While not a substitute for conventional chairs, bean bags (sometimes known as bean bag chairs) offer their brand of seating comfort. Millions of plastic beads stand in place of a rigid frame, displacing as the user shifts their posture. Hours of sitting through an event suddenly become more bearable, if not enjoyable, thanks to these bags.
Brands have taken notice, preferring bean bags over chairs for seating in corporate events and other functions. Slap on the business logo on these bags and watch brand awareness do its magic amid the crowd. As a result, recent analysis projects a rise in demand for bean bags throughout the decade, with one estimate reaching $5 billion (U.S.) by 2030. [1]
Here are reasons businesses are choosing promo bean bags, be it for the office or events.
Weather and Terrain Resilience
Naturally, bean bags need to be made from the right materials to be usable rain or shine. They also must be able to withstand the harshness of outdoor terrain, having to settle for hours on grass, sand, or snow.
One such material for outdoor bean bags is polyester outdoor fabric, specifically 1680 denier (1680D). The denier refers to the density of fibers for every 9,000 meters of a specific commercial-grade fabric. Silk is used as a point of reference; a silk fiber 9,000 meters long weighs a gram and has a denier of 1—or 1D, in this case.
The 1680D polyester in custom promotional bean bags is designed to withstand practically anything Mother Nature throws at it. The fabric comes with water and dirt repellent polyurethane coating and reinforced stitching. As a result, outdoor bean bags can maintain their appearance despite long hours under the elements and keep the printed brand visible.
Good for One’s Back
Contrary to popular belief, sitting straight—as in right-angle straight—is bad health advice. This is because the spine curves slightly in four areas: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper and middle back), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (tailbone). The slight ‘S’ shape it forms helps support the body by distributing the load from various activities. [2]
While some chairs can be designed with the spine’s natural curves in mind, they might not be cost-effective for seating at events. That said, providing uncomfortable seats during the event wouldn’t look great for public relations. Additionally, there aren’t that many available options for outdoor ergonomic seating.
Designer bean bag chairs are ideal for supporting backs of varying conditions, as they’re filled with loose filling material. Two of the most widely used fillers are expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polypropylene (EPP). A quick summary is below. [3]
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EPS Filling
Designed for cushioning cargo, virgin EPS beads are also typically used as bean bag fillers. They’re known to hold their shape in hot and humid environments and are the less expensive of the two due to their abundant supply. However, they lose their original shape faster than EPP ones. |
EPP Filling
EPP beads are more effective at retaining their shape while being longer-lasting than EPS ones. However, these beads are more expensive because they aren’t used as much in the U.S. Also, exposure to heat and oxygen can cause them to degrade, making them less suitable for outdoor use. |
The beads displace easily with the user’s weight, which helps them get comfortable. Their spine doesn’t have to be restricted to a fixed backrest. However, it’s important to get the filler amount right, which is doable using online calculators like this one.
Eco-Friendly (with the Right Materials)
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a buzzword among businesses in recent years. As entities with the abilities and resources to inspire positive change, they’re under pressure from the general public to lead by example.
Although price and quality continue to be the primary factors in a customer’s purchase, a growing number of buyers have bought eco-friendly products and will continue to do so. An Accenture study confirms this, with 89% and 84% of respondents still focused on price and quality, respectively, but 72% also said they’ve bought such products. [4]
However, CSR isn’t limited to providing eco-friendly goods and services. Its practices also need to conform to ethical and environmental standards. As U.N. Global Compact CEO Sanda Ojiambo writes following the Seville Commitment, the private sector can no longer be a bystander. Businesses have to embrace sustainability.
Contrary to popular belief, something as minor as choosing eco-friendly materials for branded corporate bean bags can go a long way. For instance, a growing number of bean bags in the market feature plant-based fillers and fabric made from recycled plastics. One substitute made with Miriti leaves is known to be 30 times stronger than synthetic foam. [5]
Conclusion
Bean bags provide a unique means of relaxation while serving as cost-effective branding solutions and, with eco-friendly materials, improving corporate image. With the demand for these soft furnishings for commercial uses rising, expect them to be a more common sight in corporate events and other functions in the following years.
References
- Bean Bag Chairs Market Size | Industry Report, 2019-2025 [Internet]. www.grandviewresearch.com. Available from: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bean-bag-chairs-market
- Spinal curves: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image [Internet]. medlineplus.gov. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19463.htm
- Gheorghe S. Types Of Bean Bag Filling and How To Choose. Homedit.com. 2021 [cited 2025 Jul 30]. Available from: https://www.homedit.com/bean-bag-refill/
- Martins A. Most Consumers Want Sustainable Products and Packaging [Internet]. Business News Daily. 2024. Available from: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15087-consumers-want-sustainable-products.html
- Balboni BM, Moreira TA de S, Batista AS, Garcia JN, Ribeiro ML, Wessels CB, et al. Mechanical properties and applications of a fiber reinforced biofoam from Amazonian palm leaves. Next Sustainability [Internet]. 2024 Jul 19;4:100063. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949823624000400
