A papasan chair is a large, rounded chair with a bowl-shaped seat. The seat rests in a sturdy frame made of wood, metal, rattan, or wicker. Papasan chairs have soft, comfortable cushions that conform to your body. The cushions are often made of plush fabrics like velour or soft cotton. They are filled with polyester fiberfill, feathers, or memory foam. Papasan chairs are designed with back support in mind. The bowl shape provides lower back support as you sit in them. The frame allows the chair to gently rock or swing as you move in it. Papasan chairs often look like hanging chairs suspended from a metal or wood stand. They sometimes come with large matching ottomans. The ottomans can provide a place to prop your feet up.
Are Papasan Chairs Good for Sleeping?
Many people wonder if papasan chairs make good beds or are comfortable for sleeping in. Here are some pros and cons to consider when evaluating papasan chairs for sleeping:
Pros
- The circular papasan seat is very roomy, often over three feet wide. This spacious design gives you plenty of room to sprawl out and change positions throughout the night. You can comfortably twist, turn, curl up, and adjust without feeling constricted.
- The bowl shape and soft cushions conform to your body very well. The chair can cradle and cocoon your body comfortably. This makes it easier to fall asleep and relax into the chair. The supple cushioning provides nice support for your back, especially the lower back, if you curl up on your side.
- Without rigid arms or hard edges, a papasan chair allows you to sink into its soft form. This can feel very cozy and soothing.
Cons
- While the bowl shape cradles the lower back, it provides little support for the neck and head while sleeping. Without reinforcement for the spine and neck, this could lead to discomfort or pain after a full night’s sleep.
- The sunk-in, engulfing shape that feels so cozy can also make it hard to change positions or get in and out of during the night. This may make tossing and turning or getting up to use the bathroom challenging.
- Though wider than typical chairs, standard papasan sizes may not allow enough room for very tall individuals to fully extend when sleeping. This could result in cramped conditions.
- Without an actual mattress designed for all-night sleep, the cushioned chair may not provide enough support for optimal comfort and spinal alignment. The softness that feels nice at first could lead to body aches after a full night.
Tips for Sleeping in a Papasan Chair
If you want to try using a papasan chair for sleeping, either for naps or full nights, here are some tips to optimize comfort and support:
- Add extra pillows for enhanced neck support. Using a comfortable cervical or memory foam pillow designed to cradle your head and neck is essential. This will help maintain spine alignment and prevent neck stiffness.
- Look for papasan chairs with easily removable chair cushions. This allows you to customize the firmness and loft by adding or removing filling from the cushion. Add filling for more plushness or remove filling to create more support.
- Consider papasan frames that can fold up when not in use. The collapsible frames make it easier to get in and out of the chair during the night without tripping or getting tangled.
- Use a papasan for afternoon catnaps or sporadic overnight guests rather than full nights of sleep. The lack of robust support may cause body aches if used every night.
- Elevate your legs with a footstool or ottoman to enhance circulation, comfort, and spinal alignment when sleeping. This takes pressure off your lower back.
- Add a memory foam mattress topper onto the chair cushion for extra cushioning and support.
- Place the papasan in a corner or against a wall. This provides something solid to rest your head against for stability.
While papasan chairs can work nicely for short naps, beds and mattresses designed specifically for sleep will likely be more comfortable and supportive for full nights. But papasan chairs make great spare beds or relaxing lounge spots!