with a wide array of colored weatherproof cushions.

For the perfect piece of furniture, the chaise lounge is hard to beat. Acting as a chair when needed and a bed if necessary, it is versatile, comfortable, and beautiful. It encourages relaxation and gives a space an overall feel of comfort.

A chaise lounge can be used indoors or out, and can be designed to complement any taste level and any décor. It is most certainly a must-have when creating a home design plan that is tasteful and comforting.