It is raining outside, and a chilly breeze is blowing about. The windows are fogged up, and you have just made yourself a steaming hot cup of coffee. You settle yourself on a chair, continue reading a murder mystery, and sip coffee. As the coffee is warming you from within, you are about to reach the part where they reveal the killer in the novel, and you get a backache.
Ouch! Sad, isn’t it? Sitting for hours on an uncomfortable reading chair and devouring thick books can cause backache. Don’t let the chair be a pain in your back. Choose a comfy reading chair that will have your back even when you are lost in fiction for hours at a time.
Image credits: Rachel Claire
A reading chair has cushioning, a sturdy backrest, and soft armrests that you can comfortably curl up on while reading books. It should be so cozy that even if you use it for long hours, it shouldn’t give you pain in your back, neck, or arms. You can create the perfect reading nook or a library nook in your house with a comfortable reading chair.
You can even use it while binging your favorite series or scrolling through memes during a lazy afternoon. It can also function as a decorative element in your space. You can choose a vibrant yellow chair to introduce color or a soft cream-colored chair to match your soft-paletted room. Or, pick a patterned armchair and introduce texture to your bare space.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Reading Chair
Before purchasing a plush reading chair, you should consider a few features to give your back, neck, and arms the coziest reading experience. Here are the key reading chair features:
Style of a Reading Chair
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Reading chairs have multiple styles, from recliners to swivels. And you can choose the one that best suits your comfort. The style of the chair can also complement the theme of your room. For instance, use a swivel chair for a modern space or a chintz armchair for a vintage room.
Size of a Reading Chair
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The size of the space where you place the reading chair should determine the size of the chair. You don’t want to end up with an oversized chair that cramps up your small space or a small chair that disappears in your large bedroom design.
Also, ensure that the chair size aligns with your body size, as you are the one who will be using it. Try to sit in all the different chairs and only purchase the one that perfectly accommodates you.
Material of a Reading Chair
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The material used impacts the overall design of the reading chair. Timber, used to make many chairs, is long-lasting and quite a popular choice. However, steel beats timber when it comes to durability as well as affordability.
On the other hand, the choice of fabric for the chair varies according to the look you want. Thick, upholstered velvet and polyester will give a soft and comfy touch, while leather will bring sophistication. If you love to eat or drink while reading, choose stain-resistant material for an easy-to-clean experience.
Back of the Reading Chair
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Another critical feature to consider is the back of the reading chair. If you want complete support and maximum comfort for your back and neck, choose a reading chair with a tall back against which you can lean your neck during long sitting hours. Along with comfort, it also helps with posture.
Arms of the Reading Chair
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Give a restful space to your arms, and choose a reading chair with arms. Rolled arms, flared arms, or pillow arms; choose the most comforting ones for your arms.
Seat Type of the Reading Chair
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When choosing the seat type, pick the one you can cozily ease into. With a usual seat, you can rest your legs on the floor. However, your feet will dangle in the air uncomfortably in a deep seat. For such a situation, add a footrest.
Ottoman of the Reading Chair
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Avid readers will know the importance of an ottoman or a built-in footrest. This restful and comfortable foot elevation also helps blood circulation in your legs. With an ottoman, it’s a win-win situation as you stay comfy and also healthy.
30 Best Reading Chair Ideas for the Coziest Reading Experience
Now that you are familiar with the key features, you can pick the type of reading chair that best suits your needs. Let’s look at some of the ideas so that you can create the most comfortably appealing reading nook and please your bookworm soul.
Rounded Comfy Reading Chair
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Let comfort give you a big, warm hug through a rounded reading chair. Adorn it with small pillows and provide a gorgeous touch to your reading nook. With its circular shape allowing you to curl up, let it be the best companion for your latest read.
Eames-Style Lounge Chair for Library Nook
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Create the perfect library nook by infusing elegance with comfort using the Eames-style lounge chair. Roll in a matching ottoman and let your tired feet rest while you indulge in a new book. Segregate this space with creative room dividers like a bookshelf or rope wall for a secluded library nook.
Purple Velvet Swivel Reading Chair for Bedroom
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Give a majestic touch to your reading experience with a purple velvet swivel chair. Place it in a corner and let it be the regal star in your bare bedroom. Let the velvet soften your reading experience while the royal purple zests up your bedroom.
Hanging Comfy Reading Chair for Porch
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Create a cozy reading space on your bright, breezy porch with a macrame hanging comfy reading chair. Place a soft mattress below it for your feet. Layered with cushioning, it will sway gently like a stylish porch swing while you relax, unwind, and dive into your favorite book.
