{"id":52686,"date":"2026-07-13T10:21:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/how-to-choose-tub-chair-bedroom-reading-nook\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T08:59:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T08:59:59","slug":"how-to-choose-tub-chair-bedroom-reading-nook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/how-to-choose-tub-chair-bedroom-reading-nook\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Tub Chair for a UK Bedroom Reading Nook"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>A reading nook in the bedroom is less about interior design trends and more about carving out a small space that belongs entirely to you. The tub chair is central to making that work. Get the right one and the corner becomes magnetic. Get it wrong and it becomes a place to drape clothes.<\/p>\n<h3>Quick answer<\/h3>\n<p>To choose a tub chair for a bedroom reading nook, look for a compact frame with a seat depth between 45 and 52 cm, a supportive high back, and an upholstery fabric that suits both comfort and easy care. In most UK bedrooms, a tub chair with a width of no more than 75 cm will fit comfortably without dominating the space.<\/p>\n<h3>Key takeaways<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Seat depth matters as much as seat width for reading comfort over longer periods.<\/li>\n<li>Fabric choice affects both appearance and practicality, especially in rooms used year-round.<\/li>\n<li>Leg height influences how easy the chair is to get in and out of, which matters more than most buyers realise.<\/li>\n<li>Scale is critical in UK bedrooms, many of which are smaller than 12 square metres.<\/li>\n<li>A tub chair works best when paired with a small side table and a dedicated light source.<\/li>\n<li>Budget, mid-range and premium options all exist, and the price gap reflects durability more than style alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What makes a tub chair different from other armchairs<\/h3>\n<p>The tub chair takes its name from its shape. The back curves round continuously into the arms, creating a rounded, enclosed silhouette that feels contained and cosy rather than sprawling. This makes it a naturally good fit for reading, because the sides offer support for your arms and the curved back encourages a slightly upright posture that keeps you alert without being uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike a traditional wingback, a tub chair sits closer to the floor in most cases and takes up less visual space. Unlike a lounge chair or accent chair with open arms, it holds you in rather than leaving you unsupported. For a bedroom reading nook, that combination of compactness and support is exactly what you want.<\/p>\n<p>The key distinction to understand before buying is that not all tub chairs are the same depth. Some prioritise a slim contemporary profile and feel quite shallow when you actually sit in them. Others lean into deep, sink-in comfort that suits an hour of reading but can be awkward to rise from. The best choice for a reading nook usually sits somewhere in between.<\/p>\n<h3>Statistics and trends<\/h3>\n<p>Interest in bedroom reading corners has grown steadily in the UK over recent years, driven in part by the increase in time people spend at home and a broader cultural shift toward slower, quieter leisure activities. Searches for small bedroom armchairs and bedroom reading chairs have increased consistently on UK retail platforms since 2020. Tub chairs remain one of the most searched chair styles in the UK bedroom furniture category, valued for their compact footprint and versatility across traditional and contemporary interiors. The popularity of warmer neutral tones such as soft oatmeal, warm grey and dusty blush in UK bedroom schemes has also influenced upholstery trends, with boucle and velvet finishes particularly sought after in the mid to premium price range.<\/p>\n<h3>How to measure your space before buying<\/h3>\n<p>Measuring properly before you buy is the single most effective thing you can do to avoid disappointment. In a typical UK bedroom, especially in a terraced house or a purpose-built flat, the available floor space around the bed and wardrobe is often limited to one or two corners. Before you look at any chair, measure the corner or wall space you have in mind and note the width, the depth you can spare, and the ceiling height.<\/p>\n<p>A tub chair with a width of 68 to 75 cm is considered compact and will fit most bedroom corners without issue. Chairs wider than 80 cm start to feel significant in a smaller room and should only be considered if you have a generous corner or a larger master bedroom. Allow at least 45 cm in front of the chair for your legs when seated, and enough clearance to a side table if you plan to include one.<\/p>\n<p>Also consider the door swing and the route to your wardrobe or chest of drawers. A chair that looks fine on paper can become an obstacle if it blocks a natural circulation path. In a new-build bedroom, where layouts tend to be efficient rather than generous, this matters especially.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Expert tip:<\/strong> If you are working with a corner alcove, measure the diagonal distance across it as well as the straight walls. A tub chair placed at a slight angle can actually free up more usable floor space than one placed flush to a wall, and it tends to look more considered as a result.<\/p>\n<h3>Comparing tub chair upholstery options<\/h3>\n<p>The fabric you choose affects how the chair feels in every season, how it ages, and how much effort it takes to keep clean. In a bedroom, where the chair will be used daily and potentially by one person for long stretches of reading, this decision carries real weight.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Velvet:<\/strong> Warm, rich and visually striking. Works well in cooler months and suits traditional or boutique-style bedrooms. Prone to marking if not brushed regularly and not ideal in rooms with strong direct sunlight, which can cause fading over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Boucle:<\/strong> Textured, tactile and currently very popular in UK interiors. Feels warm and casual. More forgiving of everyday wear than velvet but can attract lint and pet hair more readily.