A mid-century invention, the hoop chair has been a part of our design vocabulary since the 1950s. Possibly the first one was the “circle chair” patented by designer Joseph Cicchelli in July, 1952. His chair’s unusual round shape apparently required interpretation; it was described later that year in The New York Times as “an upholstered seat and back supported on two opposite segments on a circle of wrought iron, the un-upholstered segments serving as arm rests.” Got that?
The rest is history, of course. Originally sold to the trade through Reilly-Wolff Associates at 50 East 34th Street in Manhattan, Cicchelli’s design spawned countless imitators. These days the hoop chair is most often seen in weatherproof versions, a sturdy patio classic that plays well with other furniture styles, hardscape materials, and garden designs.
We’ve rounded up our favorite hoop chairs in time for warm weather. Here are 10 we’d be happy to see on our own patios—or poolside—this summer:
Above: A luxe version: made in Italy, designer Lievore Altherr Molina’s Leaf Lounge Chair for Arper has a sled base of painted steel rods. It is $940 from Hive Modern.
Above: Designer Judy Kameon’s Plain Air Hoop Chair updates the shape of the Acapulco chair. For more information, color combinations, and pricing, see Plain Air.
Above: On Remodelista this week, Julie is captivated by “a new wave of 1960s-inspired hoop chairs for both indoors and outdoors,” such as the Ensemble de Jardin from Les Petits Bohemes, which includes a table and chair for €170 ($189.06).
See more of Julie’s favorites at Trend Alert: Modern Hoop Chairs.
Above: Mexico’s answer to the bucket chair, a Concha Chair by Innit has a galvanized steel frame and vinyl cording treated to resist UV rays; $364.99 from All Modern.
Above: Made in Los Angeles from powder- and zinc-coated steel and vinyl cording, the Hoop Chair is $325 per chair from Potted.
Above: Handmade in Mexico City-based workshops, Leon Leon’s Cali Copper Lounge Chair covered in leather is suitable for covered outdoor spaces; for information and pricing, see Leon Leon.
Above: With a handwoven fan shape on a black powdercoated steel frame, a weatherproof Ixtapa Lounge Chair is $249 from CB2.
Above: A vintage wrought-iron Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Hoop Lounge Chair is $995 on 1stdibs.
Above: A new life for a mid-century chair frame: California Furniture Restoration (headquartered in Pomona, California) uses techniques “akin to a re-manufacturing process” to update vintage pieces. A one-of-a-kind Mid-Century Hoop Patio Chair is $119 on Chairish.
Above: A stackable Kente Round Chair from Paris-based designer Imandeco has an iron frame painted glossy black and can be covered with dozens of colors and braids. For options and pricing, see Imandeco. See one of our favorite colors in Design Sleuth: A Stylish Outdoor Hoop Chair.
Shopping for outdoor furniture? See Alexa’s picks at 10 Easy Pieces: California-Style Essentials for the Garden and a roundup of our favorite Acapulco Chairs.
Finally, are you planning a Decks & Patios project? Learn everything you need to know on to get started with our Hardscaping 101: Decks & Patios 101 guide.
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