Best rocking chairs for your outdoor space

For a chair that rocks, choose these laid-back leisure chairs.

best rocking chair

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

If you're looking for a leisure chair to add to your garden furniture that has the added benefit of relieving back pain and having a calming effect, a rocking chair is the way to sway. Get ready to relax - from Scandinavian to All-American - here at Modern Gardens we've rounded up the best contemporary rocking chairs, for when life's not all rock and roll.

Designed for carefree days and catnaps, the garden rocking chair comes in different styles. You may be looking for a traditional wooden rocker, in which case there are many options, including the Adirondack rocking chair that hails from New York. Alternatively, you may love vintage countryside vibes and are looking for a rocker in wrought iron for roses to grow around... it exists. Or, your perfect pew may involve tubular metal in an organic shape, that can withstand all weather - perfect for enjoying drinks in the garden all year round.

Best rocking chairs at a glance

Best wooden rocking chair: Trueshopping Adirondack Rocking Chair – View on Amazon UK
Best rattan rocking chair: Outdoor Seibel Rocking Rattan Chair – View on Wayair
Best outdoor rocking chair for durability: Outdoor Aalicia Rocking Chair – View on Wayfair

In the rocking chair's 300-year history, not much has changed about its fundamental design and function. Yet, improvements came with innovative materials that contemporary manufacturers use to improve its lifespan, aesthetics and comfort. Most contemporary rocking chairs retain the traditional form but have modern lightweight steel frames. A lightweight metal sounds like an oxymoron, however, materials such as aluminium and tubular steel are perfect for garden chairs. And modern minimalism totally rocks our world.

Ergonomic furniture design is a feature of contemporary home and garden furnishings. Material innovations such as using aluminium and water-resistant fabrics in chair design have made them lightweight, weatherproof, slimline in design and improved their comfort. So if you're in the mood to embrace your inner (off-duty) cowboy, read on and discover how this American invention has moved with the times.

Best rocking chairs

Best rocking lounger

On Sale

Outsunny Orbital Lounger Zero Gravity Chaise with Pillow
Price: £76.99 (was £115.99)

www.debenhams.com

Description

Featuring a sturdy metal frame with a breathable fabric seat liner, the Outsunny Orbital Lounger

Pros

  • Full marks for comfort
  • Quality
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Lower weight capacity than other chairs

Best antique-style rocking chair

Half Price

Outsunny Outdoor Vintage Rocking Chair
Price: £74.99 (RRP £149.99)

www.ebay.co.uk

Description

For vintage vibes, this distinctive Outsunny Outdoor Vintage Rocking Chair features an Art

Pros

  • Vintage style
  • Unique distressing
  • Powder-coated to protect from rust
  • Handmade

Cons

  • No customer reviews

Best wooden rocking chair

Trueshopping Adirondack Rocking Chair
Price: £84.39

Description

Sink into this deep rocking chair, whilst perching a cup of tea and a good book on the wide

Pros

  • Timeless design
  • A good price for Adirondack-style

Cons

  • Some customers have found the seat too deep for them

Best rattan rocking chair

Description

Immerse yourself in the latest issue of Modern Gardens and let yourself be soothed by this Outdoor

Pros

  • Weatherproof (minus the cushion)
  • Sturdy
  • High back and thick-padded cushion for comfort

Cons

  • Some customers have commented that the chair was fiddly to put together

Best trendy rocking chair

vidaXL Outdoor Acapulco Chair String Moon Chair
Price: £77.99

Description

Unwinding never looked so good - check out this season's trending moon chair. With a strong bucket

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Durable steel frame
  • Choice of colours

Cons

  • Limited reviews

Best double rocker

Description

Spend more time chilling outdoors with your loved ones. The Outsunny Double Rocking Chair is made

Pros

  • Good price
  • Rust-resistant frame
  • No assembly
  • Ergonomic

Cons

  • Weight capacity not specified

Best extra large rocking chair

Extra Large Rocking Chair
Price: £135.88

Description

Rock off to sleep to the rhythm of some soft music with this Extra Large Rocking Chair. Imagine

Pros

  • Ergonomic
  • Additional footrest with rolling massage balls
  • Can be folded flat for storage

Cons

  • Not suitable to be left outside in bad weather

Best garden rocking chair for portability

Description

Relish soothing and quiet movements with these lightweight and versatile rocking chairs for

Pros

  • Foldable
  • Easily expands
  • No assembly required

Cons

  • No real photography of product

FAQs

Where do rocking chairs come from?

To complement your cocoon chair, hairpin furniture and garden armchair, outdoor rocking chairs are the latest in a growing trend for furnishing our gardens. But really, this is one leisure chair that's always belonged outside.

Lounging outdoors, lulled by a gentle rocking motion, is a soothing way to spend a summer's day. Rocking chairs have been a fixture on US porches for centuries. In fact, the trend for outdoor rocking chairs is a bit of a homecoming as they were a familiar sight on verandas and in gardens in the 1700s.

According to Troutman Chairs, original rocking chairs were not fancy or upholstered, but they were designed to provide some relief and comfort to farm workers. This type of seat has integral links with American culture and to this day the design is essentially the same.

A rocking chair is a conventional seat with two rockers instead of four legs. The rockers allow you to sway back and forth with minimal effort. The Shakers were the first to fashion rockers and fix them to chair legs. In a way, the Shaker approach to furniture design has an affinity with Scandinavian functional design, as every part of the rocking chair was carefully measured to fit the human body.

©Getty Images

How do I look after my outdoor rocking chair?

Firstly, make sure you position your rocking chair on stable, flat ground. It's also a good idea to leave it in a sheltered spot so the wind can't get under it. Never overload the chair by hanging things on it - that would cause it to tip. It's best to store your chair inside in the event of a storm, strong winds or heavy rain.

Cleaning your outdoor chair is as simple as washing it with a cloth and warm water with mild detergent. Wipe dry to avoid smears. Wood and untreated metal benefit from having a lacquer or outdoor paint applied to protect them. Alternatively, choose a chair that's been powder-coated for weather resistance and durability without the need for maintenance.

Is rocking in a rocking chair good for you?

Rocking provides gentle exercise for people who are immobile, helping to build up strength in the legs. Gentle rocking can also help to increase blood flow around the body which can ease joint and back pain. It's a self-soothing action that releases endorphins, boosting emotional wellbeing, which is beneficial to us all.

What to read next:

Best recliner garden chairs for sunbathing

Best garden deckchairs to lounge in the sun

Best hanging cocoon and egg chairs buyer’s guide

Description

Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.

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