Single vs Double Egg Chair: Which One Should You Buy?

It's the first real decision most people face when shopping for an egg chair: do I go for a single or a double? On the surface it seems straightforward — one person, single; two people, double. But in practice, the choice is more nuanced than that.

Having sold thousands of egg chairs at Rosewood & Stone, we've heard every reason people give for choosing one over the other. Some surprise us. Plenty of couples buy singles. Quite a few solo users buy doubles. And some people buy one, realise they made the wrong call, and come back for the other.

This guide is here to save you that second purchase. We'll compare single and double egg chairs on size, comfort, space requirements, and price, so you can work out which one actually suits you.

At a Glance: Single vs Double Egg Chair Comparison

Size and Dimensions: The Numbers That Matter

Let's start with the most practical difference. A single egg chair is designed for one person. The internal width of the pod — the space you actually sit in — is typically 75 to 90cm. That's enough for one adult to sit comfortably with a small cushion or a book, but not enough for two people of any size.

A double egg chair widens the pod to 120-150cm internally. That's enough for two average-sized adults sitting side by side, or for one person to sit with their legs curled up beside them — which is how a surprising number of double-chair owners actually use theirs.

But internal seat width isn't the whole story. The frame that supports a double chair is significantly larger than a single's frame. A single hanging egg chair needs roughly 120cm × 120cm of floor space. A double needs 150-180cm × 120cm. That extra 30-60cm makes a real difference on a small patio.

Height is broadly similar. Both singles and doubles hang at roughly the same height from the ground (typically 40-50cm from ground to seat base), and the frame apex sits at about 190-210cm. You won't need a taller ceiling or pergola for a double.

The Case for a Single Egg Chair

It's Your Space

There's a specific pleasure in having a seat that's entirely yours. A single egg chair wraps around you like a nest. The curved sides block peripheral distractions, and the proportions create a sense of enclosure that a double simply can't match. If your primary goal is a quiet spot to read, think, or stare at the garden with a cup of tea, a single will serve you better than a double in most cases.

It Fits More Gardens

The smaller footprint of a single means it works in spaces where a double wouldn't. A 2m × 2m section of patio can comfortably hold a single hanging egg chair with room to swing. You'd struggle to fit a double in the same space and still walk past it.

For smaller gardens, balconies, or covered porches, a single is often the only hanging egg chair that's practical. Though if floor space is very tight, also consider a standing egg chair like the Waddesdon (£199.99), which needs even less room.

It's More Affordable

Our single hanging egg chairs start at £159.99 for the Cotehele. Our doubles start at £299.99 for the Ightham. That's a meaningful gap, especially if you're buying an egg chair to try one out before committing to a larger purchase.

The mid-range of singles is particularly strong. The Belton (£229.99) and Attingham (£269.99) offer premium comfort at prices below the cheapest double in our range.

It's Easier to Handle

A single egg chair weighs 25-35kg fully assembled. One person can drag it across a patio (carefully), and two people can carry it without difficulty. Singles are also easier to cover with a furniture cover and take up less storage space if you choose to disassemble and store over winter.

Honest Cons of Single Egg Chairs

• No sharing. You can't comfortably fit two people in a single, full stop. If your partner wants to sit with you, someone's on a regular garden chair.
• Limited lounging positions. You can't really stretch out or curl up sideways in a single the way you can in a double. You sit upright or slightly reclined. That's it.
• Potential regret. We hear this more than you'd expect: "I wish I'd bought the double." If you can see yourself wanting more room six months from now, save yourself the hassle and go larger from the start.

The Case for a Double Egg Chair

Room for Two (Obviously)

If you want to sit with your partner, a child, or even a medium-sized dog, a double is the clear choice. The Knole (£369-£389.99) is our most popular double, and couples consistently tell us it's become their default evening spot in summer — a shared space that's more intimate than two separate chairs but more relaxed than a sofa.

Room for One (Luxuriously)

Here's the thing nobody tells you about double egg chairs: they're amazing for one person. You get the full pod experience with enough room to sit sideways, tuck your knees up, or sprawl out with a blanket and a book. The Petworth (£419.99) used solo is one of the most comfortable seats we sell, indoors or out.

Many of our customers who live alone buy doubles specifically for this reason. It's not about having room for a second person. It's about having room to be comfortable in multiple positions.

It Makes a Statement

A double egg chair is a larger piece of furniture, and it tends to become the focal point of whatever space it's in. On a big patio or in a large garden, a single can look a bit lost. A double fills the space proportionally and gives the area a clear centre.

Better for Entertaining

When friends come round, the double egg chair is always the most popular seat. There's something about the novelty of it — guests gravitate toward it, and having two seats means people can sit together and talk. A single becomes one person's chair while everyone else sits elsewhere.

Honest Cons of Double Egg Chairs

• They're big. There's no way round this. A double hanging egg chair dominates a small patio, and moving one is a two-person minimum job. Measure your space carefully before buying.
• They're heavier. At 40-55kg assembled, you're not repositioning a double on a whim. Once you've placed it, that's likely where it's staying for the season.
• Higher price floor. Even our most affordable double, the Ightham at £299.99, costs more than most of our singles. If budget is tight, a quality single like the Belton will give you better build quality per pound spent.
• Cushions are harder to store. Double egg chair cushions are large and awkward. You'll need a decent amount of dry storage space for the off-season.

