How to Store Folding Chairs: Garage and Closet Tips

Folding chairs earn their keep at holiday dinners, birthday parties and backyard cookouts, and then spend most of the year in storage. That is where the trouble starts: chairs leaning against a garage wall slide over, padded seats pick up dust and mildew in a damp shed, and a pile of chairs in a closet turns into a tangle every time you need one. Learning how to store folding chairs properly keeps them clean, saves floor space and makes setup for the next event take minutes instead of an hour.

This guide walks through how to prepare chairs for storage, the best places to keep them, and space saving storage methods for both plastic and padded folding chairs.

Before You Store Folding Chairs: Prep Steps

A few minutes of prep before storage prevents most of the problems people find when they pull chairs out months later.

1. Clean every chair. Food residue, sunscreen and dirt attract pests and can stain seats over time. Wipe plastic with mild soap and water and clean padded or faux leather seats with a damp cloth. Our guide on how to clean folding chairs covers both materials in detail.
2. Dry them completely. Moisture trapped between folded parts or under a padded seat is the main cause of mildew and rust spots. Let chairs air dry open before folding them.
3. Inspect the frame and hinges. Look for bent legs, loose rivets, cracks in plastic and worn feet. Set aside any damaged chair so nobody grabs it at the next event.
4. Fold each chair fully. A chair that is half folded takes more space and can spring open in a stack. Make sure each one locks or sits flat before storing.
5. Count and group them. Keep matching chairs together so you know exactly how many you have when planning seating.

Best Places to Store Folding Chairs

Indoor closets and under stairs

A coat closet, utility closet or the space under a staircase is the best choice for padded chairs because the temperature and humidity stay steady. Fold chairs flat and stand them upright side by side against the back wall, like books on a shelf, so you can pull out one at a time.

Garages

Garages hold a lot of chairs but come with heat, cold, dust and occasional moisture. Keep chairs off the concrete floor, which can wick moisture, by placing them on a shelf, a wall rack or a pallet. Cover padded seats with an old sheet or a breathable cover to keep dust off. Avoid plastic tarps wrapped tightly around chairs, since they can trap condensation.

Basements and sheds

These spaces work for plastic chairs, which tolerate humidity better than padded ones. If your basement or shed gets damp, raise chairs off the floor and leave a little air gap between them and the wall. Check on them once or twice during the off season.

Under beds and behind doors

For apartments and small homes, flat folded chairs can slide under a bed or stand behind a door that opens fully. This works well for a handful of chairs you use for guests a few times a year.

Space Saving Ways to Store Folding Chairs

Stack plastic stackable chairs

Chairs designed to stack save the most floor space. The 4/10 Pcs Plastic Stackable Folding Chairs are made from plastic, are described as stackable for easy storage and transport, and are suited to both indoor and outdoor use. They come in 4 or 10 packs in white or black. Stack them on a flat, level surface and keep each stack to a height you can lift from safely.

Stand flat folded chairs upright

Flat folding chairs store best standing on edge in a row. Put the first chair against a wall, then lean each one against the last at a slight angle so the row cannot tip. A simple strap or bungee across the front of the row keeps them from sliding.

The Padded Leather Folding Chair pairs a faux leather seat with a metal frame and folds flat for storage. Open, it measures 18 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 31 inches high, with a seat height of about 16 inches and a weight capacity of up to 250 lbs. It comes in 4 or 8 packs in black or white. Because the seat is padded, store it indoors or under a cover, and avoid stacking heavy items on top of the cushions.

Hang chairs on a wall

Heavy duty utility hooks screwed into wall studs can hold folded chairs off the floor in a garage or shed. Hang each chair by its top crossbar or seat frame and leave enough space between hooks so chairs do not knock together. Make sure hooks are rated for the load and anchored into studs, not drywall alone.

Use a shelf or rack

A sturdy shelving unit can hold stacked or flat chairs at waist height, which is easier on your back than lifting from the floor. Keep the heaviest stack on the lowest shelf.

Folding Chair Storage Safety Tips

• Do not stack chairs higher than you can comfortably lift down, and never climb a stack.
• Keep stacks and rows away from walkways, car doors and garage door tracks.
• Lift with your legs and carry one or two chairs at a time rather than an armload.
• Watch your fingers around hinges when folding and unfolding.
• Secure leaning rows with a strap if children play nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store folding chairs outside?

It is best not to leave them exposed for long periods. Sun, rain and freezing temperatures wear down plastic, padding and metal finishes. If you must keep chairs outdoors, use a covered area, raise them off the ground and use a breathable cover.

How do I keep padded folding chairs from getting moldy in storage?

Make sure seats are completely dry before folding, store them in a dry indoor space when possible, and use breathable covers instead of sealed plastic. Check them during the off season and air them out if they smell musty.

What is the most space efficient way to store a lot of folding chairs?

Stackable chairs stacked on a level surface use the least floor space. Flat folding chairs standing upright in a tight row against a wall are a close second.

Should folding chairs be stored folded or open?

Folded. Folding reduces their footprint and protects the seat and hinges. Just make sure they are clean and dry first.

Get Chairs That Store as Well as They Seat

Good storage starts with chairs built to fold or stack neatly. Shop the plastic stackable folding chairs and the padded leather folding chairs, or browse our full folding chairs collection to find the right fit for your next gathering.