One Outdoor Recliner or Two? A Buying Guide for Couples
Buying guide · Published by Outdoor Nook, which makes and sells the recliners shown
Short answer: if two people will use the patio, buy two outdoor recliners, or plan for the second. A good recliner gets claimed. In our 635 customer reviews, 33 owners describe coming back for a second chair, a second pair or the rest of the set. One recliner still makes sense for a solo reading corner, a small balcony, or as a trial before you commit.
On this page: Why couples end up with two · What each option costs · Different heights · Space for two · What owners wish they knew · Quick answers
1. Why couples often end up with two outdoor recliners
An outdoor recliner is not shared the way a bench or sofa is. Once someone leans back, puts their feet up and swivels toward the view, they tend to stay. That is the point of the chair, and it is also why a second person in the house usually wants their own.
The pattern in our reviews
We read all 635 of our product and company reviews in October 2026. About 50 come from owners who bought a pair, 34 talk about a husband, wife or partner sharing the patio, and 33 describe a repeat order.
“I ordered one for me then I had to order a second because, after sitting in it my wife wanted one too.”
“I purchased my first recliner 4 months ago for my husband. He enjoyed it so much that I ordered one for me! … My only regret is that I didn't order two initially.”
Sometimes the second chair is a peace treaty:
“we loved the first one so much that we bought another one because we were fighting over whose turn it was to sit in the recliner.”
Two chairs let two people relax differently
Each Outdoor Nook recliner reclines, glides front to back and swivels 360 degrees on its own. In a pair, one person can lie back for a nap while the other sits up with a drink, and both can turn toward each other to talk or toward the fire, pool or screen. A sofa, by contrast, faces one direction and is built for sitting up. For ways to arrange two, see recliner layouts with side tables, fire tables and a sofa.
When one recliner is enough
- A single reader's corner, sunroom seat or poolside spot.
- A small balcony that fits one chair plus a walkway. See our guide to fitting recliners on a small patio, balcony or lanai.
- A trial run. Every recliner is sold on its own, so you can add the second later at the same price, and you have 14 days to return the first for a full refund.
2. One recliner, a pair or a set: what each costs
Prices are from our product pages in October 2026, before tax, with free delivery to the 48 contiguous states. A pair costs the same as two single chairs, so there is no penalty for starting with one. For the aluminum collections, two chairs come as a set with a matching side table.
| Collection | One recliner | Two | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keywest (wicker) | $864 | Pair $1,728; with side table $1,997 | Most compact, 27.55 in wide; Carolina Blue or Dove Grey |
| Newport (wicker) | $928 | Pair $1,856 | Mid-sized, 30.7 in wide; Pebble Brown |
| Malibu II (wicker) | $988 | Pair $1,976 | Widest, 32.2 in, with the widest seat (24.4 in between the arms); Portland Stone |
| Huntington (aluminum) | $993 | Two with side table $2,255 | Narrowest, 27.5 in wide, with a deeper 22 in seat; Light Oat |
| Shoreline (aluminum) | $988 | Two with side table $2,245 | 28.9 in wide, 22 in seat depth; Indigo Azure |
| Kiesta (aluminum, new) | $988 | Two with side table $2,245 | 28.9 in wide, 22.8 in seat depth; white frame, gray arms, Mist cushions |
Sunbrella® fabric versions cost more, from $1,064 (Keywest in Canvas Navy) to $1,203 (Huntington in Canvas). If you want seating for more than two, conversation sets pair two recliners with a reclining loveseat or sofa.
3. Fitting two people of different heights
Couples are rarely the same size, and the biggest difference between our collections is seat depth. The wicker models (Keywest and Malibu II) have an 18.9 inch seat depth, which suits shorter sitters. The aluminum models are deeper, 22 inches on Huntington and Shoreline and 22.8 on Kiesta, which suits taller ones. Seat height is similar across the range, 20.1 to 20.5 inches on the models with published charts.
“My husband is 6'2 and I am 5'4 and they are comfortable for both of us.”
Shorter partners in the deeper chairs are the ones to plan for. Some owners around 5'6" say their feet do not reach the floor when sitting upright.
“My wife is 5'6" and she cannot put her feet on the ground when she sits down. … We are satisfied overall with the chairs.”
What helps:
- Pick by seat depth, not just looks. Because every chair is sold singly, a couple can choose two different models: a wicker chair for the shorter partner and an aluminum one for the taller. Our fit guide for 5'2" to 6'4" walks through it.
- Use the footrest. Many shorter owners simply sit with it raised, which is where the chair is most comfortable anyway.
- Add a lumbar pillow behind the lower back to bring you forward when sitting upright. This one is our suggestion rather than a product spec.
Each recliner is rated to 300 lb, and only one adult should sit in it at a time.
4. How much space two outdoor recliners need
Each chair is 27.5 to 32.2 inches wide and about 43 inches tall. Front to back, the models we have measured are about 30 to 32 inches deep upright, 54 to 56 inches with the footrest out, and 64.5 to 67 inches (about 5½ feet) fully reclined.
For two chairs side by side with a side table between them, allow roughly 73 to 85 inches of width (two chairs plus an 18 to 20.5 inch table), about 5½ feet of depth for full recline, and room to swivel and walk behind or in front. Measure the actual spot, including any door swing or railing. Our guide to recline, swivel and glide clearance has the full numbers.
5. What owners wish they had known
- They are big. Measure for full recline, not just the upright footprint.
- There is one recline position. The chair goes to a full lounge rather than stopping partway.
- The footrest closes with a firm push, which some owners find takes a bit of effort at first.
- Each chair ships in its own 90 to 100 lb box, to your door or curbside, so a pair may arrive on different days. Here is what to expect on delivery day.
- You may want more than you planned. Several owners say their only regret was not ordering two to begin with.
For the full checklist, see 7 Things to Check Before You Buy an Outdoor Recliner. If you are replacing Adirondack chairs, read 5 Reasons Homeowners Are Swapping Adirondack Chairs for Outdoor Recliners. Or go back to the Recline & Relax guide.
Good to know before you order
- Delivery is free. We ship by FedEx to the 48 contiguous states, typically within 7 to 10 days, to your door or curbside. Assembly is minimal and needs no tools.
- You get a 14-day return window. Return an undamaged item in its original condition within 14 days of delivery for a full refund, and we arrange the FedEx pickup free. After that, returns are accepted up to 90 days with a 20% restocking fee. See our returns policy.
- The frame carries a 5-year limited warranty and the cushions 2 years, against defects in materials and workmanship, for the original buyer. Read the full warranty.
Choose your recliner
Start with one or order the pair. Either way, each chair is sold at the same price.
Questions before you order? Call 1-800-296-0232 or email cs@outdoornook.com.
Quick answers
Should I buy one outdoor recliner or two?
Is a pair of outdoor recliners cheaper than two singles?
Can two people of different heights share the same model?
How much space do two recliners and a side table need?
Reviews: our own analysis of 635 Outdoor Nook product and company reviews on Reviews.io (90% five-star), October 2026, quoted as written; excerpts are marked. Review counts (pairs, couples, repeat buyers) are from that analysis. Dimensions: our product size charts. Prices are from our product pages as of October 2026 and can change.
