One cannot choose the right rocker just by looking at it. There are many things that have to be taken into account and considered before you settle on the one chair that is made just for you. Read on to know what these things are.
Selecting The Ideal Rocking Chair
1. Size of the rocker: The first thing that you need to check is that this piece of furniture is the right size for you. When you sit on the rocker, your legs should not dangle off the floor but should reach the floor comfortably. However, make sure that your knees are not up against your chest, which will indicate that the rocking chair is small for you. Also ensure that the sit is big enough so that you are comfortable, but not too big that your arms do not reach the armrests properly. Your head should not rise above the backrest but should just reach the headrest.
2. Intended space: The location where you will be placing your rocking chair directly affects what kind you will eventually buy. For instance, if the location is an indoor one, then a padded rocker is an ideal choice, as is one with multiple cushions. But the same rocking seat would be a disaster for an outdoor location as the cushions and padding would get spoilt due to the natural elements. Thus, for outdoor locations such as gardens, lawns, patios etc, you should choose rockers that are made from water proof materials, are durable, and strong enough to withstand natural weather conditions.
3. Base rockers: What sets a rocking chair apart from any other? Naturally, it is the curved rockers that are seen on the bottom of the rocking chairs. These are undoubtedly the most important parts of the chair and thus deserve the utmost consideration. To check the pitch of the rockers, sit in the chair and rock it. If the motion is smooth and continuous and if you do not feel like the rocking chair will tip in the front or back, then the rockers are at the correct pitch. That’s what you essentially want.
4. 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’s 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.
5. Comfort: It 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. Rocking chair safety: There is no doubt that rockers are very comfortable, but they can be dangerous as well. There is a possibility of feet and toes getting stuck under the rockers, especially those of small children. Thus, if you do have children in the house, you may want to consider buying a glider as it is a safer choice because it does not have any curved rockers.
7. How much are you willing to spend? If money is not a concern, you should consider buying an exclusive hand crafted rocking chair made by one of the many people who are masters at their craft. It may set you back by thousands of dollars, but every penny will be worth it. But, if you are on a budget, you can still find a comfortable rocking chair for few hundred dollars, albeit not a branded one, unless you decide to buy used.
8. 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 décor and does not look out of place in your beautiful house.
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!
