The 11 Most Comfortable Accent Chairs for Sitting Down With a Good Book

ProsRemovable, interchangeable slipcoverMade from eco-friendly, recycled materialsConsSupportive foam cushion may be too firm for someLimited fabric optionsThuma's Classic Lounge Chair is a smart pick for anyone who wants a comfortable reading spot that looks clean, intentional, and not overstuffed. It pairs a solid wood frame and softly rounded edges with ergonomic angles and a resilient multi-density foam seat cushion, so it feels supportive for longer periods of time, but may not be plush enough for those who want a true "sink-in" feel. Style-wise, you can tailor it to your space with three wood finishes (walnut, natural, and espresso) and interchangeable, removable slipcovers in ivory or carbon performance textured weave or mocha or oatmeal Italian wool felt. You can also opt to add a matching ottoman if you're a feet-up reader.Fabric MaterialsPerformance textured weave, Italian wool feltColorsIvory, carbon, mocha, oatmealDimensions29.25"H x 31.5"W x 33"DProsBeautifully handcraftedTop-quality designConsDoesn't have much back supportTakes 10-12 weeks to shipWe love the Citizenry for its handcrafted, high-quality pieces. Made in North Carolina, the Laurel chair has a round barrel design. The natural canvas of this option will blend seamlessly into any room, and you can even choose between maple and walnut wood. Either way, it'll last you for years to come. We like the supportive barrel shape for locked-in sitting, but the contrast between the wooden legs and the upholstery is the big visual draw.Fabric MaterialsCanvas, linen, velvet, plushColors16 optionsDimensions30"W x 29.3"D x 26.5"HAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSwivel abilityUnique shapeConsTakes up a lot of spaceMay be too firm for those who want something more plushThis West Elm swivel chair is roomy enough to sit cross-legged comfortably in for hours. With 360 degrees of swivel and a seat that's 33.8 inches deep, it's so inviting that you're bound to make it your reading nook. Choose from a variety of colors and fabrics, as well as add-on features like stain resistance and high durability.Fabric MaterialsLinen, basketweave, velvet, chenille, canvas, boucle, twillColors60 optionsDimensions40"W x 40.75"D x 27.5"HProsExtremely soft and comfortableFixed base and swivel optionsConsMost expensive option on this listShearling can mat and collect dust easilyNow this is a statement accent chair. It works nicely in a living room corner or bedroom where you'll appreciate its oversized, enveloping shape and plush, tailored look. What makes it unique is the combination of a sculptural, seamless silhouette with an ultra-soft shearling feel (it's also offered in boucle upholstery), plus the ability to choose either a fixed base or a swivel base, depending on how you use the space.Potential setbacks are the higher price, the extra care shearling can require (it can mat easily and isn't as forgiving with spills or pet hair), and its large footprint. Also note that while there is a matching ottoman for a full lounge setup, it's sold separately.Fabric MaterialsShearling, boucleColorsWhite, camel, mocha, bone, taupeDimensions34"H x 38"W x 34"DAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsNice cushioning on armrestsModern silhouette ConsOnly two upholstery optionsNo returnsThis low-profile lounge chair is perfect for people who like a more reclined posture rather than upright task seating. It takes inspiration from both Scandinavian mid-century design and Brazilian modernism and features exaggerated armrests, rounded wooden legs, and a low, enveloping seat. You can choose from white or beige bouclé upholstery and dark stained or natural oak for the frame. Note that there are no returns on oversized items, so make sure the chair will definitely work in your space before ordering.Fabric MaterialsBoucleColorsWhite, beigeDimensions26.8"H x 36.6"W x 30.3"DProsCan smoothly recline backrests and elevate footrestsNot too bulky for a reclinerConsPriceyNeed to plug in to an electrical outlet to reclineIf you do want a large leather recliner, go with Arhaus's Rowland chair. It's generously sized with sink-in cushions and relaxed edges, yet the tailored silhouette and high back keep it from being a giant, bulky man-cave throne. You can park yourself here for a while and stay comfortable thanks to the chair's solid head and upper back support and easy, smooth recline—two-button motion controls let you kick up the footrest and dial in your lounging angle without wrestling a lever.Under the hood, it's built with a solid, reinforced hardwood frame, no-sag springs, and a cozy mix of dense foam plus down/feather padding in the seat, with supportive foam/poly fiber in the back. Note that it's power-reclining, so you'll need to plug into an outlet (it comes with a 10.5' cord), and you'll want about 12" of clearance behind it to fully recline. Also, it's an investment piece, so make sure to order leather swatches first to make sure the color is exactly right.Fabric MaterialsLeatherColorsWalnut, graphite, camel, taupeDimensions39"H x 45"W x 44"DAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsDeep, sink-in seatEasy to clean performance fabricConsSeat is a bit low for taller peopleMay be too plush for those who want a more supportive chairThis oversized reading chair is relaxed yet polished; it's large and low-slung with a clean, modern silhouette, plush cushions, and warm wood legs (natural or walnut). You can choose between cream or gray performance fabric, which beads up liquids so you can easily clean it in case of a spill. Its loungey, sink-in build is great for reading—the pocket-spring seat is topped with foam/fiber and feather fill so it feels more like a sofa than a stiff accent chair.Note that the seat height is on the lower side, which can feel a bit too low