Buying a Rocking Chair

At the end of a long day there’s something very alluring and comforting about a rocking chair. It’s among the most traditional and most popular pieces of furniture in homes in many countries. Historically, this style chair appeared in the market in the 1700s, probably adapted from a cradle design so that a parent could hold a fussy baby and still get soothing rocking motion without having to be on their weary feet.

This oak slat rocker retails for about 80 GBP

If you’re ready to go buy a rocking chair, do a little preparation first. As with any type of furniture you need to know where its going so you can get the right size, matching woodtones, fabrics, etc. Additionally, chairs that are adjacent to a fireplace should be made from hearty wood that won’t mind the dry heat.

Secondarily, don’t try to buy a rocker over the internet. This is definitely a hands on, or rather bottom’s on, situation. You want to sit in the chair and really get a sense of how comfortable it will be for one to several hours. In particular do you find the chair supports your lumbar region? Is the arm height comfortable or do you feel like your shoulders are in your ears? How well cushioned is the seat and/or back and do you like the firmness?  These questions alone will eliminate a lot of models you try fairly quickly.

White Slat Rocker

Another narrowing factor is the choice between a traditional rocker and a glider. Glider rockers move very smoothly but they also have parts that can ware out in the mechanisms that make the chair glide. These may not be as quiet as a traditional rocker when the gliding mechanism gets older too. If you have a young baby that’s crawling the gliding mechanism may be a safety issue. However, for homes without children or with older children – no problem! And most glider rockers come with a gliding ottoman too!

Once you narrow the field now you can get to the picky stuff. From a safety perspective how evenly does the chair rock? You should never feel as if the chair will fall backwards when you’re rocking. Does the chair seem to be put together well (check those joints and seams)? You do not want a flimsy rocker. And last but not least, does the wood, paint, and/or fabric combination really suit your home and lifestyle? For example, if you have pets and children can any attached cushions be washed? You want your rocker to look good for many years to come, and this small feature gives you the ability to care for it better.

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