Creating an oasis of relaxation in a living room, lounge area, or study should start with the right lounge chair. A lounger that not only puts a focus on comfort but also looks fantastic in any interior. A chair that will become your favorite piece of furniture, whether you want to unwind with a book or relax with a coffee and good conversation. With design lovers in mind, we have put together a list of comfortable chairs for reading or lounging that are as cozy as they are stylish. Here you can find renowned designs that have influenced some of the world’s best contemporary designers as well as new concepts that add a creative twist to classic forms. From bold and striking to minimalist and everything in between, your favorite reading chair is here.
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
If you’re going to choose a chair design for your home to use for years and even decades to come, you can’t go wrong with one of the world’s most iconic seating designs. The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is instantly recognizable. It features a mid-century modern take on the English club chairs from the 19th-century with rounded forms that are as elegant as they are comfortable. The chair is also beautifully handmade. Curved wood veneer, sumptuous cushions, and premium quality upholstery options take these comfortable chairs for reading to the highest level of craftsmanship. You can choose between leather and Mohair for the upholstery and several stylish colors. Safe to say, this is one designer chair you’ll love to lounge in for a lifetime.
Womb Chair
Here’s another iconic design in our list of comfortable chairs for reading. Designed in 1948 by Eero Saarinen for Florence Knoll, the Womb Chair is the epitome of comfort. It features a molded fiberglass foam-covered shell that hugs the user’s body in a warm embrace. Perfect for living rooms and lounge areas, the chair offers a relaxing space to get away from the fast pace of modern lifestyles. Like other chairs from our selection, this design comes in an array of color options; you can choose the frame finish from polished chrome, black, or the glamorous gold plated version. As for the upholstery, the colors range from light and neutral to bold and vibrant.
Florence Knoll Lounge Chair
Mid-century modern architecture cues translated in the ultra-clean form of the relaxing Florence Knoll Lounge Chair. A timeless design that looks fantastic in any space, this lounge chair complements its elegance with comfort. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for comfortable chairs for reading that also look sophisticated and modern. The exposed metal frame features a polished chrome finish, while the upholstery comes in an array of colors and materials. While we prefer the subtle textures of the Crossroad fabric, you can also get this chair with suede, leather, or velvet upholstery, all available in a huge range of colors.
XL December Lounge Chair
Part of Nikari’s Project 2012 Designs for Nature, the XL December Lounge Chair pays homage to Nordic traditions with an understated aesthetic. Designed by Jasper Morrison and Wataru Kumano, this chair is simple and simply beautiful. It complements its minimalist forms with premium quality, natural materials, blending into both classic and modern interiors with ease. The oak or ash frame supports the linen canvas or natural tanned leather seat and backrest. Smooth armrests maximize comfort, whether you want to enjoy a new book or just a cup of your favorite coffee. Apart from the canvas version, the chair also comes with a Nude or a Cognac leather material that will age beautifully over time and gain more character.
Buy $1950
Egg Chair
We had to include one of the most easily recognizable chairs in the history of design in our selection of comfortable chairs for reading. Designed by Arne Jacobsen in the 1950s, the Egg Chair is a crucial part of Danish design heritage. And buying one is more akin to collecting art, cars, or watches than simply getting a new chair for your living room. Hence, the price tag. However, getting your hands on a piece of design history is worth it. Featuring the iconic curved shell, the chair is supremely comfortable to use, whether you want to read or just want to relax after a long day with a drink.
CH07 Shell Chair
Like the CH25 Lounge Chair, Hans J. Wegner’s Shell Chair brought a creative as well as innovative twist to chair design. Introduced in 1963, the chair had a distinctive silhouette with an exaggerated seat curvature and arched legs. While praised by critics, it didn’t win the hearts of the general public at the time due to its cutting-edge look. Carl Hansen re-launched the design in 1998 to great success. One of the most comfortable chairs for reading you can buy, the Shell Chair cradles the user and offers the perfect lounging solution. Plus, it looks fantastic from any angle and can easily make a whole room more stylish. We’ve picked the natural oak and black leather version, but you can choose between different frame and upholstery colors and materials.
The Spanish Chair
Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1958, the Spanish Chair provided an ingenious solution for modern living. Introduced as part of an avant-garde exhibition that aimed to offer new solutions to free up floor space for open-plan living, the chair featured wider armrests and a compact build. The saddle leather seat and backrest curve around the solid wood frame. Buckles add a creative accent to the design while also offering the option to adjust both the seat and backrest. You can choose between light or dark frames as well as light and dark brown leather or the all-black version.
Butterfly Chair, Anniversary Edition
Comfortable chairs for reading don’t get more comfortable – or iconic- than the Butterfly Chair from Knoll. Designed by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan, and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy in 1938, the stylish chair looks better than ever. This version is also extra-special, as Knoll launched it to celebrate the design’s 80th anniversary. The recognizable dynamic silhouette of the chair remains, along with the sinuous lines of the base. This version features new materials and finishes. Apart from the chromium-plated or coated steel frame, you can choose from different colors for the thermoformed felt seat. A perfect blend of design heritage and innovation, the chair features a laser shaping technique that creates a seamless connection between fabric and frame, without stitching, which enhances both comfort and style.
The Hunting Chair
If you love the Danish modern design movement and want to buy comfortable chairs for reading, the Hunting Chair by Børge Mogensen may be a perfect choice. The chair dates back to 1950 and showcased the designer’s first use of saddle leather with an exposed wood frame, a combination that would later became one of his signature styles. Like the Spanish Chair, the Hunting Chair features buckles that allow the user to adjust the seat and/or the backrest as needed. Wide armrests enhance comfort further. Lightweight and compact, the chair is versatile and suits virtually any space. Plus, the creative design ensures that it will always stand out, in any decor.
