20 Types Of Rocking Chairs For Inside And Outside The Home

Rocking chairs are one of those home furnishings that people either love or hate. Modern homeowners tend to avoid them, while people who prefer a more traditional home seem to embrace them. While they are known for a classic aesthetic, the truth is that everyone can enjoy a good rocking chair if they know how to search for the right one. There are several different types that you can pick.

There are several different ways to categorize rocking chairs. The most common methods include by material, by purpose, as well as the actual mechanism that makes the chairs rock back and forth. The most common type of rocking chair is a wooden traditional rocking chair.

If you are wondering what type of rocker you have or what type of rocking chair you should buy, then you came to the right place. We’re going to try to go through the many different types so that you can learn more about this unique style of chair.

When most people think of a rocking chair that a granny would sit on, they are thinking of a traditional rocking chair. These are rocking chairs that have two bow-shaped curves on the bottom of the chair legs that allow people to rock back and forth. Many people would say that these are “granny” chairs, slang-wise.

Though these may have an antiquated appeal, the truth is that they are still quite well-liked. Most of the time, people will want these as a family heirloom. They’re particularly popular among people who love “country” looks as well as people who are fans of antiques. If you want something that works well as patio furniture, then you can’t go wrong with a traditional rocker.

You see that red and tan rocking chair at the front of the photo here? Yep. That’s a glider chair. These are rockers that have a stable bottom, but have a mechanism that lets them slide back and forth. As far as a rocking chair would go, they don’t really do much actual “rocking.” Rather, it’s more of a gliding motion that’s ideal for smooth, seamless adjustments.

These are the most mechanically involved chairs of this genre on the market, and they have a lot of parts that move. Since they tend to have a lot of little parts and metal portions, they also tend to be the heaviest rocking chairs. As a result, they don’t really slip much. They also won’t fall over the way that some of the more traditional chairs might if you lean too far back.

Regular traditional rocking chairs will have you rock yourself while you sit down. Gliding chairs offer a back and forth swing through a gentle push of the legs. Spring rockers, on the other hand, tend to get a lot of their momentum from springs that are located underneath the chair portion of the rocking chair.

Spring rocking chairs aren’t always easy to find. In fact, they have one of the rarer mechanisms that people use to propel rocking chairs. So, if you find one, consider yourself lucky. These are pretty difficult to source. As you might guess, the rocking motion tends to be a little bit bouncy.

Did you ever want to lean back in a rocking chair and just chill out? Then you may want to take a look at a reclining rocking chair. These are chairs that tend to have a backrest that is meant to lean back compared to most other rockers. These tend to be popular among moms who just had a baby and need to have a location to nurse.

However, you shouldn’t assume that reclining rocking chairs are just for new moms. They tend to be pretty popular among plenty of other people. In fact, they’re pretty darn good for gaming too. All you need to do to get a good gaming chair out of these is to find a model that has a slightly more modern look like the one above

Some might consider this more of a toy than a rocking chair, but the truth is that the mechanism is one and the same. These are toy horses that kids can “ride” by sitting on top and rocking back and forth. While this toy might be a little bit retro for today’s kids, they still remain popular as both a gift and as a statement furniture piece in kids’ nurseries.

Believe it or not, toy horses can actually be a highly coveted antique, with some models fetching thousands of dollars. Of course, most people just like to use them as de facto Christmas decorations. This is especially true if you are a fan of The Nutcracker and similarly classical Russian stories.

Believe it or not, most of the rocking chairs that people think of as “prairie” rocking chairs originally hail from Boston. This type of rocking chair was initially popular in Boston during the late 1700s. As settlers ventured out West, the chairs became a major staple of homesteaders across the country.

Today, people tend to appreciate their simple rustic look. It’s characterized by a tall back, decorative spindles, and a thin yet sculpted wood frame. If you are looking for a very distinctive look for your front porch that has that all-American flair, then this is a good choice for you to consider. They are simple, chic, and timeless…just like the American countryside.

If you go to an antique mall, you’ll probably find some Bentwood rocking chairs somewhere in the stands. Initially made during the 1800s by woodworker Michael Thonet, these chairs are mostly recognizable by their swirly wooden structures. Unlike Boston rockers, these are extremely rare to see in modern home furniture stores.

Why? Well, it has a lot to do with their manufacturing process. In order to properly make a Bentwood, you would have to steam the wood in order to make it pliable. That is how the swirls are made, and how the wood manages to stay curved. Since that level of woodworking is kind of rare these days, you might not be able to buy one made in a factory.

Okay, so you probably wouldn’t be able to tell from the photos that I chose for this article, but most wooden rocking chairs will either have an upholstered back (I’ll get into this later), a wicker mesh back (like the one Bentwood pic!), or thin vertical slats. A ladderback chair is a rocking chair that has horizontal back supports that are supported by two major poles on either end of the chair.

