Adirondack chairs are classic pieces of garden furniture that never go out of style. They are popularly used on terraces, balconies, beaches, and lakeside spots. Since they are made from solid wood and have a sturdy design, they are an investment that will last for many years when they are properly cared for.
Here we look at the various types of Adirondack chairs available and their typical dimensions so you can figure out which style is going to work best for you.
What is an Adirondack Chair?
An Adirondack chair is an iconic wooden, outdoor chair that is synonymous with country cottages and lazy summer days spent at the lake or on the beach. Although you may not know it as the Adirondack chair, this is a chair that most people will immediately recognize.
It is supposedly named after the Adirondack mountain region because the chair was popular among tuberculosis patients at a hospice there, where they would sit to enjoy the mountain air.
Other people know the chair as the Westport chair because it was created in Westport, New York, by Thomas Lee when he was vacationing there with his family in 1903. In Canada, this chair sometimes goes by the name ‘Muskoka chair’ because it is widely seen in the Muskoka region, where Ontarians popularly spend their summers.
The original Adirondack chair was made from simple planks of wood, with the seat being made from a single plank and the back being made from a single plank, but the Adirondack chair of today has evolved to contain several planks across each surface.
The simplicity of the design remains, and the chair is still known for being sturdy, comfortable, and stylish.
Types of Adirondack Chairs and Their Dimensions
Classic Adirondack Chair
The classic Adirondack chair has a simple and appealing style that features both rounded edges and straight lines. The back of this chair is slanted at a backward angle and has a curved silhouette at the top of the backrest. The seat of the chair also slants downwards towards the back so that users feel casual and relaxed.
The part of the chair which the knee bends fit around is curved, and the arm rests are wide and supportive. This is an iconic style of chair that is enormously popular across North America.
The dimensions of this chair are quite standard across the board, but they can vary by an inch or two in either direction. Typically, the height of a classic Adirondack chair from the base to the top of the backrest is between 34 inches and 35 inches.
The width of the seat is between 24 and 28 inches, but when you also factor in the armrests, the total width of the chair will be between 27 and 31 inches. The depth of the seat is typically around 22 inches, but the overall depth of the chair will be between 27 and 35 inches.
Modern Adirondack Chair
This is a modern take on the Adirondack chair, which will suit contemporary style homes better than the classic style. Modern Adirondack chairs have less curved features and a more streamlined look. The top of the backrest on a modern Adirondack chair will usually be straight rather than the rounded signature shape of a classic Adirondack chair.
This style of chair will also usually not be tilted back quite as deeply, which will give it an overall sleeker look.
If you are limited in space on a deck or in a backyard but still want a coastal vibe for your garden furniture, then the modern Adirondack chair could be a good compromise because it has the essence of the original classic Adirondack but with slightly smaller dimensions.
The height will be around 32 inches, and the total width, including armrests, will be approximately 26 to 27 inches. The total depth of the modern Adirondack chair is around 32 inches.
Folding Adirondack Chair
A folding Adirondack chair will look almost exactly like a regular Adirondack chair when it is in the open position, with similar dimensions to the classic version. The only difference is that these chairs are able to fold, which can make them more easily portable, and also means they can be reduced in size for more compact storage.
Adirondack Bench
An Adirondack bench looks like two Adirondack chairs joined together, with the central armrests removed. It creates a nice cozy spot to snuggle up with a loved one or pet on a summer evening. The dimensions of an Adirondack chair will vary between manufacturers, but typically the width of the bench will be approximately 55 inches and the total depth around 33 inches.
The height of the backrest will be around 28 inches, and the total height from base to the top of the backrest will be approximately 35 inches.
Child-Sized Adirondack Chair
Miniature versions of Adirondack chairs are available for the children in your family, so they have a designated place to sit that looks just like the adults’ seating. These chairs will vary in size, from 77 to 22 inches wide and 18 to 24 inches deep. The height will typically be between 23 and 29 inches.
Rocking Adirondack Chair
A rocking Adirondack chair combines the style of a classic Adirondack with a traditional rocking chair. These chairs will typically be bigger than other Adirondack chairs, with dimensions more similar to standard rocking chairs. You can expect a rocking Adirondack chair to be up to 40 inches tall, 30 inches wide, and 39 inches deep.
Extendable Adirondack Chair
Some classic Adirondack chairs have been upgraded to include a pull-out ottoman. In practice, the ottoman is folded beneath the seat of the chair and can be pulled out to function as a footrest, extending out from the front edge of the seat.
The dimensions of the chair will be the same as a classic Adirondack chair when the ottoman is not extended, but when it is folded out, it will add an additional 20 inches to the depth dimensions.
