I Test Furniture for a Living — These Are My Favorite Chairs for Lounging and Napping

You might’ve seen this oversized lounger when it went viral on TikTok. On top of its jumbo corduroy upholstery and plush throw pillows, the chaise’s cupholders and USB charging port make it convenient to charge your phone and enjoy your snacks while you read. When I tested the chaise in Ashley’s store, I found that it’s soft but still offers good support. The wide seat and optimal legroom made me want to never leave.

West Elm had a lot of new releases on the floor the last time I visited. Out of all of them, the Stuart sling chair was my favorite. Not only are its metal frame and leather sling detailing so modern and striking, but the fluffy cushions are also unbelievably comfortable — I’m talking sink-in soft. You’ll definitely want to pair the chair with the matching ottoman so you have space to spread out.

Personally, unless I’m trying to eat or work, I don’t like a firm seat. You can imagine how happy I was, then, to find out how soft and cushy Pottery Barn’s Canyon swivel chair is. It also boasts wide square arms that’ll balance your phone or TV remote without a problem. And because the arms don’t extend all the way out to the edge of the seat, you’re able to spread your legs out into a variety of comfy positions.

Out of all the pieces I viewed in Burrow's NYC showroom, the Vesper lounge chair was easily one of the chicest. It comes in two styles that are sure to fit a wide range of tastes: wood and fabric, and wood and leather. The soft and sturdy chair is available in four upholstery fabric options, and you can add a matching ottoman as an upgrade to your purchase.

What I loved most about Blu Dot’s Field lounge chair was its contoured seat, which slightly dips into a “U” shape and cradles the body as you recline. What’s more, I tested it in a suede-like leather that was velvety soft to the touch and cool against my skin. I would definitely recommend snagging the matching ottoman to go with the chair so that you can elevate your legs.

Grab a good book to sink into this wide, low-slung seat. The Cozy swivel chair’s rounded shape makes it so inviting, and it’s available in dozens of upholstery fabrics to help you customize it to your space. In addition to making a great living room seating option, the chair would also work well in a bedroom or nursery. You can also order a pair to section off a designated seating area in your home for family and guests.

You’ll find many famous pieces of furniture at Design Within Reach, including the fashion-forward Womb chair. I viewed it twice: First in a golden matte velvet, though my favorite was the homey white bouclé version. This lounger comes with a matching ottoman, and it also arrives fully assembled! Plus, you can sometimes find it on sale on DWR’s website.

For a more traditional look, check out Raymour & Flanigan’s broad seating selection. When I tested the brand’s accent chairs, the Artemis II chair wowed me with its beyond-plush cushions and softer-than-soft microfiber fabric. It also has wide arms and comes with a matching accent pillow, which is nice for both lumbar support and decor.

It goes without saying that you want a wide chair for lounging as opposed to something narrow and restrictive. I deemed the Turner leather chair Pottery Barn’s best oversized model after testing it, and this is part of what makes it so relaxing to sit in. I had plenty of space on either side of my legs as I sat in its smooth leather seat. The Turner also just looks like a chair you’d want to unwind in because of its grandpa-style silhouette and lived-in appearance.