A homemade rocking chair will cost many craftsmen less than a store-bought item. Self-made furniture will be of higher quality and more environmentally friendly; you can think through your own design and construction concept. A rocking chair will be a successful addition to the interior design of a room, a device that will calm you down, give you a good mood for work, and relax you. This product will also become indispensable when rocking a child. For the baby himself, such a chair is a real swing.
If a person has nothing to do with carpentry, then a natural question arises: how to make a rocking chair with your own hands? Initially, you should decide on the type of rocking chair; there are several of them. There are different types regarding design features:
- A rocking chair that has radius runners. This model is classic and most popular. It has a low landing, since on rounded “radii” it is very difficult to maintain balance when swinging.
- Chair with runners of variable curvature. In this case, the “radii” do not represent part of the roundness, which means the swing can have a large amplitude. In this case, use will be safer and more comfortable.
- Armchair nirvana. There are two subtypes: elliptical and spring. The first is considered unsafe, as capsizing often occurs, but the swing is soft and smooth. Spring models are more suitable for widespread use, but making a rocking chair with your own hands such an upgrade requires skill and experience.
- Rocking chairs 3 in 1. All three modes are presented here: chair, rocking chair, lounger. Depending on the degree of reclining of the structure, the position of the body is determined. Multifunctional furniture, but large in size.
The presented design options can be made from almost any material: wood, metal, wicker, rattan. The seat can be hard, soft or a combination. Materials can be combined, and in some models it is even necessary. Thanks to photos on the Internet, you can choose the model of the product you like.
Wicker model
Making furniture from wicker or rattan with your own hands is quite difficult. Rattan is an expensive material, but a product made from it has a long service life, and the body is more resistant to mechanical stress. The same cannot be said about the vine, but it is more accessible and pliable to work with.
To create original wicker furniture, you can watch the master class. Such instructions will be quite sufficient to implement the project. First, the material is prepared:
1. Rattan cannot be collected by yourself - it is a tough vine that grows in certain areas of America. The vine is harvested independently: branches are collected throughout the year. Length and thickness may vary. When the vine is collected, it is placed vertically outside to dry.
2. Processing of rods involves stripping. The branches are placed in a bath with warm water, where the material should spend about 12 hours. The branches will become elastic. When each twig bends well, you can remove the bark from them.
3. To continue working, you need to give each element the appropriate form. Thick branches are fixed in clamps in the appropriate position, and thin branches are divided into several parts, called shreds, using a splitter.
4. Each shank must be passed through a press so that they become flat and suitable for weaving.
5. The prepared vine is placed in a dryer for three days, where the shape of each element of the future product is permanently fixed. Only from such a vine can a rocking chair be made.
The next stage will be the manufacturing itself:
1. First, a frame is made from thick branches or wooden planks. The sizes are determined independently. All parts are fixed with nails or wire. The item is placed in the dryer for several days.
The frame is being made 2. Braiding consists of covering the back and seat with tires. Apply to the body furniture glue, which will serve as an additional connection. The tires themselves braid the sheathing rods in checkerboard pattern.
We braid the back and seat 3. When the body is ready, the runners are attached and the product is tested. The chair needs to be slightly rocked; if this process proceeds easily, and the chair itself does not tip over when rocked, then the center of gravity is determined correctly.
4. The last step is to open the vine with furniture varnish.
The made rocking chair can be used in the country house, veranda, balcony, garden, hallway. In addition to the positive feelings while using this piece of furniture, this element will become a wonderful authentic design decoration.
On video: making a fully wicker rocking chair
Wooden rocking chair
Making a rocking chair from wood with your own hands is quite simple, the main thing is to make the appropriate preparation. If this is the first time such work is being done, a master class will help with this. . First we prepare the tools:
- wood hacksaws, jigsaw;
- sanding machine or sandpaper;
- screwdriver;
- set of drills;
- measuring tape;
- hammer;
- spatula;
- level;
- construction angle;
- brushes, pencil.
Preparation of the material is also important. A wooden rocking chair is made partly from plywood. It is better to choose the remaining wooden parts from an elastic material. It would be great if it were flannel.
After collecting tools and material, you can begin to work. Initially, a drawing of a rocking chair is made in accordance with the parameters of the future product. The diagram is an exact copy, but on a reduced scale:
1. You need to cut out the side elements from plywood with your own hands, which are semicircular bases with grooves for flannel. A jigsaw, wood saws and a sander will come in handy here.
Making the sides 2. Flannels are prepared; you can make them from plywood with your own hands, but provided that the plywood is at least 30 millimeters thick and flexible in its base.
We make flannels 3. The side parts made of plywood are connected to each other using 30x50x600 mm bars. Crossbars (flannels) are attached to the frame from above using a screwdriver at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other.
Assembling the structure 4. We attach the flannel to the frame; for this we use a screwdriver.