In other words, this is a Boston chair that has a back that resembles the back of a typical ladder. Much like Boston chairs in general, this type of rocking chair is known for being fairly easy to make. As a result, ladderbacks are still fairly popular in furniture stores. They tend to have a rustic look to them, which means that you can usually add them to a country-chic place to stay.

Because rocking chairs were a staple in the Wild West, the vast majority of “old school” American-style rockers do not have padding. Padding and upholstery were considered to be luxury items back in the day. Today, people want to have some cushion for their tushes. (Tushies? Whatever.)

When upholsterers realized that there was a stark demand for more comfort, they set to work. The end result was a new line of rocking chairs that have upholstery. You can often find rocking chairs that work with this concept as antiques (padded back and bottom). However a newer group of people rocking chairs now have a more modern appearance by adding upholstery and padding throughout the body of the chair.

So, rattan and wicker chairs had a major boom in popularity during the 1990s. While they are not as trendy as they once were, you occasionally will still find them in backyards or garden rooms from time to time. As the name suggests, these are rocking chairs that are primarily made from woven wicker or rattan.

The wicker itself is rarely ever strong enough to support the rocking action on its own. So, the material might end up being wrapped around a wood or steel frame. Even so, it’s hard to ignore what kind of style statement it tends to impart. If you are a fan of tropical or coastal homes, then you will find this type of rocking chair to be a good addition to your home.

What should you do if you want to get a rocking chair that you want to use for a garden party, but don’t want to deal with the messy splinters that wood would have? It’s simple: you get a metal rocking chair instead. Metal rocking chairs can come in a variety of different styles and materials. These tend to be most popular in situations where you want durability and stability that would not be easy to get from wood alone.

As far as the material options go, you have a lot of subcategories that you can consider. The most common metal used is wrought iron, but you can also find rocking chairs made with aluminum, steel, as well as bronze. If you want to keep a metal chair outside, I strongly suggest you paint your metal chairs to make sure that you avoid problems caused by rust.

Note: If you are worried about getting stains on your rocking chair while it’s outside, go for metal. A quick spray from the garden hose will be more than enough to make sure that your chairs remain safe. Waterproofing is awesome like that, right?

Did you ever feel like rocking on a chair out in the middle of nature? Apparently there was a trend for that in the 1870s, when the first foldable rocking chair was made. Since then, this type of chair became somewhat niche. Though you will be hard-pressed to find an antique version of this, the truth is that newer camping equipment companies now offer their own modern takes on this concept.

Most of the rockers that fit into this category today will not look like a traditional rocker, nor will they be made from materials that you would find a typical rocking chair made from. This is because they’re made for light packing, and because it’s usually camping supply companies that make them. Heck, the one above doesn’t even look like a rocking chair at all!

For the sake of this article, I decided that it was best to divide wooden rocking chairs into two main categories. The first one is softwood. Softwood rocking chairs are made of woods that aren’t really that hard, such as pine. They tend to be woodworking projects or at the very least, more affordable to buy than a hardwood rocking chair would be.

These rocking chairs are not exactly the best quality—at least, not when it comes to matters of durability. This is because softwoods are more prone to problems like wear, splintering, scuffs, and scratches. If you are particularly heavy, you might also have a higher risk of breakage if you sit on a poorly made softwood chair. (Ask me how I know. I broke one and am 200 pounds.)

Generally speaking, softwood rocking chairs are not going to be heirloom items. They don’t last as long, which means that they would need to be specially treated if they were to become heirlooms. Regular re-finishing is also pretty heavily encouraged if you want to keep these for decades to come.

When people think of “old world” furniture, they tend to think of hardwood. This is doubly true with rocking chairs, since they tend to require a lot more sturdiness due to the movement that they are expected to have. Hardwood rocking chairs are made from woods that have a higher Janka hardness score. Common wood types in this category can include teak, mahogany, hickory, and pecan.

As you might expect, hardwood rocking chairs are a lot more durable. They are less likely to scuff or scratch, and far less likely to break from the wrong behind sitting down on them. Since they are a lot more sturdy, they also tend to require less sealing. While they still should have some kind of protective coating, the urgency of applying sealant on a semi-regular basis isn’t there.

If you’re in the market for a rocking chair that can become a family heirloom, then you should consider getting a hardwood rocking chair. They tend to be more expensive upfront, but they also tend to retain their value. This is especially true if you want to get a rocker that is made of a rare wood.

If you don’t like the way that many rockers tend to give an “oldie” feel, you’re not alone. That’s why plenty of modern furniture designers are trying to remake the concept of a rocking chair into something a bit more futuristic. As the picture above shows, these rockers tend to show a more abstract side to design…often assisted by minimalist, organic curves.

These rocking chairs tend to be extremely expensive and pricey to maintain. However, it’s hard to ignore how pretty they are and how much people want to own one. Heirloom material? Oh my, yes. Due to the unique shapes that they come in, modern rocking chairs tend to be made from plastic, resin, metal, or wood exclusively.

