How much room do you need for a glider?

Last Updated on May 23, 2023

How much room do you need for a glider? That’s the question many parents ask themselves when they are trying to figure out what kind of furniture to buy. Will it take up a lot of space in the room? Could it be put in that corner we always thought was empty and do its magic?

Many parents buy it without thinking it through, without measuring the exact size of the space or looking at the size of a glider. In this blog post, we will look at some different types of gliders and talk about how much space each one requires.

Here, we’ll learn:

• How much room do you need for a glider?
• Can you put a glider in a living room? 
• Is a glider the same as a rocker?
• Does a glider rock back and forth?

How much room do you need for a glider?

A lot of parents wish for a nursery glider but don’t think they have the space it takes. Gliders require extra room in front and behind to accommodate movement, ideally would be two feet in front and two behind of access space to make the range of motion possible.

Many gliders also come with an ottoman, so consider it when buying it. There are many different sizes and styles: with ottomans, smaller handles, and bigger pillows, dimensions can vary.

When buying and observing the space it will be in, you should have all that in mind. Take into account you can reach it with no extra bending of the spine and obstacles on the way.

It should be somewhere in the corner with little furniture so it could do its magic. If the baby room is smaller, you could go for a glider for small nursery with no ottoman. Take extra caution so it doesn’t lose its functionality.

Also read: Rocking chair for short person

Some different types of gliders:

1. The Angel Line 61311-49 Windsor Glider and Ottoman

Best for tight budget

The Angel Line 61311-49 Windsor Glider and Ottoman is a great choice for any family with small children. It comes fully assembled, so you don’t have to worry about putting it together yourself. 

It weighs roughly 45 pounds, and it is about 28.8 inches long, 28.8 inches wide, and 30.2 inches high when packed or laying on its side in dimensions. You’ll also need two feet from the front and two feet from the rear to glide smoothly when it’s upright or packed away. It also includes an ottoman, which necessitates additional space for it.

So, it takes up a large space in your nursery. If your nursery room is big or you have ample space there, it would be ideal for you.

But the glider is very comfortable and sturdy. It comes with a generous seating room with padded arms and storage pockets to have everything you need within reach. The enclosed metal bearings for smooth gliding motion means you can soothe your little one back to sleep without interrupting them.

The removable chair cushions for easy spot cleaning is another plus point of this glider and ottoman set. The glider and ottoman pieces have solid wood frames for stability so that you can use this for a long time.

This makes it an ideal option if you have a busy household with children who love spending time in the nursery room as well.

2. Babyletto Madison Swivel Glider

Best for small spaces

The Babyletto Madison swivel glider is perfect for parents looking for a glider that will take up less space and last through all stages of their child’s life.

The glider is 33 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 32 inches high. Its compact size makes it perfect for a small nursery room, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort or motion. 

The smooth gliding 360° swivel metal base allows you to move the chair with ease so you can easily get in and out or rock your little one to sleep.

The chair also features a plush, durable microsuede that’s both easy to clean and free of chemical flame retardants for safety.

It arrives fully assembled, so you don’t have to worry about putting it together yourself! It is stress-free and ready to go.

3. Carter’s by DaVinci Arlo Recliner & Swivel Glider

Best for reclining feature

I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about this latest furniture craze, the Carter’s by DaVinci Arlo Recliner & Swivel Glider. This recliner is perfect for mom and dad, who both have different preferences in what they want to do while soothing a baby, watching TV, or reading a book.

Mom can rest easy with the plush leg rest that she can prop up her feet on and lean back for ultimate comfort. Dad has plenty of room to stretch out his legs too- he’ll love how easy it is to open and close the leg rest without struggling!

Plus, it’s so easy to clean any baby messes there might be! Best of all? It doesn’t contain any chemical flame retardants, so it’s safe for the baby to use.

The overall dimension is 38 inches long, 29 inches wide, and 41.5 inches high. This is a little longer than other compact gliders. But it is more comfortable than them too.

It comes with a lumbar pillow to give your back extra support- it’s the perfect addition! You can also use this pillow back of your head due to its removable feature.

The seat cushion has plush padding that will make every parent feel like they are sitting in the coziness of their recliner at home.

Not to mention the unique design will make every parent feel like they are sitting in style!

4. Best Choice Products Rocking Accent Chair

Best rocking chair for nursery

The Best Choice Products Rocking Accent Chair is a must-have in any nursery. It’s crafted with sturdy wood rails specially made to stay still until the user is ready to rock, making it perfect for rocking little ones to sleep. 

The enclosed arm and headrest make this relaxing furniture piece

ideal for rocking babies; however, its contemporary design can be an excellent addition to many living rooms as well. 

It is made of high quality extra soft fabric with a button

tufted backrest to provide increased levels of comfort when sitting or reclining on this chair. 

The overall dimension is 34.5 inches long, 29 inches wide, 40.25 inches height, and the weight capacity is 309 lbs, ideal for a small nursery.

