Wooden garden swing. We provide excellent rest in the country by making a hanging sofa swing with our own hands

Fresh air, summer cottage ... It's so nice to retire in the garden, relax, read something. Garden swings are perfect for these purposes. The sofa is the same design, but ennobled with a comfortable, soft seat and back. If it is done correctly, it will be reliable, stable and will last for many years without being exposed to external negative influences from weather conditions.

Garden swings for every taste

The material from which this structure will be made depends on the skills of the one who will build them. Of course, in terms of reliability, welded or forged structures will be more preferable. However, without having the appropriate skills and equipment (the same welding machine), it is difficult to make such a structure. Therefore, the easiest to manufacture are copies.

Metal garden swing

Garden structures made of metal are characterized by increased strength and durability. Neither snow, nor rain, nor severe frosts will affect their operation in the future, so they do not require assembly and removal for the cold season (with the exception of pillows).

Wrought iron swing looks very profitable and can become a decoration of any yard. They represent not only a functional element of the garden, but also a small architectural form. The combination of openwork lacy lightness and metallic reliability amaze with its performance. Particular attention in forged products is attracted by the side pillars and the back of the seat. It is there that you can give free rein to your imagination by decorating them with an elaborate ornate pattern.

Ready-made forged elements for such structures are sold in any specialized store, but their range is always limited to standard patterns suitable for decorating fences, stair balustrades, and railings. Therefore, it is better to make such models to order than on your own.

Welded structures are made in the same way as wooden ones, so we will describe the progress of work on their construction using the example of the latter. Only instead of bars in such structures, metal pipes 150 mm in diameter are used, and the main working tools are a powerful drill, a grinder and a welding machine.

Wooden garden swing

Step-by-step progress of work on the construction of a garden swing

1. We build a frame, which happens in the form of the letter “A” or in the form of the letter “P”. This design is quite stable, however, to enhance stability, it is recommended to make the base of the supports wider than the intended seat by 50 cm or more. The frame is made of smoothly planed beams 100 * 100 mm in diameter.

The racks are marked, fastened together with self-tapping screws. Reinforce the racks with side braces. The crossbar is rigidly fixed to the uprights with the help of metal corners last.

2. In a pre-selected place, pits are dug under the supporting elements with a depth of 80 cm. 20 cm are covered with rubble, racks are placed there and concreted. While the concrete hardens, they are engaged in the manufacture of a bench (sofa) and sewing (purchase) of soft parts. If the bench is made shorter (based on one person), then we will end up with not a sofa, but a swing chair with our own hands. On a long carrier beam, you can fix 2 of these chairs.

3. The bench is assembled as follows: two frames are assembled from 45 * 56 bars. Dimensions for the seat - 50 * 200 cm, dimensions for the back - 65 * 200 cm. The frame is fixed along the inner contour with stiffeners. With corners we connect two frames together at an angle of 120º and sheathe with boards 26 * 46 mm. All fastenings are made with self-tapping screws.

4. Hang the bench to the top crossbar with a cable or chain. A chain is a more acceptable option both in terms of reliability and aesthetics. For example, do-it-yourself swings for a photo shoot are almost always made using chains. The height of the bench is adjusted in such a way that a seated person can reach the ground a little with his toe.

5. Add additional details: soft pillows, covers. To protect from the sun, bird excrement and rain, you can build a frame of bars on the upper crossbar, covering it with a dense fabric.

Another version of the garden swing

For incorrigible romantics, the “capital” version of the design is more suitable: a swing gazebo with your own hands. For its manufacture, 4 pillars 100 * 100 are required, on which the frame is attached at the top. A crossbar is already attached to the frame, on which the swing bench will be hung.

The sides of the impromptu gazebo and its back are hung with thick fabric, windproof mats, or fast-growing loaches are planted nearby:

• girlish grape,
• clematis,
• mad cucumber and others.

Such a design will look picturesque, create an atmosphere of comfort, privacy, intimacy. And if the wood is still artificially aged, this will give the structure an additional style and solidity.

It is in this way that the organizers of the celebrations make a wedding swing with their own hands, decorating them with fresh flowers or bright ribbons, balls. The main thing in this business is to show imagination, create a feeling of lightness and good mood.

