When you think of indoor chairs, your mind turns to thoughts of plush seating, with a gamut of prints and overstuffed pillows. Outdoor seating brings to mind elegant wrought iron concoctions, or shiny plastic pieces. The reclining Adirondack chair wears two masks: it can function both as an outdoor piece of furniture or reside just as comfortably in the family den, sidled up next to the fireplace.

Indoors An indoor reclining Adirondack chair can be intricately carved and more delicate because it does not have to deal with the ravages of Mother Nature. These chairs have more variety as to the type of paint and varnished used because they don’t necessarily have to be weather-proof. Also, they can be carved with elaborate patterns that would otherwise wear off over time with outdoor furniture. If you choose to go with a wooden reclining Adirondack chair, be advised that most types of wood requires less regular oiling than do outdoor chairs. For instance, something like cedar will only need to be oiled about once a year. Woods like teak might require even less because it produces its own oils. The risk of over-oiling is the accumulation of unsightly black buildup. Indoor chairs can afford much nicer cushions with all manner of liner fabrics, like suede, cotton and more. These cushions are filled with different types of filling, from basic cotton to more elaborate memory foams, etc.

Outdoors An outdoor reclining Adirondack chair is a bit of a different animal. For one, you have to determine to what extent "outdoor" means to you. Some chairs are relatively sheltered. If kept in a sunroom you won’t have to worry about waterproofing your furniture, but you will still have to consider direct exposure to sunlight and how that will affect blistering, peeling paint and fading wood coloration. Less protected is a covered porch. Though protected from most rain, you still have to worry about wind damage, humidity, heat, sun, snow, etc. It worsens by degrees. Next, you have the reclining Adirondack chair that’s left outside on the porch during the summer months, then covered with a tarp or tucked away into storage for the winter. The worst case scenario is the poor chair left outdoors in rain or shine, year round, through hail, snow and all manner of abuse. For whatever you subject your furniture to, the general rule of thumb is reapplying oils and sealants once to twice a year depending on your climate, environment, etc. Paint should be reapplied only as needed. Also note, unfinished wood like teak will adopt a gray sheen over time. This is not harmful to the grain of the wood. Rather, it is the sun’s natural patina process fading the wood into an aged, mature look. If that’s not your thing, make sure you keep up on the varnishing. If you choose to add a little extra comfort factor by going with cushions, remember that outdoor patio cushions vary greatly from the indoor ones. Outdoor cushions need to be made from sturdy, waterproof woven fibers such as acrylic and PVC, which are also resistant to tearing, fading, mildew and wipe off easily.