The “I” in the title of this post is from Emily as she was the one who pitched and did the initial research for this post. It all started with that little cutie green chair above from her best friend Robyn’s recently revealed living room. As most home projects go, the money-spending faucet was raging and all of them (Emily and her best friends) wanted to turn it way down. So when it was time to find a cozy chair for the reading corner, the term “affordable” when shopping was a priority. Now, the chair they chose was more in the $700 range which while not as expensive as it could have easily been, it also isn’t cheap. However, in Em’s (and my) search we found nine high-rated, very cute, cozy reading chairs that are all under $400. What each of us considers “affordable” is based on a lot of different factors but given the current market, we felt good about these and thought the pricing was fair (and for those slammin deals, there’s always vintage shopping but that can come with all sorts of cost variables if reupholstering is needed). Hope you’ve got your book and a hot drink handy because it’s time to get cozy…
This was an Emily find I loved as soon as I saw it. The shape is the perfect balance of curved and sleek and how cute are those rounded feet?! Those really make this chair look more expensive than it is. If the white fabric makes you nervous, this chair also comes in three darker colors. It’s just so versatile style-wise so 10/10 from us.
Another Em find and what a great one! For it to be oversized (love a roomy chair) at the price is awesome. The MCM-inspired design will add a lot of style to your room and if green isn’t your preference there are eight other colors to choose from.
This one I found on Wayfair and fell for the size and that wood base. So often the more “affordable” chairs have wood bases that don’t look…great. But from the looks of this photo and the customer one on the site, I’m impressed. This is another one that could be a style shapeshifter so it’s going to work in most homes. It also comes in 3 other more classically neutral colors.
This cutie was an Emily pick and another one with a pretty wood base! I would call this look “soft modern”. It comes in four other colors and I also really like the camel boucle.
Oh, you know you could just sink into this one. It really reminds me of the Article sectional Emily put in the mountain house so it’s probably way she wanted to include it in this post. It’s big and comes in four other colors (the dark green is also so pretty). Reading a book, watching a movie, or scrolling on your phone would likely be a big joy in this one.
If you love an Amber Interiors or Studio McGee look, this is your chair. She’s cute, she swivels, she’s got a skirt and the reviews say she’s comfortable! What’s not to love? Well aside from the fact that it comes in two other colors.
When I found this one I knew I had to include it. It’s a chair and a half (yay, big!) and the reviews confirm it’s as comfortable as it looks (and to me, it looks super comfy). There are also five other colors to choose from! This is definitely a better style for a more modern home but of course, we are fans of breaking the style rules if you want to. And actually, in the really light colors, it would be great with an organic casual style. P.S. You can also buy a version with a matching ottoman:)
I wanted to make sure to give you some traditional options and this one is pretty perfect for this category, right? It’s also oversized which we again, always love, and so classic in shape. It also comes in a green velvet (but looks pretty shiny) and a cream boucle.
We had to include an Ikea chair and this one is amazing! Often affordable chairs don’t come in fun (and cute) patterned fabrics but this one is an exception. Houndstooth is, of course, a classic pattern but in this high wingback chair, it looks so fresh. I think this could work in a ton of different spaces seamlessly. It does also come in three solid colors (the green is my favorite) if that’s better for you:)
The final chair is a great choice. It’s simple but with some really pretty arms. This puppy is also real solid and such a great size (we’re really a big fan of a chair and a half – especially for snuggling). It does come in two other colors! For our modern traditional lovers, this is a home run for you.
Ok, that’s it for our research and hope it was helpful! Let us know if there are any other types of furniture you’d like us to find you for. xx
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Best Friend Robyn’s Living Room Reveal – We Added So Much Color, Charm, Coziness (And A Lot Of Heirloom Quality Pieces)
Great list – but it would have been amazing if you all had first-hand experience sitting in these chairs. I am on a quest and I HAVE to sit in it before buying… which makes things difficult. (Unless i want to order and possibly return – and then probably pay for return shipping and re-packaging.) Same thing with sofa-beds. Buying online is such a crap shoot!
I couldnʻt agree more. Looking for a sofa and absolutely refuse to not sit, lie down, take a nap on any sofa I am looking at. I have been burned too many times to stick my hand in that fire again. (said the cranky old lady)
Dana, I have the Paidge Chairs from West Elm in our sitting room, they are roomy (my 7 YO and I can snuggle into it, and I am a size 10/12 woman – so not small!) or I can curl up with my feet under me. They have held up great over the past 3 years and are my favorite place to snuggle up with a good book or sit and chat with friends. (In contradiction to the Lucia chairs I got from West Elm, which have a higher back but are no where near as comfortable). Just passing along to be helpful – maybe your local West Elm has one in store you can check out.
Agree sitting in a chair you like is pretty important before you buy. I would read reviews carefully if thats not possible. As I get older I really care about comfort!
These chairs are all beautiful but they don’t look very comfortable for tall people. My husband and kids are all tall (from 5’10” to 6’5″) and the only chair they would choose to sit in is the IKEA one.
I own the Auburn armchair from West Elm, which I purchased about 5 years ago at the very beginning of the pandemic. It normally runs about $500-700, depending on the fabric you choose but I got my chair for about $400. I have it in a performance velvet fabric in dusty mauve, which is a nice pale purple/pink. It’s unfortunately not often available on West Elm’s site because their lead times are like 3-6 months long. But it is a very comfortable club chair (all foam, not down) and takes up very little room in my studio living room (less than 36 inches wide). And I agree that any upholstery has to be tested out in person. Price point doesn’t matter with comfort because I’ve sat on very expensive Serena and Lily sofas that were very nice and really sloppy, uncomfortable Jenni Kayne armchairs, and very comfortable IKEA sofas.
What a great post! Love so many of these! I’d love that Ikea chair at either end of my 11 foot dining table but the seat is too low. Anyone know of a wing chair that could be used for dining?
These are all amazing chairs and I love the particular oversized shapes. I am trying to find resources for eclectic patterned or vintage looking chairs. Since my sofas are solid colored I would like to mix it up. Any suggestions?