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Linen blend:<\/strong> Breathable and light, making it more comfortable in warmer months. Tends to suit Scandinavian, coastal or relaxed contemporary interiors. Can crease and may require occasional steaming to look its best.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Faux leather or PU:<\/strong> Easy to wipe clean and practical for those who want low maintenance. Less warm to the touch in winter but durable and long-lasting. Works well in more modern or minimal bedroom schemes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chenille or woven fabric:<\/strong> Durable, soft and available in a wide range of colours. A reliable mid-ground choice that suits most bedroom styles and holds up well with regular use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>UK home considerations<\/h3>\n<p>UK bedrooms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes depending on the type of home. In a Victorian or Edwardian terraced house, bedrooms often have higher ceilings, picture rails and bay windows or chimney alcoves that lend themselves naturally to reading nook furniture. A tub chair in a warm tone such as deep teal or a soft terracotta like #C4622D can anchor one of these alcoves beautifully without overwhelming the room.<\/p>\n<p>In a semi-detached home, the second bedroom often doubles as a guest room or home office, and a tub chair needs to work across more than one function. Choosing a neutral upholstery such as warm grey or soft oatmeal gives more flexibility.<\/p>\n<p>In a modern flat or new-build property, ceilings are lower and rooms are more compact, so a lower-profile tub chair with slim legs reads as lighter and less imposing than a tall, barrel-style model. Pale upholstery and natural wood legs work well in these spaces. Rental homes pose their own considerations too: a tub chair that disassembles easily or has removable covers is a practical advantage when moving.<\/p>\n<p>Natural light is also worth thinking about. UK bedrooms can feel dark, particularly in winter, so positioning the chair near a window and pairing it with a well-chosen <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/floor-lamps\/\">floor lamp<\/a> makes a real difference to how usable the nook feels in the evenings.<\/p>\n<h3>Cost guide: what to expect at each budget level<\/h3>\n<p>Tub chairs in the UK range from under \u00a3100 to well over \u00a3500, and the price difference is usually reflected in the quality of the frame, the density of the foam, and the durability of the fabric rather than in the visual design alone.<\/p>\n<p>At the budget end, typically between \u00a380 and \u00a3180, you will find chairs with lighter frames, thinner padding and synthetic upholstery. These can look good initially but may show wear within two to three years of regular use. They are a reasonable choice for a guest bedroom or occasional use.<\/p>\n<p>In the mid-range, from around \u00a3180 to \u00a3350, quality improves noticeably. Frames tend to be more solid, foam denser, and fabric choices more varied and durable. This is where most buyers in the UK will find the best balance of quality and value for a primary bedroom.<\/p>\n<p>Premium tub chairs from \u00a3350 upwards typically offer hardwood frames, high-resilience foam and quality upholstery fabrics such as genuine velvet, quality boucle or performance linen. These chairs are built to last a decade or more and are worth the investment if the bedroom is used daily and the chair will see heavy use. Furniture in Fashion offers a range of tub chairs and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/bedroom-furniture\/\">bedroom furniture<\/a> across these price points, including pieces from the exclusive FiF branded furniture range designed specifically for the UK market.<\/p>\n<h3>Common mistakes to avoid<\/h3>\n<p>Buying too large is the most common error. A chair that looked proportionate in a showroom or product photograph can overwhelm a real bedroom, particularly in a UK home where rooms are often smaller than they appear in staged images. Always measure first and compare those measurements against the product dimensions before ordering.<\/p>\n<p>Neglecting seat depth is another frequent oversight. A chair that is comfortable for twenty minutes of casual sitting can feel tiring during a longer reading session if the seat is too shallow to fully support your thighs, or so deep that you cannot sit back without your feet lifting off the floor.<\/p>\n<p>Choosing a fabric purely for appearance without considering the bedroom environment is also a mistake. A pale cream velvet chair placed in a sunny south-facing bedroom will fade and show marks far more quickly than the same chair in a cooler, north-facing room.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, forgetting about lighting is a practical oversight that is easy to correct. A reading chair without a dedicated light source forces you to rely on the main ceiling light, which is rarely at the right angle for reading. Pair the chair with a table lamp on a nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/side-tables\/\">side table<\/a> or a floor lamp positioned just behind and to the side of the chair.<\/p>\n<h3>Seasonal considerations<\/h3>\n<p>In a UK bedroom, the reading nook will be used differently across the year. In winter, warmth and cosiness matter more. Velvet or boucle upholstery in a deeper tone such as forest green, rust or midnight blue will feel seasonally appropriate and genuinely warm to the touch. Adding a throw or cushion in a complementary tone makes the nook feel intentional and inviting during the darker months.<\/p>\n<p>In summer, lighter fabrics and cooler tones come into their own. A linen-blend tub chair in pale stone or soft sage feels fresh and airy, particularly in a bedroom that gets good morning light. For more bedroom inspiration suited to seasonal styling, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/category\/bedroom-furniture\/\">bedroom furniture blog<\/a> at Furniture in Fashion is a useful resource.