Screw the flannel to the frame 5. The plywood rocking chair is awaiting finishing. Places where flannel is attached to the sidewalls are covered with putty. When the putty has dried, you can coat the product with wood varnish.
Finishing A rocking chair made of plywood can be additionally equipped with other elements. For example, you can make the seat soft. To do this, a foam rubber base is laid on a wooden base, on top of which the fabric is laid.
On video: how to make a rocking chair out of wood.
Metal chair
There is another class of product - this metal rocking chairs. Not every master will be able to make such a design, since this requires more serious equipment and skill. Although, it’s worth trying to make a rocking chair out of metal with your own hands. This can be done by looking at the photos, or by watching the master class.
To work we need the following components:
- steel rods;
- galvanizing;
- steel corners;
- welding machine;
- drill with special drills;
- Bulgarian.
Often, arcs for runners are made from profile pipe, and corners are cut out from the profile itself, which will serve as fasteners. From profiled metal sheet everything can be made necessary elements to create a design like this:
1. First, drawings are made according to the product design. To do this, you can take a ready-made chair and transfer this sketch, but also think about a way to attach the rounded runners.
2. Steel rods are cut into 1 meter lengths. After this, the frame is welded, to which the rods will be welded. The distance between them is about 1 centimeter. The metal curls into an oval.
3. After this, the master must attach the seat to the oval base. The seat itself is made of galvanized steel. Fastening is carried out using bolts, and holes for them are made using a drill.
4. The final stage will be painting and sanding the sharp parts.
If we compare the operating conditions of wicker, metal and wooden furniture, then the most universal option is precisely wicker. It does not damage the floor surface, is easy to move, and can be used in any room or outdoors.
You can decorate such a piece of furniture with textiles, in particular decorative pillows, quilted bedspreads, warm blankets. Thus, a note of comfort and coziness is introduced into the overall idea.
A rocking chair has always been a very convenient item for relaxing in the countryside or in country house. But not every lover of such relaxation knows that it is possible to make a rocking chair with your own hands if you have certain knowledge, skills and simple tools. Moreover, a rocking chair is associated not only with country holidays. Now there are many models of this type of furniture for apartments and even offices. Manufacturing variations vary from the standard wicker version to the modern chair in.
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Rattan rocking chair
As we said above, the variety of rocking chairs in modern life impressive. For example, a rattan rocking chair has a cozy appearance and will fit perfectly into the interior of your dacha. Rattan is a plant that grows in forests South America and is also called a flexible vine.
Pay attention!
In terms of strength, it is not much inferior to willow twigs.
Chairs from this culture are woven without the use of screws and bolts, and all connections are made using glue and skillful knitting. Unfortunately, rattan does not grow and is not sold here, only in finished product, so making such a chair with your own hands seems unlikely.
DIY rocking chair video:
Wicker chair
A very popular type is the wicker rocking chair. A common element of any summer cottage or even an apartment in our latitudes. This chair is woven from willow wicker and looks great against the background garden house, cottage or greenery of your garden. Wicker rocking chairs made from willow wicker are lightweight and very durable. But such furniture has one small drawback. When it is damp or raining outside, it is advisable to hide such chairs in the house, as they are afraid of excess humidity.
Material for making a chair
Rattan and wicker chairs willow twigs require special skills. Therefore, if we are going to make a rocking chair with our own hands, then the most acceptable option would be a wooden one. Let's look at what we might need to make it:
- with a set of knife blades.
- Disc-type sander with coarse and fine-grained attachments.
- with drills.
- Roulette and angle with ruler.
- Hammer and .
- Brushes, pencil.
Execution of the drawing
Before you begin work on making a chair, you need to draw a simple drawing of a rocking chair made of plywood. An example of such a drawing is shown below.
First of all, it is needed for accurate manufacturing of the product and correct calculation of the required material. Let's apply a template for the side of the chair on a metric grid, in 1 cm increments. Then, for convenience, we will transfer the resulting chair template onto plain paper. Then it will be easier for us to transfer the outline of the chair onto the plywood. Don't be alarmed by small inaccuracies. It is important that the sidewalls are made identically and that there are no protruding corner elements in the lower rolling part.
Cutting out parts
First you need to cut out three drawers (in other words, screed) from plywood, 3 cm thick, measuring 120 by 800 mm. The sides are cut using an electric jigsaw strictly according to the pattern. Then we take a beam 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick and cut 35 pieces 120 cm long. From these beams we will subsequently make the seat and backrest.
Consider the amount of waste from purchased timber. The total length of the beam can be easily calculated before purchasing and if, for example, its length is 2.3 m, then it is better to make the width of the chair a little narrower, it will be 115 cm, but without waste. The dimensions of a rocking chair are not dogmatic, and if you see that they need to be changed a little to make better use of the material, then you can do this without any problems.
