How to Change a Swivel Rocking Chair into a Regular Chair? Tutorial

A swivel rocking chair can be transformed into a standard rocking chair by following these instructions. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of how furniture works can easily complete this project. As well as the proper staple gun, you will need a screwdriver, as well as a hammer.

Make sure you’re comfortable dismantling furniture before getting started on this project, as you’ll need to remove any fabric off the back of your chair.

What is a Rocking Chair?

Two curved wood pieces, known as rockers, sit beneath the chair’s legs to create a rocking motion. If you put your feet on the ground as you sit in your rocking chair, you can make it rock back and forth a bit. According to legend, Benjamin Franklin was responsible for inventing the rocking chair, which has been popular in homes since the 19th century. Not all furniture historians agree with this tidbit, and some date the invention to the early 1800s, probably not even in America, but perhaps even the United Kingdom.

Wooden rocking chairs of various kinds became popular in the 1800s, regardless of who invented them. While wooden rocking chairs are still widely available, many people prefer the more luxurious comfort of padded chairs, which can be added to the chair during the manufacturing process. The upholstery on some chairs can be quite ornate. A few rocking chairs currently have huge recliners that look nothing like the original wood models. People can also purchase chair pads to soften the rocking chair’s rough surface.

Some historians believe that the earliest rocking chairs were intended for use in gardens and other outside spaces. Numerous porches all around the world display these. Depending on their intended usage, these chairs can be made of anything from wicker to metal to plastic for use outside.

Baby rooms are often connected with rocking chairs, which are often made of wood or wicker. Infants are thought to be soothed by rocking in rocking chairs, which is thought to mirror the movement they felt in their mothers’ wombs. Moms who want to nurse their newborns can benefit from large seats, but the arms’ height can make feeding more challenging. Pregnant women should experiment with a variety of rockers to find one that provides adequate arm support at a suitable height. There are a number of places where you can find rockers, including baby boutiques and furniture stores.

The gliding rocker, a version of the rocking chair, is a popular choice in many nurseries. Instead of the little up and down motion associated with the typical rocking chair, this gives a more gliding, back and forth motion. Standard rocking chairs are less expensive than glide rockers.

The rocking chair isn’t just for babies anymore. It’s perfect for any age. They can be used in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors, to create beautiful and comfy furniture. Children who are particularly enthusiastic about rocking may want to avoid positioning the rocker too close to the wall. If the rockers of the chair are hit frequently, the backs can easily gouge the walls.

7 Benefits of Rocking Chairs to Improve your Life

1 – Benefits for Nursing Mothers

Many brands, such as Delta Children and Babyletto, provide a variety of nursery rocking chairs. For a newborn, the most genuine sensation of being in the womb is a comfortable and moderate rocking motion. As a result, he or she is more likely to settle down and accept nursing if it makes them feel comfortable and secure.

If you’re going to be nursing your baby, you need a rocker. When a baby is cranky or hungry, rocking them to sleep in a rocking rocker makes it easier to nurse them. This is especially true after a C-section.

Are you interested in purchasing a rocker for your baby’s nursery? Check out our pick of the greatest nursery rockers and gliders. Don’t forget to check out our nursery rocking chair category for additional helpful posts.

2 – Soothing and sleeping your baby allows for better rest

Soothing the infant to sleep is made easier by the rhythmic rocking action. You can use this method if your youngster is difficult to calm down when it’s time to go to bed.

Most babies are soothed and lulled by the regular and repetitive movements that resemble the mother’s heartbeat. When nursing on a rocking rocker, your baby will be able to suckle and latch on properly without creating neck or back strain because they are at eye level with you.

Using a rocking chair could save you from having to get out of bed numerous times during the night, allowing you to obtain more rest and sleep time. A better work-life balance is provided for working mothers as a result of this.

An overall better parenting experience is provided by the rocking chair, which strengthens the emotional tie between you and your child.

3 – Reducing Stress of everyday life

Like it or not, stress is a natural part of everyday life, and regular use of a rocking chair can help alleviate some of it. You can take a few minutes at the end of the day or in the middle of an activity to rock yourself. Taking deep breaths instead of obsessing about what’s bothering you out will help you relax and unwind.

