Whereas gardening is a superb type of low-impact exercise, it will probably nonetheless put pressure in your physique, particularly your again and knees. Backyard stools can present assist and assist relieve the strain on these key areas, making your day within the backyard way more pleasant.
When deciding on a purposeful backyard stool, Kara Again, a horticulture extension agent on the College of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, recommends searching for a sturdy and protected design with a snug seat.
“Test the burden restrict for the stools; it’s good should you can check them out by sitting in them,” Again says. “Stools additionally have to be straightforward to hold. It’s an added bonus if the stool comes with storage.”
Whether or not you desire a excessive stool to backyard in raised beds, one which converts to a kneeler for in-ground gardening, or an ornamental stool to finish your outside dwelling area, there’s one thing for each sort of gardener on this record.
What We Researched
To search out the very best gardening stools, we researched the very best choices and consulted with Again. We evaluated the stools based mostly on measurement, weight capability, materials, and weight.
Purposeful Backyard Stools
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This stool converts to a kneeler, has a number of instrument storage choices, and has a weight capability of 330 kilos.
General, the very best purposeful backyard stool is the KVR Kneeler and Seat. This stool can simply shift between a seat and a kneeler and has handy handles that can assist you rise from a seated or kneeling place. The seat is ready at 17.3 inches and the kneeler is ready at 4 inches above the bottom, that are designed to offer the very best knee and again safety whereas working.
The KVR stool folds for straightforward storage and solely weighs 6 kilos, making it straightforward to tote across the backyard and put away when not in use. Nonetheless, some customers had points closing the legs as a result of sturdy rigidity.
The body is made from sturdy metal and polymer plastic board and the kneeler seat is made from a thick vinyl for comfy kneeling. It additionally comes with a number of equipment: one small hanging instrument bag to suit just a few necessities and a big bag you may set beside your stool for straightforward entry to all of your gardening instruments.
This stool has a most weight capability of 330 kilos.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 23.6 x 10.6 x 19.3 in. | Weight Capability: 330 lbs. | Materials: Metal, vinyl, plastic | Weight: 6 lbs.
If you happen to’re cautious about investing in a backyard stool, the LeJoy Backyard Kneeler and Seat is a low dedication and a budget-friendly option to see if a backyard stool is a useful instrument for you. This stool is an unbelievable worth for cash, and comes with two hanging instrument luggage and a pair of claw gardening gloves. Claw gardening gloves are an ideal accent you need to use for digging holes and eradicating robust weeds.
Like our prime decide, this backyard stool additionally converts to a kneeler, which is handy for gardeners who must entry vegetation at a number of heights or who like to change between sitting and kneeling. The stool can be foldable—it opens and closes with a fast snap and folds practically flat for straightforward storage in a storage or shed. It’s extremely light-weight at lower than 6 kilos, making it straightforward to hold for individuals who have massive yards or can not elevate heavy gadgets. And regardless of its mild weight, it will probably nonetheless maintain as much as 330 kilos.
Understand that this backyard stool could be a bit wobbly on uneven floor, so you should definitely set it up on a agency, flat floor.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 23.62 x 19.7 x 10.6 in. | Weight Capability: 330 lbs. | Materials: Metal pipe, vinyl | Weight: 5.62 lbs.
The Sunnydaze backyard stool has the entire bells and whistles and is a superb funding for individuals who backyard incessantly. This heavy-duty backyard stool is made from powder-coated metal, which makes it extraordinarily sturdy, but in addition fairly heavy at 32 kilos. Nonetheless, the adjustable deal with, metal axles, and inflatable wheels make it straightforward to maneuver this backyard stool across the yard—you’ll simply need to ensure you don’t want to hold it up any stairs to its cupboard space.
What actually units this stool aside is the seat. The steel seat is ergonomically designed for max consolation, and it gained’t endure put on and tear by repeated use. One of the best function of this seat is that it swivels a full 360 levels, permitting you to effortlessly flip as you’re employed. The seat additionally adjusts from 16.5 inches to 22 inches excessive so you may regulate for jobs like gardening in raised beds.
This stool even has just a few useful storage choices, together with a plastic tray beneath the seat and a detachable steel mesh basket on the facet. As a bonus, Sunnydaze Decor affords a one-year producer’s guarantee on this stool.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 38 x 19.5 x 17 in. | Weight Capability: 300 lbs. | Materials: Alloy metal | Weight: 32 lbs.