Workpiece processing
Applying grinder, it is necessary to treat the surfaces of the resulting workpieces and especially their ends. Protruding wood fibers at the ends must be flattened with a hammer and then treated with hot drying oil. This will protect the ends of your chair from moisture and extend its service life. After drying, you will need to process them again.
Product assembly
Using the drawings of the rocking chair, we begin assembling the product. We connect the two side panels using drawers. To do this, we mark the places where they are fixed. Logically, the best option would be to install them in the head area, in the middle and in the legs.
Pay attention!
Fixing the tension strips to the sidewall must be done using a confirmat.
Confirmat is a screw tie for connecting wood materials. First, before fastening, we drill holes in the side panel 8 mm and in the end of the drawer 5 mm.
After this, we proceed to the manufacture and fastening of the seat. To do this, let us remember that we have as many as 35 of them in each block; we make four holes, two on each side. And then we attach the bars to the sides. For such a frequency of fastenings, a three- or four-millimeter self-tapping screw can be used as a fastener. Do not forget that in the process of fixing such a number of planks, you need to periodically check the evenness of their installation. Video instructions for assembling the rocking chair are in this article.
Processing the finished assembled chair
Analyzing reviews from amateurs who have practiced self-assembly rocking chairs made of wood and plywood, we can say that one of the main mistakes after assembly is poor-quality finishing or its absence at all. Therefore, we need to remind you that for the longest service life of the chair you need:
- holes above the screws.
- Treat with an antiseptic.
- You need to treat the surface with waterproof varnish two or three times.
- It is better to make wooden chairs from high-quality types of wood. Such materials are pine needles, oak, larch. They have high strength, ductility and moisture resistance. A good option would be to use euro plywood. Chairs made from such wood will last as long as possible.
- Plywood sheets must be selected with good ductility for easier subsequent processing.
- It is necessary to carry out finishing treatment even when using high-quality wood. This will greatly increase the service life of the product.
- It is strictly not recommended to cover the chair with foam rubber or fabric. The wood underneath will rot and rot, which will significantly reduce the service life of the product.
- Try to keep furniture under a canopy, in a gazebo, or bring it home in wet weather to avoid unnecessary getting wet.
Rocking chair with lamp
Other types
There is another type of wooden chairs for children. The principle of their manufacture is identical to the option discussed above, only when making crafts you need to take into account the smaller dimensions, a different backrest angle and the presence of handles. A horse is often used as a chair.
Very original version products - rocking chair for office. It is covered with leather, and it has a very respectable, solid appearance. On such a chair, during the working day, you can relax and unwind.
Rocking chairs in high-tech style are distinguished by their very original design. Please note that the listed furniture is manufactured in a factory and has complex design and it's hard to do on your own.
The rocking chair is rightfully one of the most popular pieces of furniture. It gains even more popularity if there is country house. It could be different models, made from different materials. But more preference is given wooden products. You can buy it ready-made, or you can make it yourself. How to make a rocking chair with your own hands and what materials to choose, read further in the article.
Advantages and disadvantages of wooden structures
Wood is the most common material for making furniture. A wooden rocking chair is no exception, thanks to its numerous advantages:
- Environmentally friendly material that emits a pleasant forest smell.
- Considerable strength.
- Long period of operation.
- Possibility of implementation design solutions.
- Easy to process, including manual processing.
- Wide selection of wood of any brand and anywhere.
- Wide color spectrum of material.
The finished rocking chair fits well into any architectural ensemble of the building. It can be installed at any time in convenient location: in the clearing, by the pool, by the fireplace, near the barbecue, etc. Rocking in a chair relaxes, creates comfort for the body and benefits the body. This is a comfortable and safe swing for children.
Photo: rocking chair in interior design
Along with numerous advantages, there are a number of disadvantages, the main one of which is the significant cost of any rocking chair. In addition, the structure is characterized by loss of its qualities and characteristics if it is exposed to rain, fog, and other precipitation. It is also undesirable to keep the rocking chair exposed to the sun for a long time.
Material and its characteristics
To make rocking chairs from solid wood, coniferous species are preferably chosen. It can be pine, spruce, alder or larch. These rocks are characterized by their low mass and low density. Homemade designs with significant mass it will be inconvenient to move. The high density of the material will create difficulties in work.
Coniferous trees have a light structure gray shade. Easy to process. A significant disadvantage of such wood is that as the humidity level increases, it increases in size. Despite this, conifers are budget option, are widely distributed in the retail chain and have a low cost.
The chair can be made from more expensive types of wood. It could be oak, ash or beech. These types of wood have almost no pores, resulting in high level strength. Finished structures are reliable and durable, but have a high cost. Tree species have a light or light yellow color.
To make a chair that swings, high-quality first-grade wooden blanks are used. The moisture content of these workpieces should not exceed 10% at the start of work. If this indicator is higher, then wood is not recommended. It is better to let it dry, since a structure made of wet wood will subsequently dry out and be subject to deformation. The consequence will be its nondescript appearance or complete destruction.