Space Requirements: Let's Get Specific

This is where many buyers get caught out. Here are the real-world space requirements, including the clearances you need around the chair.

Single Hanging Egg Chair

• Frame footprint: approximately 120cm wide × 105cm deep
• Swing clearance (front and back): 30-40cm each side
• Total space needed: approximately 120cm × 175cm
• Access clearance in front: 60cm minimum
• Practical minimum area: 120cm × 235cm (roughly 1.2m × 2.4m)

Double Hanging Egg Chair

• Frame footprint: approximately 160-180cm wide × 120cm deep
• Swing clearance (front and back): 30-40cm each side
• Total space needed: approximately 180cm × 200cm
• Access clearance in front: 60cm minimum
• Practical minimum area: 180cm × 260cm (roughly 1.8m × 2.6m)

That practical minimum area includes room to walk up to the chair and sit down without feeling cramped. If you're placing the chair against a wall or fence, the back clearance reduces since you won't be swinging backward into it — but you'll still need some gap for the chain to move freely.

Who Should Buy a Single?

Solo gardeners and readers. If the chair is primarily for you alone, a single offers a more intimate, cocooned experience.

Small garden owners. Patios under 3m × 3m, balconies, and narrow garden strips are better served by a single — or by a standing egg chair if space is very limited.

Budget-conscious buyers. A high-quality single like the Hardwick (£279.99) or Lanhydrock (£299.99) gives you premium materials and construction at less than the price of our entry-level double.

People who already have garden seating. If you have a patio set and want to add a single relaxation spot, a single egg chair is a perfect complement without overcrowding your space.

Second-chair buyers. Some customers buy two singles rather than one double. You each get your own space, you can position them independently, and the total cost is often comparable to a mid-range double.

Who Should Buy a Double?

Couples who enjoy sitting together. This is the most common reason people give. The shared swinging motion of a double like the Bodiam (£319.99) or Knole creates a shared experience that two separate chairs simply don't replicate.

People who like to lounge. If you tend to curl up, sit sideways, or stretch out, the extra width of a double gives you freedom a single can't offer. Even used solo, a double is a different, more expansive experience.

Families. A double egg chair fits one adult and one or two small children comfortably. It becomes a story-reading spot, a den, a shared space. Kids love them.

People with large patios. If your outdoor space is generous — say 4m × 4m or larger — a double will look more proportionate and fill the space better than a single, which can look a bit lost on a big patio.

Entertainers. If you regularly have friends over, a double becomes the social centrepiece. It's the seat everyone wants to try, and having room for two means it stays in use rather than being claimed by one person for the whole evening.

What About Standing Options?

Everything above assumes hanging egg chairs, but the single vs double question also applies to standing models. Standing egg chairs don't swing, which means they need less clearance and have a smaller footprint than their hanging equivalents.

If you're torn between a single and a double partly because of space, a standing model might resolve the dilemma. The Chartwell (£369-£389.99) is a two-seat standing egg chair that takes up considerably less room than a hanging double because there's no A-frame spreading out around it.

For singles, the Cragside with footstool (£299.99) gives you a personal seat plus somewhere to put your feet — a combination that several customers have told us they prefer to a hanging single at the same price.

Price Comparison Across the Range

Here's a straightforward breakdown of our single and double options by price:

Singles (Hanging)

• Cotehele — £159.99
• Belton — £229.99
• Attingham / Saltram — £269.99
• Hardwick — £279.99 / Lanhydrock — £299.99
• Calke / Dunham — £319.99

Doubles (Hanging)

• Ightham — £299.99
• Bodiam — £319.99
• Knole — £369–£389.99
• Petworth — £419.99

Notice the overlap in the middle: the top-end singles and entry-level doubles occupy the same price bracket around £300. If you're spending that amount anyway, the choice between a premium single like the Lanhydrock and an entry-level double like the Ightham comes down to whether you'd rather have better single-person comfort or the option to seat two.

Real-World Placement Advice

Based on what our customers tell us works (and what doesn't):

Corner of a large patio: Double. It anchors the corner and creates a destination within the space. Pair it with a small side table.

Centre of a small patio: Single. A double in the middle of a small space makes the patio feel crowded. A single leaves room to walk around it and still have other furniture.

Under a pergola: Either works beautifully. The overhead structure frames the chair and provides shelter. If the pergola is 3m or wider, go double. Under 3m, stick with a single.

On a balcony: Single, or better yet, a standing egg chair like the Waddesdon. Most balconies can't accommodate a hanging frame of any size.

On grass: Single if possible. The lighter weight means less sinking of the frame legs. If you want a double on grass, place paving slabs under each foot of the frame to spread the load.

Next to a dining set: Single. It acts as an accent piece — a contrast to the straight lines of a dining set. A double beside a dining table starts to feel like too much furniture.

The Bottom Line

If you have the space and the budget, a double egg chair will give you more flexibility. You can use it solo or share it, and the extra room makes it more comfortable for extended sitting. The Knole is where most couples end up, and for good reason.

If space is limited, your budget is under £300, or you genuinely want a personal retreat rather than a shared seat, a single is the smarter buy. The Belton (£229.99) is the one we recommend most often — it hits the balance between quality and price that makes most people happy.

Browse our full single egg chair collection and double egg chair collection to compare options side by side. Every chair includes free UK delivery, cushions included, and detailed dimensions on the product page so you can measure your space with confidence.