The 9 Best Reading Chairs of 2022

Milliard Cozy Reading Chair

The perfect reading chair offers comfort for your preferred reading posture. To help you find the ideal chair for your reading nook, we consulted Decorist interior designer Elizabeth Herrera and researched top options, prioritizing oversized shapes, high-quality materials, and comfort features.

Our favorite reading chair is the Joss & Main Highland Armchair because it offers complete customization, durable and comfortable materials, and comes fully assembled.

Here are the best reading chairs for curling up with a good book.

Best Overall: Joss & Main Highland Armchair

A first-rate reading chair is so comfortable that you can get lost in the book you’re reading, and the Highland Armchair from Joss & Main does precisely that. As our best overall pick, this armchair brings comfort, durability, and customization for an incredible reading experience.

This 39-inch wide chair’s boxy frame and wide armrests provide plenty of room to snuggle up and sit comfortably. While the chair doesn’t recline or come with an ottoman, the synthetic fiber-filled cushions are plush but still supportive. The solid wood frame makes this chair highly sturdy and durable for long-term use, and the cushion is removable.

To make it all the more at home in your space, you can customize this chair’s upholstery with more than 100 fabrics in prints, solids, and stain-resistant options. This cozy chair also comes fully assembled, so you can enjoy it right away.

Best Budget: Jummico Fabric Recliner Chair

For bookworms on a budget, we suggest the Jummico Recliner. Featuring a durable steel frame, breathable fabric upholstery, a padded back, multiple reclining positions, and even a footrest, this best-seller pulls out all the stops. It comes in five colors to suit your style. Although, take note that it’s not the best option for smaller spaces. Some assembly is required, though you won’t need any tools, and it shouldn’t take long.

Best Oversized: Wayfair Custom Upholstery Emilio 49″ Wide Armchair

You want to get as comfortable as possible when you’re reading, and the Emilio Wide Armchair from Wayfair Custom Upholstery provides the ideal plushy reading spot. This oversized chair is wide enough to partially stretch out on and can even fit two people. No matter what your color scheme is, there is a version of this chair that will match it—with over 65 colors and patterns to choose from.

In addition to being an attractive chair, the seat cushions are also removable and reversible. So if you ever spill something, you can easily clean the cushions and even flip them over after to maintain a clean look. This chair comes with one throw pillow, but there’s room if you’d like to add one or two more as accents or extra support.

Best Upholstered: Article Gabriola Bouclé Lounge Chair

Article’s Gabriola Bouclé Lounge Chair is a favorite of Herrera’s, and we can see why. There’s a lot to love about the incredibly soft and mildly fuzzy (but not over the top) bouclé upholstery—and that’s not all. This reading chair also has a kiln-dried wood frame, high-density foam cushions with sinuous springs, and a supportive, slightly angled back. It’s only available in two colors (gray and ivory), but the bouclé fabric ensures your chair will be anything but boring.

Best Leather: Pottery Barn Irving Square Arm Leather Power Recliner

If you’re partial to leather furniture, you should check out Pottery Barn’s Irving Power Recliner. Inspired by classic club chairs, this dapper reading chair boasts a kiln-dried hardwood frame, firm yet comfy cushions, and top-grain leather upholstery in your choice of over 30 aniline-dyed colors. But that’s not all—with the push of a button, the Irving reclines into the perfect reading position and releases its built-in footrest for ultimate comfort.

Best with Ottoman: Etta Avenue™ Teen Salma Tufted Lounge Chair and Ottoman

Etta Avenue Teen made this undeniably cushy chair and ottoman set from Wayfair with reading in mind. The Salma has a thick pillow-style back that reclines into six different angles, a plush seat, and comfy armrests with a side pocket for your book or e-reader. We also like that the frame and legs are solid hardwood and come with a throw pillow. Choose from seven upholstery colors, including classic gray and brown suede, to get the chair of your dreams.

Best Modern: Mercury Row Petrin 37” Wide Tufted Armchair

The Petrin Wide Tufted Armchair adds a modern pop of color to any living room or space. It’s perfect for reading because you can comfortably tuck your knees within this wide chair or stretch out when needed. It doesn’t come with any throw pillows, but there’s room for one to two depending on your plush preference.

This chair comes partially assembled, so putting the rest together should go smoothly. Considering comfort, this chair offers some support, but because of its shallow seat depth might not be one you camp out in all day. Think of it more as a nice accent chair for a formal living room or den.

Best for Kids: Milliard Cozy Saucer Chair

Are you looking for ways to encourage your kid to read more? A comfy reading chair like this saucer-style option is a great place to start. It has a soft round cushion and chic gold metal legs that fold up for easy storage and transport. With a wide seat and a 265-pound weight capacity, both teens and adults can enjoy it, whether it’s in a bedroom, playroom, basement, or dorm room.

Best Recliner: Andover Mills Leni 33.5” Wide Manual Standard Recliner

While not your traditional recliner, the style and design of the Leni Wide Manual Standard Recliner would pair well with many different rooms. With so many colors and prints to choose from and its soft upholstery look, this chair could fit in well in a nursery, study, bedroom, or living room. And though the footrest is a little short, it does provide the reclining experience for those who want to stretch out a bit.

This isn’t a huge recliner, and it doesn’t take too much effort to put together. So if you’re looking for an easy addition to your reading room, this is it. The recline feature is activated by a manual lever, so once you get situated in the seat, you can recline at your leisure.

What to Look for in a Reading Chair

Style

As Herrera mentioned, comfort is vital when it comes to reading. You’ll want to go with a chair style that’ll keep you comfy and relaxed for hours on end, such as a design with a relatively tall or rounded back. Otherwise, she says to “consider an oversized chair or even one with a recliner so you can put your feet up.” A chair-and-a-half is an excellent choice, too, as it offers a broader and deeper seat. If you like to lay back while reading, consider getting a chaise lounge.

Size

For one, it’s essential to find a design that’ll fit in your space. Whether you’re placing it in a designated reading nook, bedroom, sunroom, or office, make sure to measure (and re-measure) before ordering carefully. Size has a lot to do with a chair’s overall comfort as well. We recommend getting one with a relatively wide and deep seat if you like to curl up, lean back, or even lay down while reading.

Material

Upholstered chairs are usually a little softer, and you can often find stain-resistant options. “I also think about the texture—bouclé upholstery, for example, is plush and cozy, while a chair that isn’t upholstered won’t be as inviting,” says Herrera. Leather-upholstered chairs tend to be more expensive, though they typically last longer.

The frame material is also important. If you want something with a higher weight capacity or built to last for several years, look for a chair with a solid wood frame—even better if it’s kiln-dried. Some recliner frames are steel, which is generally considered a high-quality, long-lasting material.

Any questions please feel free to ask me through Andrew@sinotxj.com

Post time: Nov-01-2022