When it comes to lake living, let’s face it, it’s all about the water. If you’re not out on a boat, then you always want to be looking that way. Whether it’s from the dock, the screened porch or the back deck, a comfy seat makes lake-watching all the better.
Some of the best lakeside seating is built by companies based in Alabama and around the South They all deliver on the two most important things to consider when shopping for outdoor furniture: comfort and durability.
Even better, they also deliver stylish looks that will guarantee the view from the water is as good as the one from the dock.
Here are four companies to check out:
Summer Classics
Based in Pelham, Summer Classics was founded in 1978 by Bew White III, the great grandson of former Alabama governor and Avondale Mills founder, Braxton Bragg Comer. Following a family legacy in the textile industry, Summer Classics still crafts all its own cushions and those for the company Frontgate in the Pelham facility.
Their extensive line of handcrafted luxury outdoor furniture offers everything from marine-grade teak and cast aluminum to wrought iron and the trademarked N-dura Ultra High UV Resistant Resin Wicker.
Visit their store in Pelham or one of their several retail partners across the state. See all their collections and retail store listing here.
Wood Studio
Artisan Randy Cochran has been crafting beautiful wood furniture for decades and is now joined in the business by his sons, Keith and Dylan. Their handsome Beersheba Swings, based on an 1800s design that originated in Beersheba Springs, Tenn., are true lake house must-haves.
At 80 inches wide and 36 inches deep, this handcrafted swing is big enough to hold a crew or for one lucky person to stretch out for a nap. The two styles of the swing, Craftsman and Original, are available in a variety of woods and offered unfinished, oiled or waxed, or in a wide selection of custom milk paint finishes (Original only).
Learn more about Wood Studio here. In the Smith Lake area? Contact the Cochrans at 256-845-1930 and make an appointment to stop by their Arley studio.
Uwharrie Chair Co.
For this family-owned North Carolina company, what started with a classic Adirondack-style chair has grown into a full range of uniquely designed outdoor furniture. Available in pressure-treated pine or polymer, most of their generously scaled pieces come with a lifetime warranty against rot and water damage, making them ideal choices for lakeside seating. But it’s not all about function; their wide range of colors and finishes lets you make your outdoor spaces as fun and colorful as you choose.
See all of Uwharrie Chair’s collections and finishes, plus a list of Alabama retailers here.
Hinkle Chair Co.
Since 1834, generations of the Hinkle family have been handcrafting ladder-back chairs and other hardwood furniture in Springfield, Tenn. Their slatted rockers are as classic as they come and no matter which style you prefer, they offer the perfect seat to rock away a lazy afternoon on the porch.
All chairs are available natural or painted in black or white and you can have them personalized with family or cabin name. Choose their new weather-resistant acrylic finish for an extended life span, but they are still recommended for use in covered areas only.
See Hinkle Chair’s full collection here.
