Best Reading Chairs with Ottomans 2026: 7 Picks by Fit

The best reading chair with an ottoman for most people is the IKEA POÄNG armchair and ottoman set: it has a bent-birch frame that flexes slightly, a 300 lb rating from IKEA, and a 10-year warranty at a modest price. If you want a leather classic that lasts decades, the Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman remains the reference. The deciding factor is not looks but fit: seat depth, back height and the distance between your knees and the ottoman decide whether you can read for two hours without shifting.

Quick Comparison of 7 Reading Chairs with Ottomans

Dimensions are from the manufacturer or retailer pages named in this guide and are rounded. Prices vary by cover and retailer, so check current listings before ordering.

How to Choose a Reading Chair: The Four Measurements That Matter

Most “best reading chair” lists sort by style. For long sessions, these four numbers predict comfort better than any photo.

1. Seat height of 16 to 19 inches. Your feet should rest on the floor, or on the ottoman, with knees at about 90 to 110 degrees. The POÄNG seat is about 16.5 in., the Burrow Nomad 17 in. and the STRANDMON about 17.75 in.
2. Seat depth of 19 to 22 inches. Shorter people (under 5 ft 6 in.) do best at the low end, so their backs touch the cushion. The POÄNG seat is 19.6 in. deep and the Eames standard is 21.25 in.
3. Back height that reaches the shoulders or head. A back taller than 36 in. at the highest point lets you rest your neck during a long chapter. The POÄNG headrest suits people of average height, and reviewers around 5 ft 7 in. found it sits a little high.
4. Ottoman height within 2 inches of the seat. If the ottoman is much higher than the seat, your hamstrings lift off the cushion and you slide down. The POÄNG ottoman is 15 in. high against a 16.5 in. seat, which is a good match.

Best Overall: IKEA POÄNG Armchair and Ottoman

The POÄNG is the reading-chair default for a reason. The armchair is 26.75 in. wide, 32.25 in. deep and 39.4 in. high, with a seat 22 in. wide, 19.6 in. deep and 16.5 in. high. The frame is layer-glued bent birch veneer, which gives a gentle rocking spring, and IKEA rates the chair for 300 lb with a 10-year warranty. The ottoman measures 26.75 x 21.25 x 15.4 in. and its cover is removable and machine washable.

Who it suits: small apartments, students and anyone who wants a good-looking reading chair without a high spend. Main trade-off: reviewers say the cushion is thin and the headrest area suits taller sitters. Adding a thin lumbar pillow fixes both complaints for most people.

• Pros: washable covers, bouncy frame, small footprint, easy to buy a replacement cushion.
• Cons: the spring-like movement is not for everyone, and the cushion firms up quickly with use.

Best for Head Support: IKEA STRANDMON Wing Chair with Footstool

The STRANDMON is a classic wing chair, 32.25 in. wide, 37.75 in. deep and 39.75 in. high. The wings stop your head from lolling in a long session, and the high back suits a 6 ft 1 in. reader. The footstool is sold separately: it is about 60 cm wide, 40 cm deep and 44 cm high (roughly 23.6 x 15.75 x 17.4 in.), and a storage version is available. A two-piece model opens for storage.

Who it suits: tall readers and anyone who wants to nap in the chair. Main trade-off: one reviewer found the seat too deep and high for her feet to reach the floor, and the cover is not removable. Shorter readers should plan on the footstool plus a back cushion.

Best Modular Style: Burrow Nomad Armchair and Ottoman

Burrow’s Nomad armchair is 36 in. wide, 36 in. deep and 35 in. high, with a 17 in. seat height and 25 in. arm height. The ottoman is 26 in. wide and 17 in. high, and the chair includes a built-in USB charger. One reviewer who tried it concluded the upright seat suits reading and conversation more than melting into a nap, and gave it a higher score for support than for pure softness.

Who it suits: people who want a modern look and a power outlet for an e-reader or lamp. Main trade-off: it is a firm, structured seat, so lounge-style sitters will want a throw pillow.

