When I first shared our back porch makeover earlier in the summer, I talked about swapping our 10-year-old sectional for four outdoor club chairs arranged around a large round coffee table. At the time, I hoped the new layout would encourage us to use the space more intentionally.
Several months into summer, I can absolutely say it has exceeded every expectation. And if you asked me today whether I’d ever go back to a traditional outdoor sectional/sofa situation, my answer would be a pretty firm no. I totally underestimated how much the style of seating could influence not just the comfort of a space, but the frequency in which it’s used and how our family and guests naturally gather within it. After living with this setup, I’ve become a full-fledged believer in the conversation-style layout, and today I’m pleading my case to get more of you on board 😉 And, I’m sharing some of my favorite outdoor club chairs to go alongside it.
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The Large Club Chairs and Pieces That Make Up Our Back Deck Conversation Space
The covered deck area, just to the right of the back door, is only about 9’x9′, proving you don’t have to have a lot of space for a thoughtful setup, but you can also fit a decent amount within that constrained square footage. We added a TV, which is huge for our outdoor lifestyle, and even when it isn’t on, I love that it displays a backdrop and art.
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
THESE club chairs were my first furniture decision. They come in both stationary and swivel options. They’re really substantial, come fully assembled, and as I always brag about my Wayfair furniture — ship fast and free since obviously my order exceeded $35.
The cushions are Sunbrella fabric and the club chairs that can play to both a traditional and modern aesthetic are absolutely worthy of their 5-star cumulative rating. They are firm and supportive, which I prefer.
You can reference for scale here. The arms are actually wide enough to support drinks or balance plates.
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
If you aren’t already following me on the LTK app, you can find posts like THIS and more, regularly.
We’ve had the water resistant concrete outdoor side tables for a few years now and they’re still in perfect condition. They have almost a perfect 5-star cumulative rating and they’re Wayfair verfied, but also KN verified 😉 The pair we have out here for additional surfaces works perfectly.
The big round indoor/outdoor coffee table has been perfect for picnic style dining for Eliza and her friends, games, and feet. It’s waterproof and with our tricky, brutal Georgia summers (and elementary aged girls), I’m thankful for that, haha. It also comes in a smaller version HERE.
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
No surprise here, we were in need of a new outdoor rug for the summer and in my easiest decision of the back deck, quickly found THIS outdoor diamond patterned rug on Wayfair a few months ago. It’s incredibly durable and is holding up like a champ. It comes in a brown and beige also, and a ton of sizes (including square and round options). Mine is 8’x8′ — a rare but appreciated perfect dimension for our space.
A Circle of Club Chairs Begs for Convos
A sectional or a sofa with multiple chairs may seem like the obvious choice, but after a decade with that style of setup, while it gave us plenty of seating, it wasn’t a spot that felt natural to gather in. And when we did, it felt kind of disjointed. The four-chair arrangement completely changed that and after becoming a big fan of that setup from other inspiration I’ve seen in indoor setups, I don’t know why it took me so long to arrive at that possibility.
There’s no “bad seat” and it’s far more inviting for two of your guests to sit for a conversation without being forced side by side.
The entire space has transitioned from a forgotten cast-off on the side to a focal point. Here’s the backdrop of Eliza’s birthday party…
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
And her softball party.
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
And a post-swim movie night…
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
And early morning coffee and reading time.
Club Chairs | Coffee Table | Side Tables | Diamond Rug
We’ve had picnics, chats, games, and all kinds of independent time in these chairs already.
10 Favorite Outdoor Club Chairs for a Conversation Circle
And just to emphasize — I am thrilled with the big club chairs we decided on, but I collected a few other faves at different price points worth consideration below. Some even come as sets of two.
1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10.
I especially love Number 4 and Number 5 if you’re a little more constrained on space. They swivel, are Wayfair verified, and are a little smaller in stature. They would even be a great option for a two-person conversation set, in a corner or on a small patio.
This is what the uncovered part of our deck looks like, opposite the covered portion. And our Polywood outdoor dining set we decided on a few years ago is holding up perfectly in the bright sun and wild Georgia weather conditions.
An Update On Our Outdoor Umbrellas
Do you remember how excited I was at the beginning of the season to find THESE scalloped umbrellas? Not only do they still look new, but just as I planned, I went back and grabbed a third umbrella for our pool shelf. I love them so much and the neutral looks great, but they do come in several colors.
Here’s a peek of all three in use. You can see some of my other most loved scalloped outdoor umbrellas HERE.
This is probably the biggest endorsement I can give… we use this porch constantly. Eliza loves ending pool days by watching TV outside and starting her mornings out here, too. Guests naturally gather here, I’ve worked out here, had my morning coffee out here, and the porch is an actual viable option for spending family time now. I can’t wait for our first fall with it, too. Do you have/would you have this style setup?
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