Best Reading Chairs for a Cosy Living Room

The best reading chair supports your back and neck, has a seat deep enough to relax in without sliding forward, and is covered in a fabric that stays comfortable through warm summers and cool winter evenings. High-back, wingback and mid-back armchairs can all work well for reading. The right one depends on how you like to sit, how long you read for and whether you want it to be a feature in a corner or blend in with the rest of your lounge. In this guide, we'll explain what makes a chair comfortable to read in, the main styles to consider, how a reading chair compares with a standard armchair and where to put it for the best light.

Key Takeaways

• Back and neck support make the biggest difference to reading comfort. High-back and wingback chairs support both, while lower-backed chairs may need a cushion.

• The seat should let you sit right back with your feet flat on the floor, so you're supported without sliding forward.

• Breathable, textured fabrics stay comfortable for longer, while smooth faux leather can feel warm in summer.

• Where you put the chair matters as much as the chair itself. We'd place it near a window with light coming over your shoulder, plus a floor lamp for the evenings.

• Our armchairs are made for relaxing and reading, from the Suffolk and Getaway armchairs to our modular Torquay, Tamarama and Bangalow armchairs.

What Makes a Chair Comfortable for Reading

A comfortable reading chair supports your back and neck without you having to think about it, keeps you in a steady position while you read and doesn't leave you feeling hot and sticky. Three things make the biggest difference, which are back and neck support, seat depth and recline, and the fabric.

Back & Neck Support

Good back support means the backrest follows the natural curve of your spine when you sit right back. Good neck support means the chair is either tall enough to rest your head against or angled so you can lean back comfortably. High-back and wingback chairs support both, while mid-back armchairs support your lower and middle back but may need a cushion for your neck.

Most people sit a little more upright to read than they do to lounge, as you're holding a book or screen in front of you. That's why we'd look for a chair that keeps you fairly upright while still supporting your lower back, with just enough recline to relax your shoulders.

Seat Depth & Recline

The seat should let you sit right back with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at roughly a right angle. A slight recline is ideal, as it lets you relax while still holding a book comfortably. If the seat is too deep, you'll either lean forward and lose your back support or need extra cushions. If it's too shallow, your thighs won't be supported.

Try this simple test. Sit right back in the chair. If your feet dangle or your knees feel pushed up, the seat is too deep or too high. If you feel perched on the edge with no support for your lower back, it's too shallow.

Fabric & Breathability

The fabric affects how warm the chair feels and how it feels against your skin when you sit for a while. Textured fabrics like boucle, linen blends and brushed cotton tend to breathe well and don't stick to your skin on warm days. Smooth faux leather wipes clean easily, but it can feel warm in summer and cool in winter.

In most parts of Australia, a breathable, textured fabric is the most comfortable choice all year round.

Reading Chair Styles to Consider

Reading chairs generally fall into two groups. High-back and wingback chairs put support first and make a statement in a room, while swivel and recliner chairs put relaxation first and can do more than one job. Both work for reading, so it comes down to how upright you like to sit and how much space you have.

Wingback & High-Back Chairs

Wingback chairs have a tall backrest with side "wings" that curve forward, originally to keep out draughts and to support the head. High-back chairs are similar but without the wings. Both are great for reading, because you can rest your head against the back without straining your neck.

They work especially well with a few simple additions.

• A corner or reading nook, where the chair becomes a feature.

• A floor lamp beside or behind the chair for reading in the evening.

• A small side table for your cuppa, book or glasses.

• A footstool or ottoman so you can put your feet up.

Swivel & Recliner Chairs

Swivel chairs turn all the way around, so you can switch between reading, watching TV and chatting. Recliners lean back with a footrest, so you can go from sitting up to stretching out. Both suit larger living rooms where the chair needs to do more than one job.

They suit a few kinds of spaces in particular.

• A living room with lots of uses, where reading is just one of them.

• An open-plan space, where you might want to face different directions.

• A TV and reading corner, where the chair does both.

• A roomy bedroom or study, where a recliner gives you more ways to relax.

Our armchair range focuses on comfortable statement and modular armchairs rather than recliners or swivel chairs.

Reading Chair vs Standard Armchair

Reading chairs and standard armchairs overlap a lot, but they focus on slightly different things. A reading chair puts back and neck support, an upright but relaxed position and good light first. A standard armchair is more about all-round comfort, style and extra seating alongside your sofa. We've compared them side by side below.

In short, a good armchair can make a great reading chair, as long as it supports your back and sits near good light. A dedicated high-back or wingback chair just adds a bit more support for long reading sessions.

Where to Place a Reading Chair for the Best Light

We'd place your reading chair near a window, so daylight falls over your shoulder onto the page, and add a floor lamp beside or just behind the chair for the evenings. Light from in front of you can cause glare, while light from behind and slightly above lights the page evenly without shining in your eyes.

These tips help you get the light right.

• Use your windows. In Australia, north-facing windows get the most sun through the day, while east-facing windows suit early-morning readers.

• Let the light come over your shoulder rather than from in front of you, so it lands on the page and not in your eyes.

• Add a floor lamp beside or just behind the chair for even light in the evenings.

• Choose a warm white bulb, which many people find easier on the eyes for longer reading sessions.

• Keep the chair away from the TV, so screen light doesn't distract you while you read.

• Add a rug and a side table to make the corner feel cosy and keep everything within reach.

Australian sun can be strong, especially through north-facing windows, so a sheer curtain or blind helps soften it without blocking the light.

Create a Cosy Reading Corner With Our Armchairs

A great reading corner starts with a chair you'll want to sink into. We design our armchairs for relaxing and reading, with plush cushioning that supports you through a long chapter and fabrics that sit neatly alongside our sofas. Add a cushion for your neck, a throw for cooler nights and a bookshelf within reach, and you've got a spot you'll keep coming back to.

• • Browse our full Koala armchair range, from the Suffolk and Getaway armchairs to our modular Torquay, Tamarama and Bangalow armchairs.

  • Keep your favourite reads close with something from our bookshelves range.

  • Add cushions and throws from our Koala homewares for a cosier corner.

  • See more ideas for the rest of the room in our living room range.

  • Keep your chair looking fresh with our washable sofa covers.

Every Koala armchair comes with our 120-day trial, so you can try it in your own reading corner before you decide.