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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part One

Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part One

by Lindsay Ballard on April 22, 2010 29 Comments

I know it’s been a little quiet around here lately as far as my projects are concerned.  I have been working diligently on decorating my soon-to-be daughter’s nursery.  I must stay that it is coming along beautifully.

And, I’m going to be a tease and not reveal it to you until it is entirely completed.  I’m such a big ‘ole meanie.

There are, however, a few projects here and there that I want to share with you.  One such project is the comfy-fying of my wooden rocking chair.  We bought this chair off of CraigsList back before my son, Zack, was born.  At the time, I just put a blue rocking chair pad on it and called it a day.  It was never soft enough to ease the burden of 3 am feedings on my sore body, so this time I vowed it would be different.

I decided to add some foam cushioning and a slipcover to this old chair.  I could have just gotten another chair for Emma’s nursery, but this was the chair I rocked Zack in, so this will be the chair I will rock her in.  I’m very sentimental in that way.

Because this tutorial is a bit lengthy, I have divided it into two parts.

Adding Comfort to a Wooding Rocking Chair – Part One: Adding Padding

I began with a 2 1/2 yard sheet of 2 inch foam from the fabric store.  Using a large sheet of craft paper (a sheet of newspaper would work, too), I traced the outline of the chair’s seat.  I then used that as a pattern to cut the foam padding for the seat.  The foam is squishy enough that I was able to cut it with my scissors.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect, since I will be slipcovering the chair.

Then, I shoved the remaining of the foam into the back of the chair so that I could measure it for the back cushion.  Using a marker, I drew lines roughly along the edges.

I trimmed the foam on the lines.  Then, I turned the chair around and marked the height of the foam on the back.  I wanted my foam to be a little higher than the actual back of the chair.  I marked that the same way I did on the sides of the foam.

I cut the top part of the foam in an arch so that it was similar to the natural line of the chair.  Once it was cut, I draped it in some fabric to see how it would look once it was slipcovered.

I decided I wanted to round the arch a little bit, so I cut a view wedges of foam to add to the arch and covered those pieces in batting.  Why?  I don’t know.  I just thought it was a smart thing to do to help keep the little wedges in place.  Heh.

Then, it was time to move on to the arms.  I cut a length of foam long enough to cover the arms, and then I cut that piece  in half lengthwise, making it only about an inch thick instead of 2 inches.  To hold it in place, I tied little bits of ribbon around the foam and the arm.

Hilarious, huh?  Well, it works.  🙂

I finally had a comfy rocking chair.  Just adding 2 inches of foam made all the difference in the way this chair feels.

It’s  not pretty right now, but we’ll fix that next week with a custom slipcover.  I’m looking forward to showing you the finished project!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« Estimating the Fabric Yardage on a Bolt
Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part Two »

Comments

  1. proir says

    April 22, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    Wow! I’m def. coming back to see it all finished. Love the side tables,too! Lezlee

    Reply
    • Elizabeth P. Schoeller says

      August 20, 2017 at 12:08 pm

      Just bought a new rocking chair but it is ‘hard’ and your idea is amazing and helpful. Need to look for a happy cotton fabric for a Caribbean veranda. Thank You.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth P. Schoeller says

        August 20, 2017 at 12:09 pm

        It is the same rocking chair I recently bought.

        Reply
        • Emma Baker says

          September 30, 2022 at 12:48 pm

          What is the name brand and year off this chair I am currently redoing one thanks

          Reply
  2. Haley says

    April 22, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Crazy!!! i have this exact rocking chair in my living room!! what are the odds?

    Reply
  3. Julia says

    April 22, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    Can’t wait to see how it turns out! Looks like it’ll be a lot more comfy, that’s for sure. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Melissa says

    April 22, 2010 at 10:20 pm

    You’re such a tease… 😉 I can’t wait to see the finished product!

    Reply
  5. Mama Thompson says

    April 22, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    You are such a smarty…can’t wait to see it all done!

    Reply
  6. nell ann says

    April 23, 2010 at 1:24 am

    That is a great idea with the arms — ha ha!

    Oh, and I love the name Emma. Can’t wait to see her lovely room!!!

    Reply
  7. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    April 23, 2010 at 5:45 am

    Love it! You cracked me up with the batting and the ribbon – but hey – if it works, it works!! Can’t wait to see the finished project!

    Reply
  8. Nadir@hodgepodge says

    April 23, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Awesome! What a great way to repurpose a sentimental piece.

    Reply
  9. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    April 23, 2010 at 9:23 am

    I would never have thought of that! Can’t wait to see the finished product!!

    Reply
  10. Kelly says

    April 23, 2010 at 9:40 am

    I have this same chair in a darker wood in my living room. I can’t wait to see the finished project! I may just have to try this!

    Reply
  11. megan says

    April 23, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    My rocking chair better watch its back… I am coming after it once I see your finished project!

    Reply
  12. Kristin says

    April 23, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    I can’t wait to see the finished product! I have a rocking chair that I adore but is a bit hard on the bum!

    Reply
  13. Casey says

    April 24, 2010 at 10:49 am

    I’m excited to see the end result!

    Reply
  14. Cristan says

    April 25, 2010 at 5:52 am

    Can’t wait to see the finished project! What a great idea!

    Reply
  15. E. Dub says

    April 25, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT! Emma is one lucky girl!

    Reply
  16. Terri says

    July 25, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    So it’s been two years…. did you finish the chair? I hope so, because I want to add padding to the arms of a rocking chair that I’m hoping to purchase soon from a resale shop, but want to see if it worked for you first!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 25, 2012 at 1:45 pm

      Hi Terri-

      Here’s Part II: http://livingwithlindsay.com/2010/04/adding-comfort-to-a-wooden-rocking-chair-%E2%80%93-part-two.html

      Reply
      • Ronda says

        June 18, 2013 at 9:35 am

        Here is the updated link for the second half.

        http://makelyhome.com/adding-comfort-to-a-wooden-rocking-chair-part-two/

        Reply
  17. Tj says

    July 29, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    Love this idea. Might try this with my rocking chair

    Reply
  18. Mary says

    July 19, 2016 at 5:43 am

    My dog chewed the arm on my new wooden rocker. Have a lovely chair pad so want to somehow cover the arms to match. Any ideas

    Reply
  19. AarsunWoods says

    July 10, 2017 at 3:36 am

    Waoo!!! It would be nice for new generation to have these at home. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
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    November 23, 2020 at 11:18 am

    Hello
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Trackbacks

  1. Adding Comfort to a Wooden Rocking Chair – Part Two - Makely School for Girls says:
    April 24, 2013 at 11:20 pm

    […] you missed Part One, click on over and read that before you finish this post.  If not, carry […]

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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