The 10 Best Bean Bag Chairs
This wiki has been updated 36 times since it was first published in February of 2015. Ideal as a cost-effective solution for the dorms of cash-strapped students, bean bag chairs have been enjoyed by kids for generations, but even adults will appreciate the benefits of some of these new models. We've included enough design choices and sizes to suit any taste, space, and budget. For safety reasons, very young children should never be allowed to use them unsupervised. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Jaxx Cocoon
2. Fatboy Original
3. Acanva Teardrop Slacker
Editor's Notes
August 21, 2020:
We've kept a range of size options at this time, from the ample Sofa Sack Lounger to the relatively small Big Joe Milano, ultimately choosing the Jaxx Cocoon as a top choice for most. True, you're going to need plenty of room for it, but it's soft against the skin and gives you two positions to choose from, so you can sit up or recline. What's more, there are several lush faux fur choices, as well as a robust denim. But if you don't love the traditional bean bag aesthetic that these choices offer, consider instead the Fatboy Original. Its nylon cover isn't quite as soft as the cover you'll find on many others, like the microsuede Chill Bag, but it has a rectangular design that gives it a modern appeal.
For something a little different, we selected the Creative QT Stuff 'n Sit. It does not actually come with any beads or foam; instead, you use it as a sort of toy organizer, filling it with the stuffed animals, cushions, or blankets cluttering up your closets or kids' rooms.
And speaking of kids, a word about safety. Modern bean bag chairs almost always have safety features that are designed to prevent suffocation or choking, which can happen when a small child gains access to the interior of the bag and its contents; however, you should never let very young kids use this type of furniture without supervision. If any rips or tears expose the beads within, you'll need to repair or replace the chair immediately. Also, keep a careful watch to ensure that little ones do not crawl under a bean bag chair, which can be dangerous, too.
April 24, 2019:
Bean bag chairs have come a long way from their invention in the late 1960s. While they may have once been relegated to use by hippies and high school or college-aged kids, the modern designs are significantly more elegant and wouldn't look out of place next to a high-end sofa or recliner. If you are looking for something you can cuddle up with that special someone on, check out the Jaxx Cocoon, Sofa Sack Lounger, or one of the larger Cozy Sack options. They all provide enough space for two adults to relax comfortably. On the other hand, if you are a bit tight on space, a smaller model like the Flash Furniture Oversized, Acanva Teardrop Slacker, or Big Joe Milano might be a better option. The Big Joe Milano deserves a special mention for its smart design that features arm rests and back support. Many people will also appreciate the versatility of the CordaRoy's Chenille, which unfolds into a bed, making it ideal for people who often have overnight guests, but don't want to buy a pull-out sofa or make friends sleep on an uncomfortable air mattress.
Special Honors
Jessica Lee Knitted Wedge The Jessica Lee Knitted Wedge has a decidedly grownup aesthetic, with a chunky knit cover that brings a modern style to this classic piece of furniture. At about 27 inches tall, it's large enough to be noticeable, but not overwhelm a room, and the color choices range from steel grey to baby pink. etsy.com
The BigOne by LoveSac The BigOne by LoveSac lives up to its name by offering an approximate width of 78 inches, or just over 6 feet. In fact, it's large enough to hold four people at once, but if this is too large, there are several smaller — and less expensive — options available, too. lovesac.com
Moon Pod Created to give you a feeling of floating, the Moon Pod is filled with high-density beads that provide comfortable support no matter whether you're sitting, reclining, or lying down. And unlike some, it has a handy armrest available for separate purchase, the Crescent, which makes this a great choice for reading and watching TV. moonpod.co
4. Cozy Sack
5. CordaRoy's Chenille
6. Sofa Sack Lounger
7. Creative QT Stuff 'n Sit
8. Big Joe Milano
9. Big Squishy Portable
10. Chill Bag
Furniture Fun For All Ages
Some spaces demand lighter, more delicate feeling furniture while others can handle heavier, bulkier items.
