Outdoor Rocking Chair: Rocking the Night Away

Finding a comfortable, durable outdoor rocking chair is a great way to ensure a nice relaxing place to sit when you're home from work and ready to wind down.

Advantages to Using an Outdoor Rocking Chair

An outdoor rocking chair creates a nice relaxing ambiance on your porch or in your backyard. Rocking chairs are nice because, unlike many other chairs, they move. Many people find repetitive motion very relaxing and will fall asleep in a rocking chair. Others like rocking chairs because they're relaxing, but they're not as relaxing as a recliner, which is sure to put you to sleep.

Rocking chairs aren't for everyone. Many parents like rocking chairs because they help lure their small children to sleep. However, many parents don't like rocking chairs. In fact, they consider them a household hazard that could harm their child. A person rocking away in a rocking chair many not realize that a small children is behind them and rock right over their toes.

Keeping Your Rocking Chair in Good Shape

You can find an outdoor rocking chair that is the same style as your indoor rocking chairs, however, it may not be made from the same material. If you're going to make your rocking chair and outdoor rocking chair, make sure that it can withstand the elements. You would not want to put an antique rocking chair with antique cloth or non-durable paint outside. Rain will warp unprotected or soft wood. It will also cause mold or mildew build up on cloth seats. The sun will crack wood and fade paint jobs.

The first thing you can do to protect your outdoor rocking chair is get a chair that is meant for the outdoors. Find a chair made of sturdy wood and then make sure to treat that wood. Cedar is a good sturdy wood as is teak wood. Both of these woods are expensive, but they're worth it because the chairs will last longer. Also, if you're going to put a cushion on your outdoor rocking chair, make sure that it's waterproof. If it's not, bring the cushions in with you when it rains otherwise you'll risk a mold infestation. It's important to remember not to buy a cheap wood substitute for your outdoor rocking chair. Cheap wood will rot, warp and crack.

Weather painted wood or weather stained wood will help protect your wooden outdoor rocking chair from the elements. Your local hardwood store should be able to tell you which stain will work the best for your outdoor rocking chair. If the rocking chair you like is not suitable for the elements, you might want to make what would be an outdoor rocking chair an indoor chair.