Outdoor Chair Size Guide 2026 - Common Sizes & Dimensions

Getting outdoor chairs sizes right before you buy can save a lot of frustration and expense. A chair that looks great in a showroom can throw off an entire outdoor area if the seat height doesn't match your table, or the depth eats into your walkway. Whether you're furnishing a shaded deck in Queensland, a compact Sydney courtyard, or an alfresco kitchen with bar stools in Melbourne, measuring your space and matching the right chair dimensions to it is the most important step you can take.

Outdoor chairs in 2026 come in 5 common types with varying sizes:

1. Outdoor Dining Chairs
2. Outdoor Lounge and Armchairs
3. Outdoor Chaise Lounges and Sun Loungers
4. Outdoor Bar Stools
5. Outdoor Folding and Stacking Chairs

Below is a guide on the most common outdoor chairs sizes, dimensions, styles, and materials.

Outdoor Dining Chair Sizes and Dimensions

Outdoor dining chairs are the most widely used type in Australian backyards and alfresco areas. They're built to pair with a standard outdoor dining table, which sits at 74 to 76 cm high, giving you around 28 to 32 cm of seat-to-tabletop clearance for comfortable dining.

If you're planning to seat four to eight people, allow at least 60 cm of table edge per person so no one feels crammed. It's also worth checking whether armed chairs will slide under your table's apron frame, which typically sits at 66 to 70 cm from the floor.

• Overall Height: 80 to 95 cm
• Seat Height: 43 to 50 cm
• Seat Width: 45 to 55 cm
• Seat Depth: 40 to 48 cm
• Typical Weight: 3 to 7 kg per chair
• Weight Capacity: 100 to 150 kg

Outdoor Lounge and Armchair Sizes and Dimensions

Lounge chairs and outdoor armchairs sit lower and deeper than dining chairs, which is what makes them so comfortable for relaxing outside. They're ideal for covered patios, poolside sitting areas, and any spot where the outdoor space doubles as a second living room.

Because they're significantly wider and deeper than dining chairs, it's worth mapping out the footprint on your deck before buying. The lower seat height of 38 to 46 cm is something to consider if anyone in the household has difficulty getting in and out of lower seating.

• Overall Height: 80 to 110 cm
• Seat Height: 38 to 46 cm
• Width: 68 to 90 cm
• Depth: 78 to 95 cm
• Armrest Height (above seat): 18 to 25 cm
• Typical Weight: 6 to 12 kg per chair
• Weight Capacity: 100 to 120 kg

Chaise Lounge and Sun Lounger Sizes and Dimensions

Sun loungers take up more floor space than any other outdoor chair type, so planning the layout carefully is essential. A standard sun lounger is up to 210 cm long and 80 cm wide, and once you factor in the space to walk around it, two loungers placed side by side will fill a pool deck quickly.

 Most sun loungers have adjustable backrests with multiple positions. Before you order, lay tape on your deck or pool surround to mark out the full length and width so you know exactly what you're working with.

• Length: 175 to 210 cm
• Width: 60 to 80 cm
• Seat Height: 30 to 45 cm
• Total Height (backrest upright): 85 to 100 cm
• Typical Weight: 8 to 18 kg per lounger
• Weight Capacity: 110 to 150 kg

Outdoor Bar Stool Sizes and Dimensions

Getting bar stool height wrong is one of the most common outdoor furniture mistakes. There are two categories: counter-height stools for standard Australian kitchen benches (85 to 90 cm high), and bar-height stools for taller outdoor bar tops (100 to 110 cm).

The key measurement is the gap between your stool seat and the underside of the bench. You need 25 to 30 cm of clearance there for comfortable legroom. Always measure your benchtop height before you shop, and if you plan to use cushions, factor in the extra 5 to 8 cm they add to the seat.

• Counter Height Stool, Seat Height: 61 to 66 cm
• Counter Height Stool, Overall Height: 90 to 105 cm
• Bar Height Stool, Seat Height: 71 to 76 cm
• Bar Height Stool, Overall Height: 100 to 115 cm
• Seat Width: 35 to 50 cm
• Footrest Height: 20 to 25 cm from the floor
• Weight Capacity: 100 to 120 kg

Outdoor Folding and Stacking Chair Sizes and Dimensions

Folding and stacking chairs are the most practical solution when you need extra seating for guests but don't have the space to keep chairs out permanently. Modern versions in powder-coated aluminium, polypropylene, and teak are a real step up from the basic plastic garden chair.

At 2 to 6 kg each they're easy to move and store, and many are tested to AS/NZS 3813 standards. Folded, most take up just 8 to 15 cm of depth, making them genuinely compact to stack in a shed or under an outdoor bench.

• Overall Height: 78 to 90 cm
• Seat Height: 43 to 48 cm
• Seat Width: 38 to 52 cm
• Seat Depth: 38 to 45 cm
• Weight: 2 to 6 kg per chair
• Folded or Stacked Thickness: 8 to 15 cm
• Weight Capacity: 120 to 150 kg

5 Additional Outdoor Chair Considerations

1. Table to Chair Clearance: For comfortable outdoor dining, aim for 28 to 32 cm between the top of the seat and the underside of your table. If you're adding seat cushions, subtract the cushion thickness from this calculation or choose a lower-seated chair to compensate.
2. Walking Clearance: Allow at least 90 to 120 cm between the back of a pulled-out chair and any wall, fence, or other furniture. This is often the measurement people skip during planning and regret the most in practice.
3. Armrests and Table Apron: If you're buying armed chairs, check the armrest height against your table's apron frame. Most outdoor tables have an apron at 66 to 70 cm from the floor. Armrests above this height won't tuck under the table cleanly.
4. Sun Lounger Spacing: Allow a minimum of 60 cm between adjacent loungers. With a lounger up to 215 cm long, four poolside loungers can account for a significant area. Map it out before you buy.
5. Weight Capacity and Standards: Residential outdoor chairs typically carry 100 to 150 kg. For holiday homes or commercial settings, look for chairs tested to AS 4688 or equivalent commercial standards.