• Swings made of wood must be carefully treated with antiseptic means of deep penetration;
• All structural elements must be well turned from knots and splinters;
• To protect the soft details of the sofa swing, a cape-cover made of polyethylene or waterproof fabric will help;
• For the winter, decorative swing pillows are cleaned in a warm room;
• When concreting the support posts, do not be too lazy to use the building level. This will protect the product from distortion.

If you still don’t know what complete relaxation is, then for sure there are not enough swings on your yard, and not simple ones.What helps a person to relax? That's right, a comfortable sofa. What about sofa swings in the yard?they certainly won't be redundant.

Types of hanging sofa swings

Note that there are adult sofa swings and swings designed only for children, so when choosing a specific model, check the weight that the design can withstand.

In addition, sofa swings differ in the type of material, namely, the frame and base can be either wood or metal. Again, you can buy plastic swings for children, but as a rule, plastic for such structures turns out to be very fragile and after a couple of years, the child will probably break them.

When it comes to design, there are no limits. There are also models that resemble a full-fledged sofa, only without legs, floating in the air on chains. There are more modest options, more like a bench with soft seats than real sofas. There are also gazebo swings, which are an independent structure with a canopy that will protect you from rain or sun.

So, if you have chosen a wooden swing, then it is best to varnish the wooden frame, and this must be done before installation.

So, if you are hanging a sofa, in the truest sense of the word, then you should not worry about how to make the seats soft.In general, for the "swing" there are special lightweight sofas, inside of which there is a tree and a synthetic winterizer. This material is very soft and will last a long time. For other options, such as a bench, a bunch of soft pillows will be required.

Place of installation of a sofa swing

As we have already said, a swing sofa can be both part of the interior and its completely independent element, as, for example, in the case of a structure under a canopy. Most often, a swing sofa is installed outdoors in tracks, on patios.

But, modern trends are increasingly including sofa swings as a piece of furniture for closed rooms, such as a nursery or living room. Agree that it looks very impressive, but, unfortunately, not in every room you can hang a sofa in the ceiling.

A sofa floating in the air can often be found on the front lawn, however, in case of bad weather, you will have to take care in time to protect the sofa from moisture.

We make a swing sofa with our own hands

Yes, it’s real, and it’s easy to do it from improvised materials, in fact, you only need to buy fasteners and wooden beams. Of these, a rack or support is made, as well as the seat itself.

The frame is built according to the type of U-shaped or A-shaped frames, which must be fixed on the foundation. This foundation can be earth, or a concrete base, any other soil. Accordingly, the more massive the swing, the stronger the foundation should be. Most often, the sofa is hung with chains at four side points from below and two from above - along the back. All that remains for you is to sew a soft mattress or buy more pillows so that the whole family can comfortably fit on the swing.

Photo hanging sofa swing

Over the years, sofa swings have not lost their popularity. Such a design idea is to the liking of children and adults. Sitting comfortably on the sofa, it is easier to think over incoming thoughts, read an interesting book, drink coffee, while enjoying the pleasant sights and sounds of nature.

Sofa swings are best made from expensive woods, such as red oak.

Such structures are most often installed in the following places:

• living rooms;
• children's rooms;
• playgrounds;
• garden plots;
• in the courtyard.

Advantages of hanging sofas

Compared to conventional swings, such installations have many advantages:

• ease of manufacture and installation;
• space saving;
• ease of operation;
• high comfort;
• high mobility;
• extra bed when installing a swing indoors;
• a great addition to the decor of various rooms, garden plots.

Drawing of a garden swing for a summer residence ^ List of materials for the manufacture of a swing.
A - Carrier bar. Dimensions 1500x90x35 mm. Quantity - 1 pc. B - Central stiffening rib for seat support 400x90x35 mm. Quantity - 1 pc. C - Side ribs of the seat 525x90x35 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs. D - Side backrest support 540x90x35 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs. E - Armrest 340x90x35 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs. F - Diagonal fastening 500x90x35 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs. G - Armrest 540x90x20 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs. H - Swing back plank 1300x90x20 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs. J - Seat end plate 1275x90x20 mm. Quantity - 3 pcs. K - Seat bar 1200x90x20 mm. Quantity - 2 pcs.
L - Bolt M10×100. Quantity - 4 pcs. M - Bolt M10 × 140. Quantity - 2 pcs.
N - Bolt with eye M10×50. Quantity - 4 pcs. O - Washers M10. Quantity - 2 pcs. C - Nut M10. Quantity - 10 pcs. "S" - Hook. Quantity - 4 pcs.
Chain (length is determined by the fact of swing suspension).

