23 Best Reading Chairs That Are Even Comfier Than They Look
The best reading chairs are just as important as a good book itself; when you’re cozy, comfortable, and completely at ease, getting lost in a great read is so much easier. Like area rugs and bed frames, they’re big investments—a sturdy chair can easily run you over $1,000 and completely change the vibe of a room—so it’s worth making sure that you’re picking out the right piece for your space.
So what makes a great reading chair? There’s no solid definition of the term, but we’re looking for accent chairs that are just as satisfying to sit in as they are to look at. They should be ergonomic, of course, so you're not thinking about your back pain more than that novel, but bonus points if they're also cushy enough for lounging. While they can stand out, they shouldn’t overpower a room either—but we’re willing to grant a few exceptions.
Our reading-chair edit, with picks at every price point and for any style, more than delivers on all of those points. From under-$200 Amazon gems to cushy recliners, these are the very best reading chairs to sink into. (And while you’re at it, you might as well pick up a stylish coffee-table book to flip through.)
Our favorite reading chairs
- Best Overall Reading Chair: West Elm Desmond Leather Chair, $1,199
- Best Value Reading Chair: Lohoms Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair, $136
- Best Plush Reading Chair: Stone & Beam Westview Accent Chair, $647
- Best Footrest Reading Chair: Burrow Vesper Lounge Chair, $1,278
- Best Bean Bag for Reading: Yogibo Max, $299
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- 1/23
Best Overall Reading Chair: West Elm Desmond Leather Chair
West Elm’s metal and leather accent chair doesn’t look like a new piece of furniture—and that’s exactly its appeal. Despite its trendy look (exposed metal frames are hot on design TikTok right now), it’s a timeless piece that’ll age beautifully as you break the leather in. Plus, that cushioning is bound to stay comfy for years to come. Imagine all the books you’ll enjoy on this thing.
Colors: 14 options / Size: 36" x 34.4" x 30" / Materials: Leather, metal
- 2/23
Best Value Reading Chair: Lohoms Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair
For a solid option that won’t blow your entire interior design budget, go with this Amazon gem. It comes in plenty of color options, from blue and purple to yellow, and its soft linen upholstery is ideal for countless hours of sitting. There are more expensive-looking picks out there, but this one comes with hundreds of glowing reviews at a pretty incredible price.
Colors: 10 options / Size: 33.5" x 30" x 30" / Materials: Linen, wood
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- 3/23
Most Comfortable Reading Chair: Castlery Ingrid Sherpa Chair
“I have this bouclé chair in my living room, and it’s one of my favorite places in my apartment to curl up and relax,” says Glamour shopping writer Jake Smith. “Delivery and assembly were nearly effortless; it took only one person and about five minutes to set up. The seat is wide and cushy, and the back is at the perfect angle for deep relaxation. My guests always compliment the look and feel too.”
Colors: 3 options / Size: 31.1" x 37" x 29.3" / Materials: Polyester, rubber wood
- 4/23
Best Reading Chair With Footrest: Burrow Vesper Wood & Fabric Lounge Chair
Burrow specializes in seating, so it’s no surprise that its relaxed, retro reading chair is one of our favorites. Combined with a matching ottoman, it guides your body into a relaxed position that’s perfect for flipping through a book or a magazine. Plus, it’s great for filling in any awkward gaps in your living room, and it’s available in both fabric and leather finishes. (You can also add a lumbar pillow for $69 or forgo the footrest to save $379.)
Colors: 9 options / Size: 29.5" x 29.5" x 30" / Materials: Polypropylene, plywood, metal
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- 5/23
Best Reading Armchair: Sand & Stable Angie Upholstered Armchair
This comfortable reading chair is finished with classic details: striped upholstery, curved wood legs, rivets, a wingback silhouette. Thankfully, though, it was designed with contemporary needs in mind, complete with a foam and spring seat cushion that’s removable for easy cleaning.
Colors: 2 options / Size: 35.5" x 29.5" x 32.5" / Materials: Polyester, wood
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- 6/23
Best Leather Reading Chair: Steelside Clark Tufted Genuine Leather Armchair
Genuine leather upholstery is a must-have for a luxe, masculine reading nook or library. This club chair features a modern design that’s geometric without being clunky, with a roomy seat that allows you to take pretty much any position comfortably. All you’re missing is a novel and a glass of whiskey.