The furniture in your home is about more than mere functionality; furniture is a part of the decor scheme of your home, and it should complement your style preferences and your general attitude and outlook. While a home can look great furnished entirely in Mission style or when filled with nothing but Mid-Century Modern items, ideal interior decoration usually involves blending a few different aspects of varied styles together.
Great residential interior design starts with an assessment of a home's rooms and space within them as well as the space beyond the house. Interior design will look different in a beach house as it will in a mountain cabin, e.g. everything from construction material to paint color to flooring (or floor coverings) plays a role, and these more permanent aspects must be accounted for first.
When it comes time to furnish a room, the furniture chosen must fit with the aesthetic of the people who live in the home and it also must fit with the layout and appearance of the room itself. Some spaces demand lighter, more delicate feeling furniture while others can handle heavier, bulkier items.
While a degree of unity in furnishings is important, there is almost always room for a few unique items of more playful furniture in the house or apartment. You don't have to tuck a leopard print couch into a room filled with Stickley furniture, but you could. And if you're looking for an affordable piece of furniture to bring a bit of lighthearted spark to your living space -- and also to provide another place to have a seat -- don't overlook the beanbag chair.
This unusual but classic type of furniture was first introduced in 1968 by a trio of Italian designers. Most bean bag chairs are made with microfiber fabric exteriors and are filled with polystyrene beads. They are considered anatomic and amorphous, assuming the shape of the person or people using them rather than maintaining a set shape at all times. For this reason a bean bag chair can look a bit odd, but it can certainly be comfortable.
Choosing A Bean Bag Chair For The Kids
A bean bag chair is an ideal piece of furniture for kids, teens, and even for college students. This is true first and foremost because most bean bag chairs are very affordable. If damaged beyond repair, dirtied beyond where cleaning can restore them, or simply worn out through heavy use, it's no great matter to simply replace a bean bag chair.
Bean bag chairs also make great furniture options for kids because they are lightweight and easy to move around. A child can easily maneuver his or her own bean bag chair around the room or even carry it around the house if it's their chosen place to read, watch TV, or study. There are bean bag chairs that are small enough to accommodate a toddler or younger elementary aged child, but in truth almost any bean bag chair makes a great choice for a kid.
There is a playfulness inherent in bean bag chairs that kids love, and providing a child his or her own dedicated piece of furniture can make them feel respected and cared for. Just make sure to look at options with vinyl covers or consider coating a bean bag chair that has a microfiber or cloth fabric cover with a stain resistant material.
Bean Bag Chairs Grownups Will Love
The bean bag chair may be a mainstay of the child's bedroom or the dorm room, but there are plenty of options out there that are more than suitable for adult use. Some bean bag chairs even retain much of their shape during use, which provides the back support many adults need. Other bean bag chairs are simply large enough to accommodate an adult, and some are even big enough for several people to use at once.
Smaller bean bag chairs are also almost invariably popular with pets, so consider a bean bag chair as a bed for your cat or smaller dog.
If you choose an extra large bean bag chair to serve as primary piece of furniture in your home, you will get an unusual but comfortable item that can act as a couch for several people or as a singularly comfortable spot for one person to take a nap. Many larger (and pricier) bean bag chairs with microfiber exteriors even have removable covers that can be machine washed, so these items may be in the family for many years.
Smaller bean bag chairs are also almost invariably popular with pets, so consider a bean bag chair as a bed for your cat or smaller dog. If you get your pets a unit without a removable cover, you might want to cover the unit with a sheet or blanket if a pet will use it, though, as many fabrics attach pet hair, and in the event of a urinary accident, it can be hard to deep clean a bean bag chair.
Melissa Harr is a language-obsessed writer from Chicagoland who holds both a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English. Although she began as a TEFL teacher, earning several teaching certificates and working in both Russia and Vietnam, she moved into freelance writing to satisfy her passion for the written word. She has published full-length courses and books in the realm of arts & crafts and DIY; in fact, most of her non-working time is spent knitting, cleaning, or committing acts of home improvement. Along with an extensive knowledge of tools, home goods, and crafts and organizational supplies, she has ample experience (okay, an obsession) with travel gear, luggage, and the electronics that make modern life more convenient.