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If you love nothing more than curling up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee, then you’ve no doubt considered investing in a reading chair—something roomy and luxurious to make your free time even more enjoyable. Truthfully, though, reading chairs aren’t just for bookworms. “Reading chair” is simply a catch-all name for cozy armchairs, recliners and massage chairs that are comfortable enough to lounge in for hours (and occasionally stylish enough to look like true accent pieces).

The best reading chairs are roomy and comfortable—and some, like the Irving Leather Recliner from ... [+] Pottery Barn, also feature recline capabilities.

Looking to add a reading chair to your home? You’re in the right place. Ahead, find our picks for the best reading chairs available in 2022. Like the best office chairs on the market, each of these options prompt instant relaxation and manage to look aesthetically pleasing in your home. To make sure your shopping experience is as smooth as it can be, we’ve also detailed exactly what you should look for while shopping for the best reading chairs (scroll to our buying guide at the end of the article).

Dimensions: 45 x 35 x 35 inches | Upholstery material: Polyester fiber, velvet or vegan leather | Frame material: Kiln-dried hardwood | Color options: Blue, grey, olive, rust and more

Featuring a timeless silhouette that will fit in most homes and enough room to really lounge, it’s no surprise that the Park Armchair is so popular. It comes in plenty of different colors and materials, too, so you can pick the look that works best for you, whether you’re partial to a rich hue in a plush velvet or a neutral tone in a stately vegan leather (you can also opt for gold or black legs). To make matters even more wonderful, no tools are required for assembly, and there’s a 30-day home trial.

Dimensions: 29 x 30 x 39 inches | Upholstery material: Linen | Color options: Grey, beige, brown, light blue and red

This affordable option has thousands of positive ratings and reviews—and with its high back and fairly wide seat, it’s also perfectly conducive to relaxing and reading. The recliner seat allows you to lay back, and there’s an adjustable footrest and padded armrests, too. Thick cushions and durable upholstery add to the appeal; meanwhile, those rubber feet add some protection for wood floors. It’s a great size, too: Reviewers say it’s “not too big and not too small.”

Dimensions: 33 x 35 x 38 inches | Upholstery material: Leather | Color options: Vintage caramel, signature maple and 30+ others

This classic chair is versatile enough to work in nearly any home, and it’s a great size for smaller spaces. With a total of 40 different color choices, you’re all but guaranteed to find a hue that blends with the rest of your home. A plethora of comfortable features (a reclining back and an adjustable footrest among them) make it worth checking out. And that leather will soften over time as well, though it does require some maintenance: If left in the sun, it might discolor, and you’ll also need to be careful about which cleaners or polishes you’re using on the chair. Most cleaning will have to be done by a leather specialist.

Dimensions: 35.5 x 33.5 x 39 inches | Upholstery material: Velvet | Frame material: Metal | Color options: Green, cream, navy, cognac and more

This upscale, retro-inspired chair is certainly chic, but it doesn’t feel “over the top.” Made of plush velvet, it sits on stylish gold legs and comes in a variety of jewel tones. It’s a showpiece for sure, but the foam-filled cushions are comfortable enough to sit in for hours—and removable, reversible seat covers make it easy to clean.

Dimensions: 44.9 x 46.1 x 37.4 inches | Upholstery material: Polyester, nylon | Frame material: Hardwood | Color options: Pearl, chocolate, cognac leather, fawn and more.

If you’re looking for extra room, then an over-stuffed armchair is the way to go. At 46 inches wide, this one is considerably larger than many other options—and all of that space adds a whole other level of comfort. Its down-filled pillows are a big plus, and moisture-repellant, stain-resistant fabric makes this a low-maintenance pick, too. With seven different neutral shades to choose from, you’ll be able to select a hue that works perfectly in your home.

Dimensions: 28 x 34 x 36 inches | Upholstery material: Linen, velvet, chenille, twill and more | Frame material: Pine and hardwood | Color options: Tarragon, petrol, dove, storm gray and many others

More compact than many other options out there, this West Elm chair is ideal for small spaces. It looks chic and stylish, but it’s comfy and doesn’t take up a lot of room. Plus, design lovers will appreciate that it balances classic and modern styles. There are also nearly 100 different mixes of colors and fabrics to choose from, including plush velvet and soft linen.

Dimensions: 34 x 35 x 33 inches | Upholstery material: Olefin | Frame material: Baltic birch | Color options: Ivory, brick red, crushed gravel, navy blue or charcoal

When it comes to reading chairs that don’t recline, adding an ottoman is a great idea. This classic chair includes one, and you’ll be able to customize the fabric color, leg finish and arm style to really make the piece your own. The back cushion is also reversible: If you flip it to one side, it’s smooth; the other is tufted. The chair comes with a built-in USB charger and power cord.

Dimensions: 39 x 38 x 42.5 inches | Upholstery material: Chenille and more | Frame material: N/A | Color options: Burgundy, sterling, java, denim and many more

If you’re looking for a high-quality recliner you’ll use for years, consider a La-Z-Boy like this one. The Jay Wall Recliner is one of the brand’s bestsellers thanks to its flared arms, chaise seat and adjustable footrest. Comfortable and casual, it doesn’t take up as much space as you might think it would, but still feels very roomy. Choose from dozens of different colors and fabrics, and don’t worry about messing up the shape of the foam cushions—they’re meant to retain their shape, no matter how long you sit on them.

Dimensions: 37 x 37 x 30 inches | Upholstery material: Yarn-dyed | Frame material: Mahogany and eucalyptus wood | Color options: Weathered grey, driftwood

This coastal-cool outdoor lounge chair is the ideal size for curling up with a good book in good weather (if you live in a warmer climate, prepare for year-round reading bliss). Its yarn-dyed cushions are weather-resistant and have a luxurious look and feel, while the wood frame is moisture-resistant and sturdy. A built-in ledge holds drinks and other small items, and a matching ottoman is available.

Start by considering the size of the space in which the chair will reside. A reading chair shouldn’t be significantly larger than every other piece of furniture in the room, after all, so you’ll want to measure the space carefully and play close attention to the dimensions of the chairs you’re considering. There are oversized chairs available for those with more space and more compact chairs, too, which are better suited to smaller spaces. And consider the size of the back of the chair, too: A tall back offers more room to recline, but it does add some bulk.

Comfort is key when it comes to finding a chair that’s ideal for reading. Look for a reading chair made of something soft and plush, like an under-stuffed velvet, a washed linen or a versatile polyester. If you want a more classic and timeless look, opt for leather (just be aware that it’s a little harder to maintain) or vegan leather. Stain-resistant materials are a big plus, especially if you expect to eat or drink in the chair.

There are so many different styles of reading chairs to choose from: recliners, accent chairs, swivel chairs and so many others. Decide which fits best with your preferred décor style, then check out all of the options within that category. If comfort is most important to you, forget optics and try a recliner, which gives you more of a customized sitting experience. If, on the other hand, you really want the chair to double as a statement piece, try a sturdier accent chair.