If you like to unwind by reading interesting books, the type of reading chair you sit on is almost as important as the book your choose. Unfortunately, it is often very hard to find good reading chairs since few of the contemporary chairs that most designers make address the comfort and functionality needs of readers. Ideally, the best reading chair should be comfortable enough so that you can sit for long without much exertion. Such a chair should also be upright and stable enough to enable a reader to sit without slouching.
Top Features of a Good Chair For Reading
If you are looking for a great chair that you can sit on for hours without straining your back or feeling uncomfortable, look for a chair with the following features:
A Chair That is Upright
While some readers can sit on reclining chairs or chairs that have slanting backs without any problems, most ardent readers need a chair that offers good lower-back support. As such, if you read for more than a few minutes a day, choose an upright chair that does not incline too far forward or backward. However, you must also ensure that the chair you select is not too stiff since it will transfer most of your body weight to your tailbone and this will affect your comfort as well as your posture.
Has Good Padding and Great Design
Before you buy any chair that has padding, ensure that the type and quality of the foam used to create the padding is both durable and comfortable. Additionally, the padding should have a rounded edge at the front in order to improve circulation in your legs while you are reading. If you choose a chair whose padding has a horizontal cut at the front, you may not be able to read in comfort for long since such a chair will affect blood flow to the back of your legs and knees.
Has Very Comfortable Arm Rests
Firm armrests are a great feature of chairs used for reading since they support readers’ arms and ensure that a reader does not easily tire. However, while reading, your arms and hands should also be free to move around in order to lift books and turn pages. As such, while choosing a reading chair for reading, make sure that the width of the armrests provides enough room to accommodate arm movements. If you have to squeeze into a chair due to stiffness of armrests, then it is not suitable for reading purposes. If possible, select a chair that has adjustable armrests if you want to take tension and pressure off your neck, hands and arms while reading by changing the armrest width frequently.
Has a Comfortable Height
While you are reading, it is important for your body to be in alignment with the chair and floor if you want to attain a comfortable and healthy posture. In view of this, make sure that the reading chair you use for reading purposes is not too short or too tall since such a chair will either cause you to slouch and strain your back or lift your feet too far off the ground. Ideally, a good chair for reading should have a height that enables you to place your feet on the ground and ensures that your thighs are horizontal to the ground. Additionally, the height of such a chair should also enhance the stability of the chair to prevent accidents such as falls.
Conclusion
All in all, a reading chair that may be perfect for someone else may be uncomfortable for you. As such, it is important to select that chair that fits your needs. For instance, if you have young children and constantly have to deal with problems such as food and drink spills on your furniture, you can opt for a leather reading chair which is easier to clean that most chairs that have cloth fabrics.