Colors: 2 options / Size: 36.5" x 40.5" x 38.5" / Materials: Top grain leather, wood
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- 7/23
Best Bean Bag for Reading: Yogibo Max
While the idea of a bean bag might bring back flashes of your dorm room, don’t worry: Yogibo’s take is classier. “You can shape this thing into a ton of different modes, whether you’re sitting upright or lounging on the floor,” Smith says. “I love that the cover is washable, so I don’t need to worry when I inevitably spill tea on it. It’s a bit bulky, though, so make sure you have enough room to let it breathe. I move mine around my living room and bedroom, depending on the vibe.”
Colors: 17 options / Size: 72" x 24" x 24" / Materials: Cotton, spandex, polyester, expanded polystyrene
Save on the best reading chairs with these Amazon promo codes.
- 8/23
Best Swivel Reading Chair: Article Turoy Swivel Chair
Feeling mod? Go with this barrel chair that’s done up in high-quality ivory bouclé. It’s got a 360-degree swivel base that allows you to catch the light perfectly (and keep yourself occupied if you reach a particularly boring stretch of your book).
Colors: 5 options / Size: 28.5" x 32.5" x 32" / Materials: Polyester, acrylic, wood
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- 9/23
Best Plush Reading Chair: Stone & Beam Westview Accent Chair
Chairs don’t get much softer than this Amazon find, which is covered in deep, comfy cushioning. It’s nicer than you might expect from the site, with a solid-wood frame and wide armrests that offer plenty of real estate for elbows and tomes. If you’re building a cozy reading nook, all you need is this piece, a throw blanket, and a stack of books.
Colors: 4 options / Size: 42.1" x 43.3" x 31.5" / Materials: Polyester, wood
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- 10/23
Best Reading Chair for Small Spaces: Corrigan Studio Jaqueze Upholstered Armchair
Don’t let a studio apartment keep you from owning the reading chair of your dreams. This cushy armchair is just over two feet wide and deep, but its visual impact is much larger. Some assembly is required, but it might be for the best; it’s easier to squeeze through tiny doorframes that way.
Colors: 12 options / Size: 34.2" x 27.3" x 27.3" / Materials: Linen or velvet, wood
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- 11/23
Best Statement Reading Chair: Urban Outfitters Ruby Striped Chair
With the looks of an estate-sale find and a color palette that works well with neutrals, this striped accent chair is guaranteed to make an impact. It’s low and compact (i.e., tiny-apartment-friendly), and it doesn’t scream, “I found this at Urban Outfitters.”
Colors: 1 option / Size: 33.9" x 32.3" x 30.7" / Materials: Polyester, linen, pinewood, plywood
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- 12/23
Best Velvet: West Elm Penn Chair
This West Elm beauty looks like it could cost double its price tag. Available in three upholstery options—olive and slate in chenille, ivory in velvet—it’s a good reading chair that doubles as great home decor. This one is on the slimmer side too, meaning it’ll even work in small spaces.
Colors: 4 options / Size: 31.5" x 29.5" x 30.75" / Materials: Polyester, pine
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- 13/23
Best Bouclé Reading Chair: Orren Ellis Saboor Chair
Again, bouclé is a trendy (but we’d argue timeless) material, and this swiveling take is an especially great use of the stain-resistant fabric; it’s best in moderation. Choose between white, rust, brown, or gray—or, if those colors don’t fit in your palette, plenty more hues in velvet fabric options—and swivel back and forth as you devour your latest read.
Colors: 13 options / Size: 29.1" x 30.7" x 29.9" / Materials: Polyester, wood
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- 14/23
Best Outdoor Reading Chair: Article Calicut Lounge Chair
This woven lounge chair is a must-have for anyone who likes to read in the great outdoors. The duo of cushions keeps things comfy, while the airy design provides plenty of airflow for summer days spent on the porch or by the pool. (Beach reads are encouraged for this one.)
Colors: 2 options / Size: 36" x 33" x 33.5" / Materials: Polypropylene, aluminum
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- 15/23
Best Deep Reading Chair: Floyd Sink Down Lounge Chair
Somewhere between a lounger, a sofa, and a daybed, this extra-deep pick from Floyd is an ideal focal point for your living room or den. “Sink down” is right—the memory foam pillows offer a cloudlike feel that might accidentally turn reading time into nap time (not that that’s an issue).