You can use a rocking rocker to alleviate anxiety, depression, and even dementia by lessening the stress of ordinary life. Using a moderate back-and-forth motion will help you avoid overthinking, which can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and eventually lead to bowel abnormalities over time.

When you’ve had a long day at work and are struggling to keep anxiety at bay, rocking is a terrific way to unwind.

For example, you can read a book, knit, take in the fresh air on your porch or patio, listen to your favorite music while gazing out the window, or simply spend quality time with loved ones while relaxing in a rocking chair. Endorphins are released when you spend more time doing things you enjoy, and this helps to lift your spirits and keep your emotional life in check.

4 – Benefits of Rocking Chairs on Your Back and Knees

Health benefits of rocking chairs are especially essential for those with back or knee pain from aging, health issues such as osteoarthritis, or who are recovering from surgery.

A severe back ailment and numerous back injuries made President John F. Kennedy an avid rocker user. He was prescribed them by his doctor as a means of preventing and relieving his back discomfort. As a result, the White House had a rocking chair in every major room.

As a gentle workout, rocking in a rhythmic motion helps stretch muscles that have become tight from sitting for long stretches of time. As a result, getting out of a rocker is much easier than getting out of a standard chair.

Our muscles are better stretched when we move our bodies in small ways, such mimicking the actions of walking.

5 – Rocking in a chair increases blood circulation in lower body parts

When you rock back and forth in your chair, you’re facilitating the return of blood from your legs to your heart. For patients with low blood pressure, this is critical because it maintains the blood moving from the feet up toward the core. After all, it’s estimated that rocking in a chair burns 150 calories every hour.

Rocking in a chair enhances blood flow and metabolic rate in the body and cells.

Lower-body blood circulation is slowed in those who spend a lot of time sitting down. They are also more susceptible to blood clots and cardiovascular illness as a result of this disorder (Mayo Clinic).

When rocking frequently, rocking chairs can assist to alleviate this prevalent health issue. When you press with your feet, you’re actually stimulating blood flow in your legs.

Patients who have had blood clots can benefit greatly by rocking on a chair to increase blood flow. Blood clots are less likely to form in the future because of the increased fluidity and fewer interruptions in the flow of blood throughout the body.

6 – Rocking is positive for mental health

The benefits of rocking chairs for the brain are not well-known, despite the fact that they have long been a favorite piece of furniture. People who are depressed or anxious can benefit by rocking while doing other things, such as reading a book, or just sitting back and relaxing.

Endorphins are released in the brain, which makes you feel better and reduces stress, both of which are essential for achieving harmony in your life.

Research shows that a rocking chair can do significantly more for your physical and emotional health than you might think. A rocking chair can help those with mental and physical ailments, such as arthritis, back pain, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, to mention a few.” “Rocking is a low-intensity workout” (Seniors Rocking to Good Health, March 1989 American Journal of Sports Medicine).

7 – effortless exercise for seniors strengthen joints and relieves arthritis

If you’re a senior with arthritis, inflammation, or joint pain in your knees, it may be difficult for you to exercise. As a result, rather than being confined to a standard chair or lying down, elders can engage in a gentle and repetitive push exercise by rocking.

If you were to jog or run, you would experience high-impact vibrations on your joints and spine, which would cause bone density to decline.

In the comfort of a rocking chair, seniors can easily express their lower body. In addition, kids may be able to combine their favorite pastimes, such as crocheting or reading, with their rocking.

Physical therapy in a correct rocker can help people recuperating from lower-body surgeries to heal more quickly.

Elderly with arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or another type of handicap who find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time may benefit from rockers, which are available in a variety of designs and sizes.

Ways to Change a Swivel Rocking Chair into a Regular Chair

Make sure the back of the chair is facing you. Swivel rocking chairs may be turned into conventional chairs by placing them right side up when you’re finished.

Grab an old towel or rag and place it under the chair’s seat to prevent any surfaces from being scratched or marked while we work. In the future, this will make it easier to remove staples because you won’t damage anything else when grabbing them out!

