This Small-Space Chair Style Is Perfect for Lounging All Summer Long

Summer is here, and I don’t know about you, but I’m beelining it to the pool. It doesn’t matter if I’m taking a serene soak in an inflatable hot tub or practicing my off-kilter aquatic handstands like I did in elementary school, one thing’s for certain: If there’s a house with a pool (or otherwise), I’m so there.

Make no mistake, I also love to lounge poolside. However, finding the right seat can be easier said than done. A chic chaise might be comfy, but I often find myself eager to cool down right after stretching out in one of these seats. And, let’s be honest: Typical lounge chairs are so far away from the pool.

Fortunately, I found the perfect mix of form, function, and fun in the sun where I least expected it: the Pendry in Newport Beach. When I recently visited this hotel, I, like clockwork, beelined it to the pool and was impressed by the setup. The simple, rectangular pool was peppered with virtually every kind of seating you could imagine. 

Sofas strategically situated under cabanas? Chaise lounges tucked under cabanas? High-backed stools circling the area’s bar? Check, check, and check. However, the real light bulb moment happened when I clocked a few compact floor loungers dotting the pool’s perimeter. “This is genius,” I said to myself as I snapped a bunch of pictures for inspiration. 

Think of this style of seating as a portable, poolside take on the typical chaise. Not only do these designs have adjustable backs — so you can be upright or slightly reclined for the ultimate lounging experience — but this compact chair can also be folded up and moved elsewhere once you’re done with your daily dip. 

A typical chaise lounge has four legs and an extra-long seat to kick back and relax, but the ones at the Pendry notably don’t. Instead, this option sits directly on the ground and has a shorter seat akin to a classic dining room chair so you can scooch it right up to the edge of your pool.

As someone who takes my chairs and pool time very seriously, this setup is the best of both worlds: You can comfortably lounge (or preserve your posture) and dangle your feet into a chilled-to-perfection watering hole. (Not to mention it takes up virtually no space, which is genius.) And, when you want to take a full dip, you can set your beverage or book aside and shimmy in — no FOMO required.

These floor loungers might fit perfectly at a high-end hotel, but since there are a lot of similar styles online, you can easily re-create the look at home. To help, check out a few chairs I found for the perfect poolside perch.