Many people have rocking chairs in their homes. If you have an infant, for example, it's common to have this type of furniture in the child's nursery so that you can rock them gently at night. While a rocking chair may be popular as an indoor seating option, you may also wish to consider buying a rocking chair for your outdoor living space. Lots of furniture stores carry rocking chairs that are suitable for outdoor use. If you already have a patio furniture set but you want one more place for your family and guests to sit, a rocking chair can be a valuable addition. Here are some rocking chair features to think about.

Benefits

Lots of outdoor rocking chairs are more comfortable than standard outdoor chairs, which means that you can sit on this type of furniture in comfort for an extended duration. Being able to gently rock back and forth while you sit can be enjoyable for many people. You might view this gentle movement as relaxing while you sip your morning coffee or while you read a book in the afternoon. If you have a young child, they'll likely enjoy sitting with you while you rock. Visually, the addition of a rocking chair can augment your outdoor living space. For example, a wooden rocking chair on a front porch can offer a welcoming, cozy look.

Materials

You'll find outdoor rocking chairs made from several different materials, so it will be easy to find something that suits your sense of style and matches or complements your existing outdoor furniture. Wood rocking chairs are common, but you'll also find models with aluminum frames and woven mesh seats that may be a better visual fit with other pieces of furniture in the area. There are even plastic rocking chairs that are made to look like wood, which can be more favorable because of plastic's longevity.

Design

Make sure that you carefully assess the design of any outdoor rocking chair before you buy it. Some chairs are designed to have you sit more upright, while others are made to have your body in a partially reclined position. Each design has its own benefits, so think about how you plan to primarily use your chair. For sipping a drink while gently rocking, an upright chair can be a better choice. For reading and perhaps occasionally napping, a partially reclined chair may be preferable. Visit an outdoor furniture store to look at its selection of rocking chairs for your outdoor living space.