9 Best Reading Chairs for Living Rooms (November 2026)

The best reading chairs for living rooms include the Welnow Lazy Chair with Ottoman for a flexible reading corner, the Tiita Lazy Chair with Ottoman for a headrest and footrest, and the SESHINELL Modern Lazy Chair with Ottoman Lounge for a removable cover.

On this page (7 sections)

1. How we chose reading chairs for living rooms
2. Reading chairs for living rooms: the top picks
3. How should you fit a reading chair into a shared living room?
4. Which reading chair works for a small living room?
5. Should a living room reading chair have an ottoman?
6. Do swivel chairs work for reading in a living room?
7. Which reading chair should you choose for a living room?

The best reading chairs for living rooms match the available floor space and the way you share the room. Choose the Howjoe for a broad everyday armchair, a foldable Welnow for a reading corner that needs occasional clearing, or the Chorlenimi chaise when you can spare room to stretch out.

Think about how the seat will work beside the sofa, coffee table and main walking route. A chair that fits on paper can still make a room awkward if its arms, ottoman or swivel movement intrude on the space people use to pass through.

If you’re choosing a seat mainly for reading, start with What Is a Reading Chair? Plain and Simple for the features that matter.

For shared room planning, How Many Accent Chairs in a Living Room? can help you decide how many seats the layout can hold.

Our picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for a flexible reading corner

   Welnow Lazy Chair with Ottoman

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for a headrest and footrest

   Tiita Lazy Chair with Ottoman

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for a removable cover

   SESHINELL Modern Lazy Chair with Ottoman Lounge

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

4. 4

   Howjoe Accent Chair for Living Room

   Best for a roomy everyday armchair
   Check it
5. 5

   Chorlenimi 66" Chaise Lounge Chair Indoor

   Best for stretching out
   Check it
6. 6

   Sweetcrispy Saucer Chairs

   Best for folding away
   Check it
7. 7

   YUUIJOAA Swivel Accent Barrel Chair Set

   Best for a pair of swivel seats
   Check it
8. 8

   choairy Accent Chair for Living Room

   Best for a side-pocket armchair
   Check it
9. 9

   Landassy Home Luxury Oversized Accent Reading Chair

   Best for a wide cushioned seat
   Check it

How we chose reading chairs for living rooms

We compared the listed dimensions, seat style, materials and useful features against the needs of a shared living room. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you’re shopping for.

The picks include conventional armchairs, foldable lounge seats, chairs with ottomans, a swivel set and an oversized chaise. Those shapes serve different room plans, so consider how each one will fit alongside existing seating.

Reading chairs for living rooms: the top picks

These reading chairs cover different ways to use a shared living room, from a single upholstered armchair to a foldable occasional seat. Compare each chair’s footprint and features with the space you can give it.

1

Welnow Lazy Chair with Ottoman: Best for a flexible reading corner

9.7/10Our score

• Foldable ottoman
• Side storage pocket
• Dark grey polyester cover
• 400 lb capacity

A foldable footrest and side pocket put book storage and leg support within reach. Fold the ottoman away when you need to clear floor space.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Ottoman folds for storage
• Side pocket for books or a phone
• Can be moved between rooms

Cons

• Ottoman needs floor space when in use
• Chair dimensions should be checked against the planned corner

The Welnow Lazy Chair with Ottoman suits a reading corner where you want a footrest and a place to keep small essentials close. Its side pocket can hold a book or phone, while the footstool folds for storage when you need the floor space back.

The chair has a curved backrest, rounded arms and a polyester cover with PP cotton filling. Welnow gives a 400 lb capacity and describes the frame as steel with a powder-sprayed coating.

Treat the chair and ottoman as one seating zone when planning placement. Keep the footrest clear of the route between the sofa and the rest of the room, or fold it away between reading sessions.

This option is also suited to a smaller living room where a large fixed chair may be hard to place. Measure the chair’s intended location and make sure you can reach the pocket without pushing the seat into a walkway.

Choose it for a flexible reading corner with a foldable footrest and side storage. If you prefer a more traditional upholstered armchair, compare the Howjoe or choairy options below.

2

Tiita Lazy Chair with Ottoman: Best for a headrest and footrest

9.7/10Our score

• Foldable ottoman
• Headrest
• Side pocket
• 28.5 x 25.5 x 37.4 in

A headrest, side pocket and foldable footrest suit a reading spot where you want essentials close by. Its stated dimensions help with a first fit check.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Headrest and armrests
• Footrest folds for storage
• Cushion can be hand-washed or machine-washed

Cons

• Ottoman adds to the occupied floor area
• The stated dimensions should be checked against the room

The Tiita Lazy Chair with Ottoman adds a headrest and armrests to a compact lounge style. The chair’s stated dimensions are 28.5 x 25.5 x 37.4 in, and its side pocket can hold reading materials or a phone.