Next, unscrew each leg at both ends, then lift it straight up until the legs are completely gone with your hammer and screwdriver. Using a hammer, gently tap the nails loose before removing them from the object.

The legs should be nailed or screwed together to form two long pieces of wood. Adjust the height to your own height if necessary!

Using a chair as a guide, set it on top of one of the two new boards, making sure that all four ends fit snuggly into the hole where a leg used to be. Now, alternately screw each of the two ends as follows:

Continue this pattern until both boards are secure. #4. Left board – right board – left board – right board etc. Now go back and do it the other way around! The parts may need to be rotated slightly if they don’t fit quite right, but don’t worry, it will all work out in the end!

Your chair should now be placed in the same position as before. Using the same alternating pattern as before, you can now attach the screws to each end as they fit into the hole where a leg used to go in — starting with the left side and working your way to the right.

Clearly, this will form the framework for our new ordinary chair; any gaps between boards merely necessitate more screws, but don’t worry, if something isn’t fitting correctly yet, simply twist everything around! Your rocking chair modification kit is nearly complete.

How do you remove a swivel base from a chair?

Remove the screws from the front board and store them in a Ziploc bag or other container.

In order for your new chair to be properly installed you must remove each screw one by one. All boards on the chair’s back, including those along its swivel and at the base of the seating area, should be done the same way.

In order to create a rocking chair base, stand up the frame with the boards joined at the ends, as shown in the “Before” photo.

Remove any legs that remain on each side of where your new ordinary chair will sit or stand once it is in place; these should also be placed in a separate container or Ziploc baggie just like previously! To ensure a proper fit, turn the seatback frame around and take measurements of the width of each board.

Make clean, straight cuts with your hacksaw or saw of choice from this point on. It’s important to leave enough space on either side of your boards when you’re not using a power tool like an electric jigsaw so that when you assemble them, they form tidy borders with no overlaps.

How do you remove the wheelbase of a chair?

Before you remove the chair, make sure to detach the chair’s swivel wheelbase. Using a screwdriver set, remove any screws holding the seat to the chair frame that aren’t welded on. (The number of screws you need depends on the number of threads drilled into each hole to keep the hardwood together.)

Remove any screws or nails holding down any non-welded wood parts. If everything is done correctly, there should be no loose metal on any component of our chair!

How do I attach new boards?

To begin, put one board horizontally over another; then, using a drill/screw, go through both boards approximately an inch apart, but just on one side of the board.

How do you dismantle a chair?

Remove any screws or nails holding down any non-welded wood parts. If everything is done correctly, there should be no loose metal on any component of our chair! Just how do I attach fresh boards? To begin, put one board horizontally over another; then, using a drill/screw, go through both boards approximately an inch apart, but just on one side of the board.

Drill at least two screws into the bottom of the boards where they meet. Now, gently pry the board upwards so that it is not in contact with any other component of the chair before putting a second row of screws about an inch apart on opposite sides of the board on the opposite sides.

A new piece of wood should be used to secure each of the four legs. What is the best method for securing the seat? Replace or restore the original seat with a plywood one that’s as strong as the original (or something similar).

How to Clean and Maintain an Chair

Vacuum Dust and Debris

Vacuum your office chair with the wand attachment once or twice a month. If the wand attachment has a smooth surface, it should be able to remove most of the dust and debris off your office chair without damaging it. The wand attachment can be used to clean the seats, backrests, and armrests by turning the vacuum cleaner to a “low suction” setting.

Vacuuming your office chair on a regular basis will help it last longer, regardless of the model. Dust and debris that would otherwise deteriorate and kill your office chair will be removed by the wand attachment.

Look for an Upholstery Tag

If you haven’t already, check your office chair for an upholstery tag. Upholstery tags are seen on the majority of office chairs, however there are a few notable outliers. The care tag, or care label, provides instructions from the manufacturer on how to clean the office chair, also known as a care tag. Because office chairs come in a variety of fabrics, it’s important to read the upholstery tag to see how to clean them safely and effectively.

