Vintage Metal Lawn Chairs

Vintage metal lawn chairs are like taking a walk down memory lane into yesteryear when large family gatherings or even block parties were the summertime normal. These sturdy lawn chairs originally came in a variety of color and were a staple for lawn and front porch furnishings.

These are not going to be your average yard sale gleanings, but you might be able to locate some authentic vintage metal lawn chairs in flea markets, second-hand stores or antique shops. Even if the chair you find has fading paint and a rust spot or two, it doesn’t take much to bring these classics back into serviceable shape. Just sand down the rusty spots, touch them up with a little Rustoleum or other rust prevention primer, and then spray paint with the metal paint of your choice. The tubular rails were often chrome colored, but look great in white or black – or some other color that contrasts nicely with the seat and back.

If you’d like to have a new chair of this type, you can often pick them up at your local hardware or other outdoor furnishings supplier. For example, Lowes carries Crosley Furniture Steel Conversation Chair. In addition to the chairs, they also carry a two-seater bench and matching table. Fancier versions, with patterned backs, are also available from other suppliers.

Your vintage metal lawn chairs are the perfect answer to summer, outdoor living. They are comfortable, easy to clean and can easily be wiped free of dew or the remains of a rain shower. Paint them to coordinate or contrast with your house, or even with your barbeque and other outdoor living accouterments. Make it easy to invite your neighbors to stop and chat, or to just enjoy a moment or two of sunshine.

Jessica started out as an interior photographer, but her love of pretty settings took her to the field of interior design, where she can combine two of her greatest passions, creating and then capturing the beauty of homes.

Retro Metal Lawn Chair
Retro Metal Lawn Chair

Available in seven colors, including aqua gloss and key lime gloss, this chair is made of steel. Rust and weather-resistant, it has a non-toxic powder-coated finish for a bold and bright look. The chair is gently contoured and the back slightly rounded.

This chair would look great residing by a pool. For a 1950s look, we recommend opting for the aqua gloss finish, as it will complement the natural blue of pool water and shine against whitewashed or tiled flooring. If blue isn’t your thing, the white finish will have a similar effect, though it will pick up marks much more easily.

Shell Shaped Vintage Metal Lawn Chairs
Shell Shaped Vintage Metal Lawn Chairs

You can pick from bright red, navy, white, or turquoise with these chairs, all of which have a glossy finish. Crafted from steel, they are UV and rust resistant. The seats are rounded, whereas the two backs feature the shape of shells.

The shell shape of these chairs instantly draws your eye. For a striking look, the bright red gloss finish would look gorgeous contrasted with a tall white bar-style table in between. Place a red rug underneath the table for a truly colorful appearance or stick to bare floor to tone down the red. Finish with a red vase on the table.

Ridged Vintage Lawn Chair
Ridged Vintage Lawn Chair

Featuring rocking function, this lawn chair comes with five color choices, including charcoal, yellow, and white. Made from steel, it is water and rust resistant. The back and seat are both ridged, with the tall back and wide frame creating an open look.

We love the laidback casual vibe of this chair. As it is a rocking chair, we think it would be best suited to a porch setting. If you buy a pair, you could place the two chairs behind your porch front for a welcoming look. The persimmon color would look stunning with warm neutrals like terracotta tiled flooring or beige walls.

Curved Vintage Metal Lawn Chair
Curved Vintage Metal Lawn Chair

Made of steel, this chair is corrosion and mildew resistant. It has a curved back and seat with a contouring effect for added comfort. It comes in either a light or dark green finish, both of which have contrasting white arms.

The green color scheme of this chair will blend in well in any garden. Dark green is a better option if you have lots of dark plants and not many colorful flowers, as it will fit in without looking dull. However, the light green would look amazing surrounded by a rainbow of flowers, especially if you buy two to make a pair.

Bench Style Metal Lawn Chairs
Bench Style Metal Lawn Chairs

This set of two plastic chairs comes with seven color choices, ranging from pink to lime green, so you’re sure to find a favorite. Featuring a unique bench style, they are attached in the center and have ridging detail on the back.

As these chairs are made of plastic, they are a good option if you have pets or children. They will be easy to clean and maintain due to the fact plastic doesn’t rust, though bear in mind that they might look cheap if paired with more expensive furniture. You can prevent this by choosing a darker color like hunter green or the black/white mix.

Colorful Lawn Metal Chairs
Colorful Lawn Metal Chairs

Including two chairs, this set has six color options. Made from steel, each chair is UV resistant and made with a powder-coated frame. Each chair features rocking function, as well as curved arms and a seat that slants backward for support.

These chairs will look straight out of the 1960s when placed on your porch. Their slanted seats and ridged backs give them a cool and retro vibe. The rocking function is ideal if you have a small child and like to sit outside. Plus, the range of colors means you can match them to any existing outdoor furniture.

Morrison Patio Dining Armchair
Morrison Patio Dining Armchair

The Morrison Metal Patio Dining Armchair features a steel weather-resistant frame that stands up to heavy rainstorms and harsh sunlight. The cantilever base provides just the right amount of support and flex, while the low slanted seats feature vintage-inspired details and curved arms that give you support while you sit. This set of chairs comes in a variety of colorful finishes to choose from that best suit your taste.

Morrison Patio Chair
Morrison Patio Chair

Perfect for lounging around during lazy afternoons, this patio chair is a must-have for your outdoor space. The metal chair's powder-coated finish allows it to stand up against inclement conditions, while its understated silhouette, minimalist base and rounded arms add comfort and visual intrigue. This outdoor chair arrives in a set of two so you can set it up around the coffee table right away.

