The Best Reading Chairs for Any Budget

If you love to read, you’ll know the importance of a comfy spot where you can relax and get lost in the pages. Although good lighting and a warm ambience is a must, You could argue that the most important aspect of any reading nook is the chair.

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A good reading chair should be large and comfortable whilst fitting in with the style of your room. Whether you prefer to lounge in a big comfy reading chair that reclines, or sit upright in a traditional wing back armchair, this guide will help you to find the best reading chair for you.

With reading chairs, comfort is key. For this reason, you should always go for the largest chair that fits comfortably within the space you have available. Trust us, it’s worth it.

The Best Reading Chairs: Our Top Picks and Buying Guide

Best round: Andover Mills Varennes Barrel Chair

“This barrel side chair is the perfect seating addition to your home. Just add it to your living room, entertainment room, or even a children’s playroom.”

Best with ottoman:Elroy Wingback Chair and Ottoman

“Incredibly comfortable, renewable, and rich in color options, this chair set is ideal for relaxed living spaces.”

Best recliner: Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Oversized Recliner

“Style and functionality merge together in this dual motor lift chair recliner, With just the touch of a button, the power lift eases you back and elevates your legs for the ultimate lounging experience.”

Best cuddle chair: Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse

“Whether you love curling up beside loved ones or you prefer lots of elbow room as you lounge, this oversized barrel chair is the perfect pick for your home. “

Best hanging chair: Bloomsbury Market Kauffman Swing Chair with Stand

“Bring a contemporary look to your home with this Ball Chair. This Modern ball chair with its plush cushion provides a comfortable place to relax in your home as well as your patio.”

Best chaise: Kelly Clarkson Home Hermitage Chaise Lounge

“This one showcases a classic silhouette with rolled arms and T-shaped seat and back cushions. Neutral upholstery and four turned, wooden legs in a walnut hue bring French country appeal to this chaise.”

Best for small spaces: Christopher Knight Home Mervynn Mid-Century Modern Fabric Recliner

“This mid-century, modern recliner is a wonderful addition to any room in your home. Featuring clean lines and a smooth finish, no one will even know that this chair is a recliner until you are putting your feet up after a long day.”

What is an oversized chair called?

Oversized chairs go by many names. Many of these names describe a feature of the chair, such as whether it reclines, swivels or rocks.

Here are some things you could look for in your search for an oversized chair:

Accent chair: A single chair which adds visual interest to a room
Barrel chair: A round chair with a high semicircular back, in the shape of a barrel
Chair and a half: These are half way between an armchair and a two-seater sofa
Chaise: Short for chaise longue, this is French for ‘long chair’
Cuddle chair: These are big enough for two people to cuddle in
Love seat: This is a small sofa which seats two people sitting close together
Recliner: An armchair which reclines and sometimes has a raised footrest
Rocking chair: This rocks back and forth with the help of curved pieces under the legs
Snuggle chair: Just like a cuddle chair, these are just about big enough for two
Swivel chair: A chair with a single central leg that allows it to rotate 360 degrees

The best oversized reading chairs to buy online

Here’s a round-up of some of the very best oversized reading chairs that we’ve found on the internet…

Best round: Andover Mills Varennes Barrel Chair

This round reading chair will let you get comfortable in a variety of positions thanks to its three toss pillows and soft synthetic suede fabric.

This barrel chair comes in a choice of eight different colors including neutral shades of brown and gray as well as striking red or purple.

Size: 38” H x 46” W x 44” D

Weight: 65 lbs.

Material: Microfiber/Microsuede

Weight capacity: 300 lbs.

Best with ottoman: Elroy Wingback Chair and Ottoman

If you’re looking for a classic armchair and ottoman, then look no further than this beautiful piece. As well as being incredibly comfortable, this wingback reading chair is incredibly stylish, with button tuft detailing and a nailhead trim.

This chair and ottoman combo is available in a huge choice of seventeen colours and with options in soft velvet or linen fabric. Whatever color scheme you have already, one of these stunning chairs will fit perfectly with it.

Size: 37” H x 35” W x 31” D

Weight: 139lbs.

Material: Linen or velvet

Weight capacity: lbs.

Best recliner: Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Oversized Recliner

If you like to lounge in a reclined position while you read, then this comfortable recliner is ideal. It comes with a remote control, which reclines you backwards and elevates your legs at the touch of a button. This chair also has a powerlift function to help you up onto your feet, making it ideal for elderly or disabled people too.

Available in a choice of black or brown, this buttery-soft oversized recliner looks and feels just like leather, but it’s actually made of thick and durable poly fiber.

Size: 42.5″ H x 35″ W x 40″ D

Weight: 55 lbs.

Material: Poly fiber faux leather

Weight capacity: 250 lbs.

Best cuddle chair: Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse

Large enough for two people, this huge round cuddle chair will enable you to get comfy in any position you like. It comes with three cushions which you can manoeuvre until you find the perfect spot, plus an included toss pillow.

With a choice of eight colors including neutral tones, a rich blue or a vibrant red, this chair should be easy to match to your existing furniture.

Size: 37” H x 61” W x 61” D

Weight: 135 lbs.

Material: Polyester blend

Weight capacity: 400 lbs.