Drawings
To make a wooden swinging structure, you need to draw up a drawing of the chair. It is better to do it on graph paper, drawing all the structural elements with dimensions. To make a simple rocking chair from wood with your own hands, it is recommended to take an ordinary chair as a basis.
Drawing of a rocking chair made of wood
The simplicity of the design lies in the fact that all elements are attached at right angles and there is no need to cut additional parts. The basis for the entire structure is the size of the seat and the height of the legs. The connecting elements will be cut to these dimensions. The next stage of making a rocking chair, according to the drawing and the required dimensions, is to cut the wooden parts.
Seat square shape with a side length of 53-56 cm, it can be made of plywood or a solid piece of wood. The thickness of the seat should be 1.0-1.5 cm. For the rear and front legs, a beam with a section of 4.5x4.5 cm is used. The rear legs are cut to a height of 105-110 cm, the front ones - 55-60 cm. To connect the entire structure, transverse slats are used, with the size length, height and thickness 57x4x1.5 cm, respectively.
This design and dimensions are not a dogma. Based on preference, the shape and size of the parts may vary.
Another example of a drawing
Tool
Making a chair requires the presence of tools. To complete the work you will need:
- fine-toothed wood saw or electric jigsaw for cutting workpieces;
- simple or electric plane for processing structural parts;
- grinding or draw machine for grinding parts;
- manual milling machine for making grooves and processing connecting strips;
- right angle or plumb line;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- tape measure and pencil;
- clamp or rubber band;
- brush or spatula for filling mounting holes.
Considering that the structural elements will not be fastened with nails, a hammer will be necessary to fit the parts to each other.
Connecting parts
To attach the seat and legs to each other, you can use two options:
- tenon fastening;
- connection with glue.
When fastening into a tenon on wooden elements Markings are applied to the rocking chairs. According to it, grooves are cut out in the legs, 2.0x1.5 cm in size, 2 cm deep. The shape of the connecting slats is prepared for the grooves. Before fastening the parts, the groove and ends of the slats are treated with construction adhesive.
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In the second option, the fastening points are treated with glue and connected to each other. For reliability, epoxy glue is often used. The joints are reinforced with self-tapping screws. The seat is mounted on transverse slats and is also fixed with self-tapping screws.
In both options, a clamp and gaskets are used to finally fasten all the elements of the wooden rocking chair. The cushioning material is installed between the clamp and the rocker. After installation, the clamp is tightened and the rocking chair is left for 24 hours for the glue to completely harden. In the absence of a clamp, the screed is carried out using a rigid rubber band.
Installation of runners
The manufacture and installation of runners can be done in two ways.
First way
It is characterized by simplicity and speed of implementation. It is as follows:
- To make the runners, use a sheet of plywood, 1.5 cm thick.
- Using a pattern, two pieces of equal curvature, about 1 m long, are cut out of plywood.
- Slots are made in the legs of the chair, 1.5 cm wide to match the thickness of the plywood runners. The depth of the slots can be 7-10 cm.
- The runners are ground along the edge and installed in the slots. During installation, it is necessary to achieve the most identical level of their installation.
- In the places where the runners are planted, it is carried out through hole, diameter 2 cm.
- The hole is treated with glue and a wooden spike is inserted into it.
Second way
More labor intensive. A block of wood is used as a ski. To equip a rocking chair with skis you need:
- IN wooden block, with a cross section of 4.5x4.5 cm and a length of about 1 meter, cut grooves.
- Treat the ends of the chair legs to fit into the grooves of the runners.
- Place the runner bars in boiling or hot water until the wood becomes pliable.
- Using a tool, bend the skis to a certain radius and leave them in this state until completely dry.
- Place the dried runners on the legs, having previously treated the grooves with glue.
In order for the runners to serve for a long time, it is necessary to use wood with high wear resistance.
Balance check
A rocking chair made of wood may be uncomfortable when sitting down or standing up. This occurs as a result of the difference in the weight of the structural elements that are located in its front and rear parts. To avoid discomfort, it is necessary to balance the swinging structure.
If the structure is significantly tilted forward, transverse strips can be mounted on the runners behind the backrest. If necessary, the weight on the slats can be increased by installing decorative elements.
Balanced rocking chair
When tilting backwards, the same counterweight must be equipped in the front part of the rocking chair. It could be additional shelf for legs. If this weight is not enough, then you can install a niche under the shelf for additional counterweight.
Processing
The finished structure will be used in different places at different temperatures. Operation in winter and summer, under the sun and in the cold, indoors and outdoors can lead to rapid aging of the tree and various diseases. Processing the material will save you from this.
Before assembling the structure, the wood can be treated with stain. Due to its concentration, the rocking chair can take on any shade.
The chair is varnished in 3 layers
To prevent diseases, the tree must be coated with a special antifungal liquid, as well as a remedy against tree insects and pests.
