Indoor Rocking Chair Vs. Outdoor Rocking Chair

About Rocking Chairs

• Rocking chairs were first used in North America in the early 1700s. The original rocking chairs were ordinary chairs with two rockers placed on the bottom. They began as outdoor seating in gardens and later on front porches. As time went by, rocking chairs became popular for indoor seating as well.

  Rocking chairs are considered to be soothing and comfortable. They are often used to calm crying babies and for relaxation. Rocking chairs have been continuously reinvented over the years. Gliders, which have a soothing backward and forward motion, are a modern version of a rocking chair.

Indoor Rocking Chairs

• Indoor-only rocking chairs are not meant to withstand the outdoor elements. Some manufacturers make rocking chairs that can be used indoors, in a sunroom or a covered porch. They may have some protection -- against UV rays for example -- but can't withstand harsh weather. Some rocking chairs and gliders are covered with fabric that is not meant for the outdoors. On the other hand, there are rocking chairs that can be used both indoors and out. Many wooden rocking chairs can be used in both locations. Rockers can simply change the cushions from indoor to outdoor cushions.

  Indoor rocking chairs are often used in nurseries, family rooms, dens and bedrooms. In the nursery, they are used to help calm babies to sleep. In the family room, they are often placed by a window so the rocker can look outside or by a fireplace so the rocker can relax with a book.

Outdoor Rocking Chairs

• Outdoor rocking chairs must withstand elements such as harsh sun and rain. They need to be both weather proof and color proof to avoid fading. Some materials such as wicker are used for indoor or outdoor rockers. Any wicker rocking chair used outside must be constructed from an all-weather wicker have the ability to stand up against the elements. Outdoor rocking chairs are typically used on a front porch, patio or deck. The cushions must be outdoor cushions.

Materials and Styles

• A number of materials are used to create rocking chairs. Wood and wicker are two commonly used materials for both indoor and outdoor rocking chairs. Other materials include metal and plastic. Two common styles are classic and Adirondack. The classic is often a wood rocker with classic wooden back spindles and is used for a rustic or cottage look. The Adirondack style is often made of wood, and its defining characteristics include wide, flat arms, a slanted back and wide, flat back slats. It is commonly used to create a coastal, maritime look.