History of Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture is meant to be used outdoors. It can be furniture that was at one time used in the house, but has now been replaced with new furniture, or it can be furniture that has been specifically designed and built for outdoor use. But, just exactly how did outdoor furniture come to be, and what changes have been made? Does this Spark an idea?

Time Frame

In the Prehistoric age, outdoor furniture would have consisted of stone furniture, either chiseled or otherwise shaped into something that could be sat upon, or possibly just a smooth, flat stone. Tree stumps, animal skins, or soft leaves or boughs may have also been used. The Bible even mentions Rachel sitting on a camel's saddle.
The Egyptians used wood and brick for both their indoor and outdoor furniture. The Greeks would mainly use wood for their furniture-making.
Over the years, materials went from stone to wood, including wicker and rattan. During the Civil War, "camp chairs" made of the same canvas fabric that tents were made of, were seen in both Union and Confederate army camps.
The chairs were as simple as canvas stretched over pieces of wood that had been shaped into a chair frame (similar to modern day "director's chairs"), to those that were as finely built as any chair that would have been found in finer homes; the only difference being the seat was of canvas, and the chair could be folded.
Metal or resin (including plastic and other products) was soon incorporated into the building of outdoor furniture. And, anyone growing up during the 50s and 60s can remember chairs and loungers that were built on aluminum frames with plastic webbing for the seating area.

Types

Outdoor furniture evolved from simple stones, stumps, or wooden chairs or stools to modern loungers (one-piece designs of outdoor furniture that allow one to stretch completely out), chairs, swings, gliders, stools, tables, and even storage furniture. Some chairs or stools may even do "double-duty" when it comes to this, as some chairs or stools have storage compartments built right under the cushion or seat. Outdoor furniture has changed through the years, going from rocks or stumps with nothing to support the back, and little, if any cushioning, to furniture that reclines and has as much padding as a bed.

Size

Early outdoor furniture could range in size from small to large stones or stumps chosen to accommodate the "sitter". He or she would simply pick and choose from the available resources until the most suitable one was found. Modern furniture today can be small enough to hold a toddler or designed solely to support large frames.

Benefits

Sitting on outdoor furniture in the "old days" had the same benefits as it does today. One's "hindquarters" were and are not in direct contact with hard, damp, or otherwise unsuitable sitting surfaces.

Potential

Just as in-home furniture styles continue to change, so too will porch furniture. The possibilities for improvement are many, including making them more ergonomically designed, more comfortable and more durable.