What better way to soak up the sun than by treating yourself to a traditional wooden deck chair with a fabric canvas seat? Just right for the garden, patio, beach or post barbecue nap, these folding loungers come in gorgeous designs, sometimes with cushions, sometimes with vintage style material, often cheap and always the perfect place to relax, read or soak up some rays.
From John Lewis to Argos to Amazon, there are plenty of great places to find a stylish deck chair, many of which branch away from the classic recliner with stripes, and feature a canopy cover, cup holder or even a footrest! We've searched for the ten best deck chairs in the UK (including a personalised option!) and ranked them according to beauty, practicality, price and comfort. It's time to buy your very own piece of fabulous summer furniture!
Quick List - Top Deck Chairs
Ferocity
Personalised and Waterproof With an Adjustable Back and a Range of Colours
SUNMER
The Ultimate Relaxing Chair Featuring Sun Shades, Phone Holders and Comfy Cushions
Habitat
A Jungle Printed Chair That’s Both Weather-Resistant and Adjustable
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The traditional wooden deck chair not only gets you straight into the seaside spirit with its nautical sailor stripes and rustic varnished frame, but they're also lightweight (usually around 5 or 6 kg) and easy to fold up, making it a brilliant choice if you're off to the coast.
Classic deck chairs are the perfect partner to a picnic blanket, allowing you to lie back and soak up the sun or sit up straight to read your favourite novel or devour a Mr Whippy cone with a chocolate flake.
A possible downside of the old fashioned deck chair is that it has no armrests and is not the most comfortable choice of seat. They can also be quite tricky to get up from, especially if you're a little older.
Need a changing robe to manoeuvre into your cossie at the beach?
If you plan on using your chair mainly for absorbing that precious vitamin D in your own space, such as a conservatory, garden or patio, a classic deck chair would be fine, but, a metal-framed sun lounger with a comfy seat could be even better! The heavier material means these chairs can become a permanent feature in the garden as they can withstand high winds and the trademark British rainfall.
Sun loungers mimic the shape of a traditional beach deck chair, however, some designs include armrests and other features, which we'll explore more below. This type of chair is definitely not as easy to transport, as the hefty metal frame can weigh 8kg or more. This lounger-style beach seat will likely appeal to older daytrippers or sun-aholics who value comfort above all.
If you're shopping for wooden deck chairs, it's worth looking out for wood that's been treated with waterproof and weatherproof varnish. This will guarantee a durable chair that stands up to seawater and the good old British rain!
We also recommend buying a product that uses FSC certified timber which stands for The Forest Stewardship Council. They're a non-profit body promoting responsible, sustainable forestry in the UK.
While wooden deck chairs are excellent for their portability, metal sun loungers are the best for creating a permanent comfy garden spot. However, unless you fancy moving it inside every time the heavens open, your chair will need to withstand all weather conditions.
If you are buying a metallic sun lounger, consider one crafted with a powder coating. This waterproofs it and prevents rusting, which allows you to get more use out of your sun chair and means you can keep it outside when, no doubt, it will start to rain!
Another popular material for deck chairs is thick, soft canvas, which is used in the main deck chair seat. Polyester is a cheaper option, however, canvas is much more durable and less flimsy.
If your deck chair is designed with a canvas seat, make sure the material has been treated with a waterproofing spray. This will protect your chair for years, preventing any mould or mildew from soaking into the fabric.
Even classic deck chairs have a few nifty features that help them stand out from the pack. Below we'll point out a few additions to look for to make your sunbathing experience the deep exhale it really should be!
Cup holder: Provides the perfect place to rest your tea, beer or fizz!
Phone holder: Some fancy patio loungers have a slot to keep your smartphone safe.
Cushion or pillow: For your head to improve your resting experience.
Footrest: Many sun chairs can be lifted at the bottom so you can easily put your feet up.
Protective shade: Perfect if you love the sun's warmth but are sensitive to the effects of its rays, try a sun lounger with a protective shade to keep you cool.
If your lounger doesn't have a protective shade, sun hats can work just as well!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Habitat Geo Orange Wooden Deck Chair | ![]() | A Lightweight Zingy Orange Chair With Deep Varnished Finish | |
2 | Ferocity Personalised Folding Wooden Deck Chair | ![]() | Personalised and Waterproof With an Adjustable Back and a Range of Colours | |
3 | SUNMER Set of 2 Garden Sun Lounger Deck Chairs | ![]() | The Ultimate Relaxing Chair Featuring Sun Shades, Phone Holders and Comfy Cushions | |
4 | Habitat Wooden Deck Chair - Global Market | ![]() | A Jungle Printed Chair That’s Both Weather-Resistant and Adjustable | |
5 | Outsunny Set of 2 Patio Recliners with Cushions | ![]() | A Pair of Cushioned, Striped Deck Chairs With Armrests and a Comfortable Seat | |
6 | Valdern Wooden Folding Decking Chair for Kids | ![]() | A Fun, Portable Shark Chair for Juniors Made From Hardwearing Materials | |
7 | Amazon Basics Padded Zero Gravity Chair | ![]() | Comfortable Deck Chair Featuring Cushioned Pillows and a Footrest | |
8 | UK-Gardens Garden Recliner With Cushion | ![]() | A Cosy Cushioned Chair Made With a Brightly Patterned Fabric and Armrests | |
9 | Harbour House Traditional Folding Wooden Beach Deck Chair | ![]() | A Cheap, Cheerful and Adjustable Foldable Yellow Deck Chair | |
10 | Woodside Traditional Folding Beach Chair | ![]() | Classic Seaside Stripes With Tasteful, Darkly Varnished Wood |
We love the overall look of this chair! It matches the class and taste we've come to expect from the elegant yet joyful home decor brand Habitat. The well-loved UK interiors company favour sustainable materials, and using FSC certified timber and ethically sourced, weather-resistant canvas, this chair is no different.
