The Marlow mid-century rocking chair with a solid wood base and corduroy seat

How to Choose a Rocking Chair: 8 Questions to Answer First

October 1, 2026

To choose a rocking chair, start with the room and what you will do in the chair. Then measure the space, check the seat height against your legs, decide between a plain rock, a recline or a swivel, and pick a fabric you can live with. The eight questions below walk you through each step, with real measurements from our range.

1. Where will the chair go, and what is it for?

The room decides most of your shortlist. A nursery chair gets used at night, often for long stretches, so a high back and a footrest matter more than looks. A reading chair should hold you upright with your arms at book height. A living room chair may need to recline for movie night. A porch chair has to handle the outdoors.

Write down the main use before you browse. It cuts the field fast: nursery rockers, reading rockers, recliner rockers or porch and patio rockers.

2. How much floor space do you have?

Measure the spot, then compare it with the width and depth on the product page. A rocking chair also needs room to move. The base swings forward and back, so leave free space behind and in front of the chair, beyond its listed depth. A recliner needs even more, so check the fully reclined length when it is listed.

Sizes vary a lot. The Posy nursing rocker is 19.7 in (50 cm) wide. The Moonbeam papasan rocker is 43.7 in (111 cm) wide. If space is tight, see our picks for the best rocking chairs for small spaces and our rocking chair size guide.

3. Is the seat height right for your body?

When you sit, your feet should rest flat on the floor with your knees bent at about a right angle. If the seat is too high, your feet dangle and you can't push off to rock. If it is too low, getting up takes effort, which matters if you will be holding a baby.

Seat heights in our range run from 13 in (33 cm) on The Rowan to 20.5 in (52 cm) on The Bramble. Low seats suit shorter adults and lounging. Higher seats are easier to stand up from. The simplest test: measure the seat of a chair you already find comfortable and use that number.

4. How much back support do you need?

A high back or wingback supports your shoulders and head. That helps for naps, night feeds and long reads. Look for high-back, wingback or headrest in the product name. Some chairs add extra help: The Clover comes with a lumbar pillow, and The Lambkin has an adjustable headrest. Low cocoon and lounge rockers feel cozy but support less of your upper back. For more detail, read our guide to the best rocking chair for back support.

5. Rock, recline, swivel or glide?

This is the biggest choice after size.

Rock: the classic curved base, with nothing to adjust. Most of our reading and nursery rockers work this way.
Recline: the back tilts and, on some models, a footrest comes out. Good for naps and TV. The Slumber reclines from 90 to 180 degrees, and The Sunday has 5 positions.
Swivel: the seat turns, so you can face the TV, a window or the crib without moving the chair. The Scout swivels a full 360 degrees.
Power, heat and massage: a few recliners add a motor, heat and massage, like The Solace.
Glide: a glider moves along a flat, fixed path instead of rolling on curved runners. Our rocking chair vs glider guide compares the two.

If reclining is high on your list, start with our roundup of the best recliner rockers.

6. Which fabric suits your home?

Fabric changes how a chair feels and how much care it needs.

Teddy and boucle: soft and nubby, a favorite in nurseries. Examples: The Snowberry and The Alder.
Corduroy: ribbed and warm with a retro feel, as on The Marlow and The Hudson.
Chenille: plush and thick, as on The Ember and The Billow.
Velvet: deep color. The Poppy comes in 7 shades.
Faux leather and microfiber: smooth finishes, used on swivel recliners like The Sterling and The Tucker.
Linen: light and natural, as on The Linnea.

With kids or pets, look for removable or washable covers. The Sunday has removable, washable covers. The Slumber and The Sedona are also listed as washable, so check each product page for care details.

7. Will it live indoors or outdoors?

Indoor upholstery belongs indoors. For a porch, deck or patio, choose a chair made for outdoor use. The Beacon is a set of 2 all-weather HDPE rockers. The Charleston is a metal garden rocker. The Cabana and The Lagoon are listed for indoor-outdoor use.

A rattan look does not always mean outdoor use. The Weaver is hand-woven rattan, but it is made for indoor rooms and sunrooms. Our guide to the best outdoor rocking chairs sorts the porch and patio models by need.

8. How much assembly and lead time can you handle?

Most of our chairs need light assembly, so plan on a short setup when the box arrives. Shipping is free to the contiguous US, and delivery takes 8 to 21 days. If you need the chair by a set date, like a due date or a holiday, order a few weeks ahead. Questions about a model? Email support@mokyka.com before you order.

Quick checklist before you order

Main use and room decided
Width and depth measured, plus space to rock or recline
Seat height compared with a chair you like
Back height and support checked
Motion chosen: rock, recline, swivel or power
Fabric and care checked
Indoor or outdoor use confirmed
Delivery window of 8 to 21 days planned for

Where to go next

Pick the guide that matches your answer to question 1:

Best nursery rocking chairs, grouped by footrest, headrest, lumbar pillow and more
Best rocking chairs for small spaces, sorted by real width and depth
Best recliner rockers, from compact models to power recline with heat and massage
Best outdoor rocking chairs for porch and patio

Setting up a reading corner? Our cozy reading nook ideas help with layout. Or browse every rocking chair we sell.

FAQ

What is the most comfortable type of rocking chair?

It depends on how you sit. For long sessions, a high back with a headrest or lumbar pillow supports more of your body. If you nap in your chair, a reclining rocker with a footrest lets you stretch out.

How much space does a rocking chair need?

Plan for the listed width and depth, plus free space behind and in front for the rocking motion. Recliners need room for their full reclined length. For example, The Scout measures 60.6 in (153.9 cm) fully reclined.

What seat height should a rocking chair have?

Choose a height that lets your feet rest flat with your knees at about 90 degrees. Our chairs range from 13 to 20.5 in (33 to 52 cm). Measure a chair you already like and match it.

Can I use an indoor rocking chair on a covered porch?

We advise against it. Indoor fabric and finishes are not made for damp air or blowing rain. Pick a model listed for outdoor or indoor-outdoor use in our porch and patio collection.