Tips To Choosing A Rocking Chair

The fact that a rocking chair is an extremely comfortable chair, 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 rocking chair, not only will you be unhappy with it, but it could actually pose a danger. Thus, in the interest of your comfort and safety, here are some tips to choosing the perfect rocker glider.

How To Choose A Rocking Chair

Size of the rocking chair: 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.

Location of the rocking chair: Where you wish to place your rocker will also determine which type of chair you buy. If you want to use it indoors, then you can choose one that has a padded seat or cushions. However, if you want to place the rocker in your lawn or patio, or any kind of outdoor location, make sure you buy one that is tough and can bear the natural elements. Cushions and padded seats are obviously a no-no for outdoor rockers, unless they are made from materials that are water resistant.

The curved rockers: The arched base which is characteristic of rocking chairs is called the rocker (even though the chair itself is also called a rocker). Essentially, this is the most vital component of any rocking chair as the rocker is what the rocking motion depends on. Thus, when choosing a chair, you have to ensure that the curved rocker is pitched correctly. This can only be done by actually sitting on the chair and using it. When you rock, the motion should be smooth and not jerky. You should feel safe and should not feel like the chair will tip over forwards or backwards with your weight. If you do feel like the chair will tip, or if it actually does, then it is definitely not the right rocking chair for you.

The rocking motion: Everyone knows that the motion of the chair should be smooth and continuous. But did you know that you should not have to rock the chair every few seconds? Yes, that right. A rocking chair that has the complete range of motion will keep going for a couple of minutes with just a single push. So, that is what you should be looking for.

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.

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.

Your budget: It is possible to buy a rocking chair for couple of hundred dollars, but if you want a masterful quality product, be prepared to shell out a few thousands. Thus, your personal buying capacity will also determine which one you choose. One way to get a quality product for less is to buy second hand. A used rocking chair can be cost effective, provided the rocker base is in top condition. All other flaws can be corrected to make your used seat look practically new.

Decor of your house: After ensuring the comfort and the safety factor of the rocker, 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 dcor and does not look out of place in your beautiful home.

Assembly of your chair: Some chairs arrive in one piece, whereas others have to be put together at home. If you don't like assembling things, you should get one that is delivered completely assembled.

By answering the questions asked above and by keeping the above criteria in mind when choosing a rocking chair, you will definitely be able to find a rocker that fits you like a glove, is extremely comfortable, looks good in your home, and serves you for years to come.

By Rob Barnes

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