Curl up in style: Top statement reading chairs for your home
Sharing my favourite finds for the month.
I know January seems to go on forevvvver, although I’m now trying to grasp how the first week of February has already flown by!
With the madness of the festive season, I haven’t shared a monthly shopping guide since December. So, as we’ve approached a new month, I have a stunning collection of reading chairs to share with you to really make a wow statement in your home.
This months shopping guide was influenced by the post I wrote a couple of weeks ago about predicted interior design trends for 2025, which included the playful trend of indoor swings.
I’ve chosen my favourite iconic designer statement chairs that provide the perfect spot for relaxing with a good book and escaping from the reality of life, even if only for a short while. Plus, they add a fabulous touch to your home decor.
As an added bonus, I have also researched some more affordable options if you’re currently on the lookout for a new reading chair.
1: Hanging Hoop Chair by Lee Broom
Now it’s unlikely too many of us has a spare £4,000 in the bank to pop out and purchase an indoor swing from Lee Broom.
However, if you do have the desire to include a suspended swinging chair in your home, I have researched these two potential alternatives from Bubbles and Balls.
The Bubble Chair and the Hanging Bubble Chair.
2: Eames Lounge Chair
The iconic mid-century club chair designed by husband and wife duo Charles and Ray Eames in 1956 set a benchmark in the history of furniture design, making it one of the best-known classics in modern furniture.
The intention of the design of the Lounge Chair was first and foremost to be inviting. Charles Eames explained that the lounge chair should have:
"The warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt."
Still made today, there are various combinations available, where you have the possibility of mixing and matching various wood finishes and coverings to customise your own design.
A few years ago, I was very fortunate to find a very good replica version of the Eames Lounge Chair (at a fraction of the cost), and it’s the perfect spot for curling up with a good book.
From researching the internet, I have found a UK-based company, Vertigo Interiors, that creates designer-inspired furniture, where you can be a proud owner of your Eames-inspired lounge chair at a fraction of the cost.
3: Wassily Lounge Chair
Designed in 1925 by Marcel Breuer for Knoll, the Wassily Chair is a classic modern design that uses a leather and metal construction, offering a sleek and timeless look.
Inspired by the frame of a bicycle and influenced by the constructivist theories of the De Stjil movement, Breuer (an apprentice at the Bauhaus) reduced the form of the classic club chair to its elemental lines and planes.
Considerably more affordable than my two previous selections, the Wassily Lounge Chair can be purchased new from Heals for less than £2,500. However, if you’re happy to consider a pre-loved version you can pick up a bargain from Rehaus for just £1,260, and can even get an additional 5% off by signing up for their newsletter.
And even cheaper still, my new favourite pre-loved store Vinterior has a Wassily Lounge Chair available for £750. Although when I was researching for this post a couple of weeks ago, the price was actually £503, so I’m guessing due to demand, the price has gone up. You can then take a further £30 off the price by signing up for their newsletter.
4: Egg Chair by Fritz Hansen
An iconic, futuristic design, the Egg Chair is described as providing space to hide away from the world; which in my book is the perfect reading chair.
Again, on the rather pricey side, where prices start just shy of £6,000 and head northwards of almost £12,000, I’d be surprised if too many of us will be rushing out to purchase this weekend. I have managed to find an absolute bargain from Homebella.
A family-run business also in the UK, specialises in delivering designer-led furniture and they have their version of the Egg Chair for under £1,200!
Share your appreciation for as little as £3.50 a month or subscribe to an annual membership for just £35 for the year.
5: 4 Chaise Longue à Reglage Continu by Cassina
Designed in 1928, a collaboration between renowned designers Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand.
One of the most iconic designs created following a study of restful seating, the Chaise Longue à Reglage Continu is quintessential in design and embodies the concept of relaxation.
Although it reminds me of visiting the dentist, I’ve always fancied owning a version of the chaise lounge.
Before making the decision on the Eames Lounge Chair, this was also a consideration. However, the Eames was more practical (taking up less space). My ideal would be to have a Chaise Longue à Reglage Continu (ideally, I’d like to have two) in the conservatory, to relax in during sunny days where it’s not quite warm enough to be outside. I guess I can dream.
However, for less than £1,200, Orangme stocks a version, also offering a further 10% off when signing up for their mail list.
6: Womb Relax Lounge Chair
Florence Knoll (a Finnish-born architect and interior designer) had put forth the challenge of creating a chair she could curl up in and responded with designing the 1948 Womb chair.
This has to be the perfect reading chair, although at almost £3,500, maybe not the perfect price tag.
I’ve been able to source an alternative to the Womb Chair from Weilao Concept for under £560! I can’t confirm the quality, having not physically seen the product. However, from looking at the images shared on the internet, based on the price, it’s impressive.
7: Papa Bear Chair
Quite possibly the most expensive chair I’ve come across at a whooping £21,750!
Designed with the maximum possible level of comfort in mind, the Papa Bear Chair, created in the 1950s, is the most popular and iconic design by Hans J. Wegner.
The Papa Bear Chair is literally giving all the bear hug vibes.
For a more affordable option, Iconic Interiors have a selection of replicas available for under £2,000. So if you’re interested in having a Papa Bear-inspired chair, this may be a good (affordable) option to consider.
8: Barcelona Chair
What makes the Barcelona Chair so striking is its simple elegance and how it expresses the iconic designer, Mies van der Rohe’s sentiment that less is more.
Designed in 1929, its timeless design makes it still a popular design choice today.
If you fancy owning your own original Barcelona Chair, Rehaus has a couple available at half the price of a brand new version.
If you like the idea of having a Barcelona-style chair without the hefty price tag, you may be interested in this replica from DC Concept.
At just under £520, it also comes with the footstool, so a more than affordable alternative if you love the simplicity of this design.
That concludes this months shopping guide. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please do share in the comments.
If you’d like to share your appreciation from todays post, why not Buy Me Coffee. ☕️
Next week, I’ll be back sharing my monthly colour montage.
As a reminder for those that follow The Bathroom Diaries, there won’t be a post this weekend as we’re eagerly awaiting the bathroom fitter to return, between jobs. Unfortunately he’s very much in demand at the moment. However, it shouldn’t be too much longer before the bathroom is finished.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks
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Nice selection of chairs Sonya, some eye watering prices but well done for finding more affordable options! 🪑👍🏻