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The perfect reading spot needs the perfect reading chair.

A reading chair is notably not a desk chair.

It is generally more comfortable, not designed for proper ergonomic posture while typing or sitting at screen, but instead reading chairs are created to provide a comfortable place to curl up with your book for hours on end.

What defines a reading chair? It’s not a category you’ll find at a furniture store. A comfy reading chair is more of an emotional definition rather than a technical one.

Many people think of their reading chair as the most special chair in the house or apartment. It is a chair that feels great to sit in for long periods of time and looks great positioned in your special reading spot. It is the centerpiece of an area designed for refuge.

Home-Office-in-Luxe-by-Dona-Rosene-Interiors Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Dona Rosene Interiors

The addition of the right reading chair can transform a space, evoking comfort and peace almost on its own. It’s not only a great spot for reading a good book, but also a nice place to watch TV or play with your phone or tablet. Above all other things, a reading chair is comfortable.

With all that said, finding the right reading chair can be a challenge. It is such a personal and emotionally-based choice that you can easily get lost in all the options available to you. A furniture store contains rows and rows of cozy looking chairs you can use as a reading chair.

Maine-Retreat-by-Anthony-Catalfano-Interiors-Inc. Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Anthony Catalfano Interiors Inc.

Choosing the perfect one is a challenge.  You can learn about the best reading chair from this website or here are some tips for choosing a comfortable reading chair and also some guidelines if you have a general sense of what you’re looking for.

Here are some tips for choosing a comfortable reading chair and also some guidelines if you have a general sense of what you’re looking for.

What Traits Should You Look For?

While selecting a reading chair is an individual decision, here are some general guidelines that can help you choose a chair with maximum comfort.

Width

One of the things common to most reading chairs is that they are very wide. An oversized reading chair will offer you a lot of comfort.

Vineyard-View-by-TOTAL-CONCEPTS Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: TOTAL CONCEPTS

Oversized chairs offer you a lot of different ways to sit comfortably. If you are sitting in this chair for hours, either reading, watching TV, or even gaming, you’ll probably be shifting around and moving your weight in different ways. You may want to curl your legs up or sprawl out.

Vibrant-Family-Room-Grace-by-Grace-Home-Design Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Grace Home Design

Some people are even comfortable flopping sideways in a chair, with their head on one arm and their legs over the other. An oversized reading chair allows people to move around and still remain comfortable. It also means people of different sizes and heights can use it at their leisure, too.

Ergonomics

An ergonomic reading chair? You often hear the word ‘ergonomic’ used for desk chairs and other business-focused pieces of furniture. However, you will be using a reading chair for long periods of time and ergonomics are just as important, though they are different than they are for activities like typing.

Traditional-Home-Parkway-by-Silvergate-Homes-Ltd. Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Silvergate Homes Ltd.

The proper ergonomics will mean the chair feel comfortable even after you have been sitting in it for half a day. It will also help prevent long-term injuries.

New-York-with-a-View-of-Cen-by-The-Interior-Edge Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: The Interior Edge

A tall back is very important for a comfortable reading chair. It offers you a headrest to reduce the strain on your neck. Reading chairs with curved backs or a wingback design provide this kind of support very well.

Make sure you get a chair with comfortable arms. They should be high enough for you to place your arms on them easily and without strain. They should also be wide enough to easily prop up a book or even a bowl of snacks.

Modern-Farmhouse-by-Bruce-D.-Nagel-Architect Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Betty Wasserman

A deep seat will provide you with a lot of room. You can sit any way you want, whether leaning back with your legs out, or curled up with your legs pulled in. This is really important for taller people, as shallow chairs leave them feeling uncomfortably scrunched up in the chair.

Give serious consideration to including an ottoman with your reading chair. It’s not necessary but it can be incredibly nice. Putting our feet up feels good but also allows good circulation to your legs. If you spend a lot of time in your reading chair, this can help you avoid medical issues in the future.

Lincoln-Park-Master-Suite-by-Nicholas-Moriarty-Interiors-NMI-LLC. Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Nicholas Moriarty Interiors (NMI, LLC.)

How to Choose the Right Chair?

Here are a few basics to help you choose the right reading chair:

