An outdoor rocking chair brings some of that indoor comfort to outdoor furniture. Not only does it provide a comfortable and sturdy seat, but it also comes with the benefit of movement, a lazy swaying that's both relaxing and healthy. When it comes to choosing an outdoor rocking chair that is perfect for your home there are three main varieties: the classic rocker, the glider and the swivel rocking chair.
Classic Rocking Chair
The classic variety of outdoor rocking chair was actually intended primarily for indoor use and dates back over three centuries to Western Europe. There were many styles to come out of the original designs, including the Adirondack, rustic, shaker, Salem, Boston, and Windsor rocking chair, but in general they all had similar characteristics.
The classic rocking chair is akin to a normal wooden chair and can have or not have both arm and backrests. What makes them different from a normal chair is the addition of two curved rockers, one at the base of each of the two chair legs. These rockers afford the user a smooth back and forth rocking motion using only one's feet as propulsion.
Glider
Gliders are a newer type of outdoor rocking chair whose roots can be traced back to the late 1930s. This chair is actually a platform rocker in which the seat moves along a four bar linkage track across the base. It's the non-parallel suspension arms of this linkage mechanism which gives the chair a back and forth gliding motion.
Some
people prefer the movement of gliders to rockers, and they are especially popular in nurseries, where mothers use them to nurse and soothe fussy babies. At the same time, some people prefer gliders because the base always remains on the ground, unlike a rocker, which can pinch pets and small children underneath its rockers.
Swivel Rocking Chair
The swivel outdoor rocking chair is the most recent innovation, dating back to the 1960s in the United States. A swivel chair is unique in that not only can it rock back and forth, but it can also move sideways, which gives users a greater range of motion and ease when reaching for nearby objects. The base of these seats typically consists of a single central leg upon which the above seat can bend in 360 degrees. The leg is then attached to a circular, weighted base so that the chair does not tip over.
When buying a swivel chair, think about where you want to put it. You will need more room than for a typical outdoor rocking chair with the added range of motion so choose a space that's open on all sides.
Like gliders, many people prefer swivel rocking chairs because there is no risk of being pinched, as the base remains grounded at all times. At the same time, the swivel chair is the farthest away from the classic design of the rocking chair, so if you prefer a more traditional look, then this model may not be for you.
Author Resource:-
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes about Outdoor Rocking Chair and Outdoor Rocking Chair Cushions.
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