How to hang a bed swing?

The idea of a bed swing in your home is enticing for a lot of good reasons. Having a space where you can relax and spend time outdoors has been proven to bring various benefits to your mind and body.

A bed swing allows you to enjoy some “me” time and de-stress after a long day’s work. You can read a book, look outside, or even sleep while feeling the warm breeze to help you relax.

Having a bed swing also makes your property more attractive and adds to its value. So if you’re going to sell your home in the future, you know you’re getting your investment back because a lot of buyers would love a bed swing in their future home.

To get started on this project, here are a few tricks that you might find handy:

Gather your tools and materials.

Before you can think of hanging your bed swing, you need to procure all the tools and materials that you need first.

Bed swing hanging kit

A bed swing hanging kit is the easiest way to go because it has most of the things that you will need for hanging your bed swing in place. Most bed swing hanging kits already include ropes, chains, and steel snap hooks.

Rope

Manila rope is usually the best option for a bed swing because it’s strong, sturdy, and can last for a very long time. You will need four ropes at about 7 feet each, although it pays to have some extra in case you need to make adjustments on the height of the bed swing depending on where you’ll be hanging it from.

Bed swing hardware

Now if you already bought a bed swing or you decided to make one yourself, you’ll need to purchase separate bed swing hardware that usually consists of hangers, hanging chains, and comfort springs. You will need springs because they will offer additional suspension for your bed swing and make it easier to swing without any wobbling.

Aside from these basic materials, you will also need measuring tape, a drill, drill bits, a 5-gallon bucket, and four 2.5-inch wood screws.

Learn how to create the right bed swing rope knot

In most cases, your ropes will already come tied with a bed swing hanging kit. But if they’re not, you need to learn how to tie those knots properly.

You actually have several options for this, but we’ll go with the bowline knot, which is considered “the king of knots” for being easy to tie and impossibly hard to untie by accident.

To create the bowline knot, you need to make the initial loop as near to the end of the rope as possible. Then, pass the longer end of the rope through the loop and make sure that that end goes around the rope from left to right. After that, pass the end to the new loop and tighten it.

Start hanging your bed swing

Now that you’re ready to hang your bed swing, follow these important steps:

Locate the right ceiling joists

Your bed swing should only be hung from a ceiling joist because it’s the only part of your ceiling that can handle the weight of the bed swing and its passengers.

A stud finder is the easiest way to locate your ceiling joist. But if you don’t have one, you can access your attic and look for your joists.

Decide on the right bed swing placement

With your joists located, you now have to determine where to hang your bed swing. Consider the size and shape of your swing and allow at least 2 feet of clearance from both sides and at least 3-4 feet on the front and back.

Your bed swing should also hang at least 17-19 inches above your floor. Use a 5-gallon bucket to support your swing while you’re hanging it.

Install your hanging hardware

Measure your bed swing and the distance between its hanging hooks then add 4 inches to that. Mark those spots on your ceiling and drill pilot holes that are smaller in diameter than your wood screws.

Then, use two wood screws to fasten your hanging hook securely. It’s also recommended that you hang a comfort spring from the hook. Follow the same steps for installing your second hanging hook.

Once that’s done, you can attach the bed swing according to the instructions that came with it. You can either use eye hooks, lag bolts, or whatever is included in the package.

This time, you’ll need a helper to hang the swing one side at a time. This will help ensure that you hang it properly while someone is holding on to the other side and helping you with the weight.

Take your bed swing for a test run

Now that your bed swing is hung, it’s time to try it and see if you need to make any adjustments. Swing it slowly to see if you allotted enough clearances for it to move freely and smoothly.

Once that’s good, you can get on the bed swing and give it a try yourself. Be vigilant to look for any creaking noises and other unusual signs that may require you to adjust a thing or two on your bed swing.

Once your bed swing is up and running, you have to always make sure to check it from time to time, especially the ropes, chains and screws. No matter how well-maintained your bed swing is, it will still go through wear and tear at some point. You have to be mindful of those signs so you can initiate repairs or replacements before your bed swing becomes too dangerous to be used.

Alternative to hanging your bed swing

I know you’ve read through this whole article about how to hang your bed swing. As an alternative to hanging your bed swing from a joist beam, you may want to get a bed swing that has a frame. You can even get a swing for your patio that converts into a bed.

Bed swing accessories

After spending all your time choosing a bed swing, assembling it, and hanging it, you will want to add some needed or preferred accessories.

First, you should invest in a bed swing cover. If your bed swing in outside, your cover should be water proof. It will protect your bed swing from rain, wind, and other natural elements. If you bed swing is indoors, your cover will keep dust and bugs off of it.

Next, you will want to add a mattress and pillows. If your bed swing already has a mattress and pillows, then you should look for a good set of sheets and pillow covers.

Finally, a rug or mat at the base of your bed swing is a must. You can take your shoes off at the side of the rug and step on to it before getting into your bed swing. This will let you get in and out of your bed swing without tracking a lot of dirt into it. Just remember to dust it out and wash it often.

Having a bed swing at home is definitely one of the best comforts you can treat yourself and your family with. You don’t have to go away anymore just to relax and rest while appreciating the outdoors. You just need to invest in a good bed swing, hang it properly, and enjoy it for many years.