The Complete Guide to Choosing a Garden Egg Chair

Egg chairs have become one of the most popular pieces of garden furniture in the UK over the past few years, and for good reason. They're comfortable, they look great, and there's something about being slightly cocooned that makes sitting in a garden feel more relaxing than any flat-backed chair ever could.

But here's the thing: not all egg chairs are the same. There are hanging versions, standing versions, singles, doubles, ones with footstools, and two-seaters. Prices range from under £100 to over £400. If you've been browsing and feeling a bit overwhelmed, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know before you buy.

What Exactly Is a Garden Egg Chair?

An egg chair is a curved, pod-shaped seat that wraps around you on three sides. The design dates back to the 1960s, but modern garden versions are typically made from PE rattan woven over a steel or aluminium frame, with thick cushions for comfort. The curved shape isn't just for looks. It genuinely blocks wind and creates a sheltered spot to sit, which is rather useful in a British garden.

Garden egg chairs come in two broad categories: hanging and standing. Within those, you'll find single seats, double seats, and various extras like footstools. Let's break each type down properly.

Types of Egg Chair Explained

Hanging Single Egg Chairs

This is the classic. A single-person pod suspended from a steel frame by a chain or rope. You sit inside and gently swing. It's the type most people picture when they hear "egg chair."

Hanging singles are ideal if you want a personal retreat in the garden. They typically need a footprint of around 100-120cm wide and 100-120cm deep, plus clearance for the swing arc. Weight capacities generally sit between 120-150kg.

At Rosewood & Stone, our single egg chair collection ranges from the Cotehele at £159.99 — a solid entry point if you're buying your first egg chair — right up to the Calke at £319.99, which features a thicker weave and heavier-gauge frame.

In between, the Belton (£229.99) is one of our most popular sellers, hitting that sweet spot between price and build quality. The Attingham and Saltram (both £269.99) step things up with deeper cushions and slightly wider shells, while the Hardwick and Lanhydrock (£279-£299.99) are our premium hanging singles with the most generous proportions.

Hanging Double Egg Chairs

A double egg chair works on the same principle as a single — suspended from a frame, swinging gently — but the pod is wide enough for two people to sit side by side. Or, more realistically, for one person to sit very comfortably with room to tuck their legs up.

Doubles are significantly wider, typically 130-150cm across the pod itself, and the overall frame footprint can be 150-180cm wide. They're heavier too, so factor that in if you're planning to move one around your garden regularly. You won't want to.

Our double egg chair range starts with the Ightham at £299.99, which is genuinely good value for a two-person hanging chair. The Bodiam (£319.99) adds a more refined weave pattern, while the Knole (£369-£389.99) is our bestselling double with a wider shell and premium cushion set. At the top end, the Petworth at £419.99 is as generous as hanging doubles get — it's the one customers buy when they want to spend summer evenings reading together without fighting for space.

Standing Egg Chairs

Standing egg chairs sit on their own base rather than hanging from a frame. They don't swing, but they do swivel or rock slightly depending on the design. The big advantage? They take up less space than a hanging chair because there's no A-frame spreading out around them.

If you have a smaller patio or a covered area where a hanging frame wouldn't fit, a standing egg chair is often the better choice. They also tend to be lighter and easier to move.

The Waddesdon (£199.99) is our oval standing egg chair — a clean, modern shape that works well on a balcony or tucked into a garden corner. The Tyntesfield (£219.99) offers a rounder silhouette. Both are single-seaters and genuinely compact.

Standing Egg Chairs with Footstool

Some standing egg chairs come paired with a matching footstool, and honestly, once you've used one with a footstool, it's hard to go back. Being able to put your feet up transforms the chair from "nice place to sit" to "I might fall asleep here."

The Cragside (£299.99) is our standing egg chair with a matching footstool included. It's a popular choice for people who want the egg chair experience without the hanging frame, and the footstool doubles as extra seating when you have guests.

Two-Seat Standing Egg Chairs

These are the widest option in the standing egg chair category. A two-seat standing egg chair gives you room for two people on a shared bench-style cushion, all within that distinctive curved shell.

The Chartwell (£369-£389.99) is our two-seat standing option. It's surprisingly popular with couples who want to sit together but find the swinging motion of a hanging double a bit much. It's also more stable, which matters if you're regularly getting in and out — no steadying the swing every time you stand up for a cup of tea.

How to Choose the Right Size

Size matters more than most people think when buying an egg chair. Too small and you'll feel cramped. Too large and you lose that cocooned feeling that makes egg chairs special in the first place.

