How to Hang a Swing Chair, Indoors and Out

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How to Hang a Swing Chair, Indoors or Out

A hanging swing chair is a fun addition to an outdoor pergola, an indoor reading corner, or a child or teen bedroom, like we’re showing you today. Since their loft beds are extra tall now to fit a full-sized desk, we wanted