<\/p>\n<h3>Buying checklist<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Measure your available corner space including width, depth and clearance in front of the chair before browsing.<\/li>\n<li>Check the seat depth and seat height in the product specifications, not just the overall chair dimensions.<\/li>\n<li>Consider how the fabric will perform in your specific room, accounting for light levels and daily use.<\/li>\n<li>Decide whether you need a removable or washable cover, particularly if you have pets or children in the home.<\/li>\n<li>Plan what you will pair the chair with: a side table, a lamp, a small bookcase, or a combination of these.<\/li>\n<li>Confirm delivery dimensions and whether the chair requires assembly, which matters for flats with narrow stairwells or lifts.<\/li>\n<li>Check the returns policy before buying, especially for online purchases where you cannot sit in the chair first.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Caring for your tub chair<\/h3>\n<p>A well-chosen tub chair in a bedroom reading nook should last many years with straightforward care. Velvet and boucle fabrics benefit from a weekly brush with a soft upholstery brush to lift dust and restore the pile. Woven fabrics and chenille can generally be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth and mild upholstery cleaner. Faux leather and PU upholstery are the easiest to maintain: a wipe with a damp cloth is usually sufficient.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid placing any tub chair in direct prolonged sunlight regardless of the fabric, as UV exposure causes fading and can weaken fibres over time. Rotating cushions if they are removable helps even out wear. If the chair came with a care label, keep it somewhere accessible as it will specify which cleaning methods are safe for that particular fabric.<\/p>\n<h3>Five key points to remember<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Always measure your bedroom corner before buying: a tub chair wider than 75 cm can easily overpower a smaller UK bedroom.<\/li>\n<li>Seat depth between 45 and 52 cm offers the best balance of comfort and ease of use for most adults during reading.<\/li>\n<li>Choose upholstery based on your room conditions: velvet for cooler rooms, linen blends for sunnier or warmer spaces.<\/li>\n<li>Pair the chair with a side table and a dedicated reading lamp to make the nook genuinely functional rather than decorative.<\/li>\n<li>Mid-range tub chairs between \u00a3180 and \u00a3350 typically offer the best long-term value for a primary bedroom in regular use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Which rooms suit this best<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/chest-of-drawers\/\">Bedroom with chest of drawers storage arrangements<\/a> where a corner is freed up beside the window.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/living-room-furniture\/\">Living room<\/a> if the bedroom reading nook idea inspires a similar arrangement in a larger shared space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Shop by style<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/bookcases\/\">Bookcases<\/a> to complete your reading nook with accessible storage at arm&#8217;s reach.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/table-lamps\/\">Table lamps<\/a> to provide the warm focused light a reading chair needs in a UK bedroom.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n<p><strong>What size tub chair is best for a small UK bedroom?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For a small UK bedroom, look for a tub chair with an overall width of 68 to 75 cm and a seat depth of around 48 cm. This size fits comfortably into most corners without blocking circulation routes or dominating the room visually.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is a tub chair comfortable enough for long reading sessions?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A tub chair can be very comfortable for extended reading if it has adequate seat depth, supportive foam and a back height that reaches at least the mid-back. Pairing it with a cushion for lumbar support improves comfort further during longer sessions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the best fabric for a bedroom tub chair in a UK home?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The best fabric depends on your room. In a cool north-facing bedroom, velvet or boucle provides warmth and texture. In a brighter south-facing room, a linen blend or woven fabric handles light and heat better and is less prone to fading. Easy-clean fabrics are worth prioritising if the bedroom is shared or used by children.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where can I find a good range of tub chairs and bedroom furniture in the UK?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Furniture in Fashion offers a well-curated selection of bedroom furniture including accent and occasional seating as part of its exclusive FiF branded furniture range, designed with UK homes in mind. Based in Bolton with a 3.2 acre warehouse, the company has been supplying UK customers since 2007 and offers free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. You can browse the full range at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/\">furnitureinfashion.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A bedroom reading nook is one of those small but genuinely life-improving additions to a home. Whether you have a spare corner in a semi-detached, a deep bay window in a Victorian terrace, or a modest alcove in a new-build flat, the right tub chair&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":53214,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[4576,23,4739,3419,1434],"class_list":["post-52686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedroom-furniture","tag-armchair","tag-bedroom-furniture","tag-bedroom-reading-nook","tag-tub-chair","tag-uk-home"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52686"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53215,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52686\/revisions\/53215"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}