Seven Tips for Choosing a Rocking Chair: America has a unique fondness for rocking chairs. In the late 1700’s, someone had the wonderful idea of adding skates or rockers to the bottom of a regular chair, similar to a rocking horse or baby’s cradle. Rocking chairs have become synonymous with relaxation and comfort, whether you’re soothing a little one or relaxing by a fire with a good book. Americans often make a rocking chair a key piece in their collection, and some are handed down by generations – from finely-crafted Sam Maloof styles with beautiful curved runners to our iconic wicker rocker. Some of our most famous presidents found solace in the comfort of their rocking chair. So, how do you choose one? Tips on selecting the right Rocking Chair: 1. Where will you be placing the chair? For inside your home, a cushioned wooden rocker is ideal – in maple or oak with a golden hue will blend in perfectly with most décor. For your patio, porch or garden, cedar, Brazilian cherry wood or teak varieties hold up well throughout the seasons, and are available in an array of colors.

2. Comfort is a key element in your selection. John F. Kennedy often found many hours of relief from his bad back in his Appalachian oak rocker with a rattan seat. - Is the chair comfortable and does it provide proper support? - Can you rest your elbows comfortably on the armrests? - Does the back and seat provide flexibility with some firmness? - While supporting the whole back, does the seat slant down a bit to give the lower back support at the same time? 3. Does the chair rock evenly while in motion, gliding in a smooth fashion without making you feel like you’re going to fall backward? Does the rocking motion continue without repeated pushes? 4. Is the chair constructed well for longevity? Techniques in manufacturing that can make a chair truly withstand the test of time include using interlocking joints instead of glue. The Maloof design uses strips of laminated wood to add extra strength to each ski in his elegant designs. 5. What design of rocker will fit your style?

Are you looking for the down-home feel of a wicker chair, or maybe something that allows the true beauty of the natural would to show through? Do you want fabric for the cushion? Rocking chairs can be rustic, casual or exotic depending on the design of the slants (horizontal, vertical, ladder back) and the finishes you select (varnished, painted, stained, natural.) 6. What is your budget for your chair? For the ultimate in comfort and the patience to wait up to two years for delivery, a Sam Maloof chair can be had for $20,000. If you’re looking for something more economical, fabulous rockers can be found at estate sales, vintage shops and online sites for a fraction of the cost of a new chair. 7. Do you want to assemble the chair yourself, or have it done professionally? Whether you’re seeking out the perfect rocker to enjoy communing with nature, soothe a little one, or sitting inside next to the fireplace, we hope we’ve given you some excellent tips on selecting the perfect chair for you!

It’s 2 a.m. and you look through bleary eyes at your wee one wedged against you, on the brink of nodding off. Sleep will come soon, but for now there’s you and your baby, warm and cozy, slowly rocking in the deep quiet of night. For centuries, moms have used a rocking chair to soothe babies to sleep and share special snuggles. These days the traditional rocker has a major competitor: the glider. Instead of rocking in an arc-like of motion, the glider has a fluid back-and-forth slide and requires less effort to keep the momentum going (good for those half-awake nights).ikea dining chairs plastic Gliders and rocking chairs are niceties, not necessities. buying office chairs in bulkA glider in the nursery is the perfect spot to cuddle, feed and read to your little one. ikea wooden chair folding

You could certainly curl up on the couch or on a traditional chair too, but you’d miss out on the rhythmic motion, which simulates being in the womb and helps babies settle into sleep. Which glider is dreamiest depends on your family’s budget, space and decor. To start, take a look at these options that received the highest ratings from BabyList parents. Storkcraft Hoop Glider Product WHY WE LOVE IT With a classic, rocking chair look, the Storkcraft does one better than old-timey finds. buy dining chairs sydneyYou’ll get plush seat and back cushions, padded arms, and a smooth motion.black swivel chair sale Don’t expect this chair to last, because while it’s super affordable it’s not the most durable. leather office chair pottery barn

Tip: Don’t screw it together too tight or it’ll make a creaking noise. WHAT BABYLIST PARENTS SAY “It has side pockets to store a book or tablet. I would stash a water bottle in one side during nursings and a book in the other.” -Adriana “The glider we have is absolutely wonderful. The lumbar pillow is a dream and is very comfortable. It’s very easy to get in and out of the glider with a baby in arms and there are no issues whatsoever. The price is the icing on the cake for this glider because we only spent around $200 at the time on it.” -Elizabeth Comes With an Ottoman Dutailer Ultramotion Glider WHY WE LOVE IT In one word: the ottoman. The Ultramotion’s price includes the glider and gliding ottoman (so nothing messes with your sleepy-time rhythm). It’s a godsend for weary moms who just need to put their feet up. Having an ottoman or footstool makes breastfeeding easier too. Plus, this glider has a solid maple frame that should hold up for years.

This wooden glider might not be as comfortable to snuggle in when your baby grows bigger (versus an oversized, upholstered glider).So comfortable for those late nights and early mornings when he was an infant.” -Denelle Little Castle Glider Product WHY WE LOVE IT Plush upholstery, a bunch of different styles and fabrics to choose from, and a 360-degree swivel, all make this glider a favorite among BabyList parents. It’s five-inch-thick, seat cushion means you can rack up a lot of rocking hours without losing any fluff. Little Castle basic glider models don’t recline or have a footrest, but for $200 more you can get a both in their higher-end versions. You can also purchase the basic model’s coordinating ottoman. “This is one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever had - great purchase!” -Maureen Madison Swivel Glider WHY WE LOVE IT This chair has built in 360° swivel action, so it’s great when you need to reach for the shelf or plug in your phone or turn to talk to another child.

And it is oh-so-comfortable and stylish enough to live in your living room not just the nursery Some parents lament that it does not have enough head support so you may need an extra pillow for long nursing sessions or cuddle fests. “It was affordable and more sophisticated-looking than other options” -Hillary “Very comfortable, small size is great for smaller rooms, and microfiber makes it easy to clean” - Lisa Best Chairs Kersey Upholstered Swivel Glider Recliner Product WHY WE LOVE IT The mack daddy of gliders, this upholstered chair swivels, glides, reclines (hello naptime!), and has a pop-out footrest. Perfect for nurseries where there’s just not enough space for both a chair and an ottoman. If you are less than 5 foot-6-inches tall, your feet might not touch the ground when sitting in this chair, which would make it impossible for you to glide. “It is more like a sofa chair. Very plush and comfy.” -Paula Pottery Barn Kids Merced Glider WHY WE LOVE IT

Pottery Barn took the comfy, club chair we’ve been yearning for our whole lives and turned it into a glider. Made from water repellent and fade-resistant fabric, the Merced also swivels. Given the price, we’d love to see this chair recline. But alas, it doesn’t.Can’t count the hours logged in this over three kids and two-and-a-half years. So glad we invested in such a great one.” -Caroline Now that you’ve had a chance to review some of the gliders out there, you probably have in mind what matters most to you when it comes to balancing cost, comfort, quality and style. Obviously, comfort is key when it comes to any nursery chair, but we’d also encourage you to consider how easy the fabric is to clean (yes, there will be spit up and spills). Also, how will you use it once the baby years are over (they go fast!)? If you’re handing it down, then a classic wooden number is fitting for any nursery, but if you’d like to move it to another room, you’ll want a glider that wouldn’t look out of place in your living room or office.