To protect the wood from getting wet, it is recommended to treat it with a special water-repellent liquid.
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Finally, the entire structure must be coated with two layers of varnish.
Conclusion
The presented option for making a rocking chair is the simplest and fastest. If you follow the rules and technology of work, you can make a chair of any complexity and design.
The finished chair will serve not only as a piece of furniture, but also as a separate design element that will always attract everyone's attention.
Most people associate a rocking chair with home comfort, rest, and relaxation. Sitting in it, it’s nice to drink a cup of coffee, read a book or dream by the fireplace, covered with a blanket, on a long winter evening. Regular rocking calms, relaxes, and gives peace. It’s not for nothing that everyone loves to swing so much even on ordinary chairs, often breaking them. But it is not always possible to purchase rocking chairs - they are not cheap. In this case, you can make the item yourself.
Types of rocking chairs
There are a great variety of rocking chairs. They differ in design, scope of application, material of manufacture and upholstery, design.
Type of design
Rocking chairs can be divided into the following types according to the type of structure.
- On simple radius runners - skis, rocker arms, arcs. These chairs were the first to appear and are still in use today. They are easy to manufacture, but have a drawback - the risk of tipping over when strongly rocked. In this regard, they are made with a low landing so that the center of the generating circle is greater than the center of gravity. There are also varieties with a closing horizontal arc. This model requires the construction of individual drawings taking into account the height and weight of the person for whom it is intended.
- On runners of variable curvature. They have no risk of capsizing. Thanks to their length, when tilted back, they prevent the chair from falling, and when tilted forward, they simply push the person out of the seat. When making this model, it is better to use a ready-made drawing, since the process of its construction is quite complicated.
- On elliptical skids. They swing very softly. They are often equipped with bumpers at the rear, a step at the front, or springs. It is not possible to make a model on springs at home; this requires special types of wood or a rubberized metal strip.
- Glider - sliding rocking chair. Unlike previous designs, its base remains stationary. It swings due to the installed pendulum mechanism. This piece of furniture is difficult option for the beginning master.
- Vanka-vstanka is a garden tumbler chair. Does not lose stability in any position. This is due to the fact that the seat is also runners. If you lean back too much, the chair will move to an almost horizontal position, but will not turn over, and with a little effort it will return to its original position. It is quite difficult to construct a drawing of such a chair, but you can use a ready-made one.
Options for rocking chairs depending on the structure - photo gallery
The classic rocking chair has the main disadvantage - the risk of tipping over when strongly rocked 
Elliptical bars provide smooth swinging 
On runners of variable curvature there is no risk of tipping over 
The glider chair will not leave marks of scuff marks on the floor in your home. 
The Vanka-Vstanka rocking chair does not lose stability in any position, and from the side it resembles a person lying down
Glider - the ideal chair for young mothers - video
Variety of materials
The following materials can be used in the manufacture of rocking chairs.
- Tree. Conifers, oak and larch are suitable for this. The craftsman will need experience in wood carpentry and knowledge of how to connect parts.
- Plywood. Best option For a novice craftsman there will be plywood. Working with it will require a minimum of skills and tools; all parts can be cut out with jigsaws.
- Vine and rattan. It is better not to take on the job without the skills to work with these materials. You will need skills in the area correct preparation, drying and processing of vines, as well as weaving skills. In addition, it is worth considering that the rattan palm does not grow in Russia; its homeland is Indonesia and the Philippines.
- Metal. Products made from it are durable, strong, but heavy. To work with this material, you need special welding or forging skills, as well as pipe bending equipment if the chair is made from pipes. As a rule, the frame is made of metal, and the seat is made of wood. Such a chair in an apartment can damage the floor, and it looks more appropriate in a country house or country house.
- Profile pipes. Suitable for making elliptical arches. This material, like any metal, also requires welding skills.
- Plastic pipes. Lightweight, durable, easy to work with. All you need is fittings and blowtorch. Moreover, the cost of such a product is low.
Types of materials for making rocking chairs - gallery
Plywood is suitable for making a chair by a novice craftsman 
rattan palm does not grow in our country, its homeland is Indonesia and the Philippines 
To work with metal, you need welding or forging skills 
Polypropylene pipes lightweight, durable, easy to work with 
Conifers, oak and larch are the most popular materials for making rocking chairs 
To make products from wicker you will need special skills
Application options
Depending on the place of use, rocking chairs are divided into items for home or outdoor use. If you plan to use the product outdoors (dacha, garden plot), keep in mind that the material will be affected sun rays, precipitation, air temperature.
Metal is not afraid of changes in humidity. It only needs to be treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Due to its heavy weight, it is better to place such a chair on a stone base. It will push through loose soil or a wooden podium. The best option for the street - a metal product with a wooden seat or with removable cushions.
