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23 Types of Reading Chairs (Ultimate Buying Guide)

Modern cubic club chair, upholstered in grey, over a brushed metal frame

Today we bring you our comprehensive guide for anyone in the market for purchasing a new reading chair.

We have collected an extensive array of reading chairs of every major type and style, to provide examples at the height of their respective designs.

Our , is a modern cubic club chair, upholstered in grey, over a brushed metal frame.

Read on, as we break down the varied possibilities available by major categories: club chair, recliner, accent chair, rocking chair, and chaise lounge.

Within each of these broad categories, we feature exquisite examples of the varied styles, designs, shapes, and textures you’ll come across when looking to purchase your own new reading chair. Follow along as we illuminate this wildly varied corner of the furniture world!

Club Chair

Club chairs are perhaps the most classic and venerable design. A thickly upholstered chair with a relatively compact frame, these were named for their ubiquity in clubs. We’ve selected a handful of examples, highlighting the available variety.

1. Modern Leather

Our first club chair is a modern styled model in dark leather. The simple, clean lines of this design evoke a timeless appeal.

Our first club chair is a modern styled model in dark leather. The simple, clean lines of this design evoke a timeless appeal.

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2. Traditional Floral

In this more traditional model, with a curved back and cloth upholstery, we see how a floral pattern and bright colors can dramatically change the character.

In this more traditional model, with a curved back and cloth upholstery, we see how a floral pattern and bright colors can dramatically change the character.

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3. Contemporary Leather

Contemporary style, evoking a sense of the now, with up to date, innovative touches, makes a nice pairing with club chairs. Our example features button tufted black leather in a cubic design.

Contemporary style, evoking a sense of the now, with up to date, innovative touches, makes a nice pairing with club chairs. Our example features button tufted black leather in a cubic design.

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4. Swivel Design

For a more extreme variation on the club chair, we bring you this swivel design, metal frame model with button tufted cushioning.

For a more extreme variation on the club chair, we bring you this swivel design, metal frame model with button tufted cushioning.

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Recliner

The recliner has become a staple in living rooms worldwide for its unparalleled comfort and versatility. Often equipped with swivel functions, in addition to allowing the user to lay back with leg support, these chairs are the ultimate in relaxation. Read on for a set of example models showcasing some of the distinct types of recliners you will come across.

5. Standard Lever Action

The most common recliners you’ll encounter involve a large sturdy base and a hand-pulled lever on the side which activates the reclining function. Our example features plush dark leather padding on the back and armrests.

The most common recliners you'll encounter involve a large sturdy base and a hand-pulled lever on the side which activates the reclining function. Our example features plush dark leather padding on the back and armrests.

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6. Swivel

A popular option for recliners is the swivel base construction, allowing the chair to be rotated and aimed in any direction the seater prefers.

A popular option for recliners is the swivel base construction, allowing the chair to be rotated and aimed in any direction the seater prefers.

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7. Massage

One of the more innovative functions that have been crafted into the recliner design is the ability to massage. This massage chair boast thoroughly modern design and the ability to lay completely horizontal.

One of the more innovative functions that have been crafted into the recliner design is the ability to massage. This massage chair boast thoroughly modern design and the ability to lay completely horizontal.

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8. With Ottoman

Certain recliner designs replace the built-in foot rest with a full matching ottoman. Our swivel mounted example here features plush leather upholstery over a rich wood frame.

Certain recliner designs replace the built-in foot rest with a full matching ottoman. Our swivel mounted example here features plush leather upholstery over a rich wood frame.

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9. Power Recliner

The power recliner replaces the hand cranked action of standard models with a built-in engine for raising and lowering the chair electronically. This model features a remote control function.

The power recliner replaces the hand cranked action of standard models with a built-in engine for raising and lowering the chair electronically. This model features a remote control function.

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Accent

An accent chair is meant to stand out in the room. With a design purposely separate from the surrounding furniture, it should be striking, unique, and memorable. With a range of shapes and styles to choose from, we bring you standout examples. See our collection of accent chairs under $100 here.

10. Parson

First created in the 1930’s, the original design sought to retain function and comfort while removing excess ornamentation that tended to dominate the furniture designs of the time. The end result is a simple chair with clean lines that would fit nicely into just about any area of the home.

First created in the 1930’s, the original design sought to retain function and comfort while removing excess ornamentation that tended to dominate the furniture designs of the time. The end result is a simple chair with clean lines that would fit nicely into just about any area of the home.

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11. Slipper

The slipper design features an upholstered seat and back over wooden frame, with a deep cloth covering continuing downward from the seat itself. This specific design is a bright, simple creation with grey zig-zag pattern over dark wood legs.

