As with most things in life, size absolutely matters. You wouldn't adopt a Saint Bernard if you're looking for a lap dog for your New York City studio apartment. Nor would you get a team of chihuahuas to pull your racing sled. Getting the right size
bean bag chairs is important for both comfort and practicality.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when
shopping for bean bag chairs, so that you can end up with the perfect bean bag for you and your loved ones. I'm going to talk in terms of AHH! Products' bean bag chair sizes, but the measurements can be found at most bean bag retailers, give or take a couple inches.
Let's talk about adults first, let's say anyone over 5 feet tall.
1. A 37 inch wide bean bag chair is the best-selling size for adults, since it's big enough for most adults to sit comfortably in without taking up too much space. It's very portable so you can take it from room to room, or from home to summer house. This size bean bag averages about 12 pounds and is filled with 9 cubic feet of
bean bag filling.
2. If you are 6 feet tall or more, consider investing in a 52 inch wide bean bag chair. This is a "giant" size that will let you lounge out well. Although quite large, it's still portable for adults with average upper body strength. If allowed to get a little flat, the giant size bean bag can also make room for 2 adults sitting side-by-side, like a comfy love seat. Remember that this size is big, and will take up the space of a lounger chair (like a Lazy Boy). This size bean bag chair averages about 24 pounds and is filled with 18 cubic feet of filling.
3. If you don't have enough space for a 37 inch, you can get smaller sizes, but adults will be less able to sit down into the bean bag and be more perched on top of it. Any size, including the smaller sizes (AHH! Products has a 27 inch and a 32 inch wide), can be leaned back against. This is great for video game playing and TV watching and is more comfortable than leaning against a stiff couch or wall. The 27 inch is about 6 pounds and is filled with 4.5 cubic feet of filling. The 32 inch is about 9 pounds and is filled with 7 cubic feet.
4. In general, the bigger the bean bag, the more bean bag there is to cozy into. So, go for the biggest bean bag chair your budget and floor space will allow. Just keep in mind that the bigger bean bags (52 inch giant for example), the harder it is to stow away when not in use and you need to reclaim floor space.
5. If you are not able to get up using upper body strength, large bean bags may not be the right size for you. To get up, arms are used to push up off the bean bag. You can roll off the side, but at some point you will probably need your arms to push up off the floor. On smaller bean bags where you don't sink down much since there's less bean bag and slack to sink into, you may be able to get up using core strength (abs, etc.). Please be careful and make sure you can safely get up before sitting in a bean bag of any size (or have a helping hand nearby).
6. If you are a larger adult, you'll do best with a giant sized bean bag chair for logical reasons. Our bean bags will hold up to any weight of course, but you'll be more comfortable with more surface area and slack to snuggle into.
7. We have been told that people with back problems can benefit from bean bags, but we don't necessarily suggest this. If you doctor says to get a bean bag, then go for it. Just make sure you follow tip #5. We do believe that leaning against (versus sitting in) a bean bag can be good for the back since it molds more to you than a regular pillow would for support. All of our sizes, but particularly the 27 inch and 32 inch, are great for this purpose (you don't really need a very large bean bag for leaning against).
8. Any size 37 inches and smaller makes great ottomans to kick up your feet and create the ultimate bean bag lounging experience.
Keep these tips in mind and you're on your way to the right-sized bean bag chair for you needs!
Stay tuned for tips on bean bag sizing for kids in my next post!
Yours truly,
Jade
