Rocking chair have a way of slowing down time. The creak of the rocking chair’s wood against the floorboards draw your attention to the present moment. Your shoulders have dropped after the first few rocks in the rocking chair.
Perhaps you have even felt time slow down to accommodate your five or ten minute of unwinding. Whether you are rocking a baby or taking a few minutes to read after a long day, the rocking chair becomes more than just a piece of furniture. It becomes a daily ritual.
Not every rocking chair feels the same when people is sitting in them. Some rocking chairs have different designs than other rocking chairs. Rocking chairs use different materials to construct their frame.
Some rocking chairs have a design for gliding forward on their base while others may have a four-post base for those who would like to lay back and relax on there porch. Knowing these different types of rocking chairs allow people to avoid purchasing a rocking chair that does not suit the individual who owns the rocking chair. There are several different type of rocking chairs, each with their own features and characteristics.
Different Types of Rocking Chairs to Consider
1. Traditional Wooden Rocking Chairs
Rocking chairs made from traditional wooden designs have been seen throughout time in various home across the country. These rocking chairs are typically made with a curved wooden base that enables them to rock back and forth on their curved base. The rocking motion come from the individual who is sitting on the rocking chair as traditional wooden rocking chairs have no batteries or mechanical part that allow them to rock back and forth.
These rocking chairs can be found on the front porches of older home that have stood the test of time for several decades. The wide armrests of these rocking chairs allow individuals to place their coffee mug or books on their rests. The wood of the rocking chairs warms to the individual who sit on these chairs, and the subtle creaking sound of the wood can be very soothing rather than irritating to those who use these rocking chairs.
Over time, you will need to treat these rocking chairs with wood oil or polyurethane finish to protect the wood. The traditional wooden rocking chair is perfect for those who would like to incorporate a timeless design piece into their homes.
2. Mission Style Rocking Chairs
Mission-style rocking chairs feature several characteristic that allow them to stand out from other types of rocking chairs on the market today.
The Arts and Crafts movement that occurred several decades ago inspired these rocking chairs. These mission-style rocking chairs have straight line for their frames and a leather seat cushion that is secured to the rocking chair with brass tacks or pegs. These rocking chairs are typically thicker than traditional wooden rocking chairs and feature an upright sitting angle that provide individuals with an alternate rocking motion.
These types of rocking chairs are typically found in the living rooms of home where the mission-style features stand out from other furniture in the room. The oak or quartersawn wood for these rocking chairs can stand up to frequent use. These types of rocking chairs feature an upright sitting position that allows individuals to easily read or knit while they are rocking.
The downside to these types of rocking chairs is that the firm seat may not be as comfortable after spending several hour on the mission-style rocking chair. However, the craftsmanship behind their design is hard to beat.
3. Nursery Rocking Chairs (Gliders)
Nursery rocking chairs, also known as gliders, have an engineering solution to a specific problem.
Nursery rocking chairs do not feature a base from which they rock on. Instead, their engineering allow them to remain in one spot while the seat and back of the nursery rocking chair rocks back and forth. Nursery rocking chairs feature a smoother rocking motion than traditional rocking chairs.
Their smooth rocking motion allow for infants or babies to be rocked to sleep at three in the morning without disturbing the rest of the sleeping family member in the house. Most nursery rocking chairs come with an ottoman that feature the same gliding movement as the rocking chair. These ottomans allow the parents to stretch their leg while rocking their babies.
Most nursery rocking chairs have thick cushions that provide comfort to the parents as they sit for long periods of time. Many of these rocking chairs have a higher backrest for the same reason as parents will spend several long hour in these rocking chairs while caring for their new babies. This type of rocking chair is perfect for those who is establishing a baby room in their homes.
4. Wicker Rocking Chairs
Wicker rocking chairs are rocking chairs that are made from woven wood fiber or synthetic resin fibers. These wicker rocking chairs are lighter than wooden rocking chairs and do not get warped in the presence of moisture. The woven fibers of these rocking chairs allow for the circulation of air that help keep adults cool during the summer months when they are sitting in these rocking chairs.
Wicker rocking chairs are typically seen in the covered porches or sunrooms of homes. Many of these rocking chairs have a gentler rocking motion due to the fact that their wooden base is much more lighter than wooden rocking chairs. The cushions on these rocking chairs are essential for comfort as the woven fibers of the wicker rocking chair can press against the legs after extended periods of time.
The natural wicker rocking chairs require protection from direct contact with rain; however, modern synthetic resin wicker rocking chairs are extremely resistant to the weather. These rocking chairs feature a balance between function and comfort.