Back to index

Types of swing installations

The swing device depends on the purpose and material.

Back to index

Design purpose

According to its purpose, the hanging sofa is divided into the following types:

• for premises;
• for the street;
• for adults;
• for children.

Back to index

Type of material used

During the construction of such a swing, the following resources are used:

• wood;
• metal;
• combination of materials.

Back to index

Self-construction of metal hanging devices

Making such devices with your own hands has several advantages:

• the possibility of using environmentally friendly resources;
• creating a more stable frame;
• construction of a swing of a suitable size;
• the possibility of building a unique mechanism.

Back to index

Materials used

Drawings of sofa swing elements: handrail, seat support rail, handrail support bracket, swing back plank.

When building metal suspended structures with your own hands, you must purchase the following:

• metal pipes over 6 cm in diameter;
• metal rod 70 cm long - 5 pcs.;
• metal slats according to the size of the back and seat of the swing - from 4 pcs.;
• boards along the length of the seat - 5-6 pieces;
• nuts;
• bolts;
• drill;
• metal washers;
• cable or chain.

Main tools:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• drill;
• hammer;
• spanners.

Back to index

Instructions for making a metal sofa for garden plots

To make a rocking sofa out of metal with your own hands, you need little skills in owning a welding machine, a drill, a grinder.

Back to index

Production of a metal frame

For the construction of a strong, stable swing frame, it is necessary to use high-quality pipe material.

1. The lower frame of the frame is made of a pipe in the form of a rectangle.
2. Supports 2.5-3 m long are welded to the corners of the rectangle. They should form one triangle each on the sides of the device.
3. A crossbar is welded over the support.
4. The swing is fixed with metal rods that are dug into the ground.

Back to index

Seat and back manufacturing

1. The frame is welded from metal strips.
2. The frame is covered with wooden boards. For this purpose, you can use another material.
3. Handrails are made from rods or metal strips.
4. If desired, the sofa can be upholstered with foam rubber, covered with leather or any other fabric.

Back to index

Arrangement of a canopy

To protect the structure from the adverse effects of precipitation, to give comfort, experts recommend arranging a canopy. It is made of metal plates, thin pipes, corners. The covering material must retain moisture, not heat up under the influence of high temperatures.

Back to index

Connection of the installation frame with the support

The structure is connected to the support by means of a cable or chain. The cable is passed through the seat, handrails, then attached to the upper crossbar.

Back to index

Self-made rocking sofas made of wood

A wooden sofa has some advantages:

• environmentally friendly material;
• ease of installation, transportation;
• low weight of the structure;
• complements the list of decorative garden items;
• high security.

Back to index

materials

For the construction of a wooden structure measuring 170x70 cm, you need to have the following:

• boards 5x10x170 cm - 3 pcs.;
• boards 5x10x60 cm - 6 pcs.;
• boards 2.5x15x170 cm - 10 pcs.;
• wooden supports for armrests 5x10x50 cm - 2 pcs.;
• armrests - 2 pcs.;
• glue;
• hammer;
• nails;
• bolts;
• screws;
• primer;
• putty;
• paint.

Seat bar: side view.

Instruments:

• grinding machine;
• screwdriver;
• paint brush;
• drill.

Detailed instructions for the construction of a wooden hanging device

Compared with the manufacture of metal sofas, the construction of a wooden mechanism of this type with your own hands does not require special skills and training.

Seat bar: front view.

Making the seat and back:

1. Using a screwdriver, a rectangular frame with jumpers is built from the boards. For the strength of the swing, the joints of the boards are treated with wood glue.
2. The backrest support parts are attached perpendicular to the back of the frame with a screwdriver and glue.
3. The front of the frame is connected to two armrest supports.
4. Install armrests. They are simultaneously attached to the corresponding supports, back details.
5. The material for the back is fixed to the back of the frame.
6. The seat boards are nailed to the frame.

