Go on, admit it. The moment someone says "rocking chair," you picture your grandparents' old fireside chair, or that scene from an American film where it sits creaking by the hearth. There's something a bit old fashioned about the image.
And yet the rocking chair is making a proper comeback in our homes. More than that, it's become a genuine interiors favourite.
Contents
- Why the rocking chair is back
- How to choose yours
- Traditional rattan or something more contemporary?
- Where to put it, room by room
- Styling it to fit your decor
- A piece that doesn't date
If you love the idea of settling into this iconic chair but aren't sure how to work it into your home, this guide is for you. Which model to choose, where to put it, how to style it so it actually enhances your decor. Here's everything you need to make the most of that gentle rocking motion.
A rocking chair is the one chair that makes you slow down. Which is exactly why we need one more than ever.
Why the rocking chair is back
The rocking chair ticks every box on the new decor wish list. It represents comfort, slowness and wellbeing, three things that have become central now that our homes take up so much more of our lives. Its steady, gentle motion tends to feel genuinely calming, ideal for winding down after work or for settling a child.
The style has moved on a lot too. Contemporary designers have reworked its lines, materials and finishes to produce pieces as sculptural as any designer armchair. These days, there's a rocking chair for pretty much every kind of interior.
How to choose yours
The rocking chair started out mainly as a way to settle children. Today it's associated with relaxation full stop, and it turns up everywhere in the home: a reading corner, the living room, a conservatory, the main bedroom, a nursery, even the terrace. Before you commit to a model, it helps to know there are a couple of broad families, each built for a different job.
The two main families of rocking chair
Broadly speaking, there are two main versions:
- The classic design chair: wood or rattan frame, clean lines, straight backrest. Very much a statement piece, ideal as an occasional chair and a decorative one.
- The nursing chair: extra comfort, an enveloping backrest, a padded seat, sometimes with a footrest. Built for long stretches sitting down, whether that's settling a baby or getting through a chapter.
To choose well, start by asking what you'll actually use it for. A chair meant for long reading sessions or night feeds has very different requirements to one that's mainly there to look good in a corner of the living room.
| Main use | Recommended model | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Long relaxation, reading | Comfort rocking chair | Padded seat, enveloping backrest, footrest |
| Nursing, settling a baby | Nursing chair | Wide armrests, smooth motion, soft fabric |
| Decor, occasional seat | Design chair in wood or rattan | Clean lines, light frame, considered finish |
| Outdoors, terrace, conservatory | Treated wood or metal outdoor chair | Weather resistant materials |
Traditional rattan or something more contemporary?
The traditional rattan rocking chair is probably the model that brings the most personality to a room. Part vintage, part design object, it invites you to slow right down, with clean lines and natural materials that look good on their own merit. It's a genuine character piece, our Thistle is a good example of the style.
But if you want the spirit of a rocking chair in a more modern setting, rattan isn't the only route anymore. The rocking chair now comes in enough styles to suit almost any taste.
The main rocking chair styles today
- Scandinavian: light wood frame (oak, beech), a soft seat in beige, dove grey or muted blue fabric. Often with a removable cover, so it's easy to keep clean. Ideal in a living space or a bedroom with neutral tones.
- Boho: woven rattan, cane, wicker, a sculpted backrest. Pairs well with raw materials and ethnic textiles for a warm, textured feel.
- Contemporary: black metal legs, bouclé or faux leather seat, graphic lines. Works best placed on its own, almost like a piece of art.
- Mixed cosy: acacia wood frame with woven rope. Genuinely versatile, equally at home in a conservatory or outdoors on a terrace, thanks to acacia's natural resilience.
- Rustic chic: dark solid wood, perfect by a fireplace with a chunky knit throw for an instant cabin feel.
A good rocking chair doesn't just furnish a room, it changes how the room feels.
Where to put it, room by room
Once you've chosen your model, the next question is where it actually goes. A rocking chair takes up visual space, and it needs a bit of room around it to work properly. Here are the best spots to put one.