for taller people or anyone who wants an easier in-and-out perch, and the super-plush, relaxed feel can be a little too soft if you need firmer back support or a more upright reading posture.Fabric MaterialsLinen-viscose-polyester blendColorsCream, grayDimensions32.1"H x 44.1"W x 45.7"DProsReclines without looking like a reclinerSupportive, high-density foam filling in seatConsFew fabric/color optionsSeat may be too firm for someArticle's Ellow chair is a great stealth recliner for readers who want to kick back without turning their living room into a home-theater zone. It nails a mid-century-inspired look with clean lines and solid walnut legs while hiding a simple push-back recline with three angles, so it feels more like a stylish lounge chair than a bulky recliner. We like it for apartment dwellers and anyone building a reading corner; it's compact at just 28.5" wide, but still offers that lean-back comfort when you want to settle in.Customization is more limited than some of the other options here—your choices for upholstery are a gray or blue polyester-acrylic blend or tan leather (which jacks up the price quite a bit).Fabric MaterialsPolyester-acrylic blend, leatherColorsGray, blue, tanDimensions42.5"H x 28.5"W x 33.5"-67"DAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsVery affordableNice, modern silhouetteConsMay be too big for some spacesOnly available in three colors and one fabric optionThis bouclé accent chair is our favorite budget-friendly option, with the added convenience of being easy to order from Amazon. Design-wise, it leans modern and cozy: a contemporary, oversized silhouette wrapped in soft, breathable boucle, paired with a sleek black metal frame for a clean, minimalist contrast. It's a great pick for anyone who wants a soft, sink-in reading chair with an extra-wide seat and high-density foam cushioning. Note that the chair's larger footprint can overwhelm smaller spaces, and lighter boucle (especially cream) may take a bit more care to keep clean.Fabric MaterialsBoucleColorsCream, brown, grayDimensions32.2"H x 36.2"W x 31.1"DProsMany upholstery fabrics and colors to choose fromFull swivel abilityConsSlipcovers need occasional straightening and cleaningNot as modern-looking as other optionsThis slipcovered chair from Pottery Barn is a cozy, classic pick for those who want comfort on a swivel. It combines an elegant, slope-armed look with an easy, approachable slipcovered design, which makes it more approachable than a precious accent chair. It's especially good for family rooms, nurseries, and reading corners where you want something soft and welcoming, and where being able to refresh the look with different slipcover fabrics and colors is a big plus.Slipcovers do need some upkeep, since they can wrinkle, shift, and need occasional straightening and cleaning. The overall vibe of this chair is more traditional or coastal rather than modern, so it may not match a super sleek, contemporary space as easily as some of the other options here.Fabric MaterialsBasketweave, boucle, linen, velvet, chenilleColors57Dimensions34"H x 34"W x 33"DAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowConsSome colors sell out quicklySeat cushion is too firm for someAnother great reading chair for a living room, a bedroom corner, or a cozy office, AllModern's Tyndall chair looks inviting enough to turn a bit of reading into a midday nap. It has a wide, comfortable base, made even more open with those angled arms. The cushioning is firm, but not uncomfortably so. It has a good level of support for anyone whose back or joints ache when they sink into super-soft furniture. As a bonus for the messy, the fabric is stain resistant—and the cushions are reversible.Fabric MaterialsBasketweaveColorsBeige, mushroom, sky blueDimensions31"H x 41"W x 35"DWhat to Look For in a Reading ChairSizeSome of the best reading chairs are, let's face it, gigantic. Certainly not fitting into a tiny apartment, no matter how much reading gets done there. Also, big chairs, if they're not styled correctly, can make a room look overcrowded. So even if many of the decisions you make in choosing a reading chair are vibes-based, don't let size be one of them.DesignYour most comfortable reading position cannot be determined by us. You must know your preferences. Say, if you hate when you don't have enough neck support with a low-back chair, or you hate how high armrests make you feel constricted rather than hugged. Many readers also like to sprawl out or cross their legs—if that's you, get a seat wide enough to support it.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHow We PickedWhen you're an editor, you do a lot of reading—for work and for pleasure—and we know that chair preferences are deeply personal. Your preferences may even change depending on the time of day, how you're feeling, and even maybe what you're reading. With that in mind, we selected the styles that we've tried and loved, as well as the styles that others here at Esquire have tried and loved, including those that promise something new for the reading experience.Why Trust Us?As something that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing, reading chairs are right in our wheelhouse. We love a comfy chair that supports a lazy afternoon of lounging, but we also love an accent chair that makes a room look damn good, regardless (somewhat) of its performance.Plus, no one else tests as many furniture brands as we do. No one comes close to us in mattress testing. For luxury furniture—especially if you're a man in search of some direction—we are the only voice you need to listen to.More practically, we hit the showrooms and we talk with brands. We've tried a bunch of these chairs in our homes. We've got good taste, and we know what materials and constructions are made to last the longest. We are your on-call Internet interior decorators.