The slipper design features an upholstered seat and back over wooden frame, with a deep cloth covering continuing downward from the seat itself. This specific design is a bright, simple creation with grey zig-zag pattern over dark wood legs.

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12. Lounge

A notable type of accent chair is the venerable lounge model, boasting a reclined, relaxed shape as its signature element. Our featured example is a contemporary tufted leather upholstered, curved wood model with matching ottoman.

A notable type of accent chair is the venerable lounge model, boasting a reclined, relaxed shape as its signature element. Our featured example is a contemporary tufted leather upholstered, curved wood model with matching ottoman.

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13. Egg Chair

Here we have one of the most unique chair types you’re likely to come across: the egg chair. The original model was designed in Denmark in the 1950’s, while this descendant has found a resurgent popularity after being featured in major films in recent years.

Here we have one of the most unique chair types you're likely to come across: the egg chair. The original model was designed in Denmark in the 1950's, while this descendant has found a resurgent popularity after being featured in major films in recent years.

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14. Barrel

The barrel chair takes its name from the barrel-like shape formed by the back and sides. These can be upholstered in cloth, leather, or synthetics, and are often found in bold colors.

The barrel chair takes its name from the barrel-like shape formed by the back and sides. These can be upholstered in cloth, leather, or synthetics, and are often found in bold colors.

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15. Papasan

Papasan chairs all feature a distinct bowl-shape seating situation. Some models sit a large circular “dish” into a frame, while our modern featured example sits a leather upholstered bowl onto a striking metal frame.

Papasan chairs all feature a distinct bowl-shape seating situation. Some models sit a large circular "dish" into a frame, while our modern featured example sits a leather upholstered bowl onto a striking metal frame.

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Rocking

Rocking chairs are some of the most old fashioned yet timeless chairs existing today. These come in a variety of guises, from bare wooden models to large plush recliners, but with this segment we focus on the more traditional examples.

16. Traditional

Traditional rocking chairs feature a solid wooden frame with arms and  carved detail. Our example boasts a filigreed carving in the main back piece.

Traditional rocking chairs feature a solid wooden frame with arms and carved detail. Our example boasts a filigreed carving in the main back piece.

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17. Wicker

Wicker, also known as rattan, is a woven product made from plant material or resin, used on strong, weather resistant patio furniture most often. Our wicker rocking chair in dark brown features a solid wood base.

Wicker, also known as rattan, is a woven product made from plant material or resin, used on strong, weather resistant patio furniture most often. Our wicker rocking chair in dark brown features a solid wood base.

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18. Upholstered

While most rocking chairs feature a simple, direct design with a wooden frame and bare seat, there are a multitude of upholstered models to choose from. We have shared an armless contemporary example here, with button tufted plush back.

While most rocking chairs feature a simple, direct design with a wooden frame and bare seat, there are a multitude of upholstered models to choose from. We have shared an armless contemporary example here, with button tufted plush back.

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19. Modern

Breaking free from the standard rocking chair design, we bring you a thoroughly modern example. This piece stands a white tufted leather seat over chromed metal frame, in a reclined shape.

Breaking free from the standard rocking chair design, we bring you a thoroughly modern example. This piece stands a white tufted leather seat over chromed metal frame, in a reclined shape.

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Chaise

The basic understanding of a chaise lounge is that it’s a chair with an elongated seat, for full reclining. There are, however, large differences in how this function is achieved. Let’s look at a few.

20. Armless

The armless variant of chaise lounge chairs is a minimalist affair, with a simple curved shape forming the frame below a full body cushioned area.

The armless variant of chaise lounge chairs is a minimalist affair, with a simple curved shape forming the frame below a full body cushioned area.

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21. One-Arm

The one-arm variation on the chaise lounge features, naturally, a single arm on one side of the seat. These are often set into corners or placed next to sofas or other pieces of furniture.

The one-arm variation on the chaise lounge features, naturally, a single arm on one side of the seat. These are often set into corners or placed next to sofas or other pieces of furniture.

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22. Two-Arm

This is a peculiar breed of chaise, with a generally sofa-like appearance, yet lacking the high, supportive back standard on that type of furniture. These encourage the same style of lounge seating as any other chaise.

This is a peculiar breed of chaise, with a generally sofa-like appearance, yet lacking the high, supportive back standard on that type of furniture. These encourage the same style of lounge seating as any other chaise.

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23. Patio

Patio ready chaise lounges tend to be built on a wood or wicker frame, with removable cushioning for storage when the weather doesn’t comply. They often have adjustable back heights and may include features like drink treys or cup holders.

Patio ready chaise lounges tend to be built on a wood or wicker frame, with removable cushioning for storage when the weather doesn't comply. They often have adjustable back heights and may include features like drink treys or cup holders.

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