Back to index

Painting and finishing works

With the help of putty, cover all the cracks of the structure. After drying, the product is sanded, wiped and primed. The final stage of finishing work is painting garden sofas. They are given a color suitable for the installation site. Most often, the wooden elements of the product are varnished. This emphasizes the natural color of the wood. This color scheme is ideal for garden and yard structures.

Remember childhood sensations from the swing? This is not only pleasant, but also useful - monotonous rocking trains the vestibular apparatus, and also calms the nervous system. The second property is very useful in our time. Such a pleasant treatment-relaxation after a busy day. Moreover, any person with “straight” hands can make a swing with their own hands. There are, of course, complex models, but there are much more simple ones.

About designs

Like most outbuildings, swings are most often made of wood. Racks and crossbar - from timber, logs, seats - from planks and even from parts of home furniture.

A little about designs. There are three main types of hanging swings, or as they are also called - boat swings, sofas, benches, etc. The main difference is in the type of support structure: there are A-shaped and U-shaped. You see an example with racks folded into a triangular structure above, and in the photo below an example with a U-shaped rack. This is more likely with a hanging bench and it is built according to the same type, only taking into account swinging loads.

There is a third type - this is already a complex structure that requires certain skills - it is based on articulated joints and they swing from their feet to the floor. We will immediately give both photos and diagrams for those who wish (you can expand it to full screen by clicking on the arrows in the upper right corner of the picture).

We make a swing with our own hands from wood

Most often, they independently make a design in the form of the letter "A". It is simpler, requires less material consumption. We will analyze the nodes, fasteners in more detail, talk about materials, protection against destruction and stability.

materials

Immediately about what to make a wooden swing from. The choice of lumber section depends on the planned load. If it is assumed that one adult will sit, the uprights and the upper crossbar are at a minimum - 50 * 70 mm. If a larger number of "seats" is supposed - two or three, then the cross-section of the beam is at least 100 * 100 mm, better - 100 * 150 mm. It has been experimentally established that such a design, when using a beam of 100 * 100, can normally withstand a total load of about 200 kg. If you need more - take a larger section, or put logs))

About what the bench / sofa is made of. A bar 70 * 40 mm will go to the frame, the back height is at least 600 mm, the seat depth is at least 480 mm. You can experiment with the depth of the seat and the angle of the backrest: there are options for a “lying” position. Accordingly, both the length of the sofa and the dimensions of the structure change greatly from this. For fastening use nails 200 or studs at least 10 mm in diameter.

How to position the racks

Scheme with dimensions and a list of the required material in the photo below. To be frank, few people make from such materials as indicated in the specification. More often they put a bar.

There are varieties of this design: with or without a lower frame. If the swing is installed on a hard platform and the fasteners are made rigid, on studs, without the possibility of play, then such a design will stand without problems. If in doubt, you can make a screed from a bar along the bottom, nail it with studs to the coating, or drive the staples into the ground.

A crossbar has been added here, there is nothing to move apart The simplest design, but the “legs” can move apart

For those who are afraid of lateral loads - the design in this axis is not the most reliable - we can offer to install racks with a slope. The area will be large, but the stability will be high.

If installation in the ground is intended, parts of the posts that will be buried must be treated with bio-protection. As a cheap option, put it in a vessel with used oil for several hours. Dry, then bury. They bury to a depth of at least 50 cm, pour a little rubble on the bottom, set up racks and concrete. If you are afraid that this is not enough, attach a few strips of metal crosswise at the bottom. The hole will have to be dug larger, but the holding area will be larger.

Ways of fastening the crossbar

In all swings of this type - with racks sawn at the top with bars - the problem is the attachment point of the crossbar, to which the bench is then hooked. In the photo above, it is solved reliably, although not entirely aesthetically pleasing. The trouble is that aesthetic methods are difficult to perform. And, if you are not for sale, it's faster to do something inelegant, but reliable. So, in order to fix the crossbar, an overhead beam is attached below the intersection, pulled to the uprights with studs. A cross member rests on it, which is held from lateral shifts by racks and fasteners - nails and spikes.

