Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Papasan Chair

There aren’t many pieces that are as unique in design as papasan chairs are. They’ve reached their peak popularity back in the late 70s, and at that time, they were pretty much a part of every household. Fast-forward a couple of decades and papasan chairs are coming back in style and back into our homes once again.

Now, just by simply looking at a papasan chair, you can notice that they are not really your everyday chair. They differ in size and design and therefore, you really need to make sure you get the perfect one for your home and your needs.

Today, we’re going to guide you through the shopping process and tell you a few things we feel you should know about a papasan chair before getting one. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

What Is A Papasan Chair?

A Papasan chair hasn’t only been around for 40-something years. No. For centuries, a papasan chair has been used in many Asian countries, such as Japan or the Philippines. Just by looking at it, you’ll notice how this chair is different from a regular one. A Papasan chair usually has a sturdy but somewhat narrow base and a large, circular seating area covered by a large, plush pillow.

Traditionally, these chairs were made from rattan, and they still are, but the only difference is that nowadays, these chairs can be made from other types of wood, metal, or even plastic.

Also, the modern-day papasan chair is much smaller than a traditional one, but it is still more than wide to comfortably hold a grown-up person. However, if you want something that’s even more comfy and spacious – get a mamasan. A mamasan is just a Papasan, only twice as wide.

What Makes Up A Papasan Chair?

In general, a Papasan chair consists of three to four pieces – the base, the basket, the cushion, and sometimes an additional cushion cover. The base is usually open from both sides, with one side intended to lay on the ground and support the chair, while the other opening serves as a support for the large basket. Usually, the narrower part will be the one facing the ground and the wider end will support the basket.

The rest of it is pretty straightforward. The large cushion goes into the basket and if you have a cover – it goes on top of it all. Other than that, the only thing that’s missing is your behind.

Can A Papasan Chair Hold Heavy People?

Although support seems to be an issue for these chairs – it actually isn’t. According to the thepapasan, a quality Papasan chair won’t have any stability issues and will be able to support even people over 100 kilograms.

In general, a regular Papasan chair can hold up to 130 kilograms, which is pretty much more than enough for most individuals. On the other hand, if you’re heavier than that, you should probably skip the papa and go straight to the mamasan for some additional strength and support.

Are There Different Kinds Of Papasan Chairs?

Although most Papasan chairs look quite alike, there are, in fact, several different types of these chairs available. Basically, what will differ is the material from which the chair is made, which we’ll get to later, and the shape and size of the basket that holds the pillow.

Sure, some may feel like that’s not enough to call something a different type, but we’d disagree. The most obvious difference lies in size, and that is why we have a Papasan and a mamasan, which we’ve mentioned previously.

Also, the shape of the basket and the design of the base can differ from chair to chair. Some chairs retain a Papasan-like basket in some instances, but instead of sitting on a base, they swing from one.

All in all, there are quite a few types of these chairs and we’re confident that you’ll be able to find the one that matches your décor and your style.

Can They Be Made From Different Materials?

As we’ve already mentioned, a traditional Papasan chair is made from rattan or wicker. Now, most use these terms interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Rattan is the material that is used to build the chair and wicker is just another name for the wicking process. Wicker can be any material that can be wicked, such as bamboo, willow or even plastic.

Now that we’ve mentioned plastic, we can also mention other types of materials such as wood and metal. All of these materials can nowadays be used to manufacture these comfortable chairs. Some people even prefer metal or plastic chairs to the “real”, rattan ones. This is primarily due to the fact that metal and plastic can take more wear and tear and you don’t have to worry about keeping them outside in the bad weather. As you know, wood or other natural materials aren’t supposed to be left out in the rain or wind, so, depending on where you want your papasan chair to be, you’ll have to choose the material accordingly.

Are Papasan Chairs Expensive?

One of the most common questions people ask is – are these chairs expensive? Well, they don’t have to be, but in most cases, they are. A papasan chair is a symbol and you’ll rarely get a set of these chairs. Instead, you’d purchase one or two of these, at most, and have them really stand out on your porch or your living room.

As far as range is concerned, you can get a papasan chair for under $100 bucks, sometimes even less than $50. However, these bad boys could set you back even a couple of thousand dollars, depending on various factors.

In general, you’d be looking to spend around several hundred bucks on a chair like this if you want to buy a high-quality one.

Are They As Comfortable As They Appear To Be?

In a word – absolutely.

Unless you’ve bought some cheap, low-quality papasan with thin pillows, you’re looking at an extremely comfortable piece of furniture. A nice, soft, thick cushion and a lovely, broad basket will make for a perfect lounging spot, whether you’re chilling by the pool or inside your library reading a book.

Conclusion:

There you have it. We’ve tried to answer some of the most common questions about these chairs and we can only hope we’ve managed to give you the answers you desired.