Lazy Boy Reading Nook Chair
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Take comfort to a whole new level with a Lazy Boy reading nook chair. With soft armrests and a sturdy and cushy back, allow the Lazy Boy to pamper your back as you treat yourself to another novel.
Wingback Upholstered Reading Chair with Ottoman
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Place a classy wingback upholstered reading chair with an ottoman in front of the fireplace. Create a reading zone by using books for your fireplace mantel design. Come winter, light up your fireplace, snuggle up on the wingback chair, and enjoy a warm and pleasant reading session.
Upholstered Accent Reading Chair
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Introduce a splash of color into your simple space with an upholstered accent chair. As you sit and read, let the linen upholstery soothe your body while the robust hue glams up your area.
Bean Bag Reading Chair for Pergola
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Adorn your pergola design with a classic bean bag. The fresh air and natural light will create the best reading ambiance. For late-night reading therapy, deck the pergola with no-flame candles or mason jars full of string lights. Light up the pergola, get comfy on the bean bag, and enjoy a therapeutic reading session.
Velvet Loveseat Reading Chair for Vintage Bedroom 
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Want to infuse the romantic charm of a period drama into your vintage bedroom? Say yes to a vintage velvet loveseat! While it adds drama to your space and gives a nod to nostalgia, you can enjoy some intense reading sessions with steamy novels.
Mid-Century Modern Reading Chair for Living Room
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Transform your living room design with a statement-making mid-century modern reading chair. As the tufting provides ultra-comfort, the vibrant hue creates an energized aura, letting your mind wander into the deepest realms of fiction.
Green Velvet Winged High-Back Reading Chair
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Is your bedroom design missing a bold color? Are you looking for a comfortable alternative to add color? Look no further! The green velvet winged high-back chair is the solution to your problem. Rest your neck on the high back and let the velvet soften the effect. As the green color freshens the space, let the book take over your thoughts.
IKEA Reading Chair: SÖDERHAMN Armchair
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A stylish, light, and airy look infused with a deep and generous seat, the SÖDERHAMN armchair by IKEA is an inviting one. A removable cover provides soft comfort under your bones as you sit and scroll through books.
Additionally, it is easy to clean as the cover can be removed, machine-washed, and put on again. The cover is available in the following colors and materials: Gransel natural color, Tonerud gray, Fridtuna dark gray, Fridtuna light beige, and Viarp beige/brown. Choose the one that best suits your space and have a pleasant reading time.
Red Velvet Chaise Lounge Comfy Reading Chair
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Go bold and comfy with a red velvet chaise lounge chair. It will add a theatrical drama to your space while you leisurely unfurl on it. As the soft velvet cocoons you into comfort, dive back into the trilogy you were devouring.
Faux Leather Modern Recliner Reading Chair
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Step up the comfort game with a faux leather modern recliner chair. The faux leather reading chair with a cushy back and armrests will be a big sigh of relief for your tired body. Lean back, lose yourself in premium comfort, and a good book for company.
Comfy Barrel Reading Chair for Window Nook
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Are you a hopeless romantic who loves to spend time in your quaint window nook, devouring romantic novels with handsome knights and brave queens? Well, we have the perfect reading chair to take you to Fantasyland!
Enter the comfiest barrel chair! It will add charming comfort to your quaint window nook. As blooming florals adorn the window sill and thick bedroom curtains soften the acoustics, let the Southern romantic charm grace your reading experience.
Chintz Armchair for Reading Nook
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How can your reading nook be complete without an old-fashioned Chintz armchair? Add pillows for an extra cushy feel, and place a pouf in front to rest your tired feet. Unwind in the Chintz charm, and have fun reading.
Yellow Upholstered Reading Chair for Bedroom
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Introduce a pop of color in your simple bedroom design with a vibrant yellow, upholstered reading chair. This eye-catching chair with built-in comfort is the perfect reading companion for your colorful, book-ish soul.
IKEA Reading Chair: POÄNG Rocking Chair
Image credits: IKEA
The POÄNG rocking chair by IKEA is here to give you a wonderful rocking experience. The timeless design, accompanied by endless comfort, makes this chair an exceptional choice for cozy reading.
It is available in the following colors and materials: Knisa black, Knisa light beige, Skiftebo dark gray, Skiftebo yellow, Hillared anthracite, Hillared beige, and Hillared dark blue. Choose yellow for a color-popping room design or dark gray for a monochromatic setting, and let it gently rock you as you read.
Womb Reading Chair for Small Master Bedroom
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Struggling with a small space? Calm down. The womb chair is ready for rescue! It sits perfectly in a small master bedroom design. Its distinct shape and soft cushioning create a cozy, intimate vibe and tranquilize your reading retreat.
