How to Hang a Swing Chair (Indoor or Outdoors)
Love the idea of a hanging chair hammock but not sure how to install it? See how to hang a swing chair, indoors or out, with this easy tutorial using basic hardware you can easily find at a local store.
Equipment
- Drill
- 5/16" drill bit
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Ladder
- Knife
- Screwdriver
- Safety Glasses
Ingredients
- 1 4-5" x 3/8" lag eye screw look for heavy duty steel instead of zinc for extra strength/weight capacity
- 3/8"-1" rope or chain length determined by your swing needs and ceiling height
- 2 3/8" threaded quick link carabiners
Instructions
- Select the hanging chair location. It should be in a space where you can comfortably swing and relax but not too close to the wall. These chairs are around 32" wide and I installed them about 24 inches from from the wall. (Another 6-12" would have probably been better.)
- Mark the center of the joist. Use a measuring tape to find the center point of the joist or beam. For the swing to hang safely, it's very important that this hanger is centered on the joist! If your rafter beams aren't exposed like ours, you'll need to use a stud finder to mark both edges of the ceiling joist.
- Drill a pilot hole for the eye bolt. Make sure the hole is deep enough to securely hold the ceiling hook. Drill the depth of the hole the full length of the bolt.
- Screw the ceiling hook into the hole you just drilled. Give it a firm twist so it's tightly secured. Tip: Use a screwdriver through the hole to get it nice and tight.
- Attach a hanging carabiner. Our macrame chair is hung from 4 ropes connected to the chair, with 2 connected together on each side in a metal ring. We connected the 2 rings together using a quick connect carabiner, then that carabiner is what's connected to the hanging rope.
- Tie the rope knots. To make the hanging swing height adjustable, I used a long length of rope folded in half. I tied the two ends together in a secure knot to form a large loop, then tied 3-4 additional knots down the loop every 6-8 inches.
- Hook the loop onto the ceiling hook using a second quick connect carabiner. Make sure it's centered and secure.
- Attach the rope or chain to the chair using one of the rope loops and the carabiner already on the chair.
- If your chair requires 2 connection points, repeat step 5-8 with the second rope on the other side of the chair, for the second ceiling hook. Ensure that both sides are equal in length to create a balanced swinging chair. (This is the hardest part!)
- Now, lower the chair and adjust the height according to your preference using one of the knotted loops tied in the rope. Sit on the chair to see if it's comfortable and at the desired height.
- Finally, enjoy your newly installed macrame swinging chair! It's a cozy and stylish addition to any space.
Notes
This tutorial shows you how to hang a swing chair that has one connection point. If you are hanging a wide chair or a swing bench with two connection points, follow the same steps to install the second connection point, then ensure that the swing is hanging level.
Swing Chair Safety Considerations
To safely hang a swing chair, first, ensure that the weight limit on the chair is appropriate for those who will be using the chair. Kids swing chairs are less expensive and have a lower weight limit, so ensure that the suggested weight limit will allow your child to grow. Adults love swing chairs too, so you might consider installing a larger hammock chair with a higher weight limit for the whole family to enjoy!
You'll also want to ensure that the joist where you'll hang the chair is in good condition (especially for an outdoor swing) and in a location where the chair will be able to swing freely without obstacles. Additional supervision is recommended for children, depending on the child's developmental abilities.