The colour is bright and mood-boosting, and the dreamily smooth wood is varnished to glossy golden perfection (just as you will be after an hour or two lying back in this accommodating beach chair!) Weighing 4.8 kg, it's also totally transportable!
Never fight over a deck chair at the beach again with this ultra laid-back chair that can be personalised with a message of your choice! This would also make a winning gift idea for the sun hog in your world. This chair comes in a range of chirpy rainbow colours, so you could order his and hers deck chairs or one for each kid!
The medium-weight means that it's nice and sturdy whilst still being a totally realistic weight for folding up and packing into the car or caravan. The polyester seat is treated with a waterproofing spray and is quick-drying - a worthwhile feature for any deck chair intended for the UK! The backrest can also be adjusted, and there's even a space for your cup.
This is another set of chairs that has opted for comfort over old-fashioned British charm by packing the design with clever features and practical perks. Of course, you can take these to the beach if you really want, but we think they are perfect for garden furniture.
However, we really love the sensible sun shades that keep your face protected from those harmful rays, the handy cup and phone holder trays, the mini head cushions, and the fact that you have a footrest option. The steel is powder-coated to prevent rusting, too; great news!
While this is a stunning piece of kit, it's not just the uplifting tropical print that will tickle your fancy. The polished wooden frame is covered in weather-resistant varnish to guarantee it keeps its appearance and strength even under a classic British cloudburst.
You can choose from three different heights and fold this chair for easy transportation, and weighing just 4.8 kg, it's a sensible choice for even small cars. The FSC certification on the timber also means it meets the maximum possible environmental and social requirements. We can see it looking perfect against a bold garden wall, yellow cushions and lots of plants.
You won't be able to resist these delightful striped chairs, and once you're lying down, getting back up becomes a distant dream. This option comes in at a fairly reasonable price for two chairs, so you and your partner or housemate can settle back and soak up the sun side-by-side.
While these chairs take the original look of a deck chair as their model, the armrests bring them just outside the classic beach chair category. The spongy layer is soft enough to sink into and provides the comfort you deserve after fighting your way to the best spot on the sand! These chairs are also made of powder-treated steel, so they can become a permanent patio feature for the rest of the year.
For the budding sun worshipper in your life, we think this cute mini-sized deck chair would serve as a lovely summer treat or birthday gift. This fun option from Amazon comes with a hardwearing wooden frame, however, the fabric is untreated, so we wouldn't advise leaving it out in the rain.
We adore the unique shark print, and as the deck chair weighs just 1.5 kg, it's a convenient option for popping in the car boot and whisking off to the beach. It can withstand up to 35 kg of weight and folds like a classic deck chair for easy storage.
OK, these aren't the whimsical postcard deck chairs that spring to mind when you hear the phrase, but they are pretty blinking comfortable. They do, however, weigh slightly more than the kind of chair you'll be slinging into your boot during the next heatwave, almost 10 kg each, to be exact. However, what they are just right for is a spot of sunbathing in the back garden.
Amazon reviewers have given plenty of hearty reviews for these lazy loungers, saying they're extra comfy and the footrests make you feel weightless. We've kept them to the lower end of our ranking as some customers claim they're less steadfast than they appear online. That said, the cushioned pillows and spongy backrest definitely make them kinder to tired limbs than a classic deck chair.
This cosy seat from UK-Gardens will be an excellent addition to your backyard. From the spongy cushioning which you'll sink back into instantly to the foldable design that makes it easy to put it up and down, it's practical, comfy, and just as suited to camping as a day beside the sea.
Weighing just over 8kg, it's totally portable, plus it folds up nicely, but it is a little heavy to carry if you're going far. The plastic arms are a great addition and can be used to adjust the gradient of the tilt, allowing you to get in the perfect position to relax in.
Sometimes less really is more, and this selection of simple, sturdy chairs, available in six bright colours or charming red and white stripes, just screams fish and chips, freezing waves and a seagull nicking your candyfloss. You can easily fold this classic wooden deck chair, and as it weighs just 5 kg, it's not too hefty to lug towards the water's edge.
It can be adjusted to three heights and is pretty well-rated by reviewers who say it's decent for the price. The frame is a lot slimmer than most chairs in our top ten countdown, so we feel that this may not be the most reliable option, especially on an uneven pebble beach. The price tag is friendly, though, and the colours are gorgeous.
Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside...You can't really help but start humming that when you spy this chair, can you? From the nostalgic candy stripes to the tasteful, darkly varnished wood, it's both pleasing to behold and light enough to take on beach adventures.
Sadly, a few reviewers have mentioned that it's quite small for the price and that the seat itself has little give meaning it doesn't offer that 'take the day off' comfort of some of the other chairs we've recommended. That said, for a fairly priced, simple deck chair to enjoy your ice lolly in, we still rate it!
One of the best ways to wash the canvas on deck chairs is with a good old fashioned scrubbing!
No. 1: Habitat|Geo Orange Wooden Deck Chair
No. 2: Ferocity|Personalised Folding Wooden Deck Chair
No. 3: SUNMER|Set of 2 Garden Sun Lounger Deck Chairs
No. 4: Habitat|Wooden Deck Chair - Global Market
No. 5: Outsunny|Set of 2 Patio Recliners with Cushions
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