The big storage basket beneath the Flinter stool makes it the very best backyard stool with storage. It will probably maintain a variety of provides, and also you don’t have to fret about instruments falling out or instrument luggage slipping off the perimeters. It has a wagon-like design with a deal with and wheels, making it straightforward to cart the stool across the yard with instruments and even luggage of soil.
Although it is a heavy stool at 15 kilos, the sturdy rubber tires and built-in deal with make it straightforward to wheel across the backyard. The physique of the stool is all steel (apart from the seating pad), making it extremely sturdy. The seating pad is constructed from plush vinyl foam for comfy sitting. It’s additionally set aside from different stools because of its extensive, sq. seating pad that’s 10.2 inches extensive.
This stool has the best weight capability on the record, at 400 kilos. Nonetheless, meeting of the stool could be a bit tough, and for a neater expertise, you might need to use your personal instruments as an alternative of these supplied.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 12.5 x 17 x 17.2 in. | Weight Capability: 400 lbs. | Materials: Steel, vinyl | Weight: 15 lbs.
The Vertex stool is a rocking stool; the patented rocking base is designed to assist you as you twist, flip, and lean whereas gardening. Not like different stools, you don’t must stand up and transfer the stool when altering positions. Rocking stools permit higher freedom of motion whereas gardening, lowering pressure in your knees and again and serving to to forestall accidents.
The Vertex comes with a luxurious foam cushion to make the stool much more comfy. The cushion additionally options two hanging pockets to retailer hand instruments, that means every little thing you want is inside arms’ attain.
This stool is the lightest on the record, at solely 3 kilos, making it straightforward to hold round whereas gardening. Understand that the rocking design, mixed with the dearth of handles, means this is probably not your best option for you if in case you have problem balancing or getting up from a seated place.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 4 x 16 x 16 in. | Weight Capability: 250 lbs. | Materials: Plastic | Weight: 3 lbs.
Ornamental Backyard Stools
Whereas some backyard stools are purposeful items, others are ornamental stools. This Jonathan Y ceramic backyard stool is the right accent piece on your backyard. The stool is made from ceramic and is available in 9 completely different colours and patterns, together with a basic Chinoiserie blue and white flower sample. For a extra trendy look, the stool is offered in stable white.
This stool can be excellent as a facet desk or plant stand in your outside dwelling area. This piece is flexible and is also used inside as a lamp stand or desk. The ceramic materials makes this piece straightforward to wipe off and clear. Nonetheless, a ceramic stool might chip or break whether it is dropped or pushed over. Whereas the stool does have a weight capability of 175 kilos, it’s best used as an ornamental stool, not a purposeful one.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 14 x 16 x 14 in. | Weight Capability: 175 lbs. | Materials: Ceramic | Weight: 15.97 lbs.
This stunning Christopher Knight piece can be utilized as a backyard stool or facet desk. The barrel-shaped stool is sturdy, sturdy, and is available in quite a lot of colours and cutout patterns. A majority of these stool are excellent as accent tables or for holding potted vegetation, and are compact sufficient to suit on a balcony or small deck or patio. The lace-cut design provides a component of favor, and it’s obtainable in quite a lot of blues and white shades.
The powder-coated iron is sturdy and extra immune to rust. Nonetheless, items with powder coating can nonetheless rust below the coating, inflicting floor imperfections, so it’s finest to maintain this stool in a lined space. The stool additionally has a weight capability of simply 15 kilos, so it’s not meant to be sat on.
Product Particulars: Dimensions: 12.25 x 18 x 12.25 in. | Weight Capability: 15 lbs. | Materials: Powder-coated iron | Weight: 6.08 lbs.
The Backside Line
General, the very best purposeful backyard stool is the KVR Kneeler and Seat. This stool in all fairness priced and simply converts to each a seat and a kneeler. It even has handy handles that can assist you rise from a seated or kneeling place.
What to Know About Backyard Stools Earlier than Procuring
Help
Backyard stools will be particularly useful for seniors or these with mobility challenges, permitting you to take a seat or kneel extra comfortably whereas gardening. Nonetheless, gardeners of all health ranges will discover a gardening stool helpful for consolation and to keep away from getting your clothes soiled.
