What Is an Egg Chair? | Design Icon & Modern Comfort

For the full breakdown, see our best Indoor Egg Chair guide.

Whether you spotted a sculptural lounge chair in a hotel lobby or a hanging wicker pod in a backyard, you’ve seen an egg chair. The term covers two surprisingly different things: a mid-century modern design classic by Arne Jacobsen, and a broad category of cocoon-style seats — often hanging — that dominate outdoor furniture catalogs today. Knowing which one you’re looking at matters more than you’d think.

The Original: Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair

When design enthusiasts say “Egg Chair” with capital letters, they mean the lounge chair Arne Jacobsen created in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Manufactured by Fritz Hansen, the chair features an upholstered foam shell on a swiveling four-star base that rotates 360 degrees. Jacobsen’s intent was functional: give hotel guests a sense of privacy and quiet in a busy public lobby — essentially a personal bubble on casters.

The chair’s egg-shaped profile isn’t just aesthetic. The tall, curved back and enveloping sides deliberately block peripheral noise and visual clutter, while the swivel base lets the sitter turn away from the room without leaving the seat. The original remains a production piece — Fritz Hansen still manufactures it today using the same basic construction, though modern versions use updated foam and upholstery.

Hanging and Outdoor Egg Chairs: A Different Species

Search for an “egg chair” at any home goods retailer, and you’ll mostly see hanging cocoon-style chairs suspended from metal stands or ceiling mounts. These share the same basic idea — a rounded, wrap-around seat — but they aren’t Jacobsen’s design. Outdoor versions typically use synthetic PE wicker woven over a metal frame, with a removable cushion and a powder-coated stand. They’re made for patios, gardens, and pool decks, not hotel lobbies.

The material difference matters. For outdoor use, synthetic wicker far outperforms natural rattan, which cracks and fades in sun and rain. Buyers should also check weight capacity and frame thickness before purchasing — hanging chairs put real stress on the suspension point, and cheaper stands can warp under regular use.

Key Differences: Classic vs. Hanging Egg Chair

The most common mistake people make is treating “egg chair” as a single category. They aren’t interchangeable, and buying one thinking you’re getting the other leads to frustration. This table lays out the critical differences:

Common Myths and Mistakes

Because the name covers two distinct products, confusion is the norm. Here are the three misunderstandings that cause the most trouble:

• Myth: All egg chairs are outdoor-safe. Jacobsen’s original is an indoor upholstered lounge chair. Using it outdoors would destroy the foam and fabric. Only hanging wicker versions are built for weather.
• Myth: There’s a standard size. No. Classic egg chairs measure roughly 43 inches high by 34 inches wide, but hanging versions vary wildly by manufacturer. Always check product dimensions before buying.
• Myth: The original is still the best. For design collectors, yes. For someone wanting a comfortable patio seat, the vintage Jacobsen is impractical and overkill. The right choice depends entirely on where and how you plan to use it.

Safety also factors in. Hanging chairs need a sturdy frame or ceiling anchor rated for the total weight (chair + person). Clearance around the swing arc matters — a chair that knocks into a wall or railing during use is a hazard, not a comfort.