Understanding the Different Types of Bean Bag Chairs

Bean bags have come a long way since the original Sacco chair launched in 1969. Today the category spans compact kids' chairs, structured armchair-style seats, oversized double loungers, pool floats, and purpose-built outdoor furniture — all using the same basic premise of a flexible, body-conforming fill inside a durable cover.

This guide covers the main types, what distinguishes each one, and which suits different uses and users. If you already know what you're after, our bean bag size guide goes deeper on dimensions and weight recommendations.

Classic round bean bags

The original shape and still the most common. A round bean bag is essentially a large sphere of fill inside a fabric cover — no armrests, no back support, no fixed structure. It conforms to whatever position you sit in, which is the point.

Round bean bags suit relaxed, informal use: reading, watching TV, gaming, lounging on the floor. They work in living rooms, bedrooms, playrooms, and outdoor spaces. Most of our bean bag chair range follows this format in various sizes and fabrics.

The trade-off is that a purely round bag offers limited back support for extended sitting. If support is a priority, look at structured or high-back styles instead.

Good for: general lounging, kids and adults, versatile placement indoors and out.

Structured and armchair-style bean bags

These take the classic round format and add definition — a more pronounced seat base, a taller back, or armrests — while retaining the bean-filled interior. The result sits somewhere between a conventional armchair and a traditional bean bag.

Our Big Bob is the clearest example: wide armrests, tall back, ergonomic support for the lower back and neck. It suits adults who want more postural support than a round bag provides but still want the comfort and flexibility of bean bag seating.

The Cocoon takes a different approach — a teardrop silhouette that wraps around the user without fixed armrests, providing containment without rigidity.

Good for: extended sitting, adults, reading, working from home, home offices.

Kids' bean bags

Sized and constructed for children — smaller diameter, lower fill volume, and typically featuring childproof locking zippers as standard. The key safety distinction from adult bean bags is that the zipper cannot be opened by a child, preventing access to the filling.

Our kids' range covers several age groups and use cases:

• Billy the Kid — for ages 2–6. A compact round bag sized so young children can get in and out independently without tipping
• Kids Coco Chair — an armchair-style bag in 100% cotton canvas. Suits children who prefer a more structured seat
• Freaky Cousin — for ages 5–15, indoor and outdoor. A practical mid-size option that grows with older children
• Teeny Bob — positioned between the Billy the Kid and adult sizes, suited to older children and younger teens
• Mini Merlin — a junior version of our most popular adult bag, suited to children who want a grown-up style

For a detailed breakdown of kids' options by age, see our post on bean bag chairs for kids. On safety construction, our bean bag safety guide for kids covers what to look for.

Good for: bedrooms, playrooms, reading corners, classrooms.

Bean bag loungers

Larger than a standard round bag and designed for full-body horizontal use as much as seated use. A lounger is wide enough to lie on, long enough to stretch out, and typically filled with enough volume to support the whole body without bottoming out.

Several of our products fall into this category:

• Hayman — our largest and most adaptable cover. Functions as a bed, crash mat, oversized chair, or lounger depending on fill level and how you position it
• Big Boss Lounger — built for two people, with a wide profile suited to couples, families, or anyone who wants serious sprawl room
• Portofino — 140 × 80 × 80cm, our largest oversized lounger. The Media Lounge shape scaled up significantly
• Media Lounge — a long, flat profile popular for home cinemas, events, and commercial setups

For a full breakdown of lounger styles and uses, see our bean bag loungers guide.

Good for: media rooms, outdoor entertaining, families, guests, events.

Outdoor bean bags

A distinct category defined primarily by fabric rather than shape. Outdoor bean bags use UV-resistant, water-resistant fabrics specifically chosen for exposure to sun, rain, and moisture — not just a standard bean bag moved outside.

