The Chair of Many Names: How the Best Adirondack Chair Got Its Start

No matter what your decorating style may be, there’s no denying how iconic the simple-yet-elegant Adirondack chair is. This immediately recognizable design is so well-known that is has spawned an entire decorating style around its natural beauty. But do you know how such a quintessential design got its start?

Adirondack Chairs By Other Names

The Adirondack Chair actually has a few other names throughout the world. The design that we know today was named after the Adirondack mountain range in New York, possibly because this style of chair was prevalent in the health spas created for tuberculosis patients who came to the mountains for fresh air. However, the original design was the Westport plank chair, named after the city in New York where the design was created. The same design in Canada is called a Muskoka chair, after a type of summer vacation cottage. Finally, in France, this type of chair is known as Laurentian chair, after a popular getaway region in Quebec. Do you see the pattern? Across the world, the Best Adirondack Chair is associated with vacations, getaways, rejuvenation, nature, and relaxation. The beautiful design, and the supreme comfort of an Adirondack chair makes the perfect spot for spending a delightfully lazy day on a beach, in the mountains, or in your own private getaway.

Adirondack Chairs Since 1903

This design actually isn’t as old as many people believe. The original Adirondack chair was created in 1903 by Thomas Lee. He wanted to create what he termed the “perfect outdoor chair” for his lake house at Lake Champlain. The reason the seat of the Adirondack chair is slanted is to accommodate for the uneven terrain in that area. Nowadays, that slanted design is all about comfort, letting you recline back in your chair while your troubles melt away. There are several stories about how the design for the original Adirondack chair got patented, but we don’t know which is the true beginning of this beautiful furniture style. However, we do know that the design we see today has some key differences to the original. For example, our Adirondack chairs are made out of premium Western Red Cedar, Pine and IPE (Brazilian walnut) that is built to last for decades and look great during the entire lifespan. The original chair was made of hemlock only because it was easy to find in the area. Additionally, the original chair had a single piece of wood serving as the back support. Today we use multiple smaller slats of wood to make the chair more comfortable. You get more air flow and a softer support for your back, as well as that iconic style that we’ve come to recognize as Adirondack’s calling card today.

Become Part of Adirondack History

The Adirondack is more than just a comfortable outdoor chair; it is also an important part of design history. You can be a part of that when you shop The Best Adirondack chair. Not sure you can find exactly what you want? We also offer custom designs to suit your needs exactly.