How To Choose A Rocking Chair

Choosing a rocking chair is not all that difficult, but if you need some pointers into what to look out for here are five tips that will get you started with what is the most important when buying a rocker.

1. Size of the rocker: You need to make sure the rocking chair is going to fit where you want to place it. When sitting in the rocker, make sure your legs don't dangle, they should reach the floor comfortably. At the same time make sure your knees don't come up to your chest indicating that the rocker is too small for you.

2. Intended space: If the location the rocker will be most of the time is going to be indoors, a rocking chair with padding is a good choice, it can have multple cushions if you want, making it a great way to change the mood of the room. But make sure you only use an indoor rocker for indoor use and not outdoor use. If you use an indoor rocking chair for outdoor use the cushions could become moldy from exposure to the weather.

3. Personal comfort: A rocking chair may look comfortable and may be highly recommended by others, but what matters is your own opinion. You must decide if the rocking chair is comfortable to you and your body. Make sure that the cushions are comfortable and make any necessary adjustments to the chair (to Your chair) that you want.

4. Safety aspects: Many rocking chairs are user friendly, there are some dangers involved with the curved rockers though. If you're not careful, your feet could get crushed if they get caught under the rockers. You have to be very aware of this danger particularly if you have children. If safety is your number one concern, there is an alternate type of rocking chair called glider rockers. The base of these chairs are not curved but sits flat on the floor using gliders.

5. Assembling the chair: Some rockers arrive either fully or partially assembled, and some have to be put together completely. If you are not good at reading instructions and have never assembled things, you may want one that comes already assembled.

photo credit: Mark Wooten