Its footrest folds for storage and can also serve as an extra stool, according to Tiita. The seat cushion can be hand-washed or machine-washed, then fluffed and reinstalled once fully dry.

This chair fits a reading spot where you want your head supported and the ottoman available when you sit down. Check the total seating area before buying, since the footrest needs clear floor space when in use.

Tiita describes the frame as rust-proof pipe steel and gives a 400 lb capacity. As with any chair, compare the measurements to the actual space between your sofa, table and walls before deciding.

Choose it for a headrest and foldable footrest in a defined corner. For a different chair-and-footrest combination, read our guide to the best reading chair with ottoman.

3

SESHINELL Modern Lazy Chair with Ottoman Lounge: Best for a removable cover

9.6/10Our score

• Removable cover
• Ottoman included
• Metal frame
• 25.5 x 28.5 x 37.4 in

This dark grey lounge chair pairs an ottoman with a removable cover. It can suit a reading nook that needs a soft padded seat and easy room-to-room movement.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Removable cover
• Ottoman included
• Lightweight design

Cons

• Ottoman takes additional floor space
• Measure the full seating area before choosing

The SESHINELL Modern Lazy Chair with Ottoman Lounge suits readers who want a removable cover as part of the seat setup. Its padded chair includes an ottoman and has a metal frame with non-slip foot caps.

The chair measures 25.5 x 28.5 x 37.4 in, which gives you a useful starting point for planning a smaller nook. SESHINELL describes it as lightweight and says the cover can be removed for cleaning.

Place the ottoman where it supports your legs without blocking a passage or the nearest table. If the reading space also serves as a family seating area, keep the footrest easy to move or put away.

The chair is dark grey and has a solid back. Its removable cover distinguishes it from the foldable Welnow and Tiita chairs, while the included ottoman offers a similar way to rest your feet.

Choose it if a removable cover matters and you want an ottoman included. For a chair intended for a separate room, compare our picks for the best reading chair for bedroom.

4

Howjoe Accent Chair for Living Room: Best for a roomy everyday armchair

9.5/10Our score

• 38.58 in wide
• Chenille upholstery
• Rounded arms
• 400 lb capacity

A broad upholstered armchair offers a more conventional living room seat than a foldable lounge chair. Its 38.58 in width calls for a deliberate placement plan.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Wide armchair profile
• Chenille upholstery
• Foam padding in the seat, back and arms

Cons

• Wide footprint can crowd a narrow walkway
• Weighs 55.7 lb

The Howjoe Accent Chair is the broadest conventional armchair in this group, with a stated width of 38.58 in. Its beige chenille upholstery, arched backrest and curved arms give it a familiar living room profile.

The chair has a 20.5 x 20.5 in seat and high-density foam padding in the seat, backrest and arms. Howjoe gives a 400 lb capacity and describes its frame as wood and iron.

Measure the space beside your sofa before choosing it. A roomy chair can be comfortable to settle into, but its width may crowd a narrow route or leave too little space for a side table.

This is a fixed armchair rather than a foldable lounge seat, so it makes sense when the reading spot can stay in place. The beige color also gives you a neutral option among the darker grey, teal and green picks.

Choose it for a roomy everyday armchair when you have enough width to place it comfortably. If your living room has limited floor space, compare its footprint with the smaller choairy chair.

5

Chorlenimi 66" Chaise Lounge Chair Indoor: Best for stretching out

9.5/10Our score

• 66.5 in deep
• Three pillows
• Corduroy upholstery
• No assembly required

This oversized chaise gives you room to stretch out for reading or lounging. Its depth and width make it a better fit for an open area than a small living room corner.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Long chaise seating area
• Three pillows included
• No assembly required

Cons

• Large 66.5 x 50 in footprint
• Needs clear space around the seat

The Chorlenimi 66 in Chaise Lounge Chair suits a living room where reading sometimes turns into stretching out or taking a nap. It measures 66.5 x 50 in, so it needs substantially more floor area than a single armchair.

The dark grey chaise is upholstered in corduroy and comes with three pillows. Chorlenimi describes its filling as high-density resilient foam and says no assembly is required.

Plan the chaise’s full footprint before making room for it. Check whether it will interfere with a coffee table, door swing or main route through the living room, and leave room to reach the pillows.

This seat makes most sense when the room has an open corner or a separate lounging zone. If guests also need an overnight option, compare best sleeper chairs for small spaces before choosing a large chaise.

Choose it for stretching out when a broad lounging area works in your layout. It is less suited to a narrow corner that needs to stay clear for everyday traffic.

