Shopping for Bean Bag Chairs

Size

Bean bags come in a variety of sizes – oversized or extra large, large, medium and small. Most oversized bean bag chairs need an approximate designated floor space of six to eight square feet. These extra large bean bag chairs are full body sized and can function as a sofa, or seating for larger adults, and couples. Large and medium bean bag chairs need an approximate designated floor space of four to six square feet. These bean bags are more like chairs, and generally only seat one person. Large and medium sizes are appropriate for adults and teenagers. Small bean bag chairs are child-sized, and typically don’t take up more than three to four square feet of space.

Type

For every size of bean bag chair, there are different types of filling and coverings that you should familiarize yourself with prior to purchasing. The most common bean bag fillings are virgin polystyrene beads, which can be purchased separately as refills for refillable bean bags. Some bean bag chairs are filled with foam. These chairs generally have removable covers that can be washed, and do not need to be re-filled.

Whether you’re shopping for a bag that’s filled with beads or foam, refillable or outfitted with a removable cover, there are four basic designs of bean bag chairs. These designs come in all sizes. Lounge bean bags are spherical, and are the most popular type of oversized bean bag chairs. Teardrop bean bags are narrower at the top than they are at the base. Outdoor bean bag chairs are generally shapes more like mattresses. Video or gaming bean bag chairs have firmer back supports.

Style

As you shop for your bean bag chair, you will find that many retailers feature customizable bean bags. Once you select a type and size of bean bag, you will be presented with your options for color and covering material. Bean bags come in all colors, patterns, and materials. Some of the more popular materials are fabric such as denim, twill, chenille, velvet, suede, fake-suede, vinyl and leather. Outdoor bean bags are generally outfitted in all-weather fabrics that are water-resistant or water-proof.

Price Range

The price of your bean bag chair will be determined by size, type / design, and material. Although prices vary, the general trend is that foam filled bean bags with removable, washable covers are more expensive than refillable bead bean bags. Larger bean bags are pricier than smaller bean bags. Covers made from premium materials such as leather and suede are more expensive than fabric covers. Bean bags can range in price from the $40 to over $300. Although you can find larger bean bags for under $100, the least expensive bean bag chairs tend to be smaller and more ideally suited for children.

Where to Find Them

Stores such as Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn kids sell outdoor and indoor beanbag chairs. Although the Pottery Barn Teen catalogue and online website features décor that is styled more for teens and tweens, the bean bag chairs come in styles that are both colorful and neutral that could still be suitable for a more sophisticated adult’s taste in decoration. Online retail warehouses such as Amazon-dot-com, Overstock-dot-com, The Bean Bag Chair Outlet-dot-com, Bean Bags-dot com, and Bean Bag Chairs Online-dot-com all feature a wide range of options for size, type, and styles of chair to suit a variety of budgets.

Bean bag chairs can be fun additions to your home décor. As such, don’t be afraid to explore bold colors and interesting textures when choosing the chair that’s right for you. Bean bags are trendy and relatively inexpensive options to give rooms a contemporary upgrade. Ultimately though, bean bags are mobile pieces of furniture that can easily be relegated to another area of the home if and when the choices you make go out of style.