Indoor Chaise Lounges

Create the right blend of utility, comfort and formality with versatile indoor chaise lounge furniture.

The chaise lounge is a uniquely American piece of furniture that has evolved from European furniture designs brought by the early settlers. While they are available in both indoor and outdoor variations, the indoor chaise lounges are more luxurious, comfortable and formal since they do not need to withstand the elements like their outdoor cousins and can therefore be made of almost any material, including upholstered leathers and plush fabrics.

What is a chaise lounge?
People have always needed to recline in comfort both indoors and outdoors without having to lie flat as in a bed or sit bolt upright as in a chair. The ancient Greeks and Romans came up with a piece of furniture that allowed people to recline on their sides on what has become the modern daybed. This was refined further by the 16th-century French into a 'long chair' or chaise longue that had a sloping backrest which allowed people to recline on their backs instead, making it more relaxing and conducive to napping. As with many other things, America gave it several special twists, starting with its name. The term 'longue' or 'long' which described its shape gave way to 'lounge' or 'lounger' which was a more practical description of its function. Thus was born the chaise lounge.

Using indoor chaise lounges
With their love of the outdoors, Americans adapted the sophisticated chaise into the casual lounger that can be found in almost every poolside, patio, deck or cruise ship today. It is usually made of asimple wooden, plastic or metal framework with a weatherproof covering which is either slatted wood, plastic straps or the more modern synthetic fabrics like microfiber. However, its utility and unique characteristics are also highly appreciated indoors where it can give any room, specially bedrooms and living rooms, a piece of furniture that one can put their feet up on with a unique formality that is not found in any other type of furniture, including the day bed. There are many variations of indoor chaises that may be broadly classified as indoor and patio or indoor-outdoor. They include the upholstered chaise lounges made of leather, fabric and microfiber for use in formal areas like living rooms and bedrooms and the patio chaise lounge that can be made of wrought iron, wicker and wood, including teak. In fact, wooden and wicker chaise lounges can be successfully used in living room or bedroom settings too.

In certain rooms where it may not be proper to recline completely, variations called indoor chaise lounge chairs are used and while these allow for a more relaxed posture than a regular chair, they do not allow a full recline with the feet all the way up. In the bedroom, a fabric chaise lounge is usually the most appropriate for intimacy and comfort whereas in a living room, it might be a leather chaise. A teak chaise lounge might be as much at home in a covered patio as in a semi-formal living room.

Buying guide
If you have decided on adding an indoor chaise to your home and are confused by the variety of types, styles and sizes available, the first thing you need to do is figure out exactly which type will fit your needs best. Here is a checklist to help you:

• What you will use it for: If it is mainly to read and relax in, you should check to make sure there is adequate back support and perhaps at least one arm with firm and durable upholstery like leather. If you need it be a general activity center, you should consider a double chaise with a microfiber fabric covering that can handle spills. If you would like it simply for napping, go for the plushest upholstery you can find. If you are going to place it in your bedroom and have children, consider a double chaise or a sofa with chaise. A men's rec room demands a solidly built black or dark brown leather chaise.
• Where you will place it: If you are looking to place it in your bedroom or living room, almost any kind of chaise will do and also any material—microfiber, leather of fabric. Your main concern will be coordinating it with the room decor. Traditional decor will go best with a traditional design and contemporary with a modern chaise but be sure to match the overall quality level. Moderately priced furniture in a room will be overpowered and make your whole room look "cheap" if you place an expensive-looking chaise in it and vice versa. There are a whole range of looks available, so look around.
• How many people will use it will dictate the size as is self-evident. Chaises are available in single and double sizes and also as part of a sofa set, so you have the full range of sizes to consider. If you expect your children to use it with you, plan on a hard wearing covering like microfiber that is also easy to maintain and clean. Leather will be a risky bet in a situation like this. Many people treat their pets like children and the same rules stand—no leather or expensive covering and preferably stain proof fabrics. Of course, if you plan on several adults using the chaise in a living room, you should consider a chaise sofa. Finally, a chaise should be of much sturdier build than other furniture because it holds the whole weight of a human being unlike many other pieces of furniture, so you should take extra care to check this out. When you have multiple people using it together, this becomes critical for safety. Finally, you should keep in mind that moving a large chaise lounge is not going to be easy once you have installed it, so you would do well to plan thoroughly well before you actually put it in place.

To recap the unique characteristics of this type of furniture:

• Indoor chaise lounges can add a special character to any room with their unique shape and function.
• They can be used successfully in casual areas like a covered patio or semi-formal or formal areas like bedrooms and living rooms.
• Unlike their outdoor cousins that need to withstand rain and sun, they are free to use any materials like leather, plush fabrics, microfiber, teak or wicker without fear of damage from the elements and are therefore more comfortable and attractive.