I’m on a quest for a set of wonderful chairs for our outdoor deck area. I need to store them during the bad weather, so I’m looking for outdoor folding chairs. But I don’t want the standard folding chair: I want my entertainment setting to be luxurious and opulent. Can I do that with folding outdoor chairs?

I also want something that looks like plush “indoor” furniture but which works outdoors just as well. I need attractive design, extra-comfortable construction: and both of these with durability and weather-resistant materials. I want to avoid the expected rag-tag webbed seating or the look of cheap metal outdoor folding chairs. And I have a reasonable budget – but I don’t want to break the bank. So what are my choices?

The manufacturer International Caravan offers several styles of the outdoor folding chair that might fit my need. One option is their Caravan Folding Chair for around $85. It’s widely available both in local stores and online at Wal-Mart and other retailers. I particularly like the bold wide wooden arm rests that also curve down to form the front legs. The actual frame support is a dark tubular metal, but at first glance the chair appears to be made of wood. The seating is a padded micro-suede material, so the impression the chair gives is that it is luxurious, comfortable and not restricted to outdoor use. Yet the Caravan Chair does fold, stores easily and even comes with a carrying bag.

International Caravan also offers its Steinly Outdoor Folding Patio Bar Chair. This too is an outdoor folding chair that could look at home indoors as well as outdoors on the deck. This item is constructed completely of wood and looks very classy. The attractive design on the fabric of the padded cushion seat can be matched to the décor of my entertainment area in colors and ambiance. The chair appears in several different stores and is available online as well, through Wal-Mart or Amazon, for example. The price varies, though, so I’ll probably go with the Amazon $125 rather than Wal-Mart’s $145 (prices are approximate and are subject to change, of course.) The weight of the chair is 33 pounds, so it will be a solid, stable addition to the seating I’m planning for the deck.

Photo by roger_mommaerts

I need one more complementary piece of seating, and I like the looks of the International Caravan 2 Seater Love seat. This item mirrors the sweeping wooden armrest and front leg of their Caravan Folding Chair, so the combination with this love seat will help pull together the furniture placed around the deck. The love seat is also built around the steel frame and uses the same micro-suede fabric for seating. I’ll plan to match the fabric colors for a final touch of elegance.

There will be children in the group for the first gathering I’m planning. I’ve decided against having kids’ outdoor folding chairs: the love seat will give a sturdy seating option for the younger folks without restricting the use for adults. And with a sales price of around $129, this option offers me the greatest use for my budget.

I am surprised to find that it is possible to do “opulent” and luxurious with simple outdoor folding chairs. And the prices aren’t bad, considering I’m getting something great for this weekend – and something that will store and look great for the indoor entertaining as well. Mission accomplished!

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