Choosing the best director's chair depends on the budget for the chair and the purpose it will serve. Most chairs of this type are very similar, involving a foldable frame and sturdy fabric for the seat and back. Some chairs are designed to be relatively stationary and may be more elaborate than others. It is also possible to find a director's chair with special features, such as a writing area or hanging side bags. By evaluating what you need the chair for, you can easily select the best director's chair for any purpose.
The most basic type of director's chair is a chair that folds flat with a cloth back and seat. These chairs are often made of wood, but lightweight materials like plastic or hollow metal are also common. As these chairs are often carried around for different scenes when filming, they must be convenient to move. These chairs are often customized with the name of the director in order to avoid confusion when setting up the filming area.
Many chairs are made on the basic design of a director's chair but without the necessary minimalism of an actual director's chair. For home use, fine wood can be used instead of lightweight materials, because it is unlikely that the chair will need to be moved quickly and efficiently. While a director's chair for home use should still fold, it may be acceptable to use fabrics other than canvas or synthetic materials for the chair seat and back. Leather, for example, is a popular choice when the chair does not need to endure inclement weather.
As far as decoration, the cloth portions of the chair often bear logos or customization. If the chair is for a company, having the company's logo on the chair can be a great way to decorate. People often purchase chairs with other customized art, such as the logo of a sports team or an animal. Purely decorative designs are also popular and may include stripes or even animal prints. Some people find it fun to have the owner's name on the chair, as though it is being used for a director, but other people find this inappropriate in a home environment where many people may use the chair.
In some cases, the best chair will be one that can serve more than one purpose. A chair might include a fold-out desk for writing, a side bag for storage, or even an umbrella for shade. These chairs are often good for use outdoors at sporting events or indoors in areas with very little space. Conveniently, even chairs with additional features often still fold, so they are easy to store in small apartments.