4 Common Outdoor Chair Materials

Teak remains the most popular choice for outdoor chairs in Australia, and its dimensional stability in heat and humidity is a big reason why. That said, the material you choose also affects how heavy the chair is, whether it needs cushions (and therefore changes your effective seat height), and how easy it is to store or move around. Here is how each material stacks up from a sizing and practicality perspective.

1. Aluminium (Powder-Coated)

At 3 to 8 kg per chair, aluminium is the lightest structural option. The thin-walled frames add minimal bulk to the overall footprint, and most aluminium dining chairs are designed specifically to stack or tuck under a table. No cushion is required, so the seat height you see on the spec sheet is the height you get.

Pros:

• Lightest weight option, easy to store and rearrange
• Slim frame profile keeps the overall footprint compact
• Seat height is reliable with no cushion needed

Cons:

• Can feel hot to sit on without a cushion in direct Australian summer sun, which effectively adds 5 to 8 cm to your sitting height
• No natural flex in the frame, so padding matters more for longer use

2. Teak Timber

Teak chairs weigh in at 5 to 10 kg, making them heavier to move around. The benefit is that teak is dimensionally stable in heat and humidity, meaning the chair holds its measurements reliably outdoors. It resists warping, so the seat height and depth you buy is what you'll have in five years.

Pros:

• Dimensionally stable in Australian heat and coastal humidity
• No swelling or warping, so dimensions stay consistent long-term
• Can be used without cushions, keeping seat height as specified

Cons:

• Heavier than aluminium, 5 to 10 kg per chair affects ease of storage and stacking
• Dense frames can add to the perceived footprint compared to slim aluminium

3. Synthetic Wicker (PE Rattan)

Synthetic wicker chairs are built on an aluminium frame, so they carry a similar weight profile to aluminium alone. The woven exterior is UV-stabilised and adds minimal extra dimension to the frame. One thing to note is that the seat base on wicker chairs is often slightly softer, meaning a cushion is commonly used, which adds 5 to 8 cm to the effective seat height.

Pros:

• Aluminium frame keeps weight moderate and manageable
• Woven exterior doesn't significantly increase frame dimensions

Cons:

• Cushions are typically required, adding 5 to 8 cm to effective seat height and requiring storage space

4. Recycled HDPE Plastic

HDPE chairs are heavier than aluminium and carry a bulkier profile, but they're completely dimensionally stable outdoors. No cushion is needed, the seat height on the spec sheet is accurate, and they won't change shape or size regardless of weather.

Pros:

• Completely stable dimensions in all Australian outdoor conditions
• No cushions required, seat height stays consistent

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier than aluminium options, less practical to store in large numbers

For most Australian homes, powder-coated aluminium gives you the best balance of light weight, compact storage, and reliable dimensions. Teak is worth the extra weight if long-term outdoor stability and aesthetics are the priority.

Synthetic wicker suits covered patios well but factor in cushion height when checking table clearance. HDPE is a practical, maintenance-free choice where bulk and weight are less of a concern.

Top 6 Tips for How to Choose Outdoor Chair Size and Style

A few practical checks before you commit to a purchase can save a lot of hassle down the track.

1. Measure the space first, before anything else
   Use tape to mark out the table footprint plus chairs pulled out, and check that 90 to 120 cm of clearance remains around each side. Do this before you look at products, not after.
2. Confirm your table height before choosing a chair
   Standard outdoor dining tables in Australia sit at 74 to 76 cm. A chair seat at 43 to 50 cm gives you the right 28 to 32 cm clearance. For bar or counter settings, measure the benchtop first then work back to the stool height.
3. Calculate chairs per table length
   Allow 60 cm of table edge per person as a minimum. A 160 cm table seats four; a 240 cm table seats six to eight. For occasional guests, a set of folding or stacking chairs stored nearby is often smarter than upsizing the permanent setting.
4. Account for cushion thickness in your seat height
   A cushion adds 5 to 8 cm to the effective seat height. If your chair seat is already at 48 cm and you add a 7 cm cushion, you're at 55 cm, which will feel too high at a 74 cm table. Either choose a lower-seated chair or keep to thin 4 to 5 cm dining cushions.
5. Match material weight to how you'll actually use the chairs
   If you need to move chairs inside during storms, aluminium at 3 to 7 kg per chair is much easier than teak at 5 to 10 kg. For permanent outdoor settings that stay put, material weight matters less.
6. Check weight ratings for holiday homes or shared spaces
   Most quality Australian outdoor chairs carry 100 to 150 kg and are tested to AS/NZS standards. For high-traffic or commercial use, specify chairs rated to AS 4688 or equivalent.

Whether you're setting up a compact courtyard or a full alfresco entertaining area, these dimensions give you a solid reference point for every type of outdoor seat. For more help putting your outdoor space together, browse our full range of outdoor tables and outdoor furniture settings at Schots.

Top 3 Recommended Outdoor Chairs

Based on the size types covered in this guide, here are four chairs from the Schots outdoor collection worth considering.