Bean bags come in vintage and contemporary styles for both children and adults. Fillers include foam pellets, dry beans, and plastic fillers. Uniform polystyrene pellets offer durability while reground bean bag filler repurposes old Styrofoam. A combination of fillers can provide optimal support and comfort.
Bean bags have been around for many years now. In addition to vintage models from the 1960s, there are also contemporary chairs being built for us in children’s bedrooms and larger models for adults. While very comfortable, most bean bag seating options need to be refilled from time to time. Fortunately, there are several options when it comes to selecting the right bean bag filler, including foam pellets or shreds, dry beans, and plastic fillers.
Uniform polystyrene pellets, sometimes known as virgin pellets, are small, sturdy pieces of Styrofoam that are roughly the same shape and size as the pellets included in chicken mash. The material has a higher density than the standard polystyrene chips used in packaging. As a result, this type of filler holds up very well to daily use and helps the chair keep its shape. Additionally, the durability of the pellets means that the chair will offer support and comfort.
For something a little softer, there’s also reground bean bag filler. Large blocks of Styrofoam are ground up to form this type of filling. Unlike pellets, the chunks aren’t necessarily uniform in shape or size and may take a little longer to settle into a comfortable position. Using regrind filler is a great way to repurpose old Styrofoam and keep the material from taking up space in landfills.
A third option is to use a combination of uniform beads or pellets and shredded foam. Often, the Styrofoam used for shreds is also reclaimed product, but is not ground as finely as regrind filler. While the shredded pieces aren’t uniform, they tend to mix well with the virgin filler and help keep the beanbag chair comfortable.
Purists can also use dried beans as a favorite filler, and small dried peas are one of the better options. While the peas will move and conform to the body of anyone who sits in the chair, they tend not to be as comfortable as Styrofoam bean bag filling options. Some people prefer a less compliant filler, however, arguing that using dried peas gives the chair a texture that can help massage tired muscles.
It’s not unusual for people to mix various types of fillers in an effort to produce the ideal combination of support and comfort. Owners may choose to use a combination that uses natural fillers such as dried peas with plastic fillers and uniform polystyrene beads or pellets. The combined filler is said to provide all the benefits of each type of filler compound while minimizing the disadvantages of each type.
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