Lem Armchair
Inspired by lunar modules, the Lem Armchair by Italian designer Francesco Beghetto will make you feel over the moon about lounging with a book. A great choice for our list of comfortable chairs for reading, the armchair is both elegant and cozy. It also features a creative design with the fabric covering the entire frame for a seamless, clean look. Soft seat and back cushions enhance comfort further, while the open sides make it easy to curl up inside the shell. Upholstery options include various textured and patterned fabrics in an array of light or darker colors, to suit virtually any preference and decor.
Field Leather Lounge Chair
Simplicity at its best, the Field Leather Lounge Chair boasts a slightly reclined backrest and elegant curves. A sculptural base provides excellent support while also adding a contrasting accent to the softness of the rounded shell. Apart from the seat and back cushions, this lounge chair also comes with a lumbar pillow to support your spine and ensure you enjoy maximum comfort. The aniline leather upholstery features a velvety texture and will develop a patina over time. The version we have picked comes with a Camel upholstery and black steel base, but a dark Ink leather option is also available.
Reader Armchair
Designed by Piergiorgio Cazzaniga and Michele Cazzaniga, the Reader Armchair may be the ideal choice for readers who love to relax with a good book. After all, it’s even in the name of the design. However, the chair is not only an elegant piece of furniture you can bring into any decor. It’s also designed with with the user’s comfort level in mind. A soft seat, an extra high and curved backrest, a wide design, and rounded armrests make the Reader Armchair one of the most elegant and comfortable chairs for reading you can find. Plus, you can easily customize it thanks to a wide range of colors and materials. Apart from fabric or leather in light, medium, or dark colors, you can also choose between the black painted steel or the matte satin stainless steel finish for the base.
Chica
Stylish and plush as the same time, the Chica armchair is a great option if you want to create a cozy space in a living room. It’s designed by Italian studio GyForm and features a seamless design thanks to a clever use of polyurethane foam on a metal frame. Safe to say, this will probably become your favorite armchair. Apart from the soft foam seat and backrest with a protective fabric lining, this design also features removable fabric or fixed leather for the upholstery. A swivel base plate in matte steel or polished chrome completes the design.
Wingback
Inspired by the 17th-century wingback chairs and 18th-century balloon back archetypes, Tom Dixon’s Wingback was originally designed in 2007 for the exclusive Shoreditch House Members Club. In 2015, the chair underwent an upgrade that improved the ergonomics further while also making the build lighter. The design has also expanded into a omplete seating collection that includes micro versions of the chair along with dining chairs and ottomans. Perfect for our selection of comfortable chairs for reading, the Wingback armchair boasts a sculptural silhouette that maximizes comfort. Apart from the high back and sumptuous seat cushion, it also features “wings” that curve to provide acoustic protection and a comfortable place where you can rest your head between book chapters.
Grand Repos
A beautiful example of contemporary Italian furniture design, Grand Repos effortlessly blends style, function, and comfort. Designer Antonio Citterio developed the armchair in collaboration with Vitra, creating a chair that puts a focus on providing a supremely comfortable lounging experience. Grand Repos features a high back with an ergonomic shape, plush padding, a soft headrest, and elongated armrests. Plus, these comfortable chairs for reading also feature an adjustable design. The user can lean back in a reclined position and lock the backrest in any position. A swivel base with hard glides or felt glides completes the design. The base color ranges from polished aluminum to black and chestnut, while the upholstery colors include dozens of options and even stitching options.
Imola
The Imola lounge armchair invites you to curl up with a good book and a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. Designed by Henrik Pedersen for BoConcept, the chair boasts a curved silhouette and sweeping forms that seem to hug the user. The rounded backrest and seat look even more striking paired with the slender base made of steel. Ideal for relaxing in a living room or study, the armchair comes with a range of material and color options. We love the combination of blue velvet and brushed steel, but you can also choose an array of other materials, from fabrics sourced from heritage Italian brands to ultra-soft pure aniline leather.
Take a Line for a Walk Lounger
Designed by Alfredo Haberli for Italian brand Moroso, the Take a Line for a Walk Lounger draws inspiration from a quote by Paul Klee – “Drawing is taking a line for a walk” – and from the shape of captains’ command chairs in spaceships that reference childhood memories. The lounger has a sculptural form with clean lines that highlight the design’s bold silhouette. Made with a swivel base and winged sides, it offers a great combination of comfort and function. The wraparound shell creates a cocoon-like space where you can sit back and unwind after a long day. Crafted to last, the armchair comes with a steel frame, flame-retardant foam, and premium quality fabric and leather materials.
Skye Recliner
If you’re looking for comfortable chairs for reading that will protect your back, the Skye Recliner from Dieter Horn is perfect for you. It’s designed to offer supreme comfort with built-in lumbar support, an adjustable backrest and seat, as well as an integrated footrest. You can even select a right-handed or left-handed option for the battery-controlled operation system to make your reading breaks as convenient and relaxing as possible. This armchair also features a 6-star base with a chrome pearl luster finish or a high-gloss chrome plating. It comes with leather upholstery and you can choose between 17 color options. A neck cushion is also available separately, if you want to take the comfort level further.
Astair Armchair
Designer Pierre Charpin designed the Astair Armchair for Ligne Roset using soft and rounded forms that emanate a feeling of comfort. Perfect for living rooms and lounge spaces, the armchair has an extra-thick seat cushion with a pocket-sprung suspension, supporting headrest, and cylindrical armrests. The tubular steel base with slender legs complements the sumptuousness of the cushions and upholstery. Expertly crafted, Astair comes with a bent steel frame that features no visible screws or joints. Removable covers – for both the fabric and leather options – provide an easy way to keep this lounge armchair immaculate.