Wooden chairs must be treated with a waterproof coating. This must be done especially carefully if the product is made of plywood. Before assembly, hot drying oil is applied to the ends of the parts, and then they are slightly flattened with a hammer so that moisture does not penetrate inside. After this procedure, the elements are coated twice with waterproof varnish.
Wooden rocking chairs should not be kept outdoors all the time. Otherwise, the product may lose its original appearance.
The most successful outdoor option are plastic chairs. They do not rot, are not afraid of the sun and wind, and do not require protective coating. Such products are durable and lightweight, they can be moved to any place if necessary.
You should not use chairs with soft upholstery, it is better to cover them with a blanket or put removable pillows. The upholstery will get wet in the rain and deteriorate.
“Street” seating options - gallery
A chair made of plywood and wooden planks is the simplest option for a novice craftsman 
A plywood chair with a roof will save you from sunburn 
The rocking sofa can accommodate several people at once 
Plastic pipes are enough inexpensive material, even a beginner can make a rocking chair out of it
How to make a rocking chair with your own hands
Things made with your own hands carry a completely different energy than purchased ones. When making them, you can make any of your wishes come true. Making a rocking chair is not difficult; even a beginner can cope with this task. You need to be patient and follow the step-by-step instructions exactly.
Types of handmade chairs from various materials - gallery
You can cut a chair of absolutely any shape from plywood. 
The presence of a footrest creates a greater relaxing effect 
A chair covered with threads will surprise your guests 
A wooden chair with soft upholstery will help you relax after a hard day 
Chair made from natural materials,suitable for eco-style interiors 
This original rocking chair will decorate your country house 
Pipes can serve as the basis for a future chair 
A wrought-iron rocking chair will look natural on your summer cottage 
Knitted elements in interior items create a homely atmosphere 
A pipe and a tree will always be found on the farm. You can easily make a country rocking chair from this material
We turn the most ordinary chair into a rocking chair
The easiest option to get a rocking chair quickly and inexpensively is to make it from an old but strong chair or armchair. You only need to make a couple of runners. To ensure structural stability and prevent tipping, the center of gravity must be shifted downward. To do this, the legs need to be filed under the arches on which the chair or armchair will later be attached.
How to make runners from solid wood - video
Instructions for making a vanka-stanka
To make this chair yourself, it is better to use plywood. You can construct a drawing by making calculations yourself, or use a ready-made diagram.
Preparing tools and materials
Before starting work, you need to prepare materials and tools. You may need:
- electric jigsaw with wood files;
- disc sander with a set of attachments of various grain sizes;
- screwdriver or drill;
- hammer;
- brush;
- sheet of plywood 20-30 mm thick;
- 50x25 mm block for cladding;
- 3 connecting bars 30x50 mm;
- self-tapping screws or confirmants;
- wood glue;
- wood antiseptic;
- primer or drying oil;
- dye;
- roulette;
- pencil;
- graph paper.
Now you have everything you need. Before proceeding to the next step, treat the plywood sheet with an antiseptic. While you are working on the drawing, it will dry.
Drawing a diagram
The design of the vanka-stand does not require taking into account the individual parameters of future users. If you wish, you can make amendments to the finished diagram. For example, if necessary, such a chair can be made double. Thus, we will assume that you have the drawing.
We transfer it to graph paper, and then to thick paper full size details. We cut out the patterns and draw out the sides. We will make them from plywood, fasteners from bars, sheathing from slats.
Both sidewalls must be absolutely identical, there must be no bulges or irregularities on the swinging surface, the line must be smooth!
We make parts
Using an electric jigsaw, he cuts out sidewalls from plywood and connecting drawers from bars. Best connection chair parts - spiked. If the drawing provides for it, we make tenons and cuts for them in the sidewalls. We cut the facing strip from the slats. To ensure that there are as few scraps as possible, when choosing slats, ensure that their dimensions are a multiple of the finished plank. If you have any leftovers, keep them, they will be useful to you when the product needs to be repaired.
We sand all the parts, grind them, and then chamfer them. We process the ends especially carefully. We lightly break their fibers with a hammer so that moisture does not penetrate into them. All elements must be primed and painted, the ends - twice.
Assembling the chair
We connect the sidewalls with drawer bars. If you have finger joint, then we insert the tenons into the cuts under them, having previously coated them with wood glue. If not, then we mark the joints on the sidewalls, make holes with an 8 mm drill, and at the ends of the bars - 5 mm. We tighten it with the help of confirmants - euroscrews.
Now all that remains is to attach the facing strips. In order for them to lie flat, they must first be marked. Each board should have 4 marks, that is, 2 on each side. To make the work easier, you can make a template from a piece of slats by drilling 2 holes in it, then the work will go much faster.
To prevent the planks from cracking when fastening, drill holes according to the marks with a thin drill and screw them to the side with self-tapping screws. The distance between the slats should be 15 mm.
Cover the product with primer and paint. The rocking chair is ready, you can enjoy it.
