A good reading chair should be somewhere you naturally want to spend time. It needs to be comfortable enough for a few chapters to turn into an entire afternoon, supportive enough that you are not constantly changing position, and well proportioned for both your body and the room around it.
Unlike an occasional chair that may be chosen primarily for its appearance, a reading chair has a more demanding role to play. Seat depth, back height, arm position and cushion filling all influence how comfortable it will feel after an hour rather than the first five minutes, while the upholstery, frame and overall silhouette determine whether it will still look and feel right many years from now.
Whether you are creating a quiet corner in the living room, furnishing a library or placing a chair beside a bedroom window, choosing the right shape from the outset can make all the difference.
Start With the Right Proportions
Comfort is personal, which is why there is no single chair shape that works for everyone.
Some people prefer to sit upright with both feet on the floor, in which case a supportive back and a seat that is not excessively deep can feel more comfortable. Others naturally curl their legs beneath them or sit slightly sideways when reading, making a wider seat with more generous proportions a better choice.
The height of the back is particularly important. A higher-backed design gives the shoulders and head more support during longer periods of sitting, while well-positioned arms allow you to hold a book without carrying unnecessary tension through the shoulders and neck.
Traditional chairs have often evolved around exactly these requirements. A Byron Wing Chair, for example, has a high winged back and generous rolled arms that create a wonderfully enclosed place to sit. The Georgian Wing Chair offers a similarly traditional silhouette, while its leather upholstery makes it particularly suited to a library, study or fireside setting.
For something slightly more understated, the Reading Chair combines a supportive high back with a cleaner silhouette, making it easy to incorporate into both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Why Wing Chairs Make Such Good Reading Chairs
There is a reason wing chairs have remained a favourite for centuries.
Originally designed to offer protection from draughts and retain warmth beside the fire, their high backs and enclosing wings also make them particularly comfortable for reading. They create a small sense of separation from the rest of the room, which is one of the reasons they work so well in busy family homes as well as quieter libraries and studies.
The Classic Wing Chair, Logan Wing Chair and Oakham Wing Chair each offer a different interpretation of this traditional shape, allowing the style to be chosen around the proportions and character of the room.
A wing chair does not necessarily need to look formal, either. Upholstered in a relaxed linen, patterned cotton or colourful wool, a traditional silhouette can feel much softer and more informal, while velvet or leather can give the same chair a richer, more traditional character.
The Enduring Comfort of a Howard Chair
Howard-style chairs are another natural choice for a reading corner because of their generous proportions and relaxed shape.
The distinctive low arms and supportive back allow you to settle comfortably without feeling enclosed, making them particularly appealing for people who prefer a more open seating position. The Original Howard Chair and Ladies Howard Armchair both demonstrate why this classic style has remained popular for generations.
For a softer, more decorative interpretation, the Howard Armchair with Kick Pleat Valance introduces a traditional skirted finish, while still retaining the familiar proportions that make Howard seating so comfortable.
These chairs also work particularly well when positioned beside a small side table, giving you somewhere for a lamp, cup of tea or stack of books without needing to create an entirely separate reading area.
Think About How You Actually Like to Sit
The best reading chair is not necessarily the largest or most traditional one. It should suit the way you naturally relax.
If you prefer a more upright posture, a chair such as the Library Chair offers plenty of back support while maintaining a neat footprint. Its buttoned back also gives it the kind of traditional detailing that sits naturally in studies, libraries and more formal sitting rooms.
For those who prefer something slightly more relaxed, the Philip Arthur Armchair, Hartwell Chair or Hawksmoor Chair provide alternative proportions that can work well in living rooms and quieter corners of the home.
Smaller rooms should not be overlooked either. A more compact chair can create an equally inviting place to read without taking over the space. The Macey Chair, Lucia Chair and Liberty Chair all offer character and comfort within a more manageable footprint.
Upholstery Changes Both the Look and the Feel
Fabric has an enormous influence on how a reading chair feels within a room.
Velvet introduces softness and depth, particularly in richer colours such as olive, navy, burgundy or plum, while linen creates a more relaxed appearance that works beautifully in lighter interiors. Traditional florals and patterned fabrics can turn a chair into the focal point of the room, while wool and textured weaves bring warmth without feeling overly decorative.
Leather remains another excellent choice for reading chairs. It is durable, tactile and develops character naturally over time, making it particularly appropriate for traditional wing chairs and library seating. The tan leather shown on the Georgian Wing Chair is a good example of how leather can emphasise the shape of a traditional chair while adding warmth to a room.
Pattern can be equally effective. The checked upholstery of the Byron Wing Chair, the floral fabric of the Cavendish Wing Chair and the paisley upholstery on the Elise Armchair demonstrate how a reading chair can become a decorative feature in its own right.
Look Beyond the Fabric
While upholstery is the first thing most people notice, much of a chair's comfort comes from what cannot be seen.
A well-made frame provides the foundation, while the suspension, padding and cushion filling determine how the chair supports you once you sit down. Good upholstery should feel comfortable without losing its shape too quickly, particularly on a chair that may be used every day.
This is also where handcrafted furniture has a significant advantage. Rather than designing a chair around the limitations of mass production, traditional upholstery allows much greater attention to proportion, support and finishing.
A reading chair should feel substantial without being rigid, soft without collapsing, and supportive enough that you can remain seated comfortably for extended periods.
Add a Footstool for a More Relaxed Reading Position
Sometimes the chair itself is only part of the equation.
Pairing an armchair with an upholstered footstool allows you to change position throughout the day, helping you settle into a more relaxed posture when reading for longer periods. It also creates the feeling of a complete reading area without requiring the space of a chaise longue or recliner.
A footstool can either coordinate closely with the chair or introduce another fabric, colour or pattern into the room. In a more traditional interior, a buttoned or classic upholstered footstool can complement a wing chair or Howard chair beautifully, while a simpler design can create contrast alongside more decorative upholstery.
Position Your Chair Around Light
Where you put a reading chair matters almost as much as the chair itself.
Natural daylight is ideal during the day, which makes bay windows, alcoves and corners beside larger windows particularly inviting locations. In the evening, a floor lamp or table lamp positioned slightly behind the shoulder usually provides a more comfortable reading light than relying on ceiling lighting alone.
Think about what else you need within easy reach. A small side table for a drink or book, a footstool, a cushion and a soft throw can turn an unused corner into somewhere you naturally gravitate towards.
The aim is not to create a perfectly styled vignette, but somewhere that genuinely works as part of everyday life.
A Reading Chair Made for Your Home
Every reader has slightly different ideas about comfort, which is why being able to choose the details of your chair can be particularly valuable.
At The Original Chair Company, our upholstered furniture is handcrafted at our workshop in Perth, Scotland, with a choice of ready-to-buy, made-to-order and fully bespoke designs. Depending on the piece, customers can select their fabric, wood finish, castor style and other details, with access to a wide fabric collection as well as the option to supply their own material.
Browse our ready-to-buy chairs for pieces that are available to ship, explore our made-to-order armchairs and accent chairs to customise a favourite design, or contact us to discuss a fully bespoke reading chair tailored to your home and the way you like to sit.