Best Premium Icon: Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman

The genuine Eames Lounge Chair is 33.5 in. wide, 35 in. deep and 31.5 in. high in the standard size, with a seat depth near 21.25 in.; the tall version is 33.25 in. high and 37.75 in. deep. The ottoman is 26 in. wide, 20.75 in. deep and 17.25 in. high. Herman Miller rates the chair at 300 lb and warrants it for 5 years, and notes that it does not recline. Eames Office says it is custom made and non-returnable. Forbes Vetted named it its best splurge reading chair, though another roundup scored it below the Seymour chair and footstool on pure comfort.

Who it suits: buyers who treat a chair as a 20-year purchase. Main trade-off: the footprint with the ottoman is about 34 in. deep for the chair plus the ottoman’s depth, so measure a nook before buying. Be wary of replica sellers: retailer blogs that rank replicas first have a commercial interest, and a seat shell with fewer than 7 plies is reported to flex and creak.

Best Recliner for Reading: West Elm Harris Leather Power Recliner

Forbes Vetted picked the Harris as its best recliner reading chair. It measures 31.5 in. wide, 37.5 in. deep and 39 in. high, has a built-in USB port, and offers a power-adjusted footrest instead of a loose ottoman. This is the right answer if you read with your legs fully raised or if getting up from a low chair is hard.

Who it suits: back-friendly readers and people who read for hours. Main trade-off: the footrest is built in, so you cannot swap or move it, and a power recliner needs an outlet within reach.

Best Traditional Set: Steelside Akeem Chair and Ottoman

The Akeem is a solid-wood and faux-leather club chair, about 29.5 in. wide, 33.5 in. deep and 37 in. high, sold with a matching ottoman. Its lower profile suits a bedroom corner or a small den. The listing is older, so confirm that the colour and cover you want are still stocked.

Who it suits: buyers who want a library-style look and a matched set in one box. Main trade-off: faux leather can crack after years of sun and friction, so keep it out of direct window light.

Best Budget Chair: Christopher Knight Home Harrison Tufted Club Chair

This tufted club chair is about 28 in. wide, 29.5 in. deep and 33.5 in. high. The ottoman is not included, so pair it with a footstool of 16 to 18 in. in height. At roughly 29.5 in. deep, it suits small rooms better than deep-seated lounge chairs.

Who it suits: tight budgets and bedroom corners. Main trade-off: the 33.5 in. back height is low, so tall readers lose neck support.

Decision Matrix: Match the Chair to Your Situation

Worked Example: Fitting a Chair and Ottoman in a 6 x 8 ft Nook

A 6 x 8 ft (72 x 96 in.) nook leaves little space once you subtract a 12 in. side table and 18 in. of walking room. Take the POÄNG: the chair is 32.25 in. deep and the ottoman 21.25 in., so end to end with the ottoman pulled up they need about 53 in. of depth, plus 6 in. of gap, or 59 in. in total. That leaves 37 in. of the 96 in. length for a bookshelf and walkway. Now take the Eames with its 35 in. chair depth and 20.75 in. ottoman: about 56 in. plus a 6 in. gap equals 62 in., a 3 in. difference. Reclining models need more: add 20 to 30 in. behind them for the back to tilt without hitting the wall.

Lighting and Posture Tips That Change How You Read

• Light placement: put a lamp behind your shoulder on the side opposite your dominant hand to avoid shadows, at a bulb level of about 800 lumens (a 60 W equivalent).
• Book height: prop the book on a pillow so the page is about 12 to 16 in. from your eyes, which keeps your neck neutral.
• Ottoman use: raise your feet no higher than hip level. A higher ottoman can push the hips back and strain the lower back during long sessions.
• Breaks: stand up every 45 to 60 minutes. This is general comfort advice, not medical guidance, so speak with a professional if you have back pain.

Upholstery and Fill: Fabric, Leather or Faux Leather?

