The 20 Most Comfortable Reading Chairs (That Don’t Sacrifice Style), According to a Home Editor

This wingback, mid-century modern chair was basically designed with reading and relaxation in mind. Its sturdy back, deep seat and curved arms are elevated with high-density foam cushions—and its upholstery features a textured, tone-on-tone polyester weave in four 70s-inspired colors (which, FWIW, is very trendy right now). “The fabric is like a Chanel tweed—the pictures don’t do justice to the color,” one Article reviewer raves. “I am [heavyset] and this chair is also made for us big people. I have plenty of room in the seat while also feeling like I’m still supported (it’s a more structured chair vs. an oversized one that leads to slouching).”

The brand also promises a less-than-five-minute assembly time that more than 400 reviewers back up: “It was well packaged and easy to put the legs on—so quick! The chair is even more fabulous in person with flecks of yellow and darker green that really create a great-looking fabric. It's also comfortable. This chair is for my husband who is 6-foot-2. Most accent chairs are much too small, but this fits him well and it's so stylish,” another reviewer reports.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 57" H x 37" W x 37" L
• Fabric Options: blended polyester 
• Colors: 4

Part miniature sofa, part lounger, this chair-and-a-half is hand-finished with flange seams, so it’s just as stunning as it is plushy. It has all of the same features as the brand’s best-selling The Dune sofa, which includes a washable slipcover with multiple performance fabrics and overstuffed down-, feather- and fiber-filled cushions. Unlike its predecessor, however, the chair is 38 inches deep, so it’s wide enough to cuddle with two people but small enough to fit in a cozy reading nook. Take it from one Maiden Home reviewer, who loves how her chair has held up after a year: “We have two dogs and they get dirt on it here and there, and it cleans right off. My second worry was the cushions keeping shape. They bounce right back to look perfect, and I don't have to fluff all the time like I thought I would. They are soft yet supportive and keep their shape!”

As for cleanability, another happy customer adds: “It still looks like new, despite our kids’ constant spills and leaps onto it. My son spilled an entire glass of orange juice on it and it literally WIPED OFF. I couldn’t be more pleased with the fabric.” Again, as mentioned above, the slipcover is also removable and machine-washable—and you can even swap it with different colors if you’re looking to change up your aesthetic down the line.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 48” W x 38” D x 34” H
• Fabric Options: performance chenille, performance linen, performance textured linen, performance stonewashed linen, Belgian linen
• Colors: 23

Can’t afford the luxurious sherpa in Jenni Kayne’s Aspen chair? (See: number eight on this list.) Studio McGee with Threshold designed a budget-friendly alternative for $400—and it’s reduced to $240 in the velvet option. The upholstery features sumptuous faux shearling fabric—again, available in light brown and olive velvet finishes as well—and the wingback curves flow into high armrests with ample padding. In fact, one Target shopper actually compared the design to the Aspen chair, adding, “I love the matching ottoman—perfect for my office.”  

As for comfort, another reviewer raves: “This is by far the most comfortable chair I've owned… perfect to curl up next to the fireplace and read a book. My two toddlers LOVE this chair as well, they even argue over who gets to sit in it first.” To that end, another reviewer says it’s kid-approved for cleaning: “The Sherpa is amazingly soft and doesn't stain easily, even with my super messy kids. It's well-made and sturdy.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 35.4” H x 29.9” W x 32.5” D
• Fabric Options: velvet and faux shearling 
• Colors: light brown, olive and cream

Ah yes, the famous Eames chair. This home editor recently saw a movie where Adam Pally's character, who had a tattoo of this chair, said something to the effect of: “The Eames chair becomes an obsession once you enter adulthood. You’ll understand when you’re older.” And he’s right: It’s been a staple of midcentury modern interiors for decades, since the top-grain leather and wooden veneer shell can elevate any space. The chair itself is also beyond snuggly with polyurethane foam cushions that snap into place—and can be removed or changed over time—and it doubles as a recliner with a 105-degree tilt. The OG Eames chair is, admittedly, a splurge starting at $6,500, but there are many reproductions available at Wayfair and Walmart that use moldable sponge cushions and cowhide leather for a similar sit (aka the one shown above).

