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10 Ultra-Comfortable Bean Bag Chairs for Every Style and Budget

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Ah, the bean bag chair — those delightfully squishy finds you just want to flop down and watch your shows in. While some have associated the unique seating option with cheap dorm room furniture, bean bag chairs actually have roots firmly planted in design history. Choose the right model, and you’ll be treated to comfort, support (the very first bean bag chair was designed with ergonomics in mind), versatility, and style. We’ve rounded up a list that’s sure to encompass the best bean bag chair for you — read on to find your perfect match!

A History of the Bean Bag Chair

As Architectural Digest reported while celebrating the chair’s 50th anniversary in 2018, the original bean bag chair was born to challenge the status quo. The year was 1968, and a trio of Italian designers dreamt up the ultimate chair alternative: one that was ergonomic and unlike any other on the market. Rather than creating something rigid and structured, they wanted their seating to be malleable, with the ability to adapt to different people and various positions while still offering plenty of support.

Before the three designers even had time to perfect their prototype, Macy’s was calling to place an order for 10,000 units. Soon after, the Zanotta Sacco — aka the first mass-produced bean bag chair in the world — was born. Stuffed with polystyrene pellets, the innovative chair made its official debut at the Paris Furniture Fair in January 1969.

Over the years, the bean bag chair’s unique mix of high comfort and affordable pricing has made it a college staple, but bean bag chairs are so much more than that. They’re a fantastic seating option for any age range and make for the perfect addition to any home, patio, or even swimming pool.

How to Choose Your Perfect Fit

Whether you’re in the market for your umpteenth bean bag chair or are thinking about buying your first one, there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider. First, there’s the filling. Most bean bag chairs are filled with a hard plastic that’s similar to Styrofoam called expanded polystyrene (EPS). It’s lightweight, rigid, and affordable, but will only keep its shape for a few years, which is why many companies sell standalone refills. Alternatively, memory foam is becoming an increasingly popular filler.

Then, there’s the shape. While the classic bean bag chair resembles a large sack, designers are now dreaming up variations that look like more and more like traditional chairs, ottomans, and the like.

You’ll also want to consider whether you’ll be using the chair indoors or outdoors, who will be using it (adults vs. kids), and how big you want the actual seat to be.

If you’re ready to explore the wide, wide world of bean bag chairs and all that they have to offer, keep scrolling for FIRST for Women’s recommendations for the 10 best bean bag chairs.

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