A papasan chair is a large rounded bowl-shaped chair

Chair

A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...

 with an adjustable angle similar to that of a futon

Futon

Futon is an English word derived from Japanese , a term generally referring to the traditional style of Japanese bedding consisting of padded mattresses and quilts pliable enough to be folded and stored away during the day, allowing the room to serve for purposes other than as a bedroom...

. The bowl rests in an upright frame traditionally made of rattan

Rattan

Rattan is the name for the roughly 600 species of palms in the tribe Calameae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia.- Structure :...

, but also sometimes made of sturdy wicker

Wicker

Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used....

 or wood. While similar designs of furniture have existed around the world, the papasan was introduced in the United States in the 1950s, and rose to great popularity in the 1970s.

The cushion of the chair is typically thick velveteen

Velveteen

Velveteen is a cloth made in imitation of velvet. Normally cotton, the term is sometimes applied to a mixture of silk and cotton. Some velveteens are a kind of fustian, having a rib of velvet pile alternating with a plain depression. This fabric has a pile that is short , and is closely set. It has...

material filled with cotton fluff. In traditional papasans, the cushion can be removed and used outside of the sturdy frame, although it is hand-wash only. Non-traditional papasan chairs have sturdy metal or plastic frames, and are of similar design as traditional chairs. The metal or plastic frame typically folds into itself, allowing for easy transportation and storage. The folding type chairs are also known as "moon chairs" or "dish chairs" .