Daybed swing using timber and rope

[Herrenovacation]

A hanging daybed constructed utilising old bed slats, a mattress and rope that's perfect for relaxing and enjoying the garden on a sunny day.

• The project
• Steps
• Tools and materials
• More inspiration for outdoor seating projects

The project

I am currently creating a sanctuary garden in my backyard under a massive magnolia tree. I really wanted a nice place to sit and relax. After having a look through the garage I managed to find a few things things lying around I could reuse to build a daybed. I used two inch by four inch timber slats from an old bed and an old camp mattress. 

If you want to see more of my sanctuary garden check out my profile to see how I made D.I.Y. stepping stones  and my frog hotel and pond.

Steps

Step 1

My first step was to measure everything and work out the plan. 

 

Step 2

Second was to cut all the timber. I started with 11 pieces of two inch by four inch timbers that were five foot two inches long and had some left overs. I cut these in two so that one side was three feet and the other was two feet two inches.

I then cut two of the three foot pieces into two and a half feet for the end pieces. 

I kept all the two feet two inch pieces for the base. 

I used six by three feet long pieces for the sides and base bracing. 

Step 3

I then gave everything a light sand and and then a varnish. 

Step 4

I screwed all the timber together, including screwing the angle brackets in the corners, and the mending plates on the underside. I screwed the square eye plates to the end. 

I tied the rope through the eye plates, making sure I kept the daybed level. 

Step 5

I hung the rope from the tree and braced the daybed under the tree off the ground. 

Step 6

Next step was to measure and cut the hammock into pieces, and sew them back together to make a cover for the old camp mattress. 

Step 7

Final step: sit back and relax. 

Tools and materials

Materials used in the project:

• Marine rope
• Square eye plate 8mm (4 pack)
• Plated angle bracket (4 pack)
• Mending plates (4 pack)
• Exterior varnish 
• External timber screws - 10 - 8 x 75mm 
• Timber screws - 8g x 25mm 
• Timber screws - 10g x 50mm
• Timber - 5 feet 2 inches x 2 inches x 4 inches (11 pieces)
• Old camp mattress 
• Beige thread 
• Old hammock.

Tools used in the project:

• Circular saw
• Sander
• Drill driver 
• Level 
• Sewing machine.

More inspiration for outdoor seating projects

Bunnings Workshop contributor Sandy created a popular outdoor bench using Besser blocks.

Workshop regular Rufaro created a bench seat with built-in planter box.

Get more inspiration for your home and garden from 10 ways to build a bench seat.