Leather Sling Folding Chair for Outdoor Reading
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Want to please your bibliophilic, wanderlust soul? Look no more. The leather sling folding chair is the one you have been waiting for. This outdoor reading chair is more than just comfy; it is lightweight and easy to carry. It can comfort you even on a beach, mountain tops, or under forest cover. During your travels, comfortable reading is just a fold away!
Rattan Bowl-Shaped Reading Chair for Sunroom
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Add a relaxing touch to your sunroom design with a rattan bowl-shaped reading chair. The natural, sustainable, and durable rattan chair has a warm and welcoming vibe, while the comfortable bowl shape will introduce a pattern into your space. With a layer of cushioning and pillows, have a pleasant reading session in your bright and airy sunroom.
Foldable Wicker Chaise Lounge Chair by the Pool
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Summers are extraordinary when you can lounge by the pool with a fictional novel in one hand and an iced Americano in the other. Place a foldable wicker chaise lounge chair by the pool and deck it with cushioning. Stretch by the water on your outdoor lounge chair and enjoy a summery reading retreat.
Tasseled Reading Chair for Bohemian Bedroom
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Quirk up the boho vibe in your bohemian bedroom with a tasseled reading chair. Its charming design casts a bohemian magic, with cushioning for your body, so you can have a snug time reading a good book.
Faux Leather Egg Chair with Ottoman
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Let the distinct shape of an egg chair quirk up your space while the faux leather adds a sophisticated touch. Push a matching faux leather ottoman in front of it. Let the chair and ottoman provide a soft and snug seating experience while you have fun reading.
Modern Reclining Chair for Industrial Studio Apartment
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Thinking of creating a comfy reading space with an exposed brick wall design in your industrial studio apartment? The modern reclining chair has got your back! Choose a bold-colored chair that will make a statement against the exposed brick backdrop. This way, you can indulge in a comfy reading experience in style.
Large Accent Chair for Balcony
Image credits: Max Rahubovskiy
No space for a reading nook inside your house? Don’t worry. Turn your balcony into a reading nook, transforming it into an organic extension of your home. Place an extra large accent chair on the balcony that immediately grabs attention and oozes comfort. Hang outdoor lights above this chair, and enjoy breezy late-night reading sessions.
Foldable Reading Chair Lounger
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Read and stretch on a foldable reading chair lounger. This chair includes a comfy quirk; you can place it anywhere in your house. Have the most amazing reading experience in your favorite spot in the house.
Rattan Reading Chair for Garden
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With ample sunlight and unlimited fresh air, there is no place perfect for a refreshing reading experience other than the garden. Covered in cushioning and pillows, place the rattan reading chair in the ideal spot under the trees in your garden. As the breeze gently blows and the trees whistle, lose yourself in a snug reading episode.
Boucle Barrel Chair with Ottoman
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Embrace the best level of comfort, infused with an alluring design, with a boucle barrel chair. As the chair makes your space trendy, let the ottoman look after your feet while you have a fantastical reading escape.
Oversized, Rounded Chair for Reading Nook
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Let oversized comfort engulf you in an oversized, rounded reading chair. Big enough for two to cuddle up, this oversized reading chair is perfect for sitting with your reading companion. Or, use it to create a cozy, circular reading nook in your kid’s room, snuggle up with a blanket, and read fairytales as your kid falls into a dreamy sleep.
Let the Reading Chair Transport You to Fictional Lands
Quite a long and comfy list, wasn’t it? Just like your reading experience will be if you choose any one of them. From a recliner to a lounger, you have plenty of options to create the comfiest reading nook. Hunt down your favorite lush and cozy reading chair for long-lasting happiness. We wish you a happy back, a happy neck, and the happiest reading time.
FAQs About Reading Chairs
What Type of Chair is the Best for Reading?
A recliner, barrel chair, or lounger chair are just some of the chairs that are best for reading.
What are the Features of a Reading Chair?
Size, style, material, back, arms, and seat type are some key features of a reading chair that should be considered before you purchase it.
What is the Most Comfiest Chair?
An oversized, rounded chair with pillow arms is the most comfy chair. However, there are some other options, like a recliner, rocking chair, or chintz armchair, that you can also consider.
Are Hard or Soft Chairs Better?
Soft chairs are better for comfort, while hard chairs are better for posture.
Are Barrel Chairs Comfortable to Sit in?
Yes, barrel chairs are comfortable to sit in. You can use pillows to add an extra layer of comfort to barrel chairs.
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