Colors: 14 options / Size: 32" x 51" x 45" / Materials: Polyester, pine
- 16/23
Best Reclining Reading Chair: West Elm Paxton Manual & Power Recliner
You can tailor this recliner chair to your specific design scheme with West Elm’s wide array of upholstery options. Its high back and pillowy back cushion only make it comfier and more ergonomic—it’s the perfect reading chair for anyone who takes relaxation seriously.
Colors: 46 options / Size: 33" x 39" x 42.5" / Materials: Choice of linen, canvas, boucle, twill, tweed or velvet; wood, metal
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- 17/23
Best Reading Chair With Table: Burrow Range 2-Piece Lounger
Another modular pick from Burrow, this one comes with the option to add a side table. (And you can turn it into a sectional couch with additional pieces.) The built-in table will hold your latest book, your beverage of choice, and any other accessories you require for deep reading, be it glasses or a snack, without the risk of spills or being eaten by the chair.
Colors: 4 options / Size: 29.5" x 60.5" x 28" / Materials: Olefin, plywood
- 18/23
Best Accent Reading Chair: Anthropologie Jimena Accent Chair
The art of the accent chair is tough; they can veer too easily into kitschy or uncomfortable territory. But not this gem from Anthropologie. Like the rest of the brand’s clothes and homewares, it looks handmade in the best way, offering three embroidered colorways that look just as good as they feel. Plus, plenty of glowing reviews don’t hurt.
Colors: 2 options / Size: 35.5" x 28" x 31" / Materials: Cotton, linen, tropical hardwood
Save on the best reading chairs with these Anthropologie promo codes.
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- 19/23
Best Rocking Chair for Reading: Nioiikit Nursery Rocking Chair
A comfy reading chair that’s great for fidgeters, this rocker comes in a variety of colors in teddy and velvet, from classic white to vibrant orange. The steel frame and wooden legs allow you to rock while you lose yourself in a book, with an ergonomic backrest that will help keep back pain at bay.
Colors: 18 options / Size: 32" x 28" x 37" / Materials: Polyester, wood, steel
Save on the best reading chairs with these Amazon promo codes.
- 20/23
Best Chaise Lounge for Reading: Coda Studio Freddie Chaise
Hello, world’s comfiest chaise lounge! This high-end piece might just be the chicest, softest perch we’ve ever encountered for flipping through magazines or a new bestseller. Place it under a window and accessorize it with some pillows and boom—you’ve got a daybed you’ll never want to leave.
Colors: 9 options / Size: 41" x 64" x 30" / Materials: Polyester, linen
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- 21/23
Best Wingback Reading Chair: Christopher Knight Home Alyssa New Velvet Armchair
Available in eight colors of plush velvet, this wingback armchair is a classic complement to any interior. Its generous padding is perfect for hours of cozying up with a book or game, and its shiny finish adds a touch of texture that your current living room might be missing.
Colors: 8 options / Size: 39" x 38.9" x 30" / Materials: Polyester, oakwood
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- 22/23
Best Rattan Reading Chair: Urban Outfitters Golden Rattan Lounge Chair
Urban’s woven accent chair is a thing of minimal beauty. The seat and back are wide enough for comfortable lounging, and the midcentury look blends in with nearly any interior style—especially when you add a throw pillow of your choice. Whether you use it for reading or to really only stare at it, it’s a solid choice for the design snobs of the world.
Colors: 1 option / Size: 26.8" x 26.8" x 28.8" / Materials: Rattan, metal
Save on the best reading chairs with these Urban Outfitters promo codes.
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- 23/23
Best Barrel Reading Chair: Anthropologie Velvet Sculptural Chair
Anthro’s take on the barrel chair is sculptural and impossible to miss. If your living room, bedroom, or lounge is missing a focal point, it’s more than up to the challenge—and the yellow and coral colors are surprisingly easy to style. (There are also lighter linen options.)
Colors: 2 options / Size: 30" x 33" x 30.5" / Materials: Cotton, polyester, hardwood
Save on the best reading chairs with these Anthropologie promo codes.