It also helps that this Walmart replica also includes an ottoman, just like the original Eames: “The ergonomic design provides excellent support for long hours of sitting and the ottoman adds an extra touch of comfort,” one reviewer writes. Plus, another happy customer says, “The authentic leather feels high-priced and the sponge cushioning makes it extraordinarily cozy. I especially love the backward tilt and swivel functions, which make it a great reading spot.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 32.6” H x 33” W x 37.5” D (ottoman: 17” H x 21.5” W x 25.8” D)
• Fabric Options: cowhide leather 
• Colors: black, off-white, white 

Sticking with the theme of designer dupes: While we love the Anthropologie Havana chair, we’re not so jazzed about its $1,500 price tag. Luckily, we found a similar version at Wayfair that’s simple, sleek, cozy—and clocks in at just under $210. It takes a contemporary approach to the traditional leather armchair from your grandfather’s den—elevating it with four faux-leather finishes—and it has a deep, 30-inch width that’s perfect for snuggling up. “It’s very comfortable and sturdy. The seat is also longer than it looks online, so you can lean back in it, even curl up, too,” one Wayfair reviewer explains.

Under the seat, it also features sinuous springs that give just the right amount of support as you lounge (and will bounce right back up when you’re done).  It has removable back- and arm cushions, too, which make it easy to get lost in a book—plus, easy to spot-clean if you happen to spill your hot chocolate while you’re lounging.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 28.2’’ H X 30’’ W X 29.5’’ D
• Fabric Options: faux leather
• Colors: 4

Don’t let the clean lines of this chair fool you: It’s basically the equivalent of a durable, decorative marshmallow. Aside from its tailored silhouette, linen-inspired upholstery and customizable metal plate legs—which will certainly turn (more than a few) heads—it’s the inside materials that have people obessing. With a foam, fiber, and pocket spring-filled seat, the cushions feel supportive and soft without sacrificing the ‘sink into me’ factor. “I bought this chair as a reading nook addition and it feels sturdy yet cozy,” one reviewer writes. “I take one cushion off to sit with my feet up, and with both cushions off, I can easily curl up and nap there for hours…The color is a perfect deep teal and the brass legs add a great pop of sophistication.”

Another reviewer also notes how he was pleasantly surprised by its oversized build: “It can fit two adults with no problem, and though I looked at the measurements ahead of time, it seems to have a bigger presence/feel than expected.” Plus, if you really want to curl up, there’s the option to add a matching ottoman for an extra $340.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 39.4” W x 35.4” D x 33.1” H
• Fabric Options: 100 percent polyester or polyester-acrylic 
• Colors: 3

This reclining chair, which pushes back to 140 degrees (without levers or buttons required), has more than 2,000 five-star reviews for good reason. It features a super soft, genuine leather upholstery—available in 13 different colors—and the thick, foam-filled cushions make it one of the most comfortable, ergonomic options on this list. It also includes a hidden footrest that pops out when you lean back into the seat, and the cushy padded headrest offers neck and lumbar support at every angle. 

One Wayfair reviewer says, “Not only is it attractive but it is also really comfortable; easy to recline and return to the upright position. That is of no small concern to me, an elderly lady in my late 70s with sciatica. I feel safely supported and comfortably seated in every position.” As for the design, another person notes: “The number one reason I am so in love with this chair is the color. It goes with Greys, blues, and greens. It is like having three colors in one to choose from.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 42’’ H X 28.75’’ W X 37’’ D
• Fabric Options: top-grain leather blended with vegan leather
• Colors: 13

While it might be hard to ignore this chair’s price tag, it’s also impossible to overlook its one-of-a-kind, Aspen-inspired design. It features luxuriously soft sherpa fashioned from 100 percent polyester (aka good for spills and stains), while the solid white oak legs make it feel rustic and contemporary at the same time. You also have its overstuffed body with enveloping layers of foam cushions—and it’s characterized by a voluminous, bearlike shape that feels like a warm hug. 

