Most people enjoy summer for the entertaining; the backyard barbecues, pool parties, and long summer evening spent outside with friends and family. Most outdoor furniture reflects this: big dining or bar sets and outdoor sofas or sectionals designed to seat a crowd. But for those of us who would rather stretch out with a good book than host a potluck? Sprawling outdoor furniture is often overkill. If you’re looking to spend some quiet time reading on a sunny summer afternoon, a cozy outdoor reading nook for one might be more up your alley.
The Problem With Outdoor Chairs
The vast majority of outdoor chairs fall into one of two categories: practical or sectional. By “practical,” I mean plastic, metal, or sometimes acrylic, with straight backs and no cushions. In other words, these chairs are affordable, durable, functional, and work best placed smack dab in front of a table. But if you’re looking for something more comfortable, you run into the second problem. Big, cushy chairs are usually part of larger sets (so you can’t buy them on their own); often, they come in multiple pieces you’ll need to push together to form a full lounge. Unfortunately, neither of these make great reading chairs. Instead, you want to look for a third, rarer type of chair that’s more like a classic indoor armchair.
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Outdoor Armchairs and Ottomans
Armchair-style chairs are perfect for curling up in, with cushioned backs and seats and comfortable arm rests. You’ll typically find them paired with matching ottomans that provide a little room to stretch out and put up your feet for long reading sessions, making them ideal for an outdoor reading nook. Outdoor arm chairs can be made of resin wicker or metal, and usually feature heavy-duty weather- and water-resistant fabric cushions. That means they’re durable enough to leave outside, and in some cases even use right after you’ve taken a dip in the pool.
Poolside Loungers
Want to soak up a little sun while you read outside? A more traditional pool lounger might be more up your alley; they let you stretch out fully and make the most of a sunny afternoon. That said, these too come in a range of qualities, from your classic slatted lounge to cushier seats better suited to prolonged lounging. For me, I prefer a big, plush lounger for comfort. But if you plan on doing your reading between dips in the pool, you probably want something that can handle drips a little better, like plastic, resin wicker, or mesh.
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Outdoor Rockers and Recliners
Recliners and rockers are more difficult to get your hands on, but are absolutely perfect for an outdoor reading nook. Old fashioned wood rockers are perfect for sitting, relaxing, and reading. Outdoor recliners make it easy to put your feet up without sacrificing a lot of space with a bulky ottoman. If you’re looking for an outdoor chair that’s both compact and comfortable, these are definitely the way to go; they can usually even fit on a smaller porch or patio.
Don’t Forget The Side Table
Making a great outdoor reading nook isn’t just about the chair, though. Any good reading nook, indoors or out, has to have at least a small table; aka, a place to put your book, an ice cold drink, and maybe a pair of glasses or a snack. Indoors, that might mean an accent table, but outside I prefer a Chinese-style ceramic garden stool. These sturdy, colorful pieces have come into the limelight lately. They’re petite enough to stand next to a chair in even the smallest spaces while offering just enough surface space for the necessities.
Supplement With Sun Protection
For marathon outdoor reading sessions, you probably also want to consider investing in a patio umbrella to protect you from prolonged sun exposure. If your reading nook is under a patio awning or partially enclosed porch, this step is a little less crucial. But for a chair that’s out in the open, sun protection is an absolute must-have. Many lounges and outdoor beds come with their own built in umbrellas or canopies (though some are more effective than others at actually blocking the sun). Alternatively, a basic patio umbrella will do the trick regardless of your setup, and can be used elsewhere in your outdoor space when you aren’t using it for reading.
People tend to accuse us bookish types as being “indoor” people. But a good book, a comfy chair, and an ample dose of sunshine sound like a perfect combination to me!
