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We moved into our home less than a year ago. There is a wooden pergola and swing attached as a focal point, which looks really good. However, I'm not sure about the quality of the build (the timber deck has all been attached upside down, for instance). We would like to take the chains off and maybe put the base of the swing on top of something, then use it as a stationary seat. Currently our dog jumps onto it and then panics when it swings and she can't get off. Also, you can't really sit and enjoy a drink or food as there is no stable place for these items.
Any ideas what we could use to convert this/prop it up so that it could be used as a stationary seat/daybed?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @emililyvictoria. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about converting a swing bed.
It's a lovely feature in your garden, but I can understand your concerns, especially with the quality of the build and your dog’s reaction. You’re right to question it as the beams and their connection method don't look adequate to support more than a couple of people, so it's good that you're considering how to convert it into a more stable structure.
Converting the swing into a stationary daybed or seat should be quite manageable. You could secure the base of the swing to a sturdy platform, such as a wooden base or a large, stable frame, to stop it from moving. Adding armrests is a great idea too – they’ll provide a convenient place for drinks or food. Treated Pine can be used to create the lower frame and armrests.
To assist with your transformation, I’ve created a rendering below to give you some visual ideas for how it could look once it's converted.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
