A man and woman sit on a brown POLYWOOD Vineyard 3 Piece Rocking Set on a white home’s porch with shutters and a flower box.

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The Complete Guide to Buying an Outdoor Rocking Chair

Written by: Caitlin Evans

Published on October 26, 2017

Last updated on November 28, 2025

Time to read 8 min

There’s no other seat quite like the rocking chair. Its nostalgic design, soothing motion, and therapeutic qualities set it in a category all on its own and give it an undeniable appeal. An outdoor rocking chair further enhances the experience by adding fresh air and natural light to the mix.

Explore our guide to choose a weather-resistant outdoor rocking chair that fits your needs and lifestyle. We cover the best furniture materials and space considerations, look at different styles and colors, and provide tips on accessories and other useful details.

In This Article

Will Porch Rocking Chairs Fit Your Needs? Do You Have Enough Space for an Outdoor Rocking Chair? The Best Material for Durable Outdoor Rocking Chairs Select an Outdoor Rocking Chair Style That Suits You Explore POLYWOOD Outdoor Rocking Chair Styles Choose Your Favorite Rocker Color Outdoor Color Schemes Accessorize Your Porch FAQs Explore More Rocking Chair Content

Will Porch Rocking Chairs Fit Your Needs?

Consider these factors to help you come to the correct conclusion.

Classic rockers typically feature straight and tall backrests. However, other designs may have curved or cushioned backs that offer comfort and relaxation in new ways.
While rocking chairs are designed for motion, their armrests are not great drink holders. We suggest pairing them with accent tables that keep drinks and snacks within reach.
Rockers' curved runners perform best on smooth, flat surfaces such as concrete or tile. Grass, sand, cobblestone, and other uneven surfaces will hinder their movements.

A graphic titled Rocking Chair Considerations shows a POLYWOOD Estate Rocking Chair and backrest, table, and usage notes.

Do You Have Enough Space for an Outdoor Rocking Chair?

Most rocking loungers measure approximately 37–45 inches tall, 26–30 inches wide, and 32–37 inches deep.

Considering these measurements, we recommend leaving 2–3 feet of open space around your seats. This provides enough room to walk around freely and avoid bumping into walls or furniture while rocking in a chair.

A graphic illustrating the required space needed for rocking chairs, which is 2 to 3 feet of space on all sides.

Let's crunch some numbers. As shown in the above image, if you want two rocking chairs that are 1.5 feet wide and 3 feet deep, you need a space with a width of 9 feet and a depth of 7 feet. We highly suggest measuring your outdoor area before buying any furniture to ensure you have enough room to accommodate a rocker and its movement.

The Best Material for Durable Outdoor Rocking Chairs

When browsing porch rocker materials, keep these features in mind before making your choice.

Endurance: The material must handle repeat use and outdoor elements such as rain, humidity, and sun exposure.
Maintenance: From refinishing to cleaning, upkeep should be easy and minimal.
Comfort: You should be able to sit comfortably in your rocker for hours without any problem.
Weight: Durable rocking chairs need enough heft to withstand strong winds yet be light enough for easy repositioning.
Price: Costs vary depending on a material’s rarity, construction complexity, added features like warranties, and other factors.
Appearance: The color, texture, size, and overall design should complement your outdoor aesthetic.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a strong, weather-resistant plastic—ideal for durable outdoor rocking chairs, decking, playsets, and fencing.

Pros and cons list for HDPE outdoor rocking chairs.

Softwood

Pine, cedar, and other softwoods are common material choices for traditional wooden rocking chairs.

Hardwood

Teak, oak, cherry, and other hardwoods are sought-after materials for classic wooden rocking chairs because of their beauty and durability.

Wicker

Wicker is not a material—it’s a weaving technique. Wicker rocking chair back and seat components can be crafted from bamboo, rattan, reeds, willow, or synthetic resin.

Injection-Molded Plastic

To create furniture via injection molding, molten thermoplastic (plastic that’s pliable when heated) is inserted into a mold and then left to cool and solidify.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron rocking loungers appeal to those who prefer a rustic-industrial or antique-inspired aesthetic. The material is created by repeatedly heating pig iron and shaping it with a machine or by hand.

Aluminum

Typically, aluminum rockers have simple designs with hollow tubular frames, though some may be cast in a mold. To find out if metal furniture is aluminum, hold a magnet against it—if it sticks, it's made of a different material.

Select an Outdoor Rocking Chair Style That Suits You

The basic structure of rocking chairs hasn’t changed much since their invention in the 18th century, but there’s now a wide variety of designs to choose from. Browse our style breakdown to find your furniture fit.

Traditional Rocking Chairs

Synonymous with front porch relaxation, these styles honor the rocker's rich history. They sit upright, with tall backs, straight arms, and narrower seats than other styles.

Designers use the backrest to showcase their style because rocking chair slats are the largest, most visible element. They can be simple or intricate—think the austere ladder-back style of Shaker rocking chairs or elaborate Chinoiserie and Chippendale designs.

A tan POLYWOOD Chinoiserie 3 Piece Rocking Chair Set sits on a flagstone patio by a cobblestone house covered in English ivy.

Adirondack Rocking Chairs

Combining the casual comfort of an Adirondack with curved runners, these styles provide a perfect balance of relaxation and visual appeal. Wider seats that sit lower to the ground, reclined backs, and thicker runners make these rockers easy to identify.

Deep Seating Rockers

Designed for those who prioritize both comfort and style, these durable outdoor rocking chairs offer ample room to sink in and snuggle up. Enhanced by thick, weather-resistant cushions, they provide a cloud-nine experience for unmatched relaxation.

Two brown POLYWOOD Prescott Deep Seating Rocking Chairs with grey cushions sit on a concrete patio by a white brick house.

Swivel Rockers

For a full, dynamic range of motion, consider swivel outdoor rocking chairs. This style offers side-to-side and back-and-forth movements thanks to a 360-degree swivel mechanism that attaches the seat to a fixed base.

Repositioning or getting in and out of these seats is easy, requiring no awkward pushing or pulling of the chair. Instead, a simple push with your legs guides you in the desired direction.

A brown Vineyard 5 Piece Deep Seating Swivel Conversation Set with Fire Pit Table sits on a gravel area by trees and a white house.

Gliders

Glider chairs offer smooth, straight back-and-forth movements on a fixed track. The stationary base gives the glider an edge because, unlike rocking chairs, it works on gravel, cobblestone, brick, and other uneven terrain.

A man and woman sip drinks while sitting on a white POLYWOOD Savannah 48 Inch Glider on a lawn by a white house.

Kids Rocking Chairs

Perfect for busy little bodies, rocking loungers for kids offer a cozy spot to relax and unwind after playtime. Many of these small styles are designed to look just like the grown-up versions for a cohesive (and extra cute) aesthetic. Just be sure to select chairs crafted from easy-to-clean materials that can handle crayon scribbles, juice spills, and sticky fingers.

A little girl sits in an orange POLYWOOD Kids Vineyard Adirondack Rocking Chair by a blue wooden wall near pink flowers.