How to Choose the Right Rocking Chair: The Complete Guide

The rocking chair is properly back. Elegant, calming and remarkably comfortable, this gently swinging seat, sometimes called a glider depending on the mechanism, appeals just as much to interiors lovers as it does to new parents or anyone who spends their evenings on the terrace.

Whether you're after a design piece for the living room, a proper relaxation chair, or a garden seat with a soothing rock to it, narrowing it down can get complicated fast.

At HavenNest, we put this guide together to help you find the rocking chair that actually fits how you live. Work through each point below, one at a time, and the right model tends to become obvious.

Contents

• Working out what you'll actually use it for
• Choosing the right style
• Material: comfort and durability
• Colour: making it yours
• Budget: a rocking chair for every budget
• Comfort and ergonomics
• Space and assembly

1. Working out what you'll actually use it for

Before you even think about colour or fabric, ask yourself one simple question: what is this rocking chair actually for? It's the single most important decision, because it shapes everything else, from the shape of the seat to the kind of legs it stands on. At HavenNest, our whole range is built around three main uses.

A rocking chair for your home

Looking for a chair that lifts your living room, bedroom or study? Our Rocking Chairs collection brings together contemporary shapes and considered finishes. Built as proper pieces of furniture rather than an afterthought, these models sit just as well in a Scandinavian style home as in an industrial loft or a period conversion. With wood frames or metal legs depending on the model, they bring a strong decorative note to any room. Ember, Birch and Rowan are good examples, each with its own distinct look.

These chairs pair naturally with a sofa, a coffee table or a media unit, and work just as well beside a bed or a nightstand to create a proper reading corner.

A rocking chair for nursing

The first months with a baby are precious, and how comfortable you are during feeds makes a real difference. Our Nursing Chairs collection is built specifically for new parents, with close attention paid to ergonomics:

• A comfortable seat with high-density foam padding
• A high, padded backrest for proper back and neck support
• Armrests at the right height to hold your baby without straining your arms
• A gentle, steady rocking motion, genuinely useful for settling a baby to sleep

Models like Fern and Ivy offer real, plush comfort. Their deep, enveloping seats work just as well for nursing as they do for a quiet cuddle. Some come with a matching footrest or an extra cushion for even more comfort, and they sit just as naturally in a nursery, paired with a soft throw and a support pillow.

A rocking chair for outdoors

Terrace, garden, balcony or conservatory: if your rocking chair is going to live outside, you need a model built to handle the weather. Our Garden Rocking Chairs collection is made to last outdoors and complement your existing garden furniture:

• Materials resistant to UV and damp: woven rattan, aluminium, textilene
• Minimal upkeep, a wipe with a damp cloth is usually enough, no varnish or treatment needed
• Some frames stack or fold for easy storage
• Finishes that don't fade, even in direct sun
• A few models in bamboo or timber treated specifically for outdoor use

Dune and Cedar are ideal for enjoying the garden without worrying about rain or sun. Pair one with a side table, an outdoor pouffe or a few bright cushions to put together a relaxed outdoor corner.

2. Choosing the right style

Once you've settled on the use, style comes next. A rocking chair earns a real spot in your home, it's a piece of furniture in its own right, not a spare seat you keep in a cupboard, so it needs to sit well with what you already have.

If you like clean lines and soft shapes, look at a Scandinavian or minimal design. Rocking chairs with oak, ash or walnut legs and a fabric seat fit beautifully into cosy, natural interiors. Natural wood brings warmth, while a grey or beige colourway keeps things understated.

If you prefer something bolder and more contemporary, go for a model with stronger curves and a punchier colour. A blue, teal or mustard velvet rocking chair on a black metal frame brings real character to a room. It's the kind of small statement piece that draws the eye in a living room.

For outdoor use, the style leans more relaxed. Materials like rattan, bamboo or woven resin bring an easy, natural feel that suits a garden, a timber terrace or a balcony full of plants. A lounger style rocking chair is perfect for long summer afternoons.

3. Material: comfort and durability

The material shapes comfort, upkeep and how long your rocking chair actually lasts. From soft fabric to faux leather to solid wood, each material has its own strengths. Here's a quick comparison:

The padding under the seat and backrest matters just as much. High-density foam holds its shape well over time, while a polyester filling gives a softer, plusher feel. On some higher-end models you'll also find memory foam, which moulds to your shape rather than staying fixed.

4. Colour: making it yours

The colour of your rocking chair isn't a minor detail. It sets the tone for the whole space and says something about you. At HavenNest, we offer a range that runs from soft, muted tones to bolder shades, so there's a fit for most tastes.