Best hanging chair: Bloomsbury Market Kauffman Swing Chair with Stand

Invest in a hanging swing chair and you’re sure to be the envy of all your friends in the book club. This modern ball chair includes a round frame, black metal stand and a soft comfortable cushion.

This chair is weather resistant so you won’t be confined to your living room – you could also choose to read on the porch or out in the garden. It’s a really versatile option that works just as well indoors as it does outside.

Size: 66” H x 40” W x 36” D

Weight: 78 lbs.

Material: Polyester

Weight capacity: 450 lbs.

Best chaise: Kelly Clarkson Home Hermitage Chaise Lounge

This stylish French country-style chaise has a T-shaped seat and rolled arms, which make it the perfect shape for reading. We just love the classic silhouette and the walnut-colored legs which will never go out for fashion.

This beautiful piece of furniture is available in over thirty different colors and patterns. The classic bleach white is timelessly elegant and would look great with a bright cushion or throw blanket.

Size: 33” H x 36” W x 64” D

Weight: 115 lbs.

Material: Polyester, cotton or microsuede

Weight capacity: 400 lbs.

Best for small spaces: Christopher Knight Home Mervynn Mid-Century Modern Fabric Recliner

An oversized reading chair for a small space might sound like an impossible ask, but it’s actually possible with this slimline recliner. The key is to choose a chair with a slim profile but a large seat area, like this one from Christopher Knight Home.

This chair is actually less than 28 inches wide thanks to its slim arms. To make it as comfortable as a larger reading chair, the chair reclines and also has a pop-out footrest. It’s available in thirteen colors, from bright oranges and yellows to natural creams and grays.

Size: 38” H x 27.25” W x 34.25” D

Weight: 69 lbs.

Material: Polyester

Weight capacity: 300 lbs.

What is the most comfortable chair for reading?

It’s not the case that any particular type of chair is more comfortable than the others for reading. Some people prefer to read in a reclining chair, others on a chaise longue. But, aside from personal preferences, there are some things that you should look out for when selecting the most comfortable chair for reading.

Support

A good reading chair should support your body well. Soft chairs and beanbags don’t work well for reading because it’s tricky to hold your book in the right place if you also have to support your own body weight and keep your head upright.

Arms are almost always essential on a reading chair, so that you can rest your elbows or forearms whilst concentrating on your novel.

A head support is also something to look out for. This is something that isn’t featured on low-back chairs, but which will be of great use when reading.

Fabric

The best reading chairs will be covered in a soft and welcoming material. Cotton, velvet, twill and soft leather are all great options.

If you plan to enjoy drinks and snacks in your reading chair, or have an accompanying cat or lap dog, then it pays to invest in a chair that’s covered in something that’s durable and also easy to clean.

Ottomans and footstools

Somewhere to put your feet up is a great idea when you’re reading. Whenever you sit for long periods it’s wise to elevate your legs to make your feet closer to your heart. This takes pressure off your veins which prevents swelling.

Many reading chairs come with matching footstools, but if yours doesn’t then you can always buy one that complements it. Your footstool doesn’t need to match your chair exactly, as mixing and matching colors and styles can look very nice.

Size

Bigger is usually better where reading chairs are concerned. An oversized chair allows you to stay comfortable for long periods by moving your body to different positions. It also means that you’ll have space to add a cushion, pillow or large blanket.

Consider the size of your family members who will use the chair. If they’re tall, look out for a large seat depth. If they’re wider, then you’ll want a wide seat to accommodate them comfortably

Are cuddle chairs good for reading?

A large round cuddle chair can be a great option for a reading chair. Cuddle chairs are big enough that you can usually add several cushions to get comfy.

When you snuggle into a cuddle chair, you’ll generally be either very reclined or curled up on your side. Whilst many people find this position comfortable for reading, those with problems with their neck or back may prefer a more supportive reading chair such as a wingback armchair.

How big is a cuddle chair?

The idea behind cuddle chairs is that they’re just about big enough for two people to cuddle whilst watching TV or reading. In reality though, you’ll likely find that this type of chair is most comfortable when only one person is using it!

If you and your significant other are larger than average, you should look out for the largest possible cuddle chair to have a chance of both fitting in it together. Look carefully at not just the overall measurements of the chair, but the seat width and depth too.

Bear in mind that if you add extra cushions, the available seating area will diminish.

Are cuddle chairs comfortable for reading?

If you like to curl up when you read, then a cuddle chair is a great option. Don’t bank on two people being able to curl up and read together though. There’s a good chance that your partner’s fidgeting and page turning could get on your nerves, so cuddle chair reading is usually best done solo.

If you have a bad back or prefer something more supportive, then a wingback armchair with a footstool or a reclining armchair could be a better option.

Where can I find comfortable chairs online?

The best places to buy reading chairs are:

Finding the Best Reading Chair

The most comfortable chairs for relaxing are often large and soft. But, if you plan to use your chair primarily for reading, then you’ll also want to make sure that you have support for your arms, legs and head.

Cuddle chairs are good options for reading, but although they often have two people in the demo photo, in reality, they’re more comfortable for one. A recliner is a great option to raise your feet, as is a chaise or an oversized reading chair with an ottoman.

Whatever style of chair you choose, be sure to read the reviews to make sure that you invest in a solid and practical piece of furniture that will last you for many years to come.

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