It’s rare enough that the average working person has time to read for pleasure, and arguably even more rare that people voluntarily read hard-copy, paper books instead off reading off of some electronic screen. That’s why it’s important to even then be sitting on a first-rate ergonomic office chair.
That’s why we believe you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing reading chairs. Whether you keep it in your office, bedroom, living room, guest room, or anywhere else – and even if you don’t technically read in it, that’s okay too – you should make yourself aware of some of the best reading chairs of 2018 (in no particular order, of course). Read on to get an overview, and don’t forget to let us know which of these luxurious reading chairs you’d like to have in your home!
Saarinen Womb Chair Reproduction
Image from: Womb Chair & Ottoman Replica
Don’t let the name put you off! This startlingly cozy, mid-century modern reading chair is carefully constructed from polyester, CAFR grade foam, stainless steel, and molded fiberglass. Sold by North American modern furniture country Emfurn, the chair is designed to replicate the original womb chair that was designed by groundbreaking Finnish furniture designer and architect Eero Saarinen, student of Charles and Ray Eames.
Working with the Knoll furniture company in the 1940’s, who are believed to be at the head of the mid-century modern furniture movement, Saarinen was asked by Florence Knoll to design and build a chair that would feel like “a great big basket of pillows that I can curl up in.” This chair is an uber-faithful reproduction of that original womb chair, and even if it can’t be confirmed whether it’s a true reproduction of the actual human womb, it will make the best place to curl up and get comfortable. You can explore the variety of color options and make the purchase from Emfurn.com for $1,250.00 to get a feel of the luxury wool upholstery and high-density foam yourself! Best of all, the purchase comes with a matching ottoman!
This is the chair that began the “egg chair” trend. You can look all over the Internet and in every modern furniture store to find an imitation egg chair, but the Arne Jacobsen design is nearly sixty years old and hasn’t disappointed us yet. This iconic egg chair comes in dozens of different colors and finishes. Jacobsen first crafted a model out of this chair out of clay, like a true artist. Eventually, the strong foam shape came to life!
This chair first hit the seen in the Royal Hotel of Copenhagen, providing a soft yet effective contrast to the sharp, oblique designs of the Hotel. Prices range from $7,339.00 to $18,548.00, depending on the material and automatic features. It goes without saying that this chair is definitely an investment – especially if you want to drop some extra cash on picking up the extra footstool. But hey, nobody ever said fashion was free.
Restoration Hardware Aviator Chair
This chair was inspired by the World War II fighter planes. The low back with raised arms is ideal for curling up with a good book (and with the rugged, industrial look, this chair is perfect for reading neo-futuristic steampunk fanfiction). The Aviator chair comes in a variety of colors, and you can rest assured the supple leather is as soft and comforting as those authentic bomber jackets. This chair might even inspire you to start redesigning your entire home in this industrial, mixed-material theme! Prices range between $1,895.00 and $3,095.00 with a discount for Restoration Hardware club members.
Designed by Hans J. Wegner, who has been hailed as the “chair-maker of chair-makers,” the eye-catching Oculus chair get its name from the famous stitching and seam on the front that resembles an almond or an eye. This chair has a deep seat, sturdy base, a seat cushion made of down and foam, and a tall, rounded back to support your entire spine. With four different fabric options and a total of 20 different colors to choose from, the Oculus ranges from $3.990.00 to $6,275.00.
Designed by Mermelada Estudio, the Black Woven Leather Chair from CB2 is a multi-purpose chair perfect for reading and lounging. The neutral palette will suit any living room, parlor, even an indoor porch perfectly. This chair is short and broad for ultimate relaxation and comfort, and the genuine leather is expected to soften with age, so you can rest assured no two chairs are exactly alike. If you’re looking to really sink into a chair, grab a blanket and your favorite book and get ready for the best reading experience of your life. This is the closest thing to a budget item on this list, checking in at only $499.00!