Retro Chair
Retro Chair

These chairs are commonly known as scalloped lounge chairs, also called motel and beach chairs. Designed in the art deco style, they evoke nostalgia for simpler times in the 1950s.

Morrison Patio Chair
Morrison Patio Chair

This chair is always the perfect place to sit and enjoy a morning meal when the weather is fine. The chair is constructed from weather-resistant stainless steel that doesn't mind UV light shining down or rainstorms rolling through. This piece boasts a versatile appearance, featuring a cantilever base and slatted seat all finished in a solid tone. Arrives in a set of two.

Retro Metal Chair -lsu
Retro Metal Chair -lsu

You can show your school spirit with this LSU Tigers retro metal chair. The metal tulip-style back features an LSU Tigers logo on official Tiger Purple and Tiger Gold contrast metal piping for the arms and base. These chairs are a fun throwback to yesteryear, and they make great additions to any gameday space in your home or office.

Retro Metal Chair -ut (texas)
Retro Metal Chair -ut (texas)

The University of Texas Longhorn Retro Metal Tulip Chair features the Longhorns logo on official burnt orange and bright white contrast metal piping for the arms and base. These retro chairs are a fun collectable and throwback to yesteryear. Official NCAA licensed product and logo. HOOK' em HORNS!

Patio Dining Armchair
Patio Dining Armchair

Tulip lawn chairs, with their vibrant colors and durable design, have remained a popular patio staple for over half a century. A long-lasting enamel paint protects the furniture from corrosion and fading, while a powder-coated finish helps keep the color vibrant for many years of enjoyment. The seat and back of the chair have a decorative cutout pattern providing a unique vintage look. Coordinate with similarly colored tables and chairs for a matching set or mix and match colors to create a set that is perfectly yours. Features: Color(s): sky blue and white. Long-lasting enamel paint. Powder-coated finish. 350-pound weight limit. Comes with white caps. 5-piece easy assembly — all weather resistant — For indoor or outdoor use.

Eva Metal Vertical Stacking Dining Chair
Eva Metal Vertical Stacking Dining Chair

Comfortable and attractive, these colorful dining chairs are perfect for socialising at home. A weather-resistant frame means you can also enjoy them on your deck or sunroom. Completely transform your dining space with this vintage bistro-style chair, which is ideal for commercial environments. This stackable indoor/outdoor chair is ready to use as soon as it arrives with no assembly required.

Nyquist Iron Garden Arm Chair In Antique White
Nyquist Iron Garden Arm Chair In Antique White

The Gaia Iron Garden Armchair offers considerable support, along with decorative details formed by the ironwork. The Gaiam Iron Garden Armchair is made of high-quality iron that has been powder coated for protection against the elements.

Cranbrook Stacking Patio Dining Chair
Cranbrook Stacking Patio Dining Chair

These metal dining chairs arrive fully assembled and ready to use. They are ideal for hosting family and friends on a chilly summer night, a bonfire or a nice BBQ event.

Outdoor Eudo Rocking Metal Chair
Outdoor Eudo Rocking Metal Chair

This rocking chair was designed to complement any outdoor setting. It is perfect for a backyard or front porch area, and it will enable you to relax and enjoy a soothing cup of morning coffee.

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What we’re looking for:

Size:

Most vintage metal lawn chairs will measure approximately 20-25 inches wide. The retro look often involves wider arms, meaning the overall width will increase even if the seat isn't as large. Because of this, you'll need to make sure you have enough room where you plan to put your chairs. Per Charlotte Moss, a pair of metal lawn chairs will look lovely on your porch, but the effect is quickly lost if they are crammed into a space with an ill-fitting table between them. If the chairs are for your back garden, check you can position them with at least 8-10 inches of space between the chairs and any plants or flowerbeds. This will create a well-spaced look more pleasing to the eye.

Style:

All vintage lawn chairs will have a particular look reminiscent of past eras, but there are varying vintage styles available. Mid-century modern chairs will usually have tapered legs and a sleek look, whereas a 1980s chair is more likely to look like the pool chairs we're used to seeing now due to the ridged backs and wide-set legs. Though the lawn chairs featured all have a vintage style, look at your garden layout or existing outdoor furniture to make sure everything will blend together seamlessly.

Material:

Though your vintage metal lawn chair will obviously be made of metal, Darryl Carter says it's vital to check the type of metal it is constructed from. This is because some metals will wear better than others. A good example of a metal that wears well is steel -- though steel does rust like other metals, it can be more easily looked after with regular care and maintenance. Of course, other factors like the paint used will also contribute to how your chair wears, so maintenance is key.

Maintenance:

If you plan to keep your metal lawn chairs outside all year round, it's vital to look for chairs that have protective features in place. Andre Mellone recommends choosing a chair that is UV and weather resistant at the minimum. Both of these factors will help to stop your chair from fading and looking progressively more worn over time. You should also regularly wipe your chair down with warm water and a cloth to prevent marks from building up. If you live in a place that has a regular rainy season, it's best to store your chairs away, either in a shed or on an enclosed porch.

Color: 

Interestingly, it is often the color of a vintage metal lawn chair that lends it a vintage look. Colors like refreshing teal, fire engine red, or sunshine yellow all signal back to the 1950s and 1960s, when bright colors were commonplace in furniture. Chairs modeled after later decades like the 1970s and 1980s are usually in groovy colors like orange contrasted with brown. However, don't let your love of color get carried away. You may love the idea of red chairs, but will they match a more understated porch? Though you should choose your favorite, consider how different colors will work with what you already have.

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