For one person: A single hanging egg chair with an internal width of 75-85cm will suit most adults comfortably. If you're over 6 foot or broadly built, look at the wider singles like the Hardwick or Lanhydrock, which give you an extra 5-10cm of internal space compared to entry-level models.

For two people: You need at least 120cm of internal width to sit side by side without your shoulders pressing together. The Petworth double is the most generous here, and it's the one we'd point couples toward if comfort is the priority.

For your space: Measure the area where you plan to put the chair before you buy. A hanging single needs roughly 120cm × 120cm of clear floor space. A hanging double needs about 180cm × 120cm. Standing chairs are more forgiving — typically 90-100cm × 90-100cm. Always leave room for the door swing or pathway behind you. Nobody wants to squeeze past an egg chair frame every time they walk to the shed.

Weight Capacity: What You Actually Need to Know

Every egg chair has a maximum weight capacity, and it's worth paying attention to. Most single hanging egg chairs support between 120kg and 150kg. Doubles typically handle 200kg or more.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The stated capacity is the maximum, not the recommended everyday load. If you're close to the limit, the chair will work, but the frame, chain, and fixings will wear faster over time.
• Dynamic load matters. When you swing, the forces on the frame are greater than your static weight. A 90kg person swinging vigorously creates more stress than a 110kg person sitting still.
• Check the chain and fixings, not just the frame. The weakest point in a hanging egg chair is usually the carabiner or S-hook connecting the chain to the frame. Our chairs use rated carabiners, but it's worth checking this on any egg chair you buy.

PE Rattan vs Natural Rattan: There's No Contest for Outdoor Use

Let's settle this quickly. PE rattan (polyethylene rattan) is synthetic. It's made from extruded plastic that's woven to look like natural rattan. Natural rattan is a palm-derived material that's been used in furniture for centuries.

For outdoor garden furniture in the UK, PE rattan wins outright. Here's why:

• Weather resistance: PE rattan doesn't absorb water, doesn't rot, doesn't swell. Natural rattan does all three, and British weather will destroy it within a season or two.
• UV stability: Good PE rattan is UV-stabilised, meaning it won't bleach or become brittle in sunlight. Natural rattan fades and cracks.
• Maintenance: PE rattan can be cleaned with soapy water and a soft brush. Natural rattan needs specialist treatments and still won't last outdoors.
• Cost: PE rattan furniture is generally less expensive than equivalent natural rattan pieces, and it lasts longer outside.

All our egg chairs use hand-woven PE rattan over powder-coated steel frames. The weave is tight enough to resist snags from pets or jewellery, and the rattan itself is round-profile rather than flat-strip, which gives a more natural appearance.

What to Look for in a Frame

The frame is what holds everything together, and it's where cheaper egg chairs cut corners most aggressively. Here's what to check:

Material

Powder-coated steel is the standard for hanging egg chairs. It's strong, relatively heavy (which adds stability), and the powder coating protects against rust. Look for frames with a wall thickness of at least 1.2mm — thinner tubes flex under load and can eventually deform.

Aluminium frames are lighter and naturally rust-resistant, but they're less common in egg chairs because the material doesn't have the same rigidity as steel at equivalent thicknesses. You'll see aluminium more in dining sets and loungers.

Base Design

For hanging chairs, the base of the A-frame should sit flat on the ground with wide-set legs. Some designs have a cross-base, others use curved legs. The wider the base, the more stable the chair — particularly on uneven surfaces like grass or gravel.

Joints and Welds

Look at where the frame tubes meet. Clean, consistent welds without visible grinding marks suggest proper manufacturing. Bolted joints should use stainless steel or zinc-plated bolts, not bare steel that'll rust within weeks.

Cushion Care: Keeping Them Fresh Season After Season

Egg chair cushions take a beating. They're sat on, rained on, occasionally used as a pillow for afternoon naps, and generally live outside for months at a time. A bit of care goes a long way.

• Removable covers are essential. All our egg chair cushions have zip-off covers that can be machine washed at 30°C. Do this at least twice during summer — once mid-season and once before you put the cushions away for winter.
• Don't leave cushions out overnight if rain is forecast. PE rattan is waterproof; cushions are not. The foam inside will absorb water, and once it does, it takes days to dry properly. Damp foam breeds mould.
• Store cushions upright. When you bring them in for winter, stand them on their edge in a dry shed or garage. Laying them flat in a stack compresses the foam permanently.
• Spot-clean stains quickly. A damp cloth with mild detergent will handle most marks if you catch them early. Sunscreen, red wine, and bird droppings are the usual culprits.

Where to Place Your Egg Chair

Placement affects both your enjoyment and the chair's longevity.

