Different types of Rocking Chairs

Since their birth in the early 18th century, rocking chairs have really grown into a class of furniture themselves. While they started out as just ordinary wooden chairs fitted with a set of rockers, today you can get a whole host of rocking chairs in a number of materials and designs. Broadly, rocking chairs can be classified into the following:

Outdoor rocking chairs: Rocking chairs started out meant for outdoor use – to sit in gardens or porches or patios – and have retained that functionality even today. Being outdoors means exposure to all the elements of nature – from rain to harsh sunlight. As such, they are usually made from hardy materials that can take all that punishment and not deteriorate. You will find outdoor rocking chairs in strong woods such as teak or pine, metals such as steel or aluminium, and even plastics – all of them finished with protective polish or paint. There also exist folding rocking chairs, which are very popular due to their portability and low prices.

Indoor rocking chairs: Used in living rooms, nurseries and studies, for resting after a hard day’s work, calming a baby, or reading, rocking chairs are the most amazing pieces of furniture to sit in. Besides helping you relax, rocking chairs also help with your posture and add to the aesthetic quality of your home’s décor. Indoor rocking chairs have become so diverse that they can be further classified as well:

Traditional rocking chairs: Equipped with a set of curved rockers, these rocking chairs’ designs can range from simple to elaborate, made with influences from historical as well as contemporary art. The most common material for these is wood finished with a fine polish or sheen, but other materials are also available.

Platform rockers: These rocking chairs are set on a base fitted with springs which control its motion. The chairs are usually upholstered and feature a foot rest so you can recline comfortably.

Glider rockers: Also set on a stable base, glider rockers use braces and levers to move on a flat plane, creating a gliding motion from which they derive their name. These are quite popular and usually feature leather or exotic fabric upholstery.

Swivel rockers: A complex modern design made with combination of gliders, springs, and pivots allows these rocking chairs to turn whichever way. They are pretty comfortable but can be a bit pricey.