Rocking Recliners Chairs

Rocking recliner chairs and rocker recliners

A rocking recliner — also called a rocker recliner, rocking recliner chair, or reclining rocking chair — combines two distinct motions in a single seat: a gentle back-and-forth rocking action when the chair is in its upright closed position, plus a full recline mechanism with footrest extension. The rocking and recline are used sequentially — rock while sitting upright, then pull the lever to recline when you want to lay back (the rocking stops once the recliner is engaged). Popular for reading nooks, TV chairs, nurseries, and anyone who finds rocking inherently relaxing.

Across our range we stock both rocking-only and swivel-rocking variants, all with manual lever-pull recline mechanisms, in leather, suede, air leather, and stain-resistant fabric. For the broader single-chair range (including standard non-rocking recliners), see our single recliner chairs collection. For a chair that rotates a full 360° as well, see our swivel recliner chairs, or for dedicated cinema seating our home theatre recliners.

Rocking-only or swivel-rocking variants

Rocking-only recliner chair

The traditional rocking recliner — gentle back-and-forth motion plus full recline action, but no rotation. The chair stays facing in one direction. Ideal when the chair sits in a fixed position against a wall, in a reading nook with a side table beside it, or anywhere the rocking motion is the only secondary action you want.

Swivel-rocking recliner chair

Adds 360° rotation to the rocking and recline functions. Three motions in one chair: rotate to face a different direction, rock back and forth, and recline. Useful in open-plan rooms where the chair sits in the middle of the space and benefits from being able to face the TV, a conversation circle, or a window. The Sunshine Rocker Swivel Recliner Chair is our most popular swivel-rocking model.

Both variants feature the same lever-pull manual recline action — pull the lever, lean back, and the footrest extends. To close, push back firmly against the backrest. The rocking motion is engaged passively just by shifting your weight; no controls needed.

Where rocking recliners work best

Rocking recliner chairs suit a few specific use cases better than standard recliners:

• Reading nooks — the gentle rocking pairs naturally with long reading sessions. Add a side table for books and a reading lamp.
• TV chairs — rock while sitting upright during shorter shows or daytime viewing, then engage the recline for full lay-back comfort during longer movie sessions.
• Nurseries — rocking is the classic motion for settling babies. Manual lever-pull is the right mechanism here too — quieter than electric and easy to operate one-handed while holding a baby.
• Bedrooms — corner accent piece for dressing, reading, or quiet relaxation before bed.
• General relaxation — many people simply find rocking soothing. If that's you, a rocking recliner stays comfortable for far longer sessions than a fixed chair.

Featured rocking recliners in our range

Three rocking recliners worth knowing by name:

• Sunshine Rocker Swivel Recliner Chair — our most popular rocking recliner, with both 360° swivel rotation and gentle rocking motion plus manual recline. Air leather upholstery, matched to the Sunshine 2-seater and 3-seater for buyers who want a complete coordinated suite with one chair offering rocking comfort.
• Milano Rocker Recliner Chair — featured in the image below. A rocker recliner option with smooth rocking motion and lever-pull recline.
• Sutton Rocker Recliner Chair — available in black air leather, offering a contemporary finish with the same rocking + recline combination.

Each product page lists the specific configuration (rocking-only or swivel-rocking), upholstery, and dimensions. The smoothness of the rocker mechanism is the hardest feature to assess from product photos, so ask which showroom has the one you like on display.

Rocking recliners in leather, fabric, and air leather

All material types are available across our rocking recliner range:

• Genuine leather — premium upholstery for accent placement in formal lounges. Wipes clean, ages with character.
• Air leather — bonded leather composite that breathes well in Queensland's climate. The Sunshine and Sutton ranges include air leather options.
• Suede — soft contemporary feel for casual lounges and bedrooms.
• Stain-resistant fabric — easy-care option for households with kids and pets, and the practical choice for nursery use.

For nursery placement specifically, fabric is the most popular choice — easier to spot-clean after feeding sessions, softer against bare skin, and broader colour selection for matching nursery decor.

Visit a Showroom or Order for Delivery

Rocking recliners are best chosen in person more than almost any other recliner type. The smoothness of the rocking motion, the resistance of the rocker base, and how the lever-pull recline transitions from the upright rocking position — these all come through in five minutes of sitting and are nearly impossible to assess from photos. Visit one of our five South-East Queensland showrooms:

• Rocklea — Brisbane south-west
• North Ipswich — Ipswich
• Virginia — Brisbane north
• Bundall — Gold Coast
• Beenleigh — Logan / between Brisbane and Gold Coast

We offer Free Local Delivery on eligible items within 10 km of our Rocklea warehouse when you pay outright (not pay later), ground floor only, with affordable delivery available to the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Logan and wider regional Queensland.

Frequently asked questions

• What's the difference between a rocking recliner and a swivel-rocking recliner?

  A rocking recliner has two motions: gentle back-and-forth rocking, plus a full recline with footrest. The chair stays facing in one direction. A swivel-rocking recliner adds 360° rotation as a third motion — you can rotate to face a different direction, rock back and forth, and recline. The swivel-rocker is more versatile, especially in open-plan rooms where the chair sits in the middle of a space rather than against a wall. Rocking-only is the simpler and more affordable option for fixed positions like reading nooks and nurseries.

• Are rocking recliners suitable for nurseries?

  Yes — rocking recliners are a popular choice for nurseries, particularly for late-night feeding and settling sessions where the rocking motion helps soothe babies. Our manual lever-pull mechanism is the right type for this use too: quieter than electric, easy to operate one-handed while holding a baby, and reliable over the long term. Fabric upholstery tends to be the most practical nursery choice (easier to spot-clean than leather, softer against bare skin). That said, we don't position our rocking recliner range as nursery-specific products — for a dedicated nursery glider with extra-padded armrests and ottoman, you may also want to look at specialist baby furniture retailers.

• Do you offer electric rocking recliners?

  No — all our rocking recliners use a manual lever-pull mechanism. Electric rocking recliners are rare in the Australian market generally, partly because the rocking motion works best as a passive, weight-driven action rather than a motorised one. The combination of manual lever-pull recline plus passive rocking gives you reliable mechanical operation without batteries, motors, or power point access. If you want full electric control with adjustable headrest and USB charging, see our electric recliners collection — but those don't include rocking variants.

• Can I get a leather rocking recliner?

  Yes — leather is available across our rocking recliner range, in genuine leather, air leather and PU options. The Sunshine and Sutton ranges include air leather rocking recliners as part of their standard upholstery options. For genuine leather rocking recliners, check the specific product page or visit a showroom — the leather grade information in our leather recliners collection applies to rocking variants too.

• How is rocking different from the recline action?

  They're two completely separate motions used sequentially. Reclining tilts the backrest backwards and extends a footrest forwards — you stay tilted in the position you choose. Rocking is a gentle back-and-forth motion of the entire chair on a curved or pivoted base — driven by your weight shifting, not by a mechanism you actively control. Important: the rocking only works when the chair is in its upright closed position. Once you pull the lever and recline, the chair locks into the reclined angle and the rocking stops. So you use them sequentially — rock while sitting upright (good for reading or settling a baby), then engage the recline when you want to lay back fully.