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A good reading chair earns its spot in a living room, a bedroom or a private study. It takes up little floor space, yet it changes how the whole room feels.
It is also usually the most comfortable seat in the room. That makes it the natural place to curl up with a book or to scroll through your phone feed for a good chunk of the day.
Reading chairs adapt to big rooms and small ones, so they blend in almost anywhere. Like accent chairs, they add a point of visual difference, especially when placed next to a couch.
Looks are a bonus, though. What matters most is having one chair you can happily sit in for hours.
The range is wide. Fabrics run from velvet to chenille to tweed, and some designs melt into the space while others are made to stand out. Nine picks follow, so there is a style here for nearly every taste.
Kirkwood Velvet Club Chair: Bold Style on a Budget
Highlights
- Eye-catching design
- Low price
- Comfortable seating position
Trade-offs
- May feel stiff and rigid
This Christopher Knight chair is the most affordable one in the lineup, yet it is also one of the most striking. Its unusual geometric lines give it a thoroughly modern feel.
The upholstery is a very deep black, and the velvet fabric is soft to the touch. Together they let the chair stand out in practically any room.
A stainless steel frame keeps it a little rigid, so there is not much room to switch up your posture. Even so, it is comfortable enough for a few good hours of listening to music or getting lost in a video game.
Miscoos Chenille Chair: A Couch-Like Seat for Settling In
Highlights
- Excellent cushioning from top to bottom
- Playful elephant ear cushions on the armrests
- Wide and roomy
Trade-offs
- Takes up a lot of space
Looking for the cushy feel of a sofa in a single chair? This inexpensive option from Miscoos is a strong candidate.
It is roomy enough to put your feet up, to sit cross-legged or to try a whole range of other postures. The seat, the backrest and the elephant ear armrest cushions are all well padded, and a pinewood frame provides the support.
The padding is plush enough that dozing off is a real risk. Just make sure you have the space, because the chair is 38.6 inches wide, 35 inches deep and 31.9 inches tall, and it can leave a small room feeling cramped.
Article Angle 33″ Lounge Chair: Mid-Century Polish for a Study
Highlights
- Mid-century modern styling
- Slightly angled back
- Wide seat
Trade-offs
- Could feel a bit stiff to some
Picture a reading chair that looks perfectly at home in a private study or a home office. This lounge chair from Article fits that description, with slightly angled lines, tweed upholstery and a chic mid-century look.
The product page even calls the style “Jetson chic”. It simply looks darn nice.
The seat is accommodating, and the angled back puts you in a very comfortable posture. High-density foam feels plush without adding much bulk.
The armrests sit low, so you can cross your legs and rest your knees on them. One thing to know is that a zipper runs vertically across the back.
The upholstery is designed to hide that zipper, but it will likely become more visible as the chair sees heavy use. That is not the most flattering look, although it may never bother you, so it is not a big deal.
Castlery Cammy Armchair: Small Footprint, Surprisingly Roomy Seat
Highlights
- Compact dimensions
- Roomier than its size suggests
Trade-offs
- The firmer, more structured feel is not for everyone
Short on space? This armchair is just 29.7 inches wide, 28.5 inches deep and 34.6 inches tall. That is compact enough to squeeze into a cramped living room or any layout that calls for a tighter fit.
We especially like recommending it as a bedroom reading chair. It offers a convenient seat without eating up valuable space.
The details add up nicely: slim low-profile legs, tweed-like upholstery, a roomy seat, a wide backrest and high armrests. Together they make for a comfortable sit.
The feel is firmer and more structured, so anyone who wants a plush lounging experience may not love it. It still makes a nice spot for reading a book, enjoying a drink or spending a few hours on an iPad.
West Elm Book Nook Armchair: The Classic Reading Silhouette
Highlights
- Medium firmness that feels very comfortable
- Curved arms that support a reclined posture
- Classic looks
Trade-offs
- Engineered wood in the upper frame
Whenever we picture a reading chair, this is the silhouette that comes to mind first. It has that classic look.
Article’s similarly traditional design is subtle with its angles, but this one is not. Dramatic curves run along the armrests and up into the backrest, matching the slanted stance and slightly reclined seat.
If flat, horizontal armrests on a reclined armchair have always left you cold, expect a pleasant surprise. A thick cushion of medium firmness, velvet upholstery and solid wood legs add to the appeal.
We are less keen on the engineered wood used for the seat, the back and the armrests.
Burrow Arch Nomad Armchair: A Chair That Can Grow Into a Sofa
Highlights
- Modular pieces that combine into other furniture
- USB charger built right in
- Upholstery fabric that resists stains and scratches
Trade-offs
- The cushioning may be too firm for some
This is not the most stylish chair in the group, but its modular nature makes it an attractive option. You can set it up as an armchair, like the one featured here, or as a chaise lounge with a couple of extra pieces. With more pieces added, it can even grow into a sofa or a sectional.
Whatever serves as an armchair now can be folded into something bigger later, as long as you pair it with other pieces from Burrow’s Nomad line. There are plenty of choices, too: sloped, arched or block armrests, plus tufted or untufted back cushions.
The seat cushion leans firm, so anyone after something more plush might not enjoy it. On the bright side, the upholstery is easy to clean, the frame is hardwood and the assembly is simple.
There is even a USB port, which comes in handy if you often settle in with your tablet or e-reader.
Saatva Logan Chair: Handcrafted Comfort in a Compact Size
Highlights
- Great comfort
- Mid-century look
- Upholstery that resists stains
Trade-offs
- Only lightly padded arms
The size is a big part of the appeal. It is just wide enough to be comfortable, yet compact enough for rooms with limited space.
The seat leaves enough room to shift postures while you lounge. The slanted backrest encourages a comfy recline.
We do wish the armrests were angled a little too, to match the backrest. Still, the chair is comfortable enough as it is.
It is well made, too. Each one is individually handcrafted and upholstered, and the chair uses sustainably-sourced, kiln-dried hardwood, so it feels like furniture you will keep for the long haul.
Only four upholstery options are offered, so you get little say over the finish.
West Elm Harmony Chair and a Half: Room to Curl Up
Highlights
- Oversized seat
- Very plush cushioning
- Works for both sitting and lounging
Trade-offs
- May be too pillowy-soft for some
Fancy a reading chair that doubles as a snug nook for the occasional curl-up? The generous proportions of this “Chair and a Half” could be just what you want.
The name is accurate: it is the size of one and a half chairs. It stretches 55 inches wide and 41 inches deep, so only pick it up if you actually have the room.
Sitting straight up in the middle can feel a little awkward because the armrests are so far apart. That same spacing allows lounging postures you cannot manage in any other armchair, since it is practically a mini-sofa.
You can even fit someone else in and turn it into a loveseat when the air feels too cold to curl up alone. Just note that the cushioning is incredibly plush, as in pillow-soft, so it will not suit anyone who wants something firmer and more structured.
Sixpenny Ziki Chair: Cloud-Soft Comfort With a Minimalist Look
Highlights
- Very plush cushioning
- Comfortable enough to nap on
- Minimalist design
Trade-offs
- Pricey
Some people believe a reading chair should be all about comfort. This piece delivers exactly that.
A mix of foam and feather down fill makes it so plush that you will probably end up snoozing. The back is gently sloped, and the armrests suit the posture it promotes.
You can plop down and sink in with no care in the world. The look is stylish too, with gentle curves, a neutral palette and a minimalist spirit that echoes 20th century French design.
Choose from cotton, cotton-linen and poly weave upholstery, each offered in different colors.
David Chen
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