The two main fabric types in our outdoor range are:

• 1680D polyester with PU coating — heavy-duty, water-repellent, antimicrobial. Used in products like the Big Boppa and Cayman. Grade 7 UV fastness, suitable for patios, decks, and shaded outdoor areas
• 320GSM Olefin — solution-dyed polypropylene used in our premium outdoor range. Grade 7–8 UV fastness, Grade 5 salt and chlorine resistance. Used in the Hayman, Positano, and outdoor ottomans

Standard indoor bean bags — velvet, corduroy, faux fur — should not be used outdoors. The fabric will deteriorate quickly under UV and moisture exposure. For more detail, see our outdoor bean bags guide.

Good for: patios, pool decks, decks, gardens, commercial venues.

Pool bean bags and floating loungers

A specialist category designed for in-water and poolside use. Pool bean bags are not simply waterproof — they are engineered to float, drain quickly when removed from the water, and resist chlorine and saltwater over extended periods.

Key construction features that distinguish a proper pool bean bag from a water-resistant outdoor bag:

• Quick-drain mesh base panels
• YKK wetsuit-grade zippers
• Buoyant EPS fill that doesn't waterlog
• Grade 5 chlorine and salt resistance

Our pool range includes the Amalfi Pool Lounger, Portsea Premium Pool Float, Costa Pool Lounger, and Cabo Pool Float — each suited to slightly different uses from floating to poolside lounging. See our full pool bean bags collection.

Good for: swimming pools, resort and hotel pools, coastal and marine environments.

Bean bag ottomans

Lower-profile, firmer, and designed to function as a footrest, occasional seat, or low table rather than primary seating. Ottomans pair naturally with sofas, outdoor lounges, and larger bean bags.

Our ottoman range includes the Bella Velvet Ottoman for indoor use, the Copacabana Ottoman for outdoor use, the Round Outdoor Ottoman, and the Brooklyn Ottoman.

Good for: pairing with sofas and loungers, poolside, outdoor entertaining areas.

Sensory and therapeutic bean bags

Not a distinct shape category, but a specific application — bean bags used in occupational therapy, special education, and sensory spaces for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or anxiety. The proprioceptive input from sinking into a bean bag, combined with the tactile quality of the fabric, makes them useful in ways that standard seating is not.

Fabric choice is particularly important for sensory use. Our complete sensory bean bags guide covers the full picture including fabric recommendations by sensory profile, size guidance, and how to set up a sensory space at home or in a school.

Good for: sensory rooms, classrooms, therapy settings, children with ASD or ADHD.

Bean bag filling types

The fill material determines how a bean bag feels, how long it holds its shape, and how it performs over time. The three main options:

• EPS (expanded polystyrene) beads — the most common fill. Lightweight, shifts and conforms under pressure, holds warmth. Compresses slightly over time and can be topped up. Used in most of our range
• Shredded foam — denser and firmer than EPS. Provides more resistance and a less fluid feel. Tends to hold its shape better in structured bean bags
• Memory foam — the firmest option, most similar to conventional furniture. Less common in bean bags but available as an alternative fill

For a detailed comparison including how to choose and where to buy fill in Australia, see our bean bag filling guide.

Fabric overview

Fabric affects durability, maintenance, tactile feel, and suitability for indoor vs outdoor use. A brief summary of what's available in our range:

• Velvet — soft, smooth, suits contemporary interiors. Easy to wipe clean. Indoor use only. See the Bella and Teddy Velvet
• Corduroy — ribbed texture, durable, warm to the touch. Indoor. See the Boston Corduroy and Teddy Corduroy
• Faux fur — plush, soft pile. Popular for kids' rooms and sensory settings. Indoor. See the Cloud and Furlah
• Cotton canvas — breathable, natural, low-stimulation. Indoor. See the Coco Cotton
• Olefin — solution-dyed polypropylene. UV-stable, moisture-resistant, chlorine and salt resistant. Indoor and outdoor
• 1680D polyester — heavy-duty outdoor fabric with PU coating. UV-resistant, water-repellent, antimicrobial. Indoor and outdoor

For the full comparison including how each fabric cleans and how long it lasts, see our bean bag fabrics guide.

Which type is right for you?

Browse the full bean bag chair range or contact us if you're not sure which type suits your space.