The covering changes how a chair feels at hour two. Woven fabric, as on the POÄNG and STRANDMON, breathes and stays at room temperature, which suits warm rooms and long sessions. Genuine leather, as on the Eames and the Harris, warms to body heat and develops a patina, but it costs more and needs an occasional conditioner. Faux leather, as on the Akeem, is easy to wipe and cheaper, yet it is the covering most likely to flake after 4 to 6 years. If you share the chair with pets, tight-weave fabric or leather resists claws better than loose weaves or tufted velvet.

Fill matters as well. Polyurethane foam of a higher density keeps its shape longer than low-density foam, and a wrap of polyester fibre adds a soft top layer. When a listing does not state foam density, assume mid-range and plan on a replacement cushion or a topper after a few years.

Ottoman Types: Which One Suits Your Reading Habit?

• Matched ottoman (POÄNG, Eames, Burrow, Akeem): the same height and depth as the chair, designed to sit with the seat. Best for readers who raise their feet for an hour or more.
• Storage footstool (STRANDMON storage version): the lid lifts to hold a throw and two or three books. Look for a lid that stays flat under 200 lb of load.
• Built-in footrest (West Elm Harris): never in the way, but you cannot move it, and your feet are always raised to the same angle.
• Loose pouf or stool: the cheapest fix for a chair without an ottoman. Pick 16 to 18 in. in height and at least 20 in. in width so both heels can rest.

Small-Space Rules of Thumb

If the nook is less than 36 in. wide, choose a chair under 30 in. in width, which narrows the field to the POÄNG, the Akeem and the Harrison. If the room has a window seat or low shelf behind the chair, check that the back height does not collide with the sill; a 39 in. chair against a 36 in. sill leaves the head resting on glass. Light-coloured covers make a small room feel larger, while a dark leather finish absorbs light and is best near a window.

Finally, treat the ottoman as part of the layout. It moves in and out of position, so allow a 30 in. circle around the chair for it to swing. A footstool that slides under a side table when you are not using it saves floor space in rooms under 120 square feet.

Durability and Ownership Realities

• What wears first: seat foam compresses first, usually within 3 to 5 years of daily use; leather arm tops and ottoman tops follow.
• Covers: washable covers, such as the POÄNG ottoman cover, extend life; fixed covers like the STRANDMON’s cannot be laundered, so use a throw.
• Wood frames: keep them 6 to 12 in. away from radiators, because dry heat opens glue joints in bent-birch frames.
• Common mistakes: buying the chair without checking the ottoman height, and choosing deep lounge seats for short users.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall should an ottoman be for a reading chair?

Aim for an ottoman within about 2 in. of the seat height, which is 14 to 19 in. for most chairs. The POÄNG pairs a 16.5 in. seat with a 15 in. ottoman, which keeps the thighs level.

Is a recliner better than a chair with an ottoman for reading?

A recliner is better if you want to read with your legs fully raised or have trouble standing from a low seat. A chair and ottoman gives you more freedom to move the footrest and tends to look better in a small room.

What seat depth is best for reading?

Choose 19 to 22 in. if you are 5 ft 6 in. or taller and 18 to 19 in. if you are shorter. A seat that is too deep forces you to sit forward without back support.

Are Eames replicas worth buying?

Some are well made, but quality varies. Look for stated ply counts, a stated weight rating and a warranty length, and be sceptical of retailer blogs that rank their own replicas first.

Can I use any footstool with a chair that has no ottoman?

Yes, if the footstool is 16 to 18 in. high and about as wide as the chair seat. A storage ottoman doubles as a place for blankets, which is useful in a small room.

How much space should be left around a chair and ottoman?

Keep at least 24 in. of open floor in front for walking, and 6 to 12 in. of clearance behind a rocking or reclining model. Allow an extra 20 to 30 in. behind a full recliner.

Bottom Line

Start with the POÄNG if you want one proven set at a sensible price, choose the STRANDMON with a footstool for head support, and spend on the Eames or the Harris recliner only if you will read in the chair daily for years.