Adirondack chairs were invented during the early 1900s by a vacationer who was looking for ways to furnish his summer home. By utilizing materials found around his Westport, NY, vacation home, Thomas Lee crafted a unique chair that caught the attention of a local carpenter and would eventually gain widespread popularity.

The chair was made out of eleven slats of wood, had wide armrests, and was unique in that both the seat and back angled so that it would sit better on the steep mountain terrain of the Adirondacks.

While looking for a way to increase revenue, a local carpenter and friend to Lee, Harry Brunnel, started crafting the chairs. In 1905, he applied for a patent and the chair that later came to be known as the Adirondack chair was dubbed the Westport Chair. For the next twenty years, Brunnel lovingly crafted the Adirondack furniture and watched his business grow and flourish.

Today, the furniture is individually handcrafted by skilled craftsmen who have taken the basic design of the Adirondack chair and, while keeping the integrity of the original design, added to it variations that make the chair versatile enough to be used in any outdoor setting. Available in several different styles including rockers, gliders, love seats and styles geared toward children, Adirondack chairs are not only durable and comfortable they can be used outdoors in all seasons.

Although Adirondack chairs are normally made out of treated wood such as teak, cypress, mahogany, alder, eucalyptus and southern yellow pine, they are also available in plastic. They can be finished using a wide pallet of stains, painted over 29 colors, or customized with hand painted details to compliment your dcor. You can also choose from a large array of cushions to add unique design elements to your space. As you can see, the possibilities are endless.

Perhaps what makes Adirondack chairs so popular among consumers today is their comfort. Identified by a high, angled back and sloping seat, the chairs are made with comfort in mind. After sitting in one of these Adirondack chairs, it is not hard to imagine a lazy afternoon spent in the garden while napping or reading your favorite novel.

Adirondack chairs are also very durable. Made out of solid, treated wood that is resistant to both rot and insect infestation, Adirondack chairs are virtually indestructible in any climate. They are also affordable. Depending on what you want, the price for Adirondack chairs starts out at approximately $200 for each piece. Of course, different styles and the addition of customized options can raise that price considerably.

In order to keep the cost of your selection in perspective, compare the cost of Adirondack chairs to other outdoor furnishings. Although Adirondack chairs may be priced a little higher than other types of furnishings, you will have to replace other furnishings after a few years. On the other hand, Adirondack chairs will remain beautiful for years to come.

If you are still not convinced that Adirondack chairs are for you, take a few minutes to browse through the huge selection that can be found online. You may be surprised by what you find.