Honestly, it depends on what you mean by lounging—and where you're doing it. Urban outdoor furniture and indoor furniture are designed for very different jobs, so they feel very different when you actually try to relax.
Indoor furniture is usually made for comfort inside a controlled environment. Think deep sofas, recliners, sectionals, soft fabric, thick foam, and maybe a chaise that lets you sink in for hours. Its main goal is relaxation. It can be plush, ergonomic, and shaped around the body. You can adjust it, add blankets, and control the temperature. For lounging, that's hard to beat.
Urban outdoor furniture, by contrast, has to survive weather, heavy use, theft, vandalism, pollution, and limited maintenance. That changes the comfort equation. A park bench, concrete seat, metal chair, or modular street furniture is often firmer, more upright, and less padded. It may have drainage gaps, sloped seats, or armrests that discourage sleeping. Even when it looks comfortable, it might be too hot in direct sun or too cold in winter. Cushions may be removable, which makes them less inviting. The result is furniture that's good for sitting, waiting, people-watching, or short breaks—not necessarily for deep, long lounging.
But it's not a simple indoor-wins situation. High-end outdoor lounge furniture has improved a lot. Weather-resistant cushions, quick-dry foam, ergonomic mesh, teak frames, and adjustable backrests can make an outdoor chaise surprisingly comfortable. In a private balcony, rooftop, or courtyard, an outdoor lounge set can rival an indoor sofa for reading, napping, or sunbathing. The difference is that you usually pay more for that level of comfort, and you still have to manage sun, rain, wind, and temperature.
Indoor furniture also has its downsides. A very soft sofa can be hard to get out of, too warm in summer, or lack proper lumbar support. Some indoor pieces are stylish but not actually ergonomic. Outdoor furniture, especially in urban spaces, often encourages better posture because it's firmer and more structured. For some people, that can be more comfortable for a short lounge than a deep, sinking couch.
Context matters most. In a busy city park, outdoor furniture is shared, exposed, and practical. It's not designed for you to sprawl for three hours; it's designed to be durable and inclusive. Indoor furniture is personal, protected, and tailored to relaxation. So if the question is pure lounging comfort—the kind where you sink in, stretch out, and lose track of time—indoor furniture usually wins. If the question is comfortable outdoor lounging in an urban setting, a well-designed outdoor lounge chair with good cushions and shade can absolutely work. It just asks more of the design, the materials, and the weather.
Bottom line: urban outdoor furniture is generally less comfortable for lounging than indoor furniture because it prioritizes durability, maintenance, and public use over plushness. But the gap narrows when outdoor pieces are designed specifically for lounging and placed in a comfortable microclimate. For long, lazy lounging, indoor still has the edge. For fresh air, people-watching, and a quick relaxed sit, the right outdoor furniture can be perfectly comfortable.