6

Sweetcrispy Saucer Chairs: Best for folding away

9.4/10Our score

• Folds flat
• Faux fur and cotton filling
• Metal frame
• Supports up to 300 lb

A foldable saucer chair can serve as an occasional reading seat, then fold down for storage. Its armless shape differs from a traditional living room armchair.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Folds flat for storage
• No tools needed to set up
• Metal frame with anti-slip feet

Cons

• Armless shape offers a different sitting position
• Supports up to 300 lb

The Sweetcrispy Saucer Chair is an occasional reading seat that folds flat for storage. Its faux fur and cotton filling make it visually different from the upholstered armchairs, and its armless shape can suit a casual corner.

The chair measures 25.5 x 35.7 x 32.2 in and has a metal frame with anti-slip feet. Sweetcrispy gives a 300 lb capacity and says the chair opens without tools.

Because this is a foldable seat, you can put it away when the living room needs more open floor. Check that you have a suitable closet or under-bed space for storage before counting on that flexibility.

The saucer shape is less formal than the Howjoe or choairy armchairs. It may suit a relaxed family room or a spot that also serves as occasional extra seating.

Choose it for a casual seat you can fold away after reading. For a living room that needs a more traditional chair with arms and a back, consider one of the upholstered options.

7

YUUIJOAA Swivel Accent Barrel Chair Set: Best for a pair of swivel seats

9.3/10Our score

• Set of 2 chairs
• 360-degree swivel
• Velvet upholstery
• 28.7 x 27.5 x 30 in

The two-chair set suits a living room that needs a pair of seats with swivel movement. Plan for both chairs and clearance to turn.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Two chairs in the set
• 360-degree swivel movement
• Velvet upholstery

Cons

• Two seats need more floor area than one
• Assembly required

The YUUIJOAA Swivel Accent Barrel Chair Set includes 2 chairs that rotate 360 degrees. The pair can help create a conversation area, but both seats need enough room to turn without hitting a table or another chair.

Each chair measures 28.7 x 27.5 x 30 in and has velvet upholstery. YUUIJOAA describes the style as a blend of modern and mid-century elements and gives a 300 lb capacity.

Consider whether you need a pair of seats before choosing this set. Two swiveling chairs can create a balanced layout around a coffee table, but they occupy more of the shared room than a single reading chair.

The swivel movement is useful when people may turn between conversation and another focus in the room. Leave clearance around the base and check that the chairs won’t interfere with walkways.

Choose this set for two swivel seats in an open conversation area. For more layout advice, see Are Swivel Chairs Good for Living Rooms?.

8

choairy Accent Chair for Living Room: Best for a side-pocket armchair

9.2/10Our score

• Teal green upholstery
• Side pockets
• 5.7 in thick seat
• 350 lb capacity

This mid-century style armchair combines a padded seat with side pockets for reading essentials. Its footprint is smaller than the wide Howjoe chair.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Side pockets for magazines or other items
• Wood frame and plastic legs
• Rubber pads help protect floors

Cons

• Assembly required
• Supports up to 350 lb

The choairy Accent Chair is a mid-century style armchair with side pockets for magazines or other small items. Its teal green fabric, tapered legs and clean lines offer a color accent without the large footprint of the Howjoe.

It measures 30.7 x 29.1 x 34.1 in and has a 5.7 in foam-padded seat. The chair has a wood frame, plastic legs and rubber pads at the bottom of the legs to help protect floors.

Use the side pockets for what you reach for while reading, then place a small table nearby if you also want a spot for a drink. Assembly is required, and choairy gives a 350 lb maximum load capacity.

This chair is a good middle ground if you want a traditional armchair but need to keep the footprint more contained. Its teal color is also a more noticeable choice than the neutral beige and dark grey seats.

Choose it for a side-pocket armchair with a smaller footprint than the Howjoe. If you are comparing colors for another room, our best grey accent chair bedroom guide covers a different setting.

9

Landassy Home Luxury Oversized Accent Reading Chair: Best for a wide cushioned seat

8.2/10Our score

• 32 in seat width
• Two armrest pillows
• Chenille upholstery
• 115-degree angled back

A 32 in seat and two armrest pillows make this a generous choice for relaxed reading. Allow for its 40.9 in width when planning around sofas and walkways.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Wide seat
• Two armrest pillows
• Tool-free assembly

Cons

• Wide footprint needs careful placement
• Weighs 58 lb

The Landassy Home Luxury Oversized Accent Reading Chair has a 32 in wide seat and two armrest pillows. Its green chenille upholstery and tufted back give it a more decorative look than the simpler lounge chairs.

