Selecting The Ideal Rocking Chair

The fact that a rocking chair is an extremely comfy seat, addictively at that, is well known to one and all. But what everyone may not be aware of is that not all rocking chairs may be best for you. In fact, if you happen to buy the wrong rocker, not only will you be unhappy with it, but things could get downright dangerous Thus, in the interest of your comfort and safety, here are some tips to choosing the perfect rocker glider.

1. Rocking Chair Sizes: Firstly, you need to make sure that the chair is properly sized for you. What do we mean by that? Well, for starters, when you sit on the chair, your legs should touch the floor easily and should not be left dangling off the rocker. If your legs do not reach the floor, the rocker is too big for you. On the other hand, if your legs are touching the floor but your knees are practically to your chest, then the chair is too small for you. Therefore, choose a chair which allows your legs to reach the floor, but just so. Another thing to check is that the seat is big enough to seat you comfortably, but not so much that the armrests are too wide apart and you have trouble resting your arms on them. And for the backrest, it should be so high that your head is reaching the head rest but not rising over it.

2. Intended space: The location where you will be placing your rocking chair directly affects what kind you will eventually buy. For instance, if the location is an indoor one, then a padded rocker is an ideal choice, as is one with multiple cushions. But the same rocking seat would be a disaster for an outdoor location as the cushions and padding would get spoilt due to the natural elements. Thus, for outdoor locations such as gardens, lawns, patios etc, you should choose rockers that are made from water proof materials (such as resin rocking chairs), are durable, and strong enough to withstand natural weather conditions.

3. The rockers: The curved base of the rocking chair is somewhat confusingly also known as the rocker. This is the most important part of the chair, without which it would not rock properly. When buying any rocking chair, make sure the rocker is pitched properly. You can do this by sitting on the chair and rocking it to and fro. If you get a feeling that the chair might tip over, then the rocker is not pitched properly. However, if you can rock comfortably, and there is no danger of tipping over even when you use it as a recliner, then the pitch of the rocker is perfect.

4. Range of motion: Does the rocker have a smooth back and forth motion? Are you able to keep it going for a couple of minutes with a single push, or do you have to push the chair every few seconds? The answers to these questions will determine whether the chair is right or not. Obviously you want to choose a rocker that has a smooth and continuous motion.

5. Personal comfort: A rocking chair may look very comfortable and may come highly recommended by others, but if you do not feel right when using the chair, or if you have even the slightest bit of hesitation as to its comfort factor, then you should look at another chair. What may be comfy for someone else may not necessarily be the same for you. So essentially, go with a rocker which not only look right and is well made, but which also ‘feels’ like the one.

6. The safety factor: If you have small children in your home, you should ensure that the rocking chair is safe for them. The curved rockers can crush tiny feet and toes, thus you may want to look at gliding chairs that do not have curved rockers but have gliders that rest completely on the floor. These are safer with children around.

7. Your budget: Rockers and gliders can be available for as less as a few hundred dollars and go up to thousands of dollars. Therefore, your budget will be a major consideration when choosing a chair. A good way to save some money is to buy used rocking chairs. As long as the main rockers of the chair are in perfect condition, most used gliders and rocking chairs can be restored to look as good as new.

8. Your home décor: While safety and comfort are the two main criteria when selecting a rocking chair, you should take care to choose one that fits in with the décor in your home. No one will appreciate a monstrosity in the middle of the living room, even if it is a highly comfortable one. Thus, look around to find a rocking chair that fulfills your needs and is attractive looking.

9. Assembling the chair: Some rockers arrive fully assembled, and some have to be put together at home. If you are not good at following instructions and assembling things, you probably want one that is shipped completely assembled.

Keeping the above factors in mind when you go shopping for a rocking chair, choosing the right one will be a breeze!