Contemporary Lounge Chair

Lounge chairs are extremely popular in public rooms for relaxing like at an airport, in bars where cocktails are served; i.e., almost any place where relaxation is the purpose. The word Lounge chair has taken to mean the chaise longue [shаyz lбwng] in modern times. The word Chaise longue is French for “long chair”. It was first introduced in France around the 16th century. It featured an elongated chair with four legs and sported a slanting backrest; this was meant for a person to lie on their back to make reclining comfortable. The original lounge chairs were of Greek origin; they were couches without a back, but with a headrest; and were meant for a person to rest on their side.

Throughout this article, please note that contemporary lounge chairs refer to chaise lounges and their modern variations. Contemporary lounge chairs include the couch, settee, daybed, and futon; and a few types of outdoor furniture as well.

Notable figures in the evolution of contemporary lounge chairs include: Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, Mies Van Der Rohe, Eileen Gray, Marcel Breuer, and Le Corbusier. The ‘Lounge Chair’ by Le Corbusier in 1928; the ‘Barcelona Chair’ by Van Der Rohe in 1929; and the ‘Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman’ by Charles and Ray Eames are a few, world-famous, contemporary lounge chairs created to this date. Almost all contemporary lounge chairs made today are reflections of these milestone designs.

These contemporary lounge chairs are designed in accordance with the ‘minimax solution’ criterion, in contrast to the age of massive grandfather armchairs. The minimax criterion is the efficient use of particular characters and form of respective materials and elements in order to attain light weight and greatest durability. The flowing form of contemporary lounge chairs is underlined by an organic design.

As stated earlier, contemporary lounge chairs are widely used for indoor and outdoor purposes. Indoor use contemporary lounge chairs are placed in airport lounges, at home offices, cocktail lounges in a bar, in the master bedroom and living room, and most notably in a psychologist’s office, and similar living spaces. Outdoor uses of such chairs include the deck of a cruise ship, and patio furniture, usually by the pool.

Both indoor and outdoor uses of contemporary lounge chairs have relaxation and comfort as a primary function. The key element in which they differ is in the use of upholstery. Outdoor patio lounge chairs are usually made of water proof wood or hard resin, and may come with water proof, detachable cushions. In contrast, indoor contemporary lounge chairs are almost always fitted with a luxurious padding, if not with a minimal layer of padding. Contemporary lounge chairs can be purchased at almost any furniture outlet, with prices ranging from 300 US$ and above.