Underneath the seat of an office chair, you’ll typically discover the tag identifying the material as upholstery. Look for a cleaning code once you’ve found the item. The best approach to clean an office chair’s fabric is indicated by a single or two-letter cleaning code.

The following is an explanation of the various cleaning codes found on upholstery tags:

• W stands for water or a water-based product, which is the most frequent cleaning code seen on upholstery tags.
• If your office chair’s upholstery tag has the cleaning code S, you’ll need to use a water-free solvent to clean it. Organic fabrics like cotton, wool, and rayon can be damaged by water, so manufacturers normally recommend using a water-free solvent to clean them.
• Water-based products or solvents can be used to clean the office chair with the W/S cleaning code, as you might expect.
• When it comes to cleaning your office chair, X signifies that you must vacuum or brush it only. If your office chair has a special cleaning code, you should avoid using any water-based or solvent-based cleaning products.

To learn how to clean your office chair if it doesn’t have an upholstery tag, consult your chair’s owner’s manual. Owner’s manuals for office chairs that don’t have upholstery tags should include advice for cleaning and maintaining the chair.

Spot Clean Using Soap and Warm Water

Soap and warm water are all you need to spot clean an office chair unless otherwise specified on the upholstery tag or in the owner’s handbook. Using a damp washcloth and a tiny bit of liquid soap, dab the soiled area on your office chair until it is completely clean.

Cleaning your office chair doesn’t necessitate the use of any specific soap. Use a mild dishwashing detergent. Place a few drops of dish soap on a clean towel after running it under running water. Next, use a blotting motion to remove the stains off your office chair. Blotting is critical because it removes stain-causing elements from the fabric before they can do any harm. To make matters worse, vigorously scrubbing the stain may introduce more stain-causing substances into the cloth. While spot cleaning your office chair, dab it with a paper towel.

Test Stain-Removing Products in a Discreet Area

In order to remove persistent stains, you will need a more powerful cleaning solution than soap and warm water. Stain-removal products can be found in a wide range of forms, many of which contain powerful cleaning agents. Try it out first in a non-obtrusive spot on your office chair before you commit to using it throughout the day.

The stain-removal product should not be applied to the entire chair. Instead, try it out in a hidden spot where it won’t be noticed. You’ll be able to see the impact the product has on your office chair this way. Under your office chair’s seat, for example, you can try a stain-removing product. If the product leaves a permanent stain, it won’t be noticeable. Hopefully this doesn’t happen.

When using a stain-removal product from the shop or a natural product like vinegar, you should test in an area that is not visible to others. If the product doesn’t permanently alter or damage the fabric, you can proceed to use it on another area of your chair.

Apply Conditioner to Leather

To keep your leather office chair from cracking and flaking, give it a good conditioning treatment on a regular basis. Full grain, rectified grain, and split leather are all varieties of leather. The best leather is full-grain, while the second-best leather is rectified grain. However, the porous surface of all varieties of natural leather allows it to absorb and hold moisture.

There are numerous holes on the surface of genuine leather if you examine it under a microscope. These tiny holes, which are more commonly referred to as pores, are what keep leather moist. A leather office chair’s pores will be protected from drying out by the moisture that accumulates on its surface. Moisture, on the other hand, will gradually evaporate from the pores over time. If left untreated, the leather will eventually peel or possibly split open.

To prevent your leather office chair from deteriorating, add a conditioner. Conditioners for leather, such as mink oil and saddle soap, are intended to replenish the natural moisture in the material. Hydration and protection from dryness are the goals of these products, which include water and other substances. You can keep your leather office chair from drying out by applying a conditioner to it.

Here are some other tips on how to maintain a leather office chair:

• Be careful not to damage your leather office chair by spilling anything on it.
• Keep the relative humidity in your office between 40% and 55%. Your leather office chair may dry out if the humidity is lower than 40%. However, if the percentage is greater than 55 percent, the soil may become overly wet.
• Make it a point to just condition your leather office chair a couple times a year max. Adding too much moisture to leather will cause it to shrink.
• Use a leather protectant product, if available. Protectants, which should not be confused with conditioners, are meant to create a protective layer to leather.
• Avoid putting your leather office chair in front of a heater or air vent, since this might cause it to get hot.

