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Outdoor Chaise Lounges: The Complete Buying Guide There's a particular kind of afternoon that only happens with the right outdoor chaise lounge — the kind where you actually stop, let the sun settle into your shoulders, and forget for a while that you have a to-do list. If you're shopping for one, the options can feel overwhelming quickly. Rattan or aluminum? Zero gravity or classic recline? Set of two or splurge on one great piece? This guide cuts through it so you can get back to the part that matters: actually using the thing. What to Look for in an Outdoor Chaise Lounge The best outdoor chaise lounge isn't necessarily the most expensive one — it's the one that fits how you actually live. Before you buy, ask yourself a few honest questions: Is this going poolside, on a deck, or on a patio with some shade? Will it live outside year-round or get stored each winter? Are you buying for quiet solo reading or for a household that drags furniture around constantly? The answers will point you toward the right material and style more reliably than any star rating. Classic wicker construction with a fully adjustable backrest — exactly what a sun-drenched afternoon calls for. Shop this → One thing worth mentioning upfront: don't overlook sets. A single statement lounge looks great in a photo, but two chairs flanking a small side table is how you actually end up using the space — for two people, for a drink, for a book. Most of our most-loved pieces come in sets for exactly this reason. The Rattan Chaise Lounge Set of 2 with Side Table — our most popular outdoor lounge configuration, and honestly, it's easy to see why. Shop this → Outdoor Chaise Lounge Materials: What Each One Actually Means for You Material choice is the single biggest factor in how much maintenance your lounge requires and how long it holds up. Here's a practical breakdown. PE Rattan and Wicker PE rattan (synthetic wicker) is the most popular material for outdoor chaise lounges, and for good reason. It handles UV exposure and moisture far better than natural rattan, resists fading, and stays looking clean with minimal effort. Personally, I find it easier to maintain than almost anything else — a quick wipe-down and it looks new again. The woven texture also adds visual warmth that bare metal frames can't match. Aluminum Aluminum frames are the workhorses of outdoor furniture. They're rust-proof, lightweight enough to actually move around, and they pair beautifully with clean, modern patio aesthetics. If you're outfitting a pool deck where the furniture gets wet constantly, aluminum is worth serious consideration. Sleek and pool-ready: the Aluminum Adjustable Outdoor Chaise Lounge Set of 2 brings a resort look to any backyard. Shop this → Solid Wood Acacia and teak-style hardwoods bring a warmth and craftsmanship that synthetic materials can't replicate. They do require occasional oiling to maintain their finish, but many people find that ritual satisfying rather than burdensome — and the result is a piece that genuinely improves with age. Natural materials, lasting character — the Woven Lounge Chair with Solid Wood Frame is built for people who want their furniture to tell a story. Shop this → Armrests, a natural finish, and poolside-ready proportions — the Acacia Wood Patio Chaise Lounge Chair is a standout in any outdoor setting. Shop this → The Features That Actually Change How You Use Your Outdoor Chaise Lounge Once you've settled on a material, the next layer is functionality. These are the features worth paying attention to: Adjustable backrest positions — multiple recline angles let you go from reading upright to nearly flat. Look for at least three or four locking positions. Folding and portability — if the lounge needs to move between the pool and a storage shed seasonally, or even just across the yard, a folding frame makes that much more manageable. Built-in shade — a canopy or awning attachment is easy to overlook until the afternoon sun hits your face at exactly the wrong angle. Worth it if your space doesn't have natural shade. Zero-gravity positioning — this distributes weight evenly across the body and genuinely reduces pressure on the lower back. If someone in your household has back issues, it's not a gimmick. Zero gravity done right — the Set of 2 Zero Gravity Lounge Chairs folds flat for storage and opens to a seriously comfortable recline. Shop this → Shade on demand — the Folding Reclining Lounge Chair with Adjustable Awning is ideal for sun-exposed decks where you want control over how much light you're getting. Shop this → Beach Chaise Lounge Chairs: What's Different About the Beach If you're shopping specifically for beach use — whether that's actual beach access or a lakeside cabin — the criteria shift a bit. Weight becomes more important than almost anything else, since you'll be carrying it. Look for folding frames, compact profiles, and materials that rinse clean easily. Some of our beach-oriented lounges are also great poolside options because of exactly these qualities: they're lighter, more portable, and handle moisture without complaint. From the beach to the pool deck — the Folding Reclining Beach & Pool Lounge Chair goes where you go. Shop this → A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Buy Some practical notes that don't always make it into product listings: Cushions vs. no cushions: many outdoor chaise lounges are sold without cushions — intentionally, because cushion preferences vary so much. If yours doesn't include them, look for a standard 72–75" chaise cushion to fit most frames. Sets save space and money: buying a set almost always gives you a better price per chair than buying individually, and matched pieces look more intentional on a patio. Think about storage before you buy: the most beautiful lounge is useless if it doesn't have anywhere to go in October. Check folded dimensions if your storage is tight. Weight capacity: worth checking, especially for zero-gravity and folding styles that have more mechanical stress points than traditional frames. If there's one piece I'd recommend for someone who's unsure where to start, it's a rattan set with a side table — the kind of setup that immediately makes a patio feel like it was designed, not just assembled. The Rattan Chaise Lounge Set of 2 consistently earns its place as our most-loved outdoor lounge configuration, and it's a good anchor for almost any outdoor space. Ready to Find Yours? Whether you're outfitting a pool deck for summer or building out a patio that earns its keep all season, the right outdoor chaise lounge makes the difference between a space you walk through and one you actually live in. Browse the full collection — every style, material, and price point — and find the one that fits your corner of the coast. Shop all outdoor chaise lounges at Coastal Standard → About the author: Lila grew up on the Gulf and has strong opinions about wicker, shade structures, and the precise angle of a good chaise lounge. She covers outdoor living and coastal style for Coastal Standard.