Choosing a rocking chair comes down to four things: getting the size right for your body and room, picking a material that suits where it’ll live, checking the rocker base for stability, and matching the style to how you’ll actually use it, indoors for everyday relaxing, or outdoors for the garden or patio. Get these …

Using a rocking chair properly comes down to three things: sitting well back in the seat so your weight is centred over the rockers, pushing off gently with your feet flat on the floor rather than your toes, and letting the chair’s own momentum carry the motion instead of forcing it. Get the posture and …

The best place to put a rocking chair is anywhere with enough clear floor space for it to rock freely, usually a spot near a window, fireplace, or garden view, with at least 30–40cm of clearance in front and behind. Indoors, popular spots include the living room, nursery, and conservatory. Outdoors, a covered patio, porch, …

Wrapping a rocking chair means padding the rockers, arms and back with a blanket and bubble wrap, then securing the layers with stretch wrap instead of tape, which can pull off the finish. Outdoor rockers going into winter storage need a breathable weatherproof cover rather than plastic, so damp air doesn’t get sealed in against …

A rocking chair gets used more than almost any other seat in the house or garden, so it collects dust, grime, and stains faster too. The good news is that cleaning one properly isn’t complicated. It just takes the right method for the right material, plus a bit of patience while it dries. Here’s exactly …

If your garden rocking chair has seen better days, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform it without costing you a fortune. Whether the wood is bare, the old finish is peeling, or you simply fancy a new colour for your patio, painting a rocking chair is one of the quickest and most rewarding …