Screened Porch, Lanai or Sunroom: Real Customer Setups
Customer setups · Published by Outdoor Nook, which makes and sells the recliners shown
Product photos show a recliner beside a pool. Our customers put them in better places: a screened porch, a lanai over a lake, a sunroom still under construction, a beach house, a tiki bar and the bow of a houseboat.
We went through 635 reviews for the places people actually use their recliners. Here are seven real setups, why each one works, which model and size fits, and what the owner said in their own words.
1. The screened porch
Screened porches come up more than any other setting in our reviews. It makes sense: the roof and screens keep off most rain and bugs, so the chair becomes a second living room. The built-in cover still earns its keep in spring, when pollen gets through the screen:
“These chairs are in our screened patio, so I do love the built-in/hidden cover for those times of year when pollen covers everything.”
What fits: a pair facing the view, with a side table between. Two Newport recliners side by side measure 61.4 inches; add an 18-inch side table and you need about 79.4 inches of wall. Swivel matters on a porch too: one Newport owner told us it lets guests follow the conversation in more than one area.
2. A lanai over the lake
A lanai is usually covered on top and open or screened at the sides, which means a view you want to face and limited depth to play with. Swivel lets you turn toward the water at sunrise and back to the room at dinner. One lakeside lanai turned into the family room:
“It's on our lanai which overlooks a lake and the furniture is so comfortable that it's used as a family room!”
What fits: the compact models. Keywest is 27.55 inches wide and Huntington 27.5, so two side by side need about 55 inches. Depth is the number to check: about 30 to 32 inches upright and 64.5 to 67 inches fully reclined. Our small patio, balcony and lanai fit guide walks through the arithmetic.
3. The sunroom
Sunrooms bring the outdoor view in without the weather, and several owners set their recliners up there. One was so eager that the chair went into the living room while the sunroom was still being built:
“After all, doesn't every sunroom deserve a matching pair of recliners!”
What fits: whichever size and finish matches the room, since weather is less of a factor; another sunroom owner told us the cover matters less to them indoors. A sunroom is one of the easiest places a recliner can live: no rain, far less sun, nothing to wipe down before you sit. Our recliners are built and warrantied as outdoor furniture, so if yours will sit in a fully enclosed room, give us a quick call at 1-800-296-0232 and we will walk you through the warranty terms before you order.
4. The beach house
Beach houses have two needs: seats everyone fights over, and materials that can live near salt air. A Keywest loveseat owner summed up the first:
“Single best purchase for our beach house. Everyone sits here”
What fits: for the coast we point people to our aluminum models, Huntington (27.5 inches wide) and Shoreline (28.9 inches), with powder-coated, rust-resistant frames. Any outdoor furniture near the ocean needs a regular rinse with fresh water, and that includes ours.
5. The houseboat, the tiki bar and the lake cabin
Some setups are short and sweet. One Keywest owner wrote that it "Reclines much further than expected. Now sits on the bow of my houseboat". Another bought a third Keywest because it "completes our trio of chairs in the tiki bar and grill." And a lake-home owner told us the chairs are "like another room in our Lake Home."
What fits: compact Keywest chairs suit tight decks and bars. A row of three is about 82.7 inches wide. They are not marine furniture, so on the water give them the same fresh-water rinse you would near the beach, and keep the built-in cover on when you are away.
6. Morning coffee under a gazebo
A gazebo gives you shade and a roof, so the setup is all about the morning routine. One Keywest owner wrote her review from the chair:
“I am very happy with the purchase and look forward to relaxing every morning with my cup of coffee under my gazebo as I am doing at this moment!!!”
Her four stars were for a delivery delay and a torn cushion, which customer service arranged to replace. What fits: a pair plus a side table for the mug. Our Keywest, Newport and Malibu II side tables are 18 inches square and 20 inches tall, just below the arm.
7. The three-season porch
Three-season porches get used hard from spring to fall, and couples tend to discover they need two chairs, not one. A Huntington owner said it well:
“It is in our 3-season porch and my husband and I fight over whose turn it is to sit on it.”
What fits: plan for two from the start. Two Huntingtons side by side are 55 inches, and our guide to one recliner or two covers the choice.
Which setup suits which recliner
| Setting | Why it works | Model to look at | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screened porch | Pollen season, swivel for conversation | Newport or Malibu II pair | 30.7 or 32.2 in each |
| Lanai | Limited depth, a view to face | Keywest or Huntington | 27.55 or 27.5 in |
| Sunroom | Out of the weather (check warranty) | Any model | 27.5 to 32.2 in |
| Beach house | Salt air | Huntington or Shoreline | 27.5 or 28.9 in |
| Houseboat, tiki bar | Tight decks and rows | Keywest | 27.55 in |
| Gazebo | Morning routine with a table | Keywest bistro set | About 73 in for two plus table |
| Three-season porch | Heavy use, two people | Huntington pair | 55 in for two |
Widths are from our size charts. Allow about 64.5 to 67 inches front to back for full recline, plus room to walk past.
Before you order, check the depth and swivel room with How much space does an outdoor recliner need? For the comfort side of the story, read what 600+ owners say about comfort or why a recliner beats a hammock for backyard naps. The full series is on our Recline & Relax hub.
Good to know before you order
- Delivery is free. We ship by FedEx to the 48 contiguous states, typically within 7 to 10 days. FedEx leaves each box at your door or curbside (the driver decides; it is not a white-glove service), and each box weighs about 90 to 100 lb, so plan on two people to move it. Assembly needs no tools: the back slides onto the base in under 5 minutes.
- You get a 14-day return window. Return an undamaged item in its original condition within 14 days of delivery for a full refund, with free FedEx pickup. 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
Measure your porch, lanai or sunroom, then pick the size that fits.
Questions before you order? Call 1-800-296-0232 or email cs@outdoornook.com.
Quick answers
Can I use an outdoor recliner on a screened porch?
Which recliner is best for a small lanai?
Can I put one in a sunroom?
Which model is best near the ocean?
Sources. Reviews: our own analysis of 635 Outdoor Nook product and company reviews on Reviews.io, October 2026, quoted as written; excerpts are marked. Dimensions are from the size charts on our product pages. Prices are as of October 2026 and can change.