Another way to install the crossmember is to mount the side racks in the form of the letter "X". With this option, the carrier beam fits perfectly. It is additionally fixed with nails, and the racks are pulled together with studs. See the next photo for this.

Everything is fine, but the length of the sofa is not enough ...

By the same principle, a do-it-yourself swing is assembled from logs: the side ones are fastened crosswise, and a support log is laid on top. If the timber is sometimes assembled on nails, then in the case of logs, studs are mainly used.

For those who are familiar with carpentry, there are other options: half a tree. Such a project is in the photo gallery below with close-ups of some of the key nodes.

How the racks are fastened together - inside view

Photo gallery of homemade swings on chains

And a few photos of different swings made on the basis of an A-shaped design.

From thin logs under a reed roof - it looks great Chic option - 3-seater, or maybe more, a swing manufacturing This is a whole swing house .... cool Immediately and a ladder ...

Fastening the swing to the crossbar

The swing mount also requires clarification, that is, it is not obvious to everyone how to hang a bench-sofa on the crossbar. First, the crossbar is drilled from the bottom up through. A bolt is passed through the hole, to which the eye nut is attached. One or two wide washers are placed under the nut head so that it does not squeeze under weight.

It turns out that the eye-nut ring is located at the bottom. You can attach a carabiner to it, throw a rope or cable, etc. Just note that the carabiner should hang normally, freely on the eye-nut ring. And in the carabiner, two links of the chain should fit freely. Therefore, it is advisable to buy everything together in one store: you can try on the entire knot at once.

By the way, in the rigging store you can stumble upon other devices that can be adapted for attaching chains or ropes from the swing seat. For example, such as in the photo below.

They are designed to lift loads from 0.5 tons, so it makes no sense to use them for children, but on a swing for adults - quite.

Such a mount has a significant minus - a creak is heard when swinging. For a while, you can get rid of it by lubricating the knot, but this operation will have to be repeated periodically. The way out is to make a knot on bearings, but you can’t do without welding.

Do-it-yourself metal swing

Their structure is exactly the same. The material is different, and the way it is attached. This is welding. For those who are familiar with, it will not be difficult to cook something similar. And for inspiration, a photo report.

Below is a drawing of this swing with dimensions. Some explanation is required. In the figure there is a pipe welded around the perimeter (this plane is shaded). It is buried and therefore not visible in the photo. It was made in order to increase stability: the masses of friends are considerable. For the same reason, metal plates are welded onto the ends of the racks. The installation was complicated, but the swing is tight.

For manufacturing, it took 22 meters of a profile pipe 50 * 50 mm, for a seat 25 * 25 mm - 10 mm, boards 2000 * 120 * 18 - 7 pcs and the rest - fasteners, paint, anti-rust.

There is another way to attach the swing to the crossbar. He is in the photo.

A way to make a metal swing mount to the crossbar

The original form of a swing from a profile pipe - the racks are non-linear, but curved. If it is possible to do this with a tree, then only the master.

Baby swing

For children, you can make the same design, but smaller.

There are several other models for , but about . Here are the first ones - a swing-scale or a balance beam.

Swing for children - balance beam or scales

Everything is clear, questions may arise only on the attachment point. Below is a drawing with dimensions. To strengthen the upper part, steel plates are fixed inside. To make them swing, a hole is drilled into which the pin is threaded. You can improve the "rolling" by inserting bearings.

You can quickly and easily make a nest swing from a tire (car tire). Bolts with eye nuts are installed in it at four corners, but of a smaller diameter (do not forget about the washers), ropes or chains cling to them, and you can even throw them on the corresponding branch on the tree, even hang them on the horizontal bar.

To diversify the rest in the country, in the shade of garden trees there are comfortable swings where you can relax and recharge your batteries. We want to tell you how to make a garden swing with your own hands, because it is doubly pleasant when the use of the product of your own labor also brings joy.

Preparing to build a swing

Site selection

A swing is not just a bench or a stump with a seat, this type will be a stationary and relatively capital object, so you need to choose the appropriate place for it.

