Outdoor Armchairs

Outdoor armchairs are single-seat chairs made for uncovered or semi-covered areas, using materials chosen to handle sun, rain and salt air. They give a patio or outdoor living space a comfortable place to pause, rather than another seat squeezed around the table.

Founded in Melbourne in 1985, Early Settler has spent four decades seeing what lasts through an Australian summer. The range includes various styles in all-weather wicker, acacia, powder-coated metal, fabric and moulded plastic, including an outdoor occasional chair for quiet corners. See how each fits within your wider outdoor living setup.

All-weather wicker and powder-coated aluminium or steel handle full exposure best. Acacia and other timber suit covered or semi-covered areas, while fabric and moulded plastic perform better with shade. Early Settler’s in-house product design team specifies materials for Australian sun, moisture and salt exposure, rather than choosing whatever is widely available.

• All-weather wicker – Synthetic rattan resists moisture and keeps its shape better than natural cane outdoors.
• Powder-coated metal – A powder-coated finish resists rust and surface corrosion far better than untreated metal, which matters most within a few kilometres of the coast.
• Acacia – Acacia handles outdoor use well but lasts longer under cover and with regular oiling.
• Timber – Dense outdoor timbers age gradually, silvering in the sun and moving slightly with the seasons, which is normal rather than a fault.
• Outdoor fabric – Outdoor-rated fabrics such as olefin resist fading and dry far faster than indoor upholstery, which is why an indoor cushion left outside goes musty within a season.
• Moulded plastic – Moulded plastics such as polypropylene shrug off moisture and are light enough to move with one hand, which suits exposed areas you rearrange often.
• Woven rope – Rope and cord seats woven over a metal frame give a little under your weight, so they feel softer than a flat seat without needing a cushion.

All-weather wicker and powder-coated metal last longest, holding up under full exposure with little more than a wash. Acacia and timber come next and stay sound for years when they are oiled once or twice a year. Outdoor fabric and moulded plastic have the shortest run under constant sun, because UV eventually takes the colour and the flex out of both.

Exposure and upkeep matter far more than price. The same chair under a Melbourne pergola will outlast one baking on an unshaded Gold Coast balcony, sometimes by years, and a chair within a kilometre of the surf works harder than one two suburbs inland.

Every piece of outdoor furniture we sell carries a minimum 12-month warranty, with longer cover on specific ranges shown in the specifications tab on the product page.

Yes, all-weather wicker and powder-coated metal armchairs can usually stay outside year-round, provided cushions are stored and the frame is cleaned as needed. Timber, fabric and moulded plastic last longer with shelter, especially on an exposed terrace.

Even so, moving them under cover extends their life. Shift your armchairs to a verandah, pergola or garage when you are away for a stretch or before a run of heavy rain and wind, and use a furniture cover where that is not practical. Bring cushions indoors, whatever the frame is made of.

Coastal salt air, Queensland and Northern Territory humidity, inland UV and wet Victorian or Tasmanian winters each wear furniture down differently. This is where cheap outdoor seating gives itself away, usually inside two summers, and it is why we build for the best quality for the investment rather than the lowest price.

Comfort comes down to seat depth, back support, armrests that meet your elbows, and a surface suited to how long you plan to sit. A well-fitted chair leaves around 3 to 5cm between the seat edge and the back of your knees, with the back supporting your lower shoulder blades.

Woven or contoured seats often feel comfortable without padding. Flat timber or metal seats are better with outdoor cushions for anything longer than a quick coffee. Firmer seats soften with use, and a chair that feels firm on the first sit is often the one still supporting you in five years. Our comfort guarantee covers eligible upholstered pieces, so you are not judging on a single showroom sit.

Match the frame material or frame colour, not both, then let cushions and a rug connect the pieces that differ. Early Settler covers 15+ categories across every room of the home, including outdoor, so your armchairs, coffee tables and rug can follow one design direction instead of three.

• Conversation zones – Place armchairs beside outdoor sofas or opposite them across outdoor coffee tables for balanced seating.
• Compact layouts – On a balcony, keep about 60cm behind each chair and add slim side tables or outdoor stools.
• Shade and softness – Use outdoor rugs, outdoor umbrellas and outdoor accessories to connect different finishes.
• Dining areas – Check seat height beside outdoor dining tables, outdoor dining chairs and the wider outdoor dining setting.
• Restful corners – Angle armchairs towards a fire pit, or set them beside daybeds for a slower lounge zone.

The best way to choose between lounge armchairs is to sit in them. Across 50+ Early Settler stores in Australia, our teams will talk you through how each frame behaves in your conditions, and you can see the colours in daylight rather than on a screen.

Use our store locator to find your nearest showroom. With store collection, we send your order to the store you choose so you can pick it up there, and change-of-mind returns can go back to any Early Settler store within seven days at no return charge. Sit in one before you commit, or browse the full range online.

Yes, most timber outdoor armchairs can be re-oiled, re-stained or painted, provided the timber is clean, dry and compatible with the new finish. Lightly sand old coatings first, follow the product instructions, and test a hidden area before treating the whole chair. Our outdoor care products cover the oils and cleaners suited to outdoor timber.

An outdoor armchair is an upright single seat with armrests, while an outdoor lounge chair has a deeper, more reclined profile. A chaise has an extended seat that supports your legs, which puts it closer to a daybed. Sunlounges and deck chairs are different again, built for lying flat in the sun rather than sitting and talking.

Some outdoor armchairs include fitted cushions, while others are sold without them so you can choose your own. Where cushions are included, removable covers make cleaning easier, but always check the product specifications because cushion construction and care instructions vary by chair.

Yes, covering or storing outdoor armchairs over winter will extend their life, especially timber, fabric and wicker styles. Keep frames clean and dry before covering, use a breathable furniture cover, and store cushions indoors to prevent trapped moisture, mildew and fading.

Move lightweight outdoor armchairs to a sheltered position, place them against a wall, or secure them with discreet furniture straps. Avoid loose weights that can shift. For balconies and exposed decks, weight is your best defence, so a solid timber or cushioned wicker frame will hold its ground where a light moulded or slatted chair will not.