However, in order to rock the motion uninterrupted, you’ll need at least 2 feet of space from the back and 2 feet from the front. 

5. Flash Furniture Brown LeatherSoft Rocker Recliner

Best for soft leather seat

The Flash Furniture Brown LeatherSoft Rocker Recliner is the perfect way to add an element of style and comfort to your space. This rocker recliner features soft, durable LeatherSoft upholstery, which is easy to clean in case of spills or accidents. 

So, you won’t have to worry about your little ones spilling their milk on it. If something does happen, you can easily wipe the seat clean with a damp cloth and not risk damaging the seat cushion or arms.

The 5 inches foam seat adds extra cushioning for long periods of sitting, making it a good choice for your lower body as well as the upper.

The plush arms are a great place to rest your hands while feeding the baby, reading or watching TV in this chair.

The contemporary style of this recliner fits nicely in your living room, bedroom, nursery or man cave.  The size is 43 inches wide, 40-66 inches deep, and 39.5 inches high, taking up a lot of room compared to other gliders. However, if you have a twin baby and need to feed two infants at the same time, it would be an excellent choice for you.

Can you put a glider in a living room? 

You could always put the glider in your room for the first 6 months and then move it to the other room when baby moves if you have the space.’’ Nice idea, but is it possible? If you can place the chair 36 inches or 3 feet from the wall, that will give you plenty of room to go back and forth without fear of hitting the wall. If your chair is next to another piece of furniture, TV stand, or a table, allowing for 24 inches of a chair arm should be enough so that you’re not interacting with the other furniture in the room.

From an aesthetic point of view, I think most of us don’t have that space in a room just waiting for the glider to come in. It would probably mean you would have to rearrange a thing or two to make sure it would look good. After all, it is a piece of furniture; it will stand where you put it, and it can’t walk away. Just be sure you are not wandering into a jigsaw puzzle when arranging it with your furniture.

We have a guide on how long parents use a nursery glider. You may check it for further information. It will assist you in determining when to put your glider in the living room.

Is a glider the same as a rocker?

Every other human would say yes, but moms and dads all over the world see and feel the difference. The main thing it differs from one another is the way each one moves. Rocker goes back and forth with two arced legs, and a glider moves in a smooth motion on a stable base. There are some things you should keep in mind if you don’t know what the difference is and which one to choose:

Room space:

If you are looking for a chair that could fit your smaller nursery room, gliders would be a better choice because they take less space (without an ottoman). Rockers have those longer arced legs that could be a problem taking some extra space in the room.

Durability & materials:

Durability and material are also big differential factors. If you choose a sturdy one made of high-quality materials, it has a higher chance of staying in your living room when your child outgrows the nursery.

Comfort:

Always go for comfort; in the end, it is something you will sit in for a long time. Sit on it before buying so you can determine how comfortable it is. We recommend a live tour of your local store for this.

Mechanism:

Locking mechanisms on rockers and gliders are also crucial since the chair’s inner components may trap little fingers if they cannot reach around it. Also, make sure to check this box.

These are all factors that could help you determine the difference between a glider and a rocker. We also have a guide on glider or recliner – which one is best for nursery? You may also read it for more information.

Does a glider rock back and forth?

As we mentioned earlier, a glider slides back and forth in a smooth horizontal motion, while a rocker goes back and forth in a stronger movement. If you want something smoother and gentler, a glider is a choice for you.

Some gliders have a swivel base, which allows you to turn to the right or left without leaving your chair. It is something that is best done in person; we recommend trying both chairs and feeling the difference.

As the name suggests, it glides, swivels, and it reclines, so a glider is the better choice if you are going for comfort. Designed to move like a swing seat, the entire frame of the glider consists of a seat firmly attached to the base using a double-rocker four-bar linkage.

Also, it has non-parallel suspension arms that cause the glider chair to move smoothly and mimic being in the womb, which is why it’s great for calming your baby.

Alex Smith, an author from Rehabilitation Robotics says, “A nursery glider is a nicety, not a necessity”. If you have the space and the budget, you are a good candidate. To be more accurate, if you are a fan of a nice-looking piece of furniture that can give you an extra amount of comfort, you will find a place for it and make space if needed. Wherever you put it, and no matter how much space it takes, we hope it will give you and your baby the long-awaited rest and comfort you both deserve.

Wrapping up:

Thanks for reading the complete article about how much room do you need for a glider. We hope you’ve found this article informative and helpful. To sum up, we just want to mention that gliders come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different spaces. It’s always good to have some extra space (at least two feet from the back and front) around the glider so that you can relax and feel comfortable.

If you need help deciding which glider is right for your small nursery, we have a guide on how to choose a nursery chair. You may read it for further information. It will help you find the right glider for you and your baby. If this is helpful information, please share it on social media or send it to friends who need some ideas!

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