Take it from one Jenni Kayne shopper, who says: “It’s is so comfortable, it’s turned into my favorite chair to sit in and have coffee in the morning.” It’s also available in two colorways, including bone and oatmeal, and the neutral hues can work with traditional and organic modern aesthetics alike. 

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 32” W x 33” D x 30” H
• Fabric Options: polyester sherpa 
• Colors: bone and oatmeal

This feathery swivel chair has a 4.6-star rating with more than 300 reviews because it has the softness of a down pillow with the durability of a performance sofa. Not only does it have foam- and feather-filled cushions, which are just as dreamy as they sound, but it’s also upholstered with polyester-nylon performance fabric, so it’ll hold up against stains and spills. The cushion covers are also removable and easy to clean—and it has a sturdy base that’s set on a 360-degree swivel. 

One World Market reviewer says, “I put this in my reading room and IT IS AMAZING. I can read and spin. I can talk and spin. This chair does a whole 360! It's so comfortable.” As for cleanability, another reviewer adds: “The performance fabric so far is great. My dog jumped on the chair and got something on the cushion. I used some mild detergent and warm water to clean it, and it came right up.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 32"W x 36"D x 35"H
• Fabric Options: polyester-nylon performance fabric
• Colors: ivory and navy

Eclectic design lovers, this one goes out to you. Not only does this chair feature delicious foam- and fiber-filled cushions with a long 21-inch seat depth but it comes in three vibrant floral designs that make it double as a piece of art. “It’s so unique and it’s a perfect size for a small space. I got the 'unicorn' pattern and it just screams happy,” one Anthropologie reviewer explains. It’s also upholstered with a dreamy cotton and linen blend while the applied felt embroidery makes it feel super smooth on the back. 

“I purchased the ‘birds’ pattern to finish off a cozy seating group of two other neutral armchairs... It has been a few years now, and while the bottom cushion is still a bit stiffer than my other well-worn chair, its softness HAS improved with use. It’s actually become more comfortable, undoubtedly due to the amount of sitting it's gone through. Gets plusher after several years of good use," another reviewer adds. That said, it’s worth noting that the 28-inch width may feel more narrow in person: “These chairs are pretty to look at but I made the fatal mistake of not reading the description and measuring out the dimensions,” one reviewer says, adding that they looked a lot smaller in person.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 35.5" H x 28" W x 31" D
• Fabric Options: linen and cotton blend, felt embroidery
• Colors: 3

This luxe rocking chair pulls inspiration from European interiors. It features C&B’s signature blend of traditional charm and unexpected details. The exaggerated proportions and infinitely looping arms are set atop smooth-rocking, solid oak runners—and it even comes with a little round bolster pillow to match. The comfort lies in its sumptuous marigold velvet, however (also available in a textured white linen fabric) along with polyester foam cushioning that offers a supportive, bouncy feel. One Crate & Barrel reviewer bubbles, “We can't get over how comfortable this rocker is, and it helps our baby fall asleep without fail. The padding is on the firm side, but we prefer it that way.” 

Plus, while this is technically a rocking chair for nurseries, many reviewers say they’re using it in other areas of the house. “Not a nursery rocker! It’s in my ocean-view living room—such a versatile addition to my living space. Perfect to rotate back into the TV zone or for reading the NYT,” another reviewer explains.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 29" W x 38" D x 44" H
• Fabric Options: velvet and textured linen 
• Colors: marigold and snow

Speaking of kids: This chair is beloved by reviewers for two reasons: a) it's ultra-durable with a machine-washable slipcover and b) it’s lightweight enough to carry from room to room with the included handle. While the slipcover is woven from stain- and spill-resistant cotton twill with white piping, its available in 15 colorways with the option to monogram it with their initials. What’s more, it features lightweight foam cushioning—and the slipcover has a zipper closure with velcro to keep everything in place. This not only makes it easy to remove and toss the cover in the wash but the GREENGUARD Gold Certification ensures that it’s free from harmful toxins and safe for kids. 

