How the Adirondack chair became the seat of summer relaxation
When it comes to outdoor seating, one style rises above the rest: The Adirondack chair. For more than a century, this is the chair people seek out for its durability, good looks, and most of all, its comfort.
The story starts in Westport, New York (a town in the Adirondack Mountain range), when Thomas Lee decided to make a chair that fit his rugged lifestyle. According to family lore, he wanted something sturdy and balanced, and he spent three years perfecting his design. By 1903, he felt he hit the perfect formula, with a high back, plenty of armrest room, and the ideal slant for comfort and support.
According to Adirondack.net, a guide to the region, he gave his design to Harry Bunnell, a friend and carpenter, who adjusted it and got a patent in 1904. After decades of popularity as The Westport Chair, the design was updated in 1938 to use multiple slats of wood instead of one piece, offering more airflow and support.
Because of the chair’s origins and its popularity at health spas and getaways in the Adirondacks, the chair soon took on the area’s name. Today, as homeowners continue to invest in outdoor living, the US market for Adirondack chairs is estimated to be $1.4 billion, with 5-6% growth expected by 2033, according to Fortune Business Insights.
The team at Everett King Design loves using Adirondack chairs when designing an outdoor space. “They are perfect on a front porch, circled around the outdoor firepit, or stretched along the banks of a lake,” says founder Everett Waldrep. “Since they sink down more than your average chair, it’s great for that cozy feeling and provides a great armrest to set drinks.”
The most popular options are white or natural wood tones, though shoppers can find every shade in the rainbow, from bold red to subtle slate gray. “It is a fun way to incorporate color,” Waldrep says.
Models in naturally weather-resistant woods like teak and cedar remain popular, though brands like Polywood are growing thanks to high-density plastic that mimics wood while resisting weather and UV damage.
Pick your price point, material, and color scheme, and find the perfect chair that was designed with summer relaxation in mind.
Find Adirondack chairs at these local shops
185 Halton Road, Grenville
601 Congaree Rd., Greenville
17 Roper Mountain Rd., Greenville
2709 Powdersville Rd., EasleyA good selection, particularly for plastic models, is typically available at chains like Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, and World Market.
