How to find a comfortable reading chair you’ll actually use

This post contains affiliate links. As a Bookshop.org and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, every recommendation is thoughtfully curated, from one reader to another.

There are chairs that look perfect for reading. And then there are chairs you actually want to read in.

The difference has less to do with whether a chair would look at home in a beautifully styled reading nook and more to do with how you like to read. Maybe you sit properly, feet on the floor and book in your lap. Maybe putting your feet up is a must. Maybe you start out sitting and somehow end up sideways three chapters later.

Then there’s the other question: Where will you actually use it? Because the world's most comfortable reading chair isn't terribly useful if it's in a room you never go into.

The best place to start your search for the perfect reading chair is to think about the way you read—and the way you live. So, we put together a guide to help you think it through—with plenty of chair examples along the way to show you exactly what we mean.

Start with how you like to sit

Forget how you think you're supposed to sit and read. How do you actually end up sitting once you've been engrossed in a book for half an hour?

Pay attention to the answer. Plus, it may even save you from spending money on a chair you'd hate reading in.

If you like to sink in

You know who you are.

A standard accent chair probably isn’t going to cut it. You want some extra width, plenty of pillowy-soft cushioning and, ideally, somewhere for your feet. Basically, less sit down and more settle in.

This oversized chair fits the bill, catching our eye because its 40-inch width puts it firmly in chair-and-a-half territory. It's covered in soft chenille, comes with plenty of pillows, and an ottoman with its own pillow-like top. Basically, the definition of sink in and read.

See what we mean(paid link) →

If you’d rather lounge

Maybe what you really want isn't a chair at all.

A chaise gives you room to stretch out without negotiating ottoman placement. Just pay attention to how you'll be supported once you're there. Some chaises lock you into lounging mode; others give you more flexibility to sit up with your book or lean back when you want to.

Here’s a great example of what we mean. This chaise has an adjustable back so you're not committed to a single position. And it's just over 50 inches deep—shorter than many traditional chaises—so you get room to lounge without necessarily turning over half the room to your reading habit.

Take a look‍ ‍(paid link) →

If you prefer to sit upright

Deep and oversized isn't automatically more comfortable. Some of us would rather sit in the chair than disappear into it.

If that's you, look for a defined seat, a supportive back and arms that fall where you actually want your arms to be as you hold your book or tablet. We like this chair's combination of structure and softness: curved arms and a more upright shape but still upholstered in cozy chenille with a generously cushioned seat.

See the chair(paid link) →

Think about what “feet up” means to you

For some readers, feet on the floor is the way to go. For others, that’s merely the position you start in.

If you're in the second camp, it's worth thinking about how you want to put your feet up.

An ottoman gives you flexibility. A chaise builds the lounging space right in. A recliner changes positions with you. And then we found this.

A modern corduroy accent chair with an adjustable back and a footrest that slides out when you want it and tucks in neatly underneath when you don't. All the benefit of ahhh, feet up without a traditional recliner permanently announcing itself in the room.

See what we mean(paid link) →

If flexibility matters

Nothing beats a comfortable reading chair with a view and good lighting. A swivel chair gives you flexibility to change things up from reading session to reading session.

Turn toward a sunny window during the day. Swivel back to your reading lamp at night. Or face the room when you're done escaping into your book and ready to join the conversation.

This chenille barrel chair makes a style statement—while combining a cushioned, cocoon-like shape with a 360-degree swivel base. Truly a chair with a point of view!

View the swivel chair (paid link) →

If space is tight

Let’s get real. Around here, we love an oversized chair. But your floor plan may not.

Before you buy, don't just measure whether the chair will technically fit. Think about what needs to fit around it. Is there room for a lamp? Somewhere to set your coffee? Can you walk past without turning sideways? If there's an ottoman, where does it live when your feet aren't on it?

And don't assume a small space means settling for a less-than-comfortable reading chair.

This mid-century armchair is only 23 inches wide, but its upholstered seat and back and solid wood frame still give it enough presence to look intentional. It could be just the thing for carving a reading corner out of a bedroom, living room or another space that wasn't built around your book habit.

See the smaller-space option‍ ‍(paid link) →

Put your chair where the reading actually happens

From experience, this one is easy to overlook.

You can create a gorgeous reading spot in the quietest corner of your house, complete with the perfect chair and the ideal lighting. But if you spend your evenings two rooms away from it, you may have created a very comfortable place that you feel like you have to make plans to visit.

Sometimes the better reading chair is simply the one that's where you already are. Just waiting for a quick chapter or a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Look at how you actually use your home. The corner of your living area might be a better candidate than the unused end of the guest room. Your bedroom might make sense if you typically find time to read at the end of the day.

And there's no rule that says your reading chair has to be inside. A porch, patio, or sunroom can make a pretty compelling case for a designated reading chair.

Case in point: This papasan-style rocker with a curved cushioned seat, rocking base, and matching ottoman looks considerably more inviting than the average piece of patio furniture.

Fresh air. Feet up. Book open. We see the appeal.

Take a look (paid link) →

The best reading chair is your reading chair

There’s no measurement that makes a chair universally comfortable, just as there’s no single right way to enjoy your reading time.

Start with what you already know about yourself. Do you sit or sprawl? Tuck your feet underneath you or put them up? Want somewhere to disappear for an afternoon or a chair that fits neatly into the corner of everyday life?

And, yes, make sure you actually like the style. A reading chair is still a piece of furniture. It has to live in your home during all those inconvenient hours when you're doing something other than reading.

The goal isn't to find the perfect reading chair. It's to find one that makes sitting down with a book feel like a very good idea.

Want to make your new chair part of your reading routine? Explore how to make room for reading in real life or get ideas for claiming a reading corner in a shared space.

And now that you have somewhere to sit, you’re going to need something to read. Browse read & nest’s bookshop on bookshop.org.