When you think about the bean bag lounge chair, you probably think of either a 1970s hippie burning incense or a modern gamer in a decked out gaming room. The bean bag chair has a lot of interesting history behind it, though, and it has become one of the most iconic pieces of furnishing you can buy.
- The original is (almost) always best. Bean bag chairs were created by three men at an Italian furniture company in 1968. These first beanbag chairs were made with leather covers, and, while popular, they proved to be somewhat of a safety hazard during an age when people almost universally smoked cigarettes.
- Bean bag lounge chairs develop. Most people were able to see past the fire hazard and realize that bean bag lounge chairs were pretty great. The comfy bean bag chair really came into its own in the 1970s. It was indeed popular among hippies looking to turn their living room into a place of comfort and relaxation and not a stuffy spot for “entertaining.” The original leather was done away with and chairs were covered in cotton, corduroy, and canvas. Vinyl became very popular about a decade later because it was so much easier to clean than other materials and was also quite affordable.
- Stuffing the bean bag chair. The insides of beanbag chairs have changed quite a bit. The first beanbag chairs were filled with polystyrene. After a few years, EPS beads were used instead. Both these materials were popular because they were cheap, comfortable to sit on, and very light. People loved the fact that lightweight beanbag lounge chairs could be moved all over the house or even outside.
- “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” During the 80s and 90s, love for the beanbag chair began to wane. People became interested once again in conventional furniture, and the beanbag chair became seen as somehow inappropriate in a nice room. Fortunately, things didn’t stay that way for long.
- Bean bag lounge chairs resurgent. As the 21st century dawned, the bean bag chair really began to come into its own. The bags of today are quite different from those first bean bag chairs. It’s now possible to get bean bag lounge chairs covered in leather, canvas, nylon, microfiber, suede, faux fur, and nearly any other material you can name. Bags are also now available in just about any shape that can be imagined. Bean bag chairs can be waterproof, made from fade resistant fabric, designed as luxury models, personalized, and made fit for nearly any sort of room no matter how fancy or how common. Today, bean bags have inner liners that allow the cover to be removed and washed, and foam is being used as a filling.
- Why bean bag chairs are popular. There are quite a few aesthetic and sentimental reasons why someone might get a bean bag chair, many of which are difficult to quantify. However, the beanbag chair is undeniably one of the most ergonomically-friendly pieces of furniture it is possible to buy. Gamers in particular value the beanbag chair because it provides the same kind of support and comfort as enormously expensive manufactured gaming chairs, but at only a fraction of the cost. Others are thrilled with the versatility that beanbag chairs offer because of their light weight.
- Making your choice of bag. Today’s beanbag chairs don’t have to be chairs at all: they can come shaped almost any way you can imagine, or in the size of a couch or loveseat. They come in a variety of fillings these days, as well, and for best comfort it’s a good idea to look for those that are labeled eco-friendly. Bean bag chairs are also available in almost any color or cover style your heart could desire, from the fuzzy bean bag chair to the corduroy bean bag chair. All it takes is a bit of searching to find the one that’s perfect for you.
Beanbag chairs have earned their place as an iconic piece of furniture. If you are looking for a lightweight, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture for your home, don’t forget to look for a beanbag chair.