Surface

Egg chairs work best on hard, level surfaces — patio slabs, decking, or compacted gravel. On soft grass, the legs of a hanging frame can sink in, especially after rain, making the chair lean. If grass is your only option, consider placing paving slabs under each foot of the frame.

Shelter

Partial shelter extends the life of your chair and cushions significantly. Under a pergola, beside a wall, or beneath a mature tree all work well. Full sun is fine for the chair itself (PE rattan is UV-stable), but cushion fabrics will fade faster in direct sunlight, and you'll find the chair uncomfortably hot on peak summer days.

Views and Privacy

One of the best things about an egg chair is how the curved shell creates a sense of privacy. Position it so the open face looks toward the part of your garden you most enjoy — a flower border, a water feature, or simply the sky. Facing the open side toward a fence or wall wastes the design.

Access

Leave at least 60cm of clear space in front of the chair for getting in and out comfortably. For hanging chairs, remember the swing arc — you need 30-40cm clearance behind the chair as well, so it doesn't bump against a wall or fence when swinging.

Price Guide: What to Expect at Each Budget

Egg chairs span a wide price range. Here's what your money gets you at each tier, with specific products from our range.

Under £200: Great Starter Chairs

At this price point, you're looking at well-made single hanging chairs and compact standing options. The Cotehele (£159.99) is our most affordable hanging single — it uses the same PE rattan as our premium chairs but has a slightly narrower shell and simpler cushion design. For a standing option, the Waddesdon (£199.99) and Tyntesfield (£219.99) are excellent choices that don't need a hanging frame at all.

If you want something completely different, consider the Studley rocking egg chair at just £99.99. It's a ground-level rocking design rather than a hanging or standing pod, and it's a surprisingly comfortable way to spend an afternoon in the garden.

£200–£300: The Sweet Spot

This is where most people land, and honestly, it's the best value range. The Belton (£229.99) is our bestselling single hanging chair for a reason — the build quality is noticeably better than budget options, with a thicker frame and more generous cushions.

The Attingham and Saltram (both £269.99) add deeper shells and wider seats. The Hardwick (£279.99) and Lanhydrock (£299.99) are at the top of this bracket and represent the best single hanging egg chairs we sell — wider, deeper, and built to last multiple seasons without showing wear.

You'll also find the entry-level double hanging chair here: the Ightham at £299.99 offers genuine two-person seating at a price that undercuts many competitors' single chairs. And the Cragside standing chair with footstool (£299.99) is worth a look if you want the footstool setup without the hanging frame.

£300–£420: Premium and Double Options

At this level, you're buying our best double egg chairs and the premium standing designs. The Bodiam double (£319.99) is a solid mid-range choice, while the Knole (£369-£389.99) is what we'd recommend for most couples. The Calke and Dunham single chairs (both £319.99) are for buyers who want the absolute best in a single-person format.

At the top of the range, the Petworth double (£419.99) is our most spacious egg chair full stop. It's the one people buy when they've tried a smaller version and decided they want more room.

The Chartwell two-seat standing chair (£369-£389.99) also sits in this bracket. It's the right choice if you want a two-person egg chair without the footprint of a hanging frame.

Rocking Egg Chairs: A Quick Word

We haven't said much about rocking egg chairs yet because they're a slightly different category. Rather than hanging from a frame or sitting on a fixed base, rocking egg chairs sit on curved runners — like a traditional rocking chair, but with the egg-shaped shell.

The Studley (£99.99) is our entry-level rocker. It's compact, lightweight, and easy to move around. The Fountains (£169.99) comes with a matching footstool and offers a larger, more padded seat. Both are excellent if you find the height of a hanging egg chair off-putting or simply prefer the rocking motion over swinging.

Assembly: What to Expect

Most egg chairs arrive in two or three boxes and require some assembly. The rattan pod is usually pre-woven and arrives in one piece. The frame comes in sections that bolt together.

Expect assembly to take 30-60 minutes with two people. Hanging the pod onto the frame is the part where you'll want a helper — the pods can weigh 15-25kg depending on size, and you need to lift it onto the hanging hook while someone steadies the frame. It's not difficult, but it's a two-person job.

Standing egg chairs are simpler. Some come fully assembled apart from attaching the base, which can take as little as 10 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an egg chair comes down to how many people will use it, how much space you have, and whether you prefer hanging or standing. Once you've answered those, the rest falls into place.

If you're still unsure, start with our full egg chair collection and filter by type. Every chair includes free UK delivery and arrives with everything you need for assembly, including cushions.

And if you're on the fence between a single and a double? That's a question worth exploring in detail — which is exactly what we cover in our single vs double egg chair comparison.