This means that we need to take into account all the nuances of this structure, namely:

• Mobility. Part of the structure is a movable unit that performs damped oscillatory movements under the action of gravity, like a pendulum. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the maximum swing of this pendulum in each direction and take care that within these limits there are no obstacles: trees, stumps, shrubs or garden furniture;
• Stationarity. To ensure the movement of one part of the structure, it is necessary to securely fasten its other part - the support frame. To do this, we will have to dig into the ground and concrete the racks to a depth of 60 - 70 cm;
• Site quality. You have probably noticed constant puddles and dirt under the yard or homemade swings, as the ground under the seat is constantly wiped off with your feet during braking, and a depression forms there where water and dirt accumulate. Therefore, for comfortable use of the attraction, you should immediately rid yourself of this misunderstanding - make a concrete screed or lay tiles, rubber, at least make gravel backfill.

Important!
For normal and long-term operation of the structure, it must be installed as evenly as possible, that is, with the seat hanging freely in the lower position, the chain or cable must be perpendicular to the upper crossbar.
To control this parameter, it is most convenient to use a plumb line.

It is also important to remember that it is very dangerous to be in the swing zone of the ride bench, as you can get a strong blow and seriously injure a part of the body. Therefore, this area should either be limited for access, or ensure that people or animals do not enter it during the operation of the swing.

Another aspect that is often overlooked is that the attraction will most likely be a permanent place for your children to play, so it is better to think in advance of a way to limit the zenith or the highest point to which the pendulum can swing. Otherwise, children, out of incomprehension, can swing it up to a full turn around the crossbar with chains winding around it and falling headfirst.

Important!
From all that has been said, the following summary can be drawn: the place for it should be spacious, level, free from obstacles and be in a line of sight relative to the house for control and safety.

Choice of material and type of construction

Several factors will depend on the choice of type of construction and materials:

1. Reliability;
2. Durability;
3. Price;
4. Security;
5. Relevance in terms of design.

As a rule, two types of materials are used for self-manufacturing: wood and metal, as well as their combinations. Concrete work and site improvement work will not be considered for the time being.

Metal models, at first glance, are more reliable and durable, and ceteris paribus, it is so. However, the metal is also subject to corrosion, and if it is not properly processed, this advantage is easily lost.

On the other hand, properly selected and processed wood, with timely care, demonstrates quite acceptable reliability indicators comparable to metal.

If we consider these materials from the point of view of safety and artistic value, then wood will be the undisputed leader here (unless, of course, your garden is made in the style of a Gothic cemetery and is not replete with wrought iron bars and fences).

Also important is the fact that the processing of wooden parts is much easier and does not require tools such as a grinder, electric and gas welding, a metal drill, etc.

If we talk about the cost, then a really beautiful forged frame will cost much more than high-quality wood, and the use of banal pipes or corners will result in a “freak” that will spoil the beauty and atmosphere of a country estate.

Important!
From the point of view of expediency, we consider the most suitable wooden structure, reinforced with metal parts in some places.

Making a swing

Before starting work, it is necessary to draw up a work plan and a drawing. You can easily find drawings of a garden swing with your own hands on our website, you can also make them yourself.

1. We take 4 three-meter beams 100x100 mm and make two L-shaped structures connected at an angle of 50 - 55 degrees using furniture bolts;

1. We retreat from the lower end of the support 60 cm and divide the rest by three. At the level of the border of the first and second thirds, we mount the puffs from the edged board, two for each leg. Fasten with bolts.

1. Now we connect the resulting frames with a crossbar 100x100 mm from an oak beam. We select the length of the crossbar so that the width of the frame is 50 cm more than the width of the seat.

1. We dig in the legs of the structure to a depth of 70 cm, where 10 cm will be filled with crushed stone and sand. Next, we concrete the pits with a solution of cement, sand and gravel 1: 3: 5. We expose the structure along the plumb line so that the thread is perpendicular to the crossbar;

Important!
Part of the support beam, which will be immersed in concrete, is treated with bituminous mastic.

Output

A good wooden swing in the country is a great place to relax and delight children of any age. We told you how to make them yourself, the nuances are in the video in this article.