“Backyard stools are very useful by eliminating strain on knees or permitting a gardener to take a seat as an alternative of stand,” Again says. “They may let you work longer and extra comfortably,”
It’s essential {that a} backyard stool comfortably helps your weight and actions with out tipping. Most backyard stools have steel or plastic frames to make sure you are supported. Nonetheless, others, just like the Vertex Rocker, present much less assist however extra ease of motion.
“Stools give seniors the power to backyard extra with much less stress on their physique,” Again provides. “My grandfather all the time used a stool when gardening and it significantly lowered his probabilities of falling because of his lack of steadiness.”
Most backyard stools have a seating cushion or pad. Others, made from steel or plastic, have ergonomically formed seats to finest assist you.
Portability
Portability is a crucial think about deciding on a stool, particularly should you’ll be toting it round a big yard. Most backyard stools which are designed to be carried weigh 6 kilos or much less. If you’re unable to hold a stool or desire a stool with greater weight capability, there are wheeled stools just like the Sunnydaze Backyard Seat that mix sturdiness with portability.
Weight Capability
The load capability your stool will want is determined by the way you’ll be utilizing your backyard stool. If it’s an ornamental stool, think about what you’ll be inserting on it. If it’s going for use as a facet desk for drinks and meals, the burden capability is not going to be as essential of an element when deciding on your stool. Nonetheless, should you’re planning on utilizing an ornamental backyard stool to show a heavy potted plant, you’ll must verify the burden capability.
However, should you’re buying a purposeful backyard stool that you just’ll be sitting or kneeling on, you should definitely verify the burden capability and make sure the stool will maintain your physique weight. For stools with storage just like the Flinter Rolling Backyard Work Seat, think about the extra weight of things you intend to take to the backyard, like instruments or luggage of mulch.
Materials
When searching for a purposeful backyard stool, you’ll probably desire a stool made from sturdy supplies that may final for years of outside use. Many backyard stools, such because the Sunnydaze Backyard Stool, have a sturdy steel body. Whereas steel is nice for prime weight capability, it may also be liable to rust. If you recognize the stool can be incessantly uncovered to rain or damp, you might need to think about a plastic mannequin.
One other essential issue is the seat materials. Steel or plastic seats will be comfy, particularly if they’re ergonomically contoured. Nonetheless, should you choose additional consolation, a foam or vinyl seat is likely to be finest. Many stools have seat cushions which are offered individually.
Ornamental backyard stools additionally are available in quite a lot of supplies, the most typical being ceramic and steel. Ceramic stools are sometimes heavier than steel, offering a sturdier spot to position heavy objects or use as a seat. Steel stools are typically lighter in weight, making them simpler to maneuver round your patio area.
Your Questions, Answered
Can backyard stools keep outdoors?
Sure, backyard stools can sometimes be stored outdoors, although “should you preserve them out of the solar and rain they’ll last more,” Again says. Most purposeful backyard stools will profit from being saved inside a shed or storage when not in use, particularly in the event that they’re made from steel and may rust. These with seat cushions may also be liable to sun-bleaching and mildew. Many purposeful stools fold flat for straightforward indoor storage.
Ornamental backyard stools, particularly these made from ceramic, can keep outdoors with out exhibiting environmental harm. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless finest to retailer ornamental backyard stools in a lined space to guard them from rusting and hazards corresponding to falling tree branches.
Are you able to sit on ceramic gardening stools?
Sure, you may sit on most ceramic backyard stools should you want an additional seat or two in your patio, conserving in thoughts the burden capability. Nonetheless, they’re not ergonomic, and plenty of ceramic backyard stools are designed for use as ornament or facet tables, not as purposeful stools.
How excessive ought to a backyard seat be?
Again says the very best peak for a backyard stool “is determined by the peak of the person. I might advocate a peak that’s comfy, however permits you to work successfully. This may be completely different for every particular person. I personally like a stool that’s 2 to 4 inches shorter than a traditional chair peak.”
Since the very best stool peak varies from individual to individual, stools with adjustable peak seats just like the Sunnydaze are supreme.
Who We Are
This text was written by Higher Houses & Gardens contributor Rachel Ahrnsen. She is a grasp gardener who spent hours researching backyard stools. She additionally consulted Kara Again, a horticulture extension agent on the College of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.