So, modern-looking rocking chairs tend to be made en masse. This means that making them from plastic is becoming increasingly common, especially if you like the look of Eames chair-style rockers like the ones above. Plastic rockers are some of the few that are made from multiple materials, most commonly wood, metal, as well as a plastic shell.

This type of rocking chair is ideal for people who want to have a rocking chair that looks expensive, but doesn’t necessarily have that high-end price tag. Gorgeous plastic rockers can be found at a fairly reasonable price because of their tendency to be mass-produced. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if I found out that stores like IKEA had rockers like this for under $50. They’re also easy to clean, so…bonus?

Most of us have noticed that picnic benches used in park settings have a certain structure and material associated with them. They are usually extremely sturdy structures made of thicker hardwood, topped with a slightly glossy finish to protect the wood in question. In other words, they are made for lasting long in the outdoors. Wondering what I’m getting at?

Deck rocking chairs are built using many of the same design elements as park benches and picnic tables. They are meant to be sturdier than most others, and that goes for both the material being used as well as the design of the chair itself. Deck rocking chairs are specifically meant to be used outdoors exclusively—no shielding from the sun required.

If you take a look at most of the pictures rocking chairs on porches, they tend to be smaller and thinner than the one above. That’s because they need to stay in shade, away from rain. Deck chairs don’t.

Most of us have seen these contraptions hanging out at local parks, or in front of upscale patios that tend to have a lot of guests. Though they can sometimes take the form of a swing (like the one here), they also can look like traditional stretched-out chairs that are large enough to fit two to three people. They’re starting to become a bit more popular now that people are looking for better seating for entertainment.

These elegant upgrades to a standard rocking chair are most commonly made “deck style” and are popular in backyards as well as decks. Kids love these things! Oh and because they are meant to support the weight of multiple people, they tend to be built sturdier—much like deck rocking chairs.

While they are growing in popularity, it’s still important to recognize that these are very different from most other rockers. These are one of the only types of rocking chairs that are almost entirely found outdoors.

So, there are two different schools of thought when it comes to nursery rocking chairs as a category. The first one is counting them as the category of rocking chairs that most mothers have when they are trying to nurse a newborn. Of course, these tend to be upholstered chairs or chairs that are painted up in a nice pastel hue related to the baby’s nursery color scheme. But, I’m not going to talk about that category.

Rather, I’m going to talk about the rocking chairs that are often found in nurseries to help babies (and sometimes preschoolers) settle down. These tend to be petite rockers that are built for the size of the child that is going to be using them. In many cases, these are given as a birthday present for the young kiddo or as a hand-me-down.

Regardless of the interpretation that you choose to use, the truth is that all of these rocking chairs have two things in common. First off, they’re all found in nurseries. Secondly, they all tend to be done up in a gentle pastel color because it can help kids settle down after a long day of feeding.

I wasn’t sure whether or not I should add this to a list of the different types of rocking chairs, but I felt that they still fit the bill. Hanging rocking chairs are exactly what they sound like. They are not quite a hammock, but a structured chair that is suspended from the ceiling. While they are not a rocking chair in the classic sense of the word, they still do the whole rocking back and forth jive.

In a lot of ways, these rocking chairs are the newest iteration on an older concept. They are most commonly made from wicker, wood, and metal. However, it’s possible to find them in plastic renditions, too. If you like the idea of a “boho chic” type of vibe, then you probably would pair off well with one of these. They are basically made for Urban Outfitters catalogs, aren’t they?

People who want to have an artsy look to their homes will love this style of rocking chair. With that said, you might find these to be difficult to get in and out of. So, try to have a step stool nearby if you’re not comfortable with hopping up into the “basket.”

Related Questions

Are rocking chairs going out of style?

It really depends on your definition of “in style.” Rocking chairs are considered to be one of the more timeless pieces of furniture that you can have, especially if you pride yourself on having a “country chic” type of home decoration. Rocking chairs aren’t as common as they once were, but that doesn’t mean that they are out of trend. Rather, that tends to mean that peoples’ habits inside the home are starting to change.For example, older folks don’t just rock on a chair while they sew anymore. That’s outdated. Most people who are getting older in age prefer to sit on a recliner or on a big comfy sofa. See what I mean?

Are rocking horses safe for kids?

Yes, rocking horses are safe for kids…as long as you make sure to get a rocking horse that is appropriate for the age of your child. When in doubt, check the details on the rocking horse and pick one that has the right safety straps, if your child needs them. Generally speaking, these toys have stood the test of time because they are fun and won’t cause major injuries to children.

Are rocking chairs good for your spine?

Believe it or not, they can be. Gently rocking back and forth can help release some of the pressure that your spine feels in the lumbar section near your lower back. While it is not a replacement for a trip to the chiropractor, having a rocking chair can make it easier to deal with spine pain as you get older in age. If you have back pain and want to give it a try, find a chair that feels comfortable for you.