You can place your patio chairs on the lawn to enjoy your green space comfortably. However, you may end up finding that your chairs sink into the grass. It is a prevalent issue. It brings about unstable chairs as well as holes in your lawn. Do not worry, you can correct it.
This guide provides five brilliant and easy methods to ensure that your patio chairs remain stable. Your lawn will be stunning too.
Why Chairs Sink: It's All About Surface Area
First, it helps to know why chairs sink. It is not about the chair's weight. It is about how that weight is spread out. Most patio chairs have thin legs. So all the pressure goes onto a few small points. A soft lawn cannot hold up all that pressure. So the legs sink into the ground.
All of these remedies have the same aim: they provide a larger surface area under the chair legs. By distributing the weight, they, in effect, reduce the pressure. For that reason, the floor can give support to the chair comfortably.
Solution 1: Use Special Coasters and Foot Pads
The easiest fix is to use coasters or foot pads made just for outdoor furniture. These are small, strong discs or cups made of plastic or rubber. You put one under each chair leg.
What Are They?
They work like snowshoes for your furniture. They are often called "lawn furniture coasters." They give each leg a wide, stable base. They come in different sizes to fit different chair legs. Some just sit on the ground. And some have a cup that the leg fits into. So they stay on when you move the chair.
Pros and Cons
This is a great fix if you rent or want something easy and not permanent.
Pros:
- Cheap: A set for many chairs does not cost a lot.
- Easy to Use: You just put them under the legs. You don't need any tools.
- Hard to See: Many are small and blend in with the grass or furniture.
- Portable: You can move them easily with your chairs.
Cons:
- Can Get Lost: Small discs that are not attached can get lost or kicked away.
- May Not Work on Very Soft Ground: They might still sink a little in very soft or muddy ground.
Solution 2: Make Your Own Support Blocks with Pavers or Wood
You can make your own support blocks if you want a stronger and cheaper fix. You can use common items from a hardware store. This is a great Do-It-Yourself way to get very stable chairs.
Choosing Your Material
You need to find a flat, strong material. This will be a platform for each chair leg. Here are some good choices:
- Concrete or Slate Pavers: Small, square pavers are heavy and stable. And they do not get damaged by weather.
- Decking Scraps: You can cut leftover wood or composite decking into small squares.
- Flat Landscape Stones: You can use smooth, flat stones for a more natural look.
How to Do It
First, put your chair where you want it. Then mark where each leg is. Move the chair. And put your support block on each mark. To make them very stable, you can press the blocks into the grass. You can also dig out a small bit of grass so they sit flat with the ground. This also makes them less of a tripping hazard.
Solution 3: Use an Outdoor Rug or Mat
An outdoor rug is a great choice if you want a fix that works well and looks nice. It pulls your seating area together. It adds style. And it solves the sinking chair problem.
It's Not Just a Rug
An outdoor rug is like one big platform. It spreads out the weight of all your furniture. The chair legs do not make small pressure points. The weight is spread over the whole rug. This stops the sinking. It also protects the grass under it. It is a great way to make a "room" on your lawn.
What to Look For
When you pick an outdoor rug, you should look for materials made for the outdoors. Polypropylene is a good choice. Because it does not get mold or mildew. And the sun will not fade its color. Make sure the rug lets water drain through it. Then it will not trap water and hurt your lawn.
Solution 4: Make a Stable Base with Gravel or Pavers
You can create a small base if you have a special spot for your furniture and you want a more permanent fix. This is a great weekend project. And it will add a professional look to your yard.
The Mini-Patio Idea
The idea is to build a small pad of stable material. It needs to be big enough for your furniture. This stops sinking. It also keeps your chairs clean from dirt and mud. You can use gravel or you can lay down a small area of flat pavers.
A Quick Project Plan
First, mark out the area you want. Dig up the top layer of grass and make the dirt level. You should put down landscape fabric first. This will stop weeds from growing through your base. If you use gravel, add a border and fill it with a few inches of gravel. If you use pavers, add a layer of sand first to make it level. Then put your pavers down.
Solution 5: Choose Furniture with the Right Design
A good measure to deal with this condition is to prevent it from happening. You can do it when selecting the type of patio furniture. There are chair varieties that are made to fit soft grounds.
Look for Sled Bases
Not every chair has four little legs. It has two long runners, like a sled. It is really stable when you set it on soft ground. Because it just spreads the weight along the entire runner. Sled-base furniture is a good option if you will set it on grass.
The Benefit of Wide Feet
When you go chair shopping, examine the feet. There are some that have much broader, flat feet. Their feet are not pointy. Their feet are not as good as a sled base. But you have a lot more surface area. And they are a lot less likely to bury themselves in your lawn.
Enjoy Comfortable Seating on Grass with Ease
You don't need to destroy your lawn to enjoy a comfortable spot to sit. You can grasp the uncomplicated concept of shifting weight. You can prevent your patio chairs from sinking. You can employ a temporary solution, such as furniture coasters. Or you can make use of a fashionable patio rug or a permanent gravel base. You have a solution. You can now sit back and relax due to the fact that you know your chairs are firm and secure.