In the living room
This is the most natural home for it. To stop it crowding the space, avoid lining it up with the sofa, angle it slightly toward the centre of the room instead, so it creates a proper conversation corner. Near a window, it makes a lovely reading spot, add a small side table, a reading lamp and a shelf of books nearby.
Tip: Always leave at least 50cm of clear space behind the runners so the chair can rock freely without hitting a wall.
In the main bedroom
In a bedroom, a rocking chair works as an elegant, calming occasional chair. Put it near a window with a soft throw over the back, and you've got a proper spot to read before bed. Choose a neutral colourway that sits well with your headboard and bedding.
In the nursery
This is the rocking chair's original job, and still one of its best. For a nursery, go for a comfortable model with wide armrests and an enveloping backrest, in soft tones, white, beige, sage, light terracotta. Place it near the cot or the changing table, close to a soft, dimmable light. The steady rocking motion helps settle a baby during feeds and at bedtime.
On the terrace or balcony
An outdoor rocking chair turns a balcony into an instant retreat. Choose a model built to handle the weather (treated wood, woven resin, epoxy coated metal). Face it toward the view, add a water resistant cushion and a small side table for a coffee or a book. On a bigger terrace, two rocking chairs side by side make a genuinely inviting lounge corner.
Featured rocking chair
Nutmeg, Ribbed Velvet Rocking Chair with Footrest
A sculptural, tufted shape in soft ribbed velvet, with a built-in footrest and a reclining backrest. The kind of piece that anchors a whole room.
Styling it to fit your decor
Whether you've gone for a traditional rattan piece or something more contemporary, a few simple touches can make your rocking chair feel truly yours and pull it right into your decor.
To make it feel more inviting, dress it with plush cushions or a beautiful fabric. If it doesn't already have one, add a matching footrest, which brings comfort as well as a proper sense of relaxation to the corner.
Given how visible it is, give your rocking chair a real place as a decorative piece in its own right. In the living room or the bedroom, drape a faux fur or sheepskin throw over the back to bring out its warmth. A single plush cushion on the seat does much the same thing.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Anchor it on a rug to define its own space | Pushing it right against a wall, it needs room to breathe |
| Drape a throw over the backrest to soften the lines | Placing it on a deep pile rug that blocks the runners |
| Add a colourful lumbar cushion for comfort | Piling on so many cushions the shape disappears |
| Give it its own light source (a floor lamp, a wall light) | Crowding it with other bulky seating in a small room |
| Leave at least 50cm clear behind the runners | Setting it up in a walkway |
Give your rocking chair the space it deserves, and you'll have a proper cocoon to sink into, whether that's for reading, settling your baby, or just switching off after work.
A piece that doesn't date
What makes a rocking chair so worth having is how long it lasts. Unlike a lot of trend led furniture, it doesn't really go out of style: the shape is timeless, the use is universal, and it moves with your home as things change. You can shift it from the living room to the bedroom, dress it in a new cushion, give it a fresh coat of paint, and it keeps earning its place.
That's exactly the thinking behind every HavenNest model: rocking chairs built to stay part of your everyday life, whatever your style happens to be. Whether you're after a design piece for the living room, an enveloping nursing chair for the nursery, or something weatherproof for the garden, there's one in the range that fits.
Browse the full HavenNest range
Frequently asked questions
Does a rocking chair need to go against a wall?
No, and it's better if it doesn't. It needs clear space behind it, at least 50cm, so the runners can move freely without knocking against anything.
Is rattan or wood better for a living room rocking chair?
It comes down to the look you're after. Rattan brings a warmer, more boho feel, while a wood frame with fabric upholstery tends to sit better in a Scandinavian or more contemporary scheme. Both work equally well structurally.
Can I restyle an older rocking chair rather than replace it?
Often, yes. A new cushion, a throw over the backrest, or a coat of paint on the frame can genuinely change how a rocking chair feels in a room, without buying a new one.
How much floor space does a rocking chair actually need?
Beyond its own footprint, allow roughly 15 to 20cm to the sides and at least 50cm behind the runners, so it can rock without hitting furniture or a wall.
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