Video on making a rocking chair from plywood
Making a rocking sofa
Using the basics of making a Vanka-Vstanka chair, you can make a rocking sofa. In this case, you will need three side panels.
It's easy and comfortable chair Suitable for both home and garden. The seat and back can be braided with leather strips, colored cord, or simply stretched with durable fabric.
Photo of making a chair on radius arcs
First make a drawing 
Prepare all the details of the future chair, mark the places where the elements will be attached 
Assemble the chair according to the diagram presented
Making a chair out of wood
The tree represents more complex material than plywood. There are several options for drawings of wooden rocking chairs.
The product can be without armrests and have a back that follows the curves of the back.
If you do not have sufficient woodworking skills, you can make a chair whose elements are straight lines. The only exception will be arcs.
The procedure for making such a chair is the same as for the plywood model.
- We make drawings and patterns.
- We cut out the material. A board of 3000x200x40 mm will be used for the runners, and a board of 3000x100x20 mm will be used for the remaining parts.
- We sand and polish.
- We prime and paint all the elements.
- We mark the joints of the parts and drill holes for the bolts.
- We do the assembly.
- We put a soft pillow and swing.
How to make a rocking chair out of wood for a child - video
We use a pendulum mechanism in the manufacture of a glider
To make such a chair, you need to have good drawings. Although, there are craftsmen who build them themselves, taking dimensions from factory products. Pendulum mechanism assembled on ball bearings. This applies to both metal and wooden structures. The seat should not be attached to the base, but suspended from it. This allows the chair to swing in a horizontal plane.
How to make a metal pendulum chair - video
Making a wicker chair from wicker
Wicker products are widely popular. If you know how to weave from wicker, you can make such a chair at home. However, the process of making it is quite long and requires patience and effort.
It should be noted that wicker chair should be comfortable and durable. Its flexibility is achieved due to the vine, which is also an environmentally friendly material.
We use plastic pipes to simulate the sound of the sea - video
We make a chair from metal “like wicker”
If you know how to forge products, then it will not be difficult for you to make a rocking chair from metal. It can also be made by welding from a profile pipe, preferably an elliptical section. The seat, back and braid of the armrests can be made from ropes, belts or strips of fabric.
A simple metal chair for a summer cottage - video
If one person managed to create something, then another will certainly be able to repeat it. All you need is desire and strict adherence to instructions. And it’s not so important what your chair is made of. If you put your soul into your work, the result will bring joy.
A rocking chair is always associated with a quiet, peaceful evening dedicated only to relaxation.
Of course, you can use it at any time of the day, but you won’t be able to relax the way rhythmic and rocking movements allow you to do anywhere else.
That is why this piece of furniture today can be found not only in the garden, but also in reputable offices. Moreover, many companies equip break rooms with them.
A rocking chair allows you to relax not only the body, but also the brain.
Scientists have long proven that rhythmic, repetitive movements, such as walking or rocking, help you calm down, concentrate, and put your thoughts in order.
The most complex tasks in such an environment it is much easier to solve problems.
If you know at the dacha, then a high-quality, fresh lawn will always be a source of pride and admiration for your guests. Details in the article.
Sunny and varied astilbe: planting and care open ground depending on the plant variety. What for different types astilbe?
Ideal choice for a summer residence
A mandatory part of any recreation area on the site. The most popular models are made from wicker, artificial and natural rattan and forged.
Their advantages:
- beautiful appearance;
- strength;
- resistance to moisture and ultraviolet radiation;
- durability.
Of course, it is in the garden that a rocking chair is most appropriate. It can be installed in a gazebo, on or open veranda. Models made from natural materials fit harmoniously into any landscape design.
They look beautiful and bright on modern estates garden swing on metal and textile runners. For areas with log houses or timber buildings, wicker or solid wood furniture is more suitable.
If the design of the dacha is dominated by buildings and decorative elements made of stone - it is worth paying attention to artistic forging or cold bending.
Unusual design solutions can be a striking accent in the landscape. These are rocking chairs for two, or original beds that can easily replace the usual chaise lounges.
Variety of options
The history of the rocking chair goes back a little more than two centuries. And this wonderful idea belongs to a talented person, inventor and politician - Benjamin Franklin.
But in Europe it became famous and widespread only in the middle of the 19th century. Today, models on skids are popular. It is precisely these rocking chairs that can be found on the pages of classics describing the life of the aristocracy and in modern gardens.
Relatively recently, a completely new design appeared. Sliding rocking chairs without runners. They are ideal for interiors with delicate flooring.
The materials from which such furniture can be made are amazingly diverse:
- It could be durum varieties tree.Such chairs attract with their massiveness and reliability, while the variety of shapes and design solutions is limitless. It is among the wooden models that you can find both golden classics and avant-garde.