Take it from one Pottery Barn customer who bought this chair for her son on his first birthday: “My son is now 4 and a half years old and still uses this chair every day. It has held up very well, the red cover has hardly faded with many, many washings and has only stretched a bit with the arms of the chair. The foam has also held up quite well, and when I take the chair apart, I see no sagging at all. Very impressive, considering its use! It is often used as a fort, slide, boat or something else that a four-year-old can imagine.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 20.5" W x 16.5" D x 17.75" H
• Fabric Options: cotton twill
• Colors: 15

Comfort and style collide in this swivel chair, thanks to a neutral range of upholstery options that span from silky velvet and chunky bouclé to performance linen that can withstand hours-on-end lounging. It has rounded arms with a 23-inch height (so it doesn’t look short and dumpy), and its fiber- and foam-filled cushions are set on a kiln-dried frame that can support up to 300 pounds. One Birch Lane reviewer says it’s “very well built,” and “easily supports a man of my bigger frame yet does not take up large space in my small room. Swivels perfectly with no catching or noise.”

Plus, another shopper notes: “Most swivel chairs have a metal base, but this one’s wood makes it look very rich. The slanted arms add to its comfort and the seat cushion is reversible and removable. The fabric has a wonderful texture which gives it more versatility and depth.” 

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 28.3'' H x 31'' W x 31'' D
• Fabric Options: performance velvet, performance linen, bouclé, polyester, basketweave
• Colors: 16

With more than 2,800 five-star reviews, we had to know why people were raving about this lounger. “This chaise is so very comfortable and roomy. I can fit on it with two dogs and not be squished—and the cushion is firm yet soft at the same time…love that I can put my feet up and sit in it all at once,” one Wayfair reviewer explains. Mainly, this has to do with its extra-long, 61-inch length and s-spring cushioning, which is fiber-wrapped in foam for extra fluff.

Comfort factor aside, however, it also features 62 upholstery options, including Sustain performance fabric, which is engineered to withstand spills from kids and dirt from dogs. Another reviewer backs this, writing: “Amazingly soft and plush—and it cleans easily. The first day we had it, the dog jumped on with muddy paws, and it wiped off with a wet clean sponge.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 37'' H X 41'' W X 61'' L
• Fabric Options: Sustain performance fabric
• Colors: 62

Right off the bat, we were drawn to this modern armchair for its elegantly tapered legs and moody jewel-toned velvet. But then, after seeing its 4.8-star rating, we realized it’s a fan-favorite for its feel, too. The foam- and feather-filled cushions allow you to truly sink in while the velvet upholstery wraps you in a silky-smooth cloud. “These chairs are super soft and firm—the color is gorgeous, and it’s roomy enough to curl up. One extra feature is that the pillows seem to stay upright, almost as if there are mini magnets inside,” one Joss & Main reviewer says. 

It’s also set on a kiln-dried hardwood frame—with the choice between brown and classic grey brown oak legs—and the pillows for the back, seat, and arms can be easily removed and reversed. According to another reviewer, this makes it easy to spot-clean: “Incredibly soft velvet. Wipes clean!”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 35.5'' H x 36'' W x 32'' D
• Fabric Options: velvet
• Colors: 6

The one item this home editor couldn’t take her eyes off of while Kelly Ripa was reporting live from her living room? This organic modern number, which was inspired by Japanese Tatami-inspired textures. It’s upholstered with linen-blended performance fabric—which means it’s stain- and spill-resistant—and the solid cane, black Parawood paneling makes it equal parts luxe and livable. In terms of comfort, it’s also amply padded with polyfoam and feathered fill cushions—and the chair’s generous, 31.5-inch width ensures you’ll have plenty of room to kick back and relax.