• Neutral tones (beige, light grey, ecru, taupe): safe, versatile choices that work almost anywhere and bring a calm, settled feel. Lovely paired with natural wood.
• Warm tones (terracotta, brown, orange): a welcoming, cosy atmosphere, good for giving a dining room or living room some personality.
• Bold colours (navy, teal, green, fuchsia, purple): your rocking chair becomes the centrepiece. One bold chair can genuinely lift an entire room.
• Natural shades (raw wood, olive green, sand): well suited to outdoor spaces, where they sit comfortably against greenery.
• Black, white, charcoal: for anyone who prefers understated, timeless elegance. A black or charcoal rocking chair blends easily into a modern interior.

Pattern is worth a thought too: stripes, geometric prints or patchwork add a bit of personality, while a plain cover shows off the shape of the chair itself. A two-tone rocking chair, one colour for the seat, another for the legs, is also a popular choice right now.

5. Budget: a rocking chair for every budget

Price depends on the material, the design and the finish. Here's roughly what to expect across each HavenNest collection:

Whatever your budget, the important thing is finding a chair that balances comfort with durability. A well chosen rocking chair tends to stick around for years, it's the kind of purchase you make once, in the same category as a good sofa or a proper armchair.

6. Comfort and ergonomics

A rocking chair is, above all, an invitation to slow down. Unlike a plain chair or a stool, the rocking motion itself is what makes it genuinely relaxing. Here's what to check before you buy:

• The seat: deep and padded enough to hold you comfortably through a long session. Seat height should suit your own build.
• The backrest: a high backrest protects your neck and shoulders. Some models include a built-in headrest, useful for settling a baby or reading for hours at a stretch.
• The armrests: these take the strain off your arms and shoulders. For nursing, height and width matter more than you'd expect. A well positioned armrest cuts real tension in your upper body.
• The rocking motion: smooth and steady, thanks to properly curved runners. A good rocking chair moves naturally, with no effort and a gentle range that actually helps you relax.
• The upholstery: soft fabric or a plush velvet makes the whole experience nicer. Look for removable, reversible covers to keep care simple.

If your back tends to feel tired after a long day, a rocking chair is genuinely worth considering. The rocking motion keeps you gently moving rather than sitting rigid, and many people find that more comfortable over time than a fixed swivel chair or a standard desk chair. It doubles nicely as an end of day relaxation chair too.

7. Space and assembly

Before you order, measure the space you actually have. A rocking chair needs a bit more room than a fixed chair or a two-seater, because of the rocking motion. Leave roughly 15 to 20cm of extra clearance in front of and behind the chair so it can move freely.

Think about the layout of the room too. A rocking chair works well beside a sofa in the living room, next to a coffee table or a reading lamp, tucked into a corner of the bedroom, or even in a conservatory. For outdoor models, check that it stays stable on your terrace or balcony, even on a slightly uneven surface.

As for assembly, most HavenNest rocking chairs arrive with clear instructions and go together quickly, usually in a matter of minutes with the tools provided. The seat and backrest attach to the wood frame or metal legs in a few simple steps. You don't need to be handy to have it ready the same day.

In short: finding your ideal rocking chair

To choose the right rocking chair, work through these in order:

• Use: indoors, nursing, or outdoors? This is where to start, and it points you to the right collection straight away.
• Style: Scandinavian, contemporary, relaxed, your rocking chair should sit naturally in your existing decor.
• Material: fabric, velvet, solid wood, rattan or weatherproof materials, each with its own comfort and care trade-offs.
• Colour: neutral, warm, bold or natural, it sets the tone and reflects your taste.
• Budget: a good rocking chair is a long-term purchase, in the same league as a proper sofa or armchair.
• Comfort: seat, backrest, armrests, runners and rocking motion, check each one.
• Space: measure up, allow for the rocking motion, and check how easy assembly will be.

Work through each of these and the right rocking chair tends to become obvious on its own. If you're still torn, browse our Rocking Chairs, Nursing Chairs and Garden Rocking Chairs collections to see the full range.

Browse the HavenNest rocking chair collections

Frequently asked questions

Is a rocking chair actually good for your back?

For most people, yes. The gentle, repeated motion keeps you moving rather than sitting still, which many people find more comfortable than a fixed chair over a long session.

Can I use an indoor rocking chair outside?

It's not a good idea. Indoor fabrics and finishes aren't built for damp or direct sun and will wear quickly outdoors. Stick to a model from our Garden Rocking Chairs collection for outdoor use.

Do rocking chairs work on carpet?

Yes, most runners glide fine on carpet, though the motion can feel slightly softer than on a hard floor. If you're on thick carpet or a rug, a model with wider runners tends to feel more stable.

How long does assembly usually take?

Most HavenNest rocking chairs go together in well under an hour, often closer to twenty minutes, with the tools included in the box.