The chair measures 30.1 x 40.9 x 36.6 in, so its width needs careful placement. Landassy Home describes the backrest as angled at 115 degrees and the filling as high-resilience foam.

The solid wood legs leave 5.4 in of clearance underneath, which can help a robot vacuum pass below. The chair also has a 6.7 in seat cushion, but the full width may be a challenge beside a narrow sofa or table.

Choose this chair for a reading area where you want a generous seat and can keep enough floor space around it. It is less practical when the main goal is to preserve a clear walkway or fit another seat nearby.

Choose it for a wide cushioned seat with armrest pillows. Compare the stated dimensions with your planned space before settling on the room arrangement.

How should you fit a reading chair into a shared living room?

A reading chair fits best when its footprint leaves the main route through the room open. Start with the chair, then account for its ottoman, swivel range and the space needed to sit down.

Measure the chair’s width and depth, then mark the floor with painter’s tape. Include the ottoman in its open position or the full space needed to rotate a swivel chair.

Keep the chair close enough to a side table or lamp for reading essentials, but leave room to walk between it and the sofa. A chair placed too close to a wall may also feel awkward if its arms or back need extra clearance.

If the living room already has several seats, consider how many people use them at once. A single accent chair can add a reading spot without making the room feel like a second sofa arrangement.

Which reading chair works for a small living room?

A compact armchair or foldable seat is usually easier to fit in a small living room than a chaise or two-chair set. Check measurements and walking space before choosing by appearance.

The SESHINELL is one of the narrower stated options and includes an ottoman. The Sweetcrispy folds flat for storage, while the choairy chair has a more traditional armchair shape with side pockets.

An ottoman still occupies floor space while in use, so it may need to be folded or moved between reading sessions. A saucer chair can be stored away, but its casual shape may not suit every shared seating area.

For a small room that may need guest sleeping space, a sleeper chair has a different job from a reading chair. Compare best sleeper chairs for small spaces if that extra use is part of your plan.

Should a living room reading chair have an ottoman?

An ottoman is useful when you want to put your feet up, but it adds another piece to the room’s footprint. Foldable footrests offer a way to reclaim space after reading.

The Welnow, Tiita and SESHINELL each include an ottoman. Compare how the chair and footrest sit together, and check whether the footrest can tuck away without blocking access to a table or walkway.

If you rarely use a footrest, a fixed armchair such as the Howjoe or choairy may leave more room for another piece of furniture. If foot support is a priority, see our best reading chair with ottoman guide for more options.

Do swivel chairs work for reading in a living room?

A swivel chair can work well when the reader may turn between a window, conversation area or television. Make sure the chair has enough room to rotate freely.

The YUUIJOAA set has two swivel chairs, so plan for each chair’s turning area as well as its footprint. A nearby coffee table or sofa arm can limit movement if the chairs are placed too close.

A stationary chair may be simpler if you want a quiet reading corner that stays in one position. For more detail on the tradeoffs, read Are Swivel Chairs Good for Living Rooms?.

Which reading chair should you choose for a living room?

Choose a chair by the space and seating job: Howjoe for a broad fixed armchair, Welnow for a foldable footrest and pocket, or Chorlenimi for a chaise that lets you stretch out. The right reading chair for living room use should fit your layout when it is occupied, with its ottoman open or swivel seat turned.

If the living room is only one possible reading spot, compare the best reading chair for office picks for a work area. Measure first, then choose the seat that leaves the room easy to share.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for a flexible reading corner

   Welnow Lazy Chair with Ottoman

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for a headrest and footrest

   Tiita Lazy Chair with Ottoman

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for a removable cover

   SESHINELL Modern Lazy Chair with Ottoman Lounge

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What kind of chair works best for reading in a living room?

A chair with a back and arms can give you a defined place to read while fitting a shared seating plan. Choose by the space around it: a compact armchair for a corner, a foldable chair for occasional use, or a chaise when you have room to stretch out.

Check the full footprint, including any ottoman.

How much space should I leave around a living room reading chair?

Measure the chair and any footrest in the position you plan to use them, then check that nearby walkways and doors stay clear. A chaise or a pair of swivel chairs needs more open floor space than one compact seat.

Mark the footprint with tape before moving furniture.

Is an ottoman useful with a reading chair?

An ottoman gives you a place to rest your feet, but it adds to the seating area's footprint. Foldable footrests can be stored when you need the floor space back.

Compare reading chairs with ottomans if foot support is a priority.

Can a swivel chair work in a shared living room?

A swivel chair can turn toward conversation, a window or a television without moving its base. Leave enough clearance for the seat to rotate, and make sure its position does not block a route through the room.

See how swivel chairs work in living rooms for more layout guidance.