Clean and Lubricate Casters

Maintaining the casters on the casters of your office chair is necessary to keep it running smoothly. The housing units in which the wheels of an office chair are mounted are known as casters. Plastic, rubber, steel, aluminum, cast iron, and polyurethane are just a few of the materials used to construct the wheels. The housing units, on the other hand, are virtually invariably built of metal.

When it comes to new office chairs, you may expect them to glide along with little to no friction. However, if you’ve been using the same chair for more than a year, the casters may become clogged with dust and other dirt.

Remove any lint or hair from the wheel housing units by flipping your office chair upside down. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess junk from the casters, or you can blast the casters with bottled air.

Apply a lubricant like WD-40 to the casters of your office chair after it has been completely cleaned. Applying just a few drops of lubrication to each housing unit should improve the smoothness of your office chair. Every six months, you should give your office chair’s casters a good cleaning and lubrication.

Tighten Fasteners

Of course, your office chair’s fasteners should also be checked and tightened. If you don’t tighten the screws or bolts on your office chair on a regular basis, they could fall loose. Your office chair won’t be stable if a fastening is unfastened.

To locate all of the fasteners, consult your owner’s manual. Fasteners can range from as few as a few to as many as dozens on an office chair. Use a screwdriver to tighten the chair’s fasteners when you’ve located them.

Turn the screwdriver right to tighten a fastener. On the other hand, rotating a fastener to the left can loosen it. It’s easy to remember which way to turn a fastener by remembering “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.”

Replace Gas Cylinder

When you elevate your office chair, does it immediately fall back to the floor? You may need to buy a new gas cylinder if this is the case. Pneumatic lift is commonly provided by a gas cylinder in office chairs with height-adjustable seats. This cylinder is filled with compressed nitrogen gas, which is capable of lifting and securing the office chair.

You won’t be able to elevate your office chair if the gas cylinder is leaking or otherwise malfunctioning. The good news is that most gas cylinders can be replaced easily. To swap out the old gas cylinder for a new one of the same size and kind, just flip your office chair upside down and remove the old one using a screwdriver. To test the new gas cylinder, raise your office chair once it has been placed.

Keep Away From Direct Sunlight

Keeping your office chair out of direct sunlight is a smart idea. Most fabrics and materials, including those used in the manufacturing of office chairs, can be degraded by ultraviolet (UV) sunshine. Nothing happens in an instant. An office chair may fade and dry out if it is exposed to direct sunlight for a long period.

To avoid sun damage to your office chair, you don’t have to work in total darkness. Instead, think about locating your workplace chair in a spot that receives the most of the day’s shade. Alternatively, you can merely partially close the blinds or curtains, reducing the amount of direct sunlight that hits your office chair. Your office chair won’t fade or dry out from exposure to the sun if you follow these basic precautions.

Replace When Necessary

Even if you clean and maintain your office chair on a regular basis, you may eventually need to replace it. An office chair’s average lifespan is between seven and 15 years, according to one study. Replacing a worn-out office chair is the best course of action if the damage is beyond repair.

A guarantee should be included with any high-quality office chair purchased from a reputable retailer. The manufacturer will cover the cost of repairs or replacements if any parts fail within the warranty period. If a chair comes with a warranty, it demonstrates that the manufacturer has faith in their product.

These cleaning and maintenance measures should be followed after purchasing a new office chair. Preventing it from failing too soon is one way to do this. A well-maintained office chair, on the other hand, will keep you more comfortably seated as you work.

Conclusion

Regardless of one’s age or degree of activity, rocking chairs are an excellent choice. Rocking chairs have a wide range of health advantages that help address a variety of issues.

There’s a rocking chair for everyone, whether you’re a new mom who needs a place to nurse and sleep, an elderly person who has arthritis or knee trouble, a 9-to-5 worker who needs a break from sitting motionless all day, or just someone who wants to rock out their stress on the porch.

Contact us if you’re not sure which type of rocker is best for you or if you think they’re too expensive right now. We’d be happy to assist you in your search for the best value in high-quality rocking chairs.