All About Rocking Chairs

Although the words "rocking chair" were only added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 1787, it was centuries they had been around for a long time before then. The origin and the "beginning" of rocking chairs are not all that clear, but rocking chairs are an important part of American furniture and folk art.

History - Where It All Began

It is generally believed that adding rockers or skates to the bottom of a chairs was a notion borrowed from the design of the rocking horse and cradle. Unbelievable but true, it was not until the beginning of the 18th century that anyone thought of manufacturing rocking furniture suitable for adults.

However, the word "rocker" was already in use in the 15th century to refer to the person that rocked the cradle and by the 18th century, "rocker" also referred to the person that was used to "talk" until others were asleep.

Location: First, you need to decide where you will use the chair. Indoor or outdoor use will have an influence on the type of material you should choose for the construction. In addition the location will determine the size and type of rocking chair that can fit in the space without hitting walls or other surrounding furniture.

Comfort: Pay attention to those features that will determine personal comfort. Simple questions asked like if the headrest is at a comfortable height and does it have decorative features that will cause any discomfort when you place your head against it? Is the seat wide enough to sit comfortably and will the armrests support your elbows properly.

The main idea of rocking chairs is comfort. Sit on it to ensure it supports you lower back as well. In addition, a good rocking chair will provide you with sturdiness to feel safe but with enough flexibility to suit your requirements.

Quality: Be on the look out for a rocking chair that is manufactured with durability and good quality construction in mind. If upholstery is used, think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain it. Leather and micro-fiber fabrics are durable and can be cleaned with ease. Good craftsmanship will be demostrated by nicely fitted and sturdy interlocking parts.

Movement: How does the rocking chair move? A fine, well constructed chair will be well balanced and will move smoothly and evenly without tipping. If the chair is seems precarious, it is not the right rocking chair for you. Keep looking for a better made rocker.

A good rocking chair can be identified by the following features

• Rockers: The most important part of the chair is obviously the rocker. This part is responsible for the level of comfort in the rocking motion that you will experience with the chair. In addition, the rockers must be of such design and construction that apart from the smooth motion the chair is safe and won't tip over.
• Backrests: The purpose of the backrest is to provide proper back support with a slight angle when you sit in it.
• Legs: Because the chair is mounted on to rockers, you will find that the legs of the rocking chair will be to a large extent shorter than static chairs. This is because the rockers can be mounted onto the chair without raising the height of the seat.

Rocking chairs are surprisingly comfortable. It's hard to believe that an unadorned piece of timber can result in such comfort!

Of course, you can add to even more comfort and match your decor by adding some upholstery or simple cushions.

It is advisable to have the cushion custom made according to the specifications of the rocking chair. It is hard to find two rockers of the same size particularly and therefore it is important to measure the chair carefully before you buy any ready made cushion.

The type of cushion also plays an important part. This is truly a matter of personal choice. You can choose either a thick or thin cushion to be placed on the basis of the chair or you can attach a cushion on to the backrest of the chair to enhance the back support.

Some folks like a cushion on the seat, while other prefer on the backrest. Some like both and real purists prefer to leave the rocker in its pristine state. It's really up to you to determine what is comfortable and what suits your situation.

Folk Art and Comfort

Some people think that rocking chairs are just for old folks sitting on the porch dozing away in the late afternoon sun, anyone who have experienced the comfort of a good rocking chair will tell you, this piece of significant furniture can and are enjoyed by all ages.

Rocking chairs may have humble origins but they have taken a place in American museums as well as our homes. Presidents have used them in the Oval Office and some rocking chairs are considered such works of art that they sell for ten of thousands of dollars.

There is a rocking chair to suit even the most discerning amongst us and with the variety available picking your personal favourite can be a rather difficult task. However, in the end, making the right choice of quality will reward you with years of rocking pleasure to come.