5. Reclining Rocking Chairs
Reclining rocking chairs feature a lever on one of the sides of the rocking chair that allow individuals to recline while the rocking chair continues to rock back and forth.
Alternatively, you can lock the rocking motion so that the reclining rocking chair can be used as a standard recliner for those who want to lie flat on their back. These types of rocking chairs feature padded armrests, high back rests, and thick padding for comfort. These reclining rocking chairs have moved from the living rooms of homes into the dens and home theaters to accommodate the long periods of television watching or socializing.
The mechanisms of reclining rocking chairs are durable enough to stand up to several years of heavy use. However, the added weight of the reclining motion add to the overall weight of the reclining rocking chair. Some reclining rocking chairs do not feature the most elegant design so individuals should inspect the design of the reclining rocking chair before purchase if it will be placed in a visible area of the home.
These reclining rocking chairs typically become the favorite seat of the individuals who own them as they are the most comfortable type of rocking chair on the market.
6. Bentwood Rocking Chairs
Bentwood rocking chairs are rocking chairs that date back to the 19th century to the work of the furniture designer Michael Thonet. These rocking chairs use steam-bent beechwood to create the curved arms and seat.
Although Thonet himself created the design for the most famous example of a bentwood rocking chair, bentwood rocking chairs are also produced in more minimalist design homes in Scandinavia. The appeal of bentwood rocking chairs is that they are created from less wood than other type of rocking chairs. Their bentwood frames are lighter in weight and look more delicate than other types of rocking chairs.
Despite their lighter weight and delicate appearance, they can support more than sufficient weight for adults to sit on. The rocking motion of bentwood rocking chairs is more lively than other types of rocking chairs. These types of rocking chairs are perfect for those who would like to have an eye-catching design piece in their homes that doubles as a comfortable chair for reading or napping.
Many of these rocking chairs have cane seat that may eventually stretch over time so they may need to be replaced once every few decades. However, the benefit to owning a bentwood rocking chair easily justifies the need to eventually replace the cane seat.
7. Contemporary Rocking Chairs
In the world of rocking chairs, there are also several type of contemporary rocking chairs.
Some contemporary rocking chairs use molded plywood instead of wood to allow for the rocking chair to be produced in more streamlined designs. Additionally, some rocking chairs feature metal base with wooden or leather seats. Finally, there are also rocking chairs that feature motorized rocking chairs that can be controlled with a remote control from a distance.
However, the majority of rocking chair designers prefer rocking chairs that use the physical strength of the individual rather than motorized motion. These types of contemporary rocking chairs are best for individuals who is furnishing modern homes with design elements that are both visually appealing and comfortable to sit in for extended amounts of time. You may find these types of contemporary rocking chairs in a loft or in a reading nook in a moddern home.
Many of these types of rocking chairs use sustainable materials to reduce the weight of the rocking chair and increase its strength. Additionally, many of these types of rocking chairs avoid the dated look of Victorian-era design. However, individuality in the choice of rocking chair design may fade over time.
For these reasons, the best type of contemporary rocking chair for an individual’s home feature timeless design elements that cannot be considered fashionable.
8. Platform Rocking Chairs
Platform rocking chairs, also known as spring rockers, feature a stationary base for the rocking chair. Hidden inside the rocker is a spring or a hinge that allow the seat of the rocking chair to tilt up or down.
Instead of rocking back and forth on the floor, individuals can rock on the platform rocking chair on its stationary base. Some of the benefits of platform rocking chairs is that some of the motion of these rocking chairs is shorter and more upright than other rocking chairs. Many of the older population prefer this type of rocking chair motion as it is easier on the knees of these individuals.
Platform rocking chairs may be found in the bedroom of an individual’s home or in a quiet corner of their house where the motion of the rocking chair will not be as apparent. Many of these rocking chairs will not leave mark on hardwood floors over time like other rocking chair types. Platform rocking chairs may not be as dramatic in their rocking motion as other types of rocking chairs but are invaluable to those who may have limited mobility or livig space in their homes.
Each of the types of rocking chairs have their own unique features and benefits. Some rocking chairs are best for rocking infant while others may be the best for those who want to add a design element to their homes. In choosing the best rocking chair for your home, there are several factor that must be considered such as where you would like to use the rocking chair and the type of rocking motion that you prefer while you are sitting in your rocking chair.
You should spend some time sitting in each type of rocking chair on the market. You should sit in the rocking chair. You should rock in the rocking chair.
You should listen to your body to see what kind of rocking chair will provide the most comfort for you over time. The right rocking chair for an individual will have a rocking motion that feel good to them and makes them feel like they are coming home to their favorite place in the world.
