A lounge armchair — called a “poltrona” in Spanish — is a wide, comfortable armchair with arms and a plush back, designed for sitting back and resting without hurry. The word comes from Italian, and today it is used mostly for the most generous single seats in a living room or on a terrace: deeper and softer than a chair, and sometimes paired with a matching footstool.
Lounge armchair, armchair, easy chair and chair: how they differ
In everyday use these words get mixed up, and their meaning shifts a little from country to country. As a quick guide:
Chair. A single seat with a straighter back, meant for sitting a short while, as at the dining table.
Armchair. A single seat with arms and an upholstered back, for resting.
Easy chair (butaca). Very close to the armchair; in many places the word is used for a single seat with a reclined back.
Lounge armchair (poltrona). The widest, deepest and most comfortable armchair: the resting seat par excellence, for reading, chatting or watching the sunset.
What an outdoor lounge armchair is like
An outdoor lounge armchair keeps the comfort of an indoor one, but is built to live with sun, humidity and rain. At NUSA we achieve this with three decisions:
Aluminum frame with electrostatic coating. It's lightweight, doesn't rust, and its coating protects it from corrosion even near the sea.
Fabrics made for the outdoors. Such as Sunbrella® fabric, whose color runs through the whole fiber and therefore doesn't fade in the sun. It repels water and is easy to clean.
Teak as an option. Some pieces can be ordered with a teak-clad frame, a noble wood that is resistant to humidity.
How to choose a lounge armchair for your terrace
Measure the space. A lounge armchair takes up more room than a chair. The Santorini Lounge Armchair, for example, measures 88 × 91 × 83 cm, and its matching footstool 65 × 64 × 46 cm. Leave room to walk around it and to stretch out your legs.
Think about how you'll use it. For reading or chatting, a deep seat and a comfortable back are best; if you're going to rest for longer, a footstool makes the difference.
Choose the fabric and color well. Light tones look fresh and bright; darker ones hide everyday wear better.
Customize it. At NUSA you can choose the fabric and finish so the piece matches your space.
Where does a lounge armchair look best?
It works on its own, as a reading nook on a balcony; as a pair, facing a sofa with a side table in between; or by the pool, with its footstool for stretching out your legs. Since it's a single piece, it's the easiest way to add comfort without redoing the whole terrace.
How to care for it
Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap and water when dust or salt builds up, let it air-dry and, in the rainy season, store loose cushions indoors if you won't be using them for several days. You'll find more tips in Care Tips and an overview of each material in the Materials Guide.
Meet the Santorini Lounge Armchair
If you're looking for an outdoor lounge armchair, take a look at the Santorini Lounge Armchair: Nordic design, aluminum frame and a matching footstool. You can order it in Silicone or Sunbrella® fabric, and with a teak-clad frame. You can also browse all the armchairs in the catalog or message us on WhatsApp and we'll advise you.