  • Pick the chair that is most comfortable for your body type. Different kinds of chairs will fit better than others for you. A smaller person will no doubt feel differently than a larger one using the same chair. Heights makes a big difference, too. Try several different kinds of chair and pick the one that works best for your body type.
  • Tall backed reading chairs are the best option. It offers good support for your neck while you are reading or doing anything else. This will minimize neck strain and discomfort, especially if you plan to be using the chair for several hours at a time.
  • Make sure you choose a chair with good lumbar support. This will make sure it is comfortable when sitting for long periods of time, and will also be good for your back over years of use, preventing you from developing muscular or spine issues due to using the chair.
  • An ottoman, foot stool, or built-in foot rest is a great feature for a comfortable reading chair. It offers an even greater degree of comfort and promotes good circulation to your legs when you use it. It is not a necessity, especially if you are worried about money, but it is an addition you should put some serious thought into.
  • Your reading chair should fit with the space’s overall décor. It should not look out of place, either in style or color. There are a lot of comfortable reading chairs in a lot of different furniture styles, so do not feel like you are being forced into picking only one type.
  • Figure out where you will be putting the chair. Think about how much space there is available to it and how it will affect the overall composition of the room. After you have narrowed down your options, envision how each one will look in the space you have designated for it.
  • You should try to ensure that your reading chair is not bigger than the sofa if you have one in the same room. Your reading chair should not overwhelm he sofa. They should have a similar, preferably the same, seat height as each other.
  • A reading chair for bedroom use normally has short legs, so that it feels more safe, relaxed, and comfortable. It’s something that should be easy to just collapse into when changing out of work clothes, or when curling up with a book after a shower.
  • Even the smallest reading chair should have arms. A cozy reading chair with wide upholstered arms works great. It provides not just a good place to rest your arms but also support for anyone who wants to sit in an unusual position.
  • Deep seats are great for a chair that is used by a lot of people and also for anyone who likes to shift positions as they sit in it. It accommodates laying back or curling up. However, if you really like to have your feet on the floor, it might not work for you.
  • Materials are important. The bases of reading chairs are normally constructed from timber, but the quality can vary. Steel-framed chairs are not hard to find and are more durable. The type of upholstery is also very important. A leather reading chair is classy and comfortable, but make sure the leather is durable and thick. Different fabrics have different care requirements, as well as different likelihoods of being stained. Regardless, your upholstery should be comfortable, thick, and tough.
  • With everything else being considered, don’t forget beauty. Comfort is visual just as much as it is tactile. Make sure it you choose a reading chair that is pleasing to your eye. It should seem like a refuge to you, a place that you can relax, and not an eyesore.

Hollywood-Hills-Residence-by-Griffin-Enright-Architects Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern oneImage source: Griffin Enright Architects

Reading Chair Types

Club Reading Chair

This is the most widely recognized and classical type of reading chair. The style got its name from its frequent use in clubs. Club readings chairs are typically both comfortable and durable. They are usually upholstered with thick fabric or leather.

Riverhouse-by-BWArchitects Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: BWArchitects

They have clean lines and are designed to work well with many types of interior décor styles. You can find both bold solid colors and patterns. A modern reading chair style is normally this design, as it balances comfort with modern stylistic sleekness.

Recliner Reading Chair

The comfort of a reclining reading chair is hard to beat. Being able to lean back and essentially lay down while reading is a special sort of delight. Reclining reading chairs can come with a number for additional features, like swivel functions to allow users to aim the chair in any direction they want.

Koehler-Loft-Master-Bedro-by-Cravotta-Interiors Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Cravotta Interiors

Some even have engines and their raising and lowering is controlled by a remote. You can also find several version that also have a massage function. Recliners are typically the most luxurious and high tech form of reading chairs. Their price tags tend to match, though sales are more common than you might think.

Round Reading Chair

This is a very classical style of reading chair. They much softer liens than club chairs, providing a good fit for traditional interior designs as well as a nice piece to offset harsher modern lines. You can find round reading chairs in a number of styles, including rustic, classic, and industrial.

Elegant-Contemporary-by-Janet-Brooks-Design Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Janet Brooks Design

Some can be very simple and others can be found with more intricate, creative detailing. A round reading chair may or may not have arms, and some types do not even have a back. It is a very diverse style.

Kids’ Reading Chair

Kids’ reading chairs can have a lot of variety. The most important thing about a children’s reading chair is that the children like it.

Beanbags are always a popular choice. Beanbag chairs are fun and versatile, usable in zany spaces or even in more modern ones (they are a great option for some adults, too). They are also very easy to move. Kids tend to like more offbeat designs in general, like papasan (bowl-shaped) chairs or egg-shaped chairs.

Cochrane-Riversong-Innovations-by-Jayman Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Wen-Di Interiors

You can also find small, more traditional looking reading chairs for kids. These often feature bold colors and patterns. It’s easy to find ones featuring your child’s favorite characters, animals, or interests. These can vary in quality and price quite widely. You can even get ones with a name embroidered on them, which is usually a big hit.

Miami-Beach-Florida-Condo-by-Denizen-Design Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Denizen Design

Saving Money

Of course, as with any large piece of furniture, reading chairs can be expensive. Furniture stores offer a lot of quality, cozy reading chairs with a lot of great features, but they tend to be fairly pricy. Look for sales and specials. Certain furniture stores are outlets and will sell brand new furniture in outdated styles at a discount.

Greenwich-Residence-by-Realm Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: Realm

There is always the option of IKEA, of course. An IKEA reading chair is usually of very nice quality, especially if you are willing to pay just a little extra.

There are a lot of color and style options, including styles that fit perfectly with traditional designs. Make sure you try out one of these chairs before you buy, because comfort is the most important thing in a reading chair.

Crescent-H-by-EK-Reedy-Interiors-Inc. Reading chair: Tips on buying a comfortable, ergonomic and modern one
Image source: EK Reedy Interiors, Inc.

Conclusion

A reading chair is a great addition to any space. There are so many options and cool features you can have. Comfort is vital, but don’t forget to think about the style of your existing décor. Modern or traditional?

Fabric or leather? Which one you should get depends on your home, your body type, and your own personal sense of comfort. Try out different chairs and see what kind works best for you.