Papasan: The Perfect Chair

You might think I’m a little crazy.

If you’ve read more than one of my blog posts, you might be sure of it.

But, if you give me a chance, I just might convince you that a papasan is indeed a perfect chair. Why, you might even agree with my belief that every home needs one of these unique, round chairs.

My love for papasans goes way back….Back to when I was pregnant with our third child. Our son had just turned four and our daughter was less than a year old and I was significantly larger. My mother-in-law had been given a papasan, and that was when I discovered the simultaneous coziness and roominess of this chair. My children were young enough that they still wanted to sit with me and on my lap. We loved to read together. Being pregnant made it harder to be comfortable and cozy with two wiggly toddlers competing to see who can sit closest to mom. That papasan seemed to envelope all three of us like a cocoon – and even I was comfortable.

So I decided I had to have one.

What exactly is a papasan?

Just in case you haven’t experienced this jewel of a seat, I’m referring to the full sized, two-pieced papasan chairs. I have seen many similar round chairs, but the one I’m raving about is what I assume to be the original. The frame is made out of rattan. Think bamboo-ish looking.

The chair consists of two pieces, the large, bowl-shaped seat and a small base.

We bought our first papasan second-hand from a lady who had been gifted one and didn’t like the cushion color, so she resold it. My husband attached the seat part of the frame to the top of a Toyota Corolla…it looked like a little beanie hat. I do wish I had a picture of that to show you as it was quite a sight, but it was 20 years ago and I had no idea one day I’d be writing about it on a blog!

What you don’t want to do with a papasan

Because it is two pieces, if a child or pet tries to climb over the back of it, their weight can cause the chair’s seating section to flip over backwards. Sitting it near a wall helps, but you should be careful with small children and warn older kids.

I raised three kids (and several pets) climbing around on ours and we had no major incidents or injuries.

As a matter of fact, on more than one occasion (while I was in the room with her of course), I positioned the seat like a bowl and plopped Madison right in the center while I vacuumed the room or folded clothes or dusted!

(Obviously, it is not safe to use this chair like a playpen so don’t say I told you to do it.)

One reason to really love this chair: the cushion

The cushion color and pattern choices are wonderful! So much variety, so few rooms to add a papasan to!

Over the twenty years I have owned the chair, I have only had two cushions. The cushion that came with it (secondhand but practically new) was navy blue. It survived a lot in my house, and eventually became a little too flat to be comfortable on the frame. It became repurposed as an extra dog bed…where it finally ended up shredded and then discarded.

I bought an off-white cushion, which maybe wasn’t the brightest idea in my house, but I wanted it to be neutral so I could use the chair in any room I chose. For years, we have sat on and spilled stuff on and just generally worn out that cushion, and now I just throw a blanket over it to hide the stains because I can’t justify buying another one until this one is completely worn out.

So two cushions in 20 years isn’t too bad. Especially since I’m not talking about 20 years in a parlor somewhere – I’m talking about 20 years of jumping, climbing, snacking, napping, and reclining by adults, children, and various pets.

Also, another advantage of being able to change the cushion is, regardless of how much your décor choices change over the years, you can update this chair with a new cushion to match. You don’t have to buy a whole new chair, which makes the cost of the cushion much more affordable in comparison.

Matching your décor

Now, you might be thinking: this doesn’t really match my décor.

Good news! I can help with that! (I really want you to have this chair.)

With the cushion choices, it becomes easier to match your existing décor.

For a more modern look, paint the frame black or grey.

If you have a traditional look, the chair fits right in. Use a cushion with any pattern to add some interest to your seating area or choose a solid colored cushion that complements your existing pattern or color scheme.

To add it to shabby chic or farmhouse white décor, use a white or ivory cushion. Add pillows of varying shades of white or vintage pillows. You can even whitewash the frame.

For your inner boho chick, add a purple cushion and a faux fur blanket. Sit it in front of a window beside some indoor plants.

I love, love, love purple and furry blankets and color! This makes me think I really need another papasan…

Love nature? Embrace the look of the wood frame and add a green or other natural monotone colored cushion, with pillows that reflect your love of the great outdoors.

O.K., I was trying to help y’all see some décor ideas and now I want all the colors. All the pillows. All the papasans.

The main reason to love this chair: comfort

My husband’s favorite chair is a recliner. A recliner is not an interior designer’s dream chair, I don’t think. I’m not an interior designer but I’m not a fan of a recliner. It’s large and it needs to face the television, which limits my furniture placement. I’m one of those people that likes to move the furniture around every so often, and that recliner stifles my creativity. Not to mention I have a heart attack every time the kitten runs under it when it is reclined.

But I love my husband and he loves a recliner.

And it’s our home, not a showroom.

So I decorate around it.

My chair of choice is also a bit large but it is SO comfortable, so I suppose I understand.

In a papasan, it is so inviting to curl up with a good book, or wrap up in a blanket and surround yourself with pillows because it is so very cozy. However, at the same time, it is very roomy, so you can stretch out or surround yourself with your kids or your dog or your cat – and no one is crowded.

Your life with a papasan:

• Papasan in the a.m.: sitting up straight with your coffee and your Bible, notebook, calendar, and other books in the chair around you, preparing for the day.
• Papasan midday: 3 kids piled in the papasan on your lap and you’re reading Charlotte’s Web to them.
• Papasan in the p.m.: curled up with a pillow and blanket and the cat, watching a movie with your husband (who’s in his recliner).

Ahh…perfection.

And that, my friends, is why I consider a papasan a perfect chair.

You might also enjoy:

• Decorating on a budget? Need a cheap idea for furniture but still want to personalize your design and your room? Read “Why I Love Wooden Couches (& Dressers) in the Living Room” to see if this may be a great durable, affordable, creative option for your home!
• Cat owners: Have a litter box you’d like to hide? Here are five ideas, even in a small space, to keep that box out of sight but in a convenient place for cleaning.
• Just a little something for moms. Because encouragement is good.