Outdoor Living
It’s one of the most common questions we get asked, and the answer is yes - absolutely.
But not every bean bag belongs outdoors. Whether a bean bag can handle life outside comes down largely to what it’s made from, how it’s constructed and how you care for it.
Choose one made specifically for outdoor use and it can become one of the easiest, most comfortable pieces of furniture for your backyard, patio or poolside area.
Here’s what you need to know.
Some are. Some definitely aren't.
A standard indoor bean bag isn't designed to spend its life exposed to sunlight, moisture, humidity and changing weather conditions. Over time, indoor fabrics can fade, hold moisture or deteriorate when continually exposed to the elements.
A genuine outdoor bean bag should be made from fabric specifically designed to cope with outdoor conditions.
At Mooi Living, our outdoor bean bags are made from 100% Olefin, a solution-dyed synthetic fabric designed for outdoor use.
Unlike fabrics where colour is simply applied to the surface, Olefin is solution-dyed, meaning the pigment is incorporated into the fibre during manufacturing. This gives it excellent resistance to fading from UV exposure.
It's also water-resistant, mould and mildew resistant and easy to clean, making it particularly well suited to Australian backyards, patios and poolside spaces.
Want to know more about the fabric itself? Our guide to Olefin fabric explains why we choose it for our outdoor collection.
A good outdoor bean bag should be able to handle the occasional shower, splash from the pool and the realities of outdoor living.
But water-resistant doesn't mean waterproof, and we don't recommend deliberately leaving your bean bag exposed to wet weather all the time.
While Olefin itself doesn't readily absorb moisture, water can still sit around seams, underneath the bean bag or within the inner filling if a bean bag becomes particularly wet.
After rain, give it some airflow and allow it to dry thoroughly before storing it away.
And if you can move your bean bag undercover when you're not using it, even better. Protecting any piece of outdoor furniture from unnecessary exposure will help extend its life.
Yes, they can.
Olefin is mould and mildew resistant, but no outdoor fabric is completely immune to mould when the environmental conditions are right.
Mould loves prolonged moisture, warmth and poor airflow.
For example, problems can occur if a wet bean bag is packed away before it has completely dried or left sitting damp for an extended period without airflow underneath it.
That's why one of the most important things you can do is simply let your bean bag dry thoroughly before storing it.
If you do discover mould, don't assume the cover is ruined. In many cases it can be treated.
Our guide to removing mould from an outdoor bean bag walks you through how to clean it and what to try for more stubborn marks.
Not necessarily.
This is an important distinction.
An outdoor bean bag may be designed for the backyard or poolside, but that doesn't automatically mean it's designed to float in the pool.
Products intended for in-pool use need a way for water to drain after they are removed from the pool.
Our dedicated pool float bean bags feature a mesh drainage system that allows water to drain from the bean bag after use.
So if you want something for:
Beside the pool: choose from our outdoor bean bags and poolside loungers.
In the pool: choose a bean bag specifically designed as a pool float.
If you're creating an entire pool area, you can also explore our Resort Poolside collection, which brings together pieces designed for both in-pool and poolside lounging.
Olefin is a hard-wearing outdoor fabric, but a few simple habits can make a big difference to how your bean bag looks over time.
Let it dry thoroughly after rain or pool use.
If your bean bag gets wet, give it plenty of airflow. Avoid leaving it sitting on a wet surface where moisture can become trapped underneath.
Rinse away chlorine and salt.
If your bean bag lives beside the pool or near the coast, an occasional rinse with fresh water helps remove chlorine, salt and other residue.
Keep it undercover when you can.
Olefin is UV resistant, but reducing unnecessary exposure to sun and weather will help extend the life of any outdoor furniture. Move it under a patio, verandah or other covered area when it's not being used if practical.
Never store it damp.
Make sure both the cover and filling are thoroughly dry before putting your bean bag away for an extended period.
Wash the cover when needed.
Mooi Living outdoor bean bags include removable covers, making them much easier to care for. Covers can be placed on a gentle cold machine wash and laid flat to dry.
For more detailed cleaning and maintenance information, see our bean bag care instructions.
Think about how you actually want to use it.
If you want somewhere supportive to sit with a coffee, an outdoor bean bag chair may suit you better.
If your idea of heaven is stretching out beside the pool with a book, look at a lounger.
Want somewhere two people can pile onto? A larger double lounger gives you room to share — or plenty of room not to.
And if you want to take your bean bag into the water, choose one of our dedicated pool floats rather than a standard outdoor bean bag.
Our guide to choosing an outdoor bean bag goes into the different styles, sizes and things worth considering before you buy.
Yes - as long as you choose one that's actually designed for outdoor living.
Look for an outdoor-specific fabric with good UV and water resistance, removable covers that make cleaning easier, and a design that suits the way you want to use your outdoor space.
And remember: even great outdoor fabric benefits from a little care.
Mooi Living's outdoor range is designed for the way Australian homes really use their outdoor spaces - from patios and decks to backyards and poolside lounging.
Ready to take your lounging outside?
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