A chaise lounge is the one outdoor piece bought for a single purpose, lying down in the sun or the shade, and the one most often bought wrong: too heavy to move toward the afternoon light, a back that only sits up or lies flat, a cushion still damp at lunchtime. This guide covers the three kinds of lounger (the chaise, the sunlounger and the daybed), what to look for in an adjustable back, when wheels and stacking matter, how pool chemicals treat different materials, the cushion-versus-sling decision and when a double chaise earns its footprint.

Chaise, sunlounger or daybed?

• A chaise lounge is a long seat, usually 75 to 80 in. long and 26 to 32 in. wide, with a back that reclines through several positions. It is the all-rounder for a pool deck, a lawn or a terrace and the piece this guide mostly concerns. Browse the outdoor chaise loungers collection.
• A sunlounger is the lighter, lower, often armless version built to be lined up along a pool edge, stacked when not in use and moved by one person. Sling versions are the pool-deck standard.
• A daybed is a wide, often canopied platform for two, built more for lounging in the shade than for sunbathing. It is a destination piece: it does not move, it needs a rug-sized footprint and it usually wants a cover. See the outdoor daybeds collection.

What makes a good adjustable back?

Count the positions and check the mechanism. A back with four or five positions, from upright to flat, covers reading, napping and sunbathing; a two-position back forces a choice. The mechanism should be a ratchet or a notched bar you can set from the lounger without getting up; a back that has to be lifted from behind is fine on a daybed and tiresome on a chaise. A fully flat position is the one people forget to check. Look too at the seat height: a lounger with a seat around 12 to 14 in. off the ground is low to get out of for anyone whose knees complain, while 16 to 18 in. lounges like a chair.

Wheels, stacking and weight

If the lounger will follow the sun around a lawn or be rolled clear of a pool party, wheels on the foot end are worth having; they lift one end only, so you move the lounger like a wheelbarrow. On a wood deck choose wide, soft wheels that do not mark. Stacking loungers nest three or four high and matter where you store a row of them in a pool house. Weight cuts both ways: an aluminum frame is light enough for one person to carry and needs a cover strap or a sheltered spot in wind; a teak lounger stays put and takes two people to move. Decide which problem you have before you decide.

Pool chemicals, chlorine and salt systems

A pool deck is a harsher place than it looks. Chlorinated water dripping off swimmers, salt from a saltwater system and sunscreen all land on the same lounger every day. Powder-coated aluminum shrugs off all three if it is rinsed; the coating is what matters, so touch up any chip before corrosion starts beneath it. Teak is unbothered by chlorine, though it grays faster where water pools on it. Resin wicker and solution-dyed sling are fine with chlorine and salt and simply need rinsing. Steel frames of any finish do not belong on a pool deck. Whatever the lounger, a hose-down once a week in season keeps the chemistry from building up on the surface, and that is most of the care there is. The materials guide goes deeper on each frame.

Cushion or sling?

Sling loungers, a vinyl-coated mesh stretched in the frame, drain instantly, dry in minutes and never need to be stored. They are the right answer for a pool deck, a rental property or anyone who will not put cushions away. Cushioned loungers are more comfortable for a long afternoon and look more like furniture, and a cushion in a solution-dyed acrylic over quick-dry foam stays outside most of the season with a rinse now and then. The middle path is a sling lounger with a loose pad you add for guests. The cushions and fabrics guide covers foam and fabric in detail; the replacement cushions collection has maker-sewn cushions for the loungers sold here, so a worn cushion does not mean a new chaise.

Double chaises and daybeds: is the footprint worth it?

A double chaise is roughly 55 to 60 in. wide, so one of them costs less deck than two singles with a table between and looks calmer. The trade-off is that both backs often adjust together, and two people who want different angles will want singles. A daybed with a canopy gives real shade and is the better pick for a couple who read rather than sunbathe; allow at least 36 in. of clearance on the sides people climb in from. Either piece anchors a pool end or a lawn corner the way a sofa anchors a patio, so pair it with a side table within reach and give it its own rug.

Placement and spacing

• Leave 18 to 24 in. between loungers so a side table fits and people can get in and out without climbing over each other.
• Keep the foot end at least 36 in. from a pool edge so a reclined lounger does not become a step into the water.
• Face the lounger across the afternoon sun, not into it, unless the back goes fully flat.
• Under a pergola or a tree, cushions dry slower; choose sling or quick-dry foam and lift cushions after rain.

Lead times and delivery

Built-to-order loungers from Castelle, Lloyd Flanders and Telescope Casual ship 6 to 8 weeks after the order is placed; Sunset West 4 to 6 weeks; Moe's Home ships within 10 days. Each product page shows its own shipping note under the price. Delivery is free curbside in the continental US; white-glove delivery, in-room placement and assembly are optional paid add-ons. Fitted covers for the Telescope Casual and Castelle pieces sold here are in the covers collection and ship separately from the furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a chaise lounge and a sunlounger?

A chaise is the fuller, cushioned or sling long chair with a multi-position back; a sunlounger is the lighter, lower pool-deck version that stacks and moves easily. Makers use the names loosely, so judge by weight, back positions and whether it stacks.

Can an outdoor chaise lounge stay by the pool all summer?

Yes, if the frame is powder-coated aluminum, teak or resin wicker and you rinse it weekly. Sling or quick-dry cushions handle the splashing; keep steel frames away from the water.

Is a sling lounger comfortable?

For an hour or two, yes; the mesh gives and breathes. For long afternoons a cushioned chaise is more comfortable. A loose pad on a sling lounger gives you both.

Should I buy a double chaise?

If two of you lounge together at the same angle, it saves space and looks cleaner. If you want different recline positions, buy two singles with a side table between.

Do I need wheels on a chaise lounge?

Only if you will move it often, to chase sun or clear the deck. A heavy teak lounger that stays put does not need them; an aluminum one you shift daily does.

Shop chaises and daybeds

Browse outdoor chaise loungers, outdoor daybeds and side tables, then protect them with fitted covers and replacement cushions.