Yet, it’s also worth noting one Perigold customer’s warning about height: “It's not a tall chair, however, perfect for me as I wanted a smaller frame for my place.” After all, if it’s good enough for Ripa to lounge in, it’s good enough for us.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 31.5” W x 33” D x 29” H
• Fabric Options: linen-blended performance fabric 
• Colors: brushed ebony, natural oak

There are two reasons why this chair has been blowing up on Instagram: Its retro design is so *right now* and the proportions of the lounger have been intentionally adjusted to offer ergonomic support. This is due to the fact that it’s constructed with multiple-density foam (and lack of a wood/metal frame), which provides a unique, lofty feel—and the shape offers strong support for the back where it conforms to the contours of your body.

One Wayfair reviewer confirms this, writing: “Such a beautiful and super comfortable chair…I wanted something to make our space a little less serious but still keep in line with modern/adult vibes, and this chair does exactly that. Plus, I have to mention again that it is so comfortable! There's something about being low to the ground that just, [fittingly], grounds a space. It definitely made our living room less stuffy and more inviting. It's also doggo-approved!” Indeed, the microfiber upholstery does more than contribute to its good looks, since the fabric is soft and stain-resistant (so long as you’re sure to spot clean with a concentrated detergent).

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 29.13'' H X 34.25'' W X 40.1'' D
• Fabric Options: suede microfiber 
• Colors: 7

Why this beanbag scored 91 points out of 100 in a PureWow100 review? It’s filled with memory foam for superior sink and it was redesigned to achieve a decidedly more grown-up aesthetic (as in, nothing like the beanbag from your college dorm room). According to Moon Pod’s website, this guy will make you feel like you’re floating in space, and PureWow contributor Emma Singer says it totally delivers on that promise: “Indeed, there’s something truly heavenly about sitting in this bean bag, [which] perfectly conforms to your body and can be adjusted to any position—be it lying down for a snooze or sitting upright for your tenth Zoom call of the day. In fact, you could even say that the comfort level of this ergonomic bag is through the roof.”

Another thing she appreciated was its ultra-durable construction: “Boy, can this bean bag take a beating: It’s been used in my home for obstacle courses and cannon balls off of top bunks—nothing has squeezed the life out of this sucker—and it’s as plump and cushy as the day we got it.” Better yet, the fabric is machine-washable.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 50-56” L x 20-24” H x 20-24” W
• Fabric Options: proprietary blended fabric and EPS beads
• Colors: 5

If there were ever a chair made for the book club coordinator, it would be this one. It takes a chic approach to functional design; a gunmetal-finished iron side table is attached to an armless silhouette—and it’s set atop a parawood swivel base with 360-degree motion. The chunky upholstery is also a selling point, not only for its good looks, but also because it’s a performance fabric that’s specially coated to be water- and stain-resistant. Foam and fiber padding in the cushions also make it feel supportive, and the s-springs underneath ensure the seat will stay nice and bouncy after years of use.

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 31.5'' H X 35'' W X 39'' D
• Fabric Options: performance polyester
• Colors: Copenhagen amber and knoll natural

Finally, an outdoor chair that is so chic, you might feel the need to bring it inside. Its overstuffed cushions feel like a dream, and you can customize it with 72 all-weather fabrics—both in patterned/solid options—that are specially designed to be weatherproof, mildew-resistant and fade-proof under every condition. The slipcover is also removable and easily cleanable: simply remove it and wipe with a sponge using mild detergent diluted in water (the dust, debris and dirt should wash away like magic). 

“The cushions are incredibly comfortable, thanks to the all-weather foam and polyester fill…In fact, they’re so comfortable you melt into them,” lifestyle blogger Julie Blanner writes. Sarah Stewart, another lifestyle blogger, is also taken by its durability: “I threw the slipcover in the wash and followed the care instructions. Super easy to do and it was really easy to put back on/make it look how it originally did… the [chair] is currently in an indoor/outdoor pool house, and it’s held up against a lot of traffic, wet bathing suits, food and spills.”

Fast Facts

• Dimensions: 31" W x 39" D x 35" H
• Fabric Options: 100 percent solution-dyed acrylic
• Colors: 72