Selecting The Ideal Rocking Chair

A rocking chair is perhaps the most comfortable type of seating available on the market. However, going to the store and buying the first rocking chair that you come across is not the right way to choose one. To ensure that you select a one that is perfect for you, here are some things that you need to consider:

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. Where will the rocking chair be placed? The answer to this question will determine what type of rocker you need. For instance, if the chair will be placed in a bedroom, you need it to be decorative as well as comfortable. If the fireplace is where the chair will go, then you can expect to spend hours in it. In such cases, extra padded chairs and those with cushions will serve you best. For outdoor locations such as patios, porches, lawns etc, you should buy a chair that is approved to be used in wet 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 chair 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 rocking glider is right or not. Obviously you want to choose a rocker that has a smooth and continuous motion.

5. The comfort factor: The rocking chair should be absolutely comfortable for you. Your hands should reach the armrests comfortably and should fit on them properly. The seat should have a downward slope and should support your lower back too. In addition to being firm, the back and the seat of the rocking chair should be flexible. In other words, if you are not 100% comfortable on the rocking chair, do not buy it.

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 rocking chairs for children that do not have curved rockers but have gliders that rest completely on the floor. These are safer with children around.

7. How much do you want to spend? Rockers and gliders can be available for as less as a few hundred dollars and go up to thousands of dollars. Thus, your budget will be a big factor 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 rockers can be restored to look as good as new.

8. Decor of your house: After ensuring the comfort and the safety factor of the rocking chair, you need to look at its design and style. Since the rocker will have the pride of the place in your home, it should look the part as well. So make sure the chair you choose compliments your home décor and does not look out of place in your beautiful home.

9. Kind of assembly: Some chairs are shipped to you fully assembled, whereas some have to be put together at home. Thus, if you are not good at following instructions and assembling things, you may want to choose one that is delivered completely assembled.

Thus, it is vital that you keep the above criteria in mind when choosing a rocking chair – if you want the perfect one of course!