- Rattan and wicker – traditional material for the manufacture of rocking chairs. Their distinguishing feature– lightness and delicacy. Today, wicker furniture can also be made from artificial material. It is practically no different from models made of willow or grapevine or rattan, but is not afraid of moisture.
- Metal– the material is plastic, but heavy. Wrought iron furniture always looks luxurious. But, the weight of such products is significant. That is why, even in the garden, it is better to use them only on stone or concrete areas. Metal runners will sink into the ground and damage the lawn turf, wooden boards they also leave noticeable marks.
- Gaining popularity today plastic models. They are durable, resistant to any vagaries of weather and bright and modern design. Equally important is the fact that models made from this material are the most affordable.
Level hands and desire
You can also make a rocking chair with your own hands. This will require, first of all, desire and a little time.
The most popular materials self-made such furniture - wood, plywood and metal. What exactly to choose, everyone home handyman decides for himself. It depends on the availability of material and the ability to work with it.
Photo selection with ready-made rocking chairs that you can make yourself:
We use wood and plywood
This is perhaps the simplest and affordable option. To work, you will need tools that almost every home craftsman has.
The photo shows a drawing of a plywood rocking chair
You can watch how to make a rocking chair with your own hands from wood and plywood using only an axe, a plane and a saw in the presented video, but such work requires extensive experience in woodworking. This video is the first part of a whole series of instructions. In any case, this is a quality and real experience from a craftsman who can really show you how to make this piece of furniture yourself.
If you are not used to getting by only hand tools, then for work you need to prepare:
- jigsaw;
- screwdriver;
- screws and drills of different diameters;
- sandpaper of different grits for processing finished parts.
The easiest way to make a rocking chair out of wood with your own hands is use an old but durable chair. Its legs are shortened, and the resulting structure is mounted on runners made of hard rocks tree.
To make it new and non-standard appearance it can be braided with leather or plastic ribbons or an unusual case can be sewn.
More interesting models are easiest to make at home from plywood with a thickness of at least 15 mm. The general idea is quite simple. The sidewalls are cut out of the sheets according to a pre-calculated pattern. For example, it could be like this:
Cutting out the sides
The edges of the plywood are carefully processed. The two parts are connected to each other by three bars 30x50x600mm.
The upper part is laid out with thin boards or slats of plywood with dimensions of 10x50x600 mm (the length can be longer if the slats need to protrude beyond the edge of the sidewalls), which are attached to the end with self-tapping screws. 
To avoid cracking and delamination of plywood, it is recommended to pre-drill it at the fastening points with a small-diameter drill.
It is also worth making recesses in the facing strips so that the heads of the hardware are recessed.
If desired, they can be hidden with special plugs to match the wood or putty.
After assembly, the wood can be tinted and varnished or painted in any color.
Metal chair
Metal is a difficult material to process. And if there are no forging skills or equipment for making bent elements, then only simple models chairs, but they can be no less interesting.
First of all, a metal frame is made from a corner, pipe or profile.
After this, all parts are coated with an anti-corrosion compound. Hammer paints look very nice. What will it be decorative finishing- depends on the desire and imagination of the master.
For example, the seat may simply be made of wooden planks. Or the model may be soft. For this purpose, the seat can be braided with a regular luggage belt.
Sew pillows for the back and seat and hide everything with a common removable cover. It is also quite easy to braid the metal frame with willow vine. To do this, you will need the most basic knowledge of wicker weaving, which can be found on the Internet.
Your hand is the ruler
Although only two are presented in detail simple options, they can be implemented in different ways. Based on the recommendations given, you can collect wooden chair this type of rocking chair.
In the first video we see drawings for making a rocking chair with your own hands:
On the second there are tips and assembly instructions:
As you can see, in this master class more simple form sidewalls, but given special attention registration Such a chair will look luxurious not only in the garden, but also in the office.
Experiment is the engine of evolution
By experimenting with the base of the frame, other models can be made using a similar principle. For example, with armrests.
If desired, this can be a whole furniture group for two people. This model not only looks very original, but will also allow you to relax in pleasant company.
Armchair for two persons
Moreover, all you need is a little imagination and the usual rocking chair turns into a comfortable couch with an awning. You can relax on it in any heat. And if you equip it with a canopy made of mosquito netting, you can sleep in the fresh air on summer nights.
No less interesting and unusual are the ideas of home craftsmen for models on metal frame. They can be openwork and almost weightless.
Or simple, concise and modern.
To make such a model you will need welding and a pipe bender. Its design is extremely simple. And the seats can be either wicker or sewn from dense material.
From metal pipes You can also make a rocking chair in a classic style.
Rocking chair in classic style
No less interesting is the model in the patchwork style, in which a metal ring is taken as the basis of the seat. This chair is ideal for a country style cottage.
Rocking chair in country style
Making a rocking chair with your own hands is not just about creating an exclusive item, but an opportunity to make furniture that will be comfortable for you and will suit the design of your site. This is a great chance to show imagination and creativity.