Rocking chairs are back in the trend and you might be wondering if you should include them in your household. The price tag that comes with it can surprise you. Although you can find rocking chairs for as low as $20, some rocking chairs are considered a luxury.
What makes these rocking chairs so expensive? Let’s find out!
Why are rocking chairs so expensive? How much does it cost?
Rocking chairs are expensive because they offer many features, materials, quality, design, and brand. Most rocking chairs are made with materials such as hardwood which is typically expensive. Rocking chairs can cost anywhere between $75 to &1,200. Higher-end ones can cost as high as $4,500.
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Why are rocking chairs so expensive?
Rocking chairs come with many benefits that are not limited to older people only. This antique piece of furniture can be seen in many households. Let’s talk about some of the main reasons why they often have a high price tag.
A plethora of uses:
Rocking chairs are ideal for all ages. They help you relax and sleep better. You can also use it to improve your balance. They can reduce back pain and help fight dementia too. They are popular in nursery homes for this very reason.
There are more advantages to rocking chairs and all of this does not come for free.
Material:
Most rocking chairs are made up of wood. Wood furniture is often expensive because of the durability and beauty it offers. They are passed down for generations and are not damaged easily. Hardwood rocking chairs are the most expensive.
Softwoods are not as durable as hardwood which is why they can be cheaper.
Brand Name and Retail Costs:
Famous brands charge more because they have spent years building up the name and keeping up with the quality. Rocking chairs that are specially handmade and designed by professionals are expensive.
How much does the average rocking chair cost?
The average rocking chair can cost between $400 to $1,000. It depends on what kind of rocking chair you are buying. What kind of material is it? Does it come with an armchair? Is it antique?
As mentioned earlier, material such as hardwood can make your rocking chair more costly than others. Antique rocking chairs are pricey because they have been maintained for decades and add a retro vibe to your household.
Outdoor rocking chairs are not as costly as ones that come with an armchair or other advanced functions.
There are rocking chairs that are portable or adjustable. The more features it provides, the more expensive it will be.
How much do rocking chairs cost?
The type of rocking chair you buy affects the price. Wooden or glider rocking chairs are more expensive than outdoor ones.
Wooden rocking chairs:
Hardwood such as Oak and Walnut is getting harder to find. This is why they are more expensive than wood such as Cedar or Pine. Metal rocking chairs might feel uncomfortable to many.
Glider rocking chairs:
These are the most expensive of the bunch. You can find low price glider rocking chairs that are basic and made out of simple finishes such as natural.
White rocking chairs:
A white finish is basic and they don’t cost as much as the others. It is a simple color. It can be expensive if it was upholstered.
Baby rocking chair:
These rocking chairs are getting more popular and expensive as days go by. They are made specially in a way to be safe for babies which is why they are costly.
Cane rocking chair:
Since cane rocking chairs are old-fashioned, they are considerably cheap. You can find them for as low as $20. However, the Victorian antique ones are sometimes pricey since they are rare.
Outdoor rocking chair:
The basic armless outdoor rocking chairs are the cheapest. They are not as durable as the rest and can be easily damaged.
Nursery rocking chair:
Nursery rocking chairs are the same as baby rocking chairs. They are designed for new parents to help their babies sleep.
Polywood rocking chair:
Polywood rocking chairs cost more than plastic ones due to their sturdiness and durability.
| Type of Rocking Chair | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Wooden Rocking Chairs | $75 to $1,300 |
| Glider Rocking Chairs | $160 to $800 |
| Nursery Rocking Chairs | $160 to $1,300 |
| Baby Rocking Chair | $160 to $1,300 |
| Outdoor Rocking Chair | $20 to $600 |
| Reclining Rocking Chair | $50 to $1,000 |
Are rocking chairs worth anything?
Since rocking chairs were popular in the past too, antique rocking chairs are expensive. Many are sold in auctions for thousands of dollars. Some are worth over $3,500 depending on the condition of the chair and how old it is.
Rocking chairs from the Victorian era are worth $700 to $1,700. Unique designs are sought after. Rocking chairs from the Plail brothers or L & J. G Stickley from the 1880s to 1920s are worth the most. You can even sell them for $4,000.
There are ways to identify if your rocking chair is antique or not. The first things you should look for are labels or a mark. That is a difficult task but that is all you’ll need to find out how old your rocking chair is. The mark might be on the underside or backside of the chair.
There are other ways to find out too but the best way to do so is by hiring an official antique appraiser. They are experts at finding the actual or estimated value of any piece of furniture.
Are rocking chairs out of style?
Not at all. In fact, rocking chairs are trending currently. Rocking chairs are considered antique furniture but antique furniture has been making comebacks for quite a time. Now you can see antique furniture in modern households as well as retro ones.
They are no longer only made for the elderly or nursing homes. Resting is often associated with rocking chairs and that is applicable for people of all ages.
If you are not a fan of the old-fashioned rocking chairs, there are newer and modernized versions available. Styles from other types of chairs have been mixed into their design, making it fashionable and aesthetic.
How much does it cost to ship a rocking chair?
The cost to ship a rocking chair or any furniture depends on many things such as:
- Distance and Destination
- Weight
- Volume
- Dimensions
- Carrier
Shipping across the country will not be as costly as shipping from one coast to another. You might have to pay around $75 to $800 to ship your rocking chair. Shipping services have different rates too. They prioritize the weight and volume more.
Make sure to provide proper measurements because they will count every inch and pound. You can reduce your shipping costs by properly packaging your rocking chair. Then you won’t have to provide additional wrapping charges.
If you want faster delivery or extra care for your package, you will have to pay more. If you want a rough estimate of your cost, you can check freight rates by going to individual shipping websites and then compare the prices to your convenience.
How much does it cost to reupholster a rocking chair?
On average it will cost you around $800 to reupholster a rocking chair. But the price can vary and range from $100 to even as high as $5,000. Upholstery fabric is expensive. Per yard, you can expect it to cost between $30 to $60. There are labor charges too.
Experts will charge you more for complex projects as more time is required. But on average, you can expect to pay them $50 to $200 an hour.
Some other factors that influence the cost of the project are the size of your rocking chair, the type of fabric you use, and previous repairs or stains. The finish of your rocking chair also matters.
How much does it cost to build a rocking chair?
The cost to build a rocking chair can be anywhere between $50 to $6,500. The type of equipment being used, type of wood, upholstery fabric, type of finish, design, are all things that contribute to the cost.
A simple DIY project will not cost much if you have the basic tools such as lumber wood, wood screws, wood glue, wood filler, paint, etc. But this does not include the cost of labor.
Years of experience are required to build a piece of furniture perfectly which is why some furniture is more expensive than others. If you are doing it yourself for the first time, you will need to plan and build a sketch of what you want.
The cost of the equipment can be a lot for starters if you don’t have them.
How much does it cost to refinish a rocking chair?
It costs around $200 to $500 to refinish a rocking chair. The cost is higher than basic chairs because rocking chairs are more intricate.
Other factors contribute to the total cost to refinish a rocking chair. Often it can be cheaper to buy a new rocking chair instead of trying to refinish it. Every rocking chair is different in its way so there is no way to tell how much work it requires.
The refinishing material you are using also plays a role. Rare materials and colors tend to be more expensive. The service you choose affects the overall cost the most. Professionals and experts tend to charge more as per experience. Local ones might charge less.
The age of your rocking chair matters too. If it has lots of stubborn stains, refinishing will take longer than usual.
Final Thoughts:
Furniture is expensive because they are built to serve you for years. Quality comes with a price and that is often the case for rocking chairs. Aside from making sleeping easier, their unique design makes them costly. There are rocking chairs that are cheap too. Choose whichever is best for you.