As a perpetually space-conscious New Yorker whose outdoor space is, in reality, a fire escape, I’m acutely aware of (and deeply averse to) anything unnecessarily clunky. I love the whimsical wrought-iron bistro trend happening right now, but didn’t think those charming curves would make sense in my ‘backyard’ – until I found the answer not in France, as you might expect, but in Sweden.
IKEA’s LÄCKÖ outdoor chair, designed by house legend Jon Karlsson, pulls from the traditional wrought-iron styles I’ve admired on my travels, but – of chief importance – it stacks. You could buy twelve and only sacrifice the footprint of one in the off-season, or simply stack a few away for more intimate alfresco gatherings. Actually, that’s not even the best part about this small patio gem: it’s $55 – less than a decent steak au poivre pretty much anywhere in the city.
Made of polyester powder-coated steel, this small but mighty outdoor living room idea requires virtually no maintenance – just a quick wipe with a damp cloth.
Which, of course, raised my eyebrows. The quality has to be questionable, I thought – but the reviews insist otherwise. This is one of IKEA’s more raved-about patio pieces (and I cover a lot of them).
With a 4.7-star rating across 150-plus reviews, people are gushing praises like ‘we love the way these chairs look and perform’ and ‘they look expensive.’ Most seem to be buying multiples to romanticize their suburban backyards – often paired with the matching bistro table, which keeps the Euro whimsy theme going with delicate cutouts that echo eyelet lace.
At this price, my small backyard is in for at least two of these slender seats. And yet, as far as my apartment is concerned, it’s still just one chair.
How I'd Style It
The mood is Euro summer. Here’s how I’d bring that where-we-all-wish-we-were feeling to your own backyard, starting with our new favorite patio seat.
‘They are very comfortable, there’s no need for chair pads,’ notes one reviewer. That may be true – but I’m a style editor, so I’m adding one anyway. This circular tufted cushion softens and riffs on the LÄCKÖ’s already romantic frame.
I hinted at it earlier, but styling your new, super-chic, space-saving seat without a similarly petite surface feels like a crime. ‘This is such a good table that I bought five of them for two different houses,’ notes one reviewer. It might actually be the more popular sister, with the same 4.7 stars – this time across 281 reviews – and a reputation for working with just about anything.
For a finishing touch, this might be the most versatile light in IKEA’s entire repertoire – indoors or out. This portable lamp can sit on a table facing up or down, or hang overhead from a balcony, even a tree. It’s just as whimsical as it sounds.
You’re going to need some shade. My recent outdoor umbrella edit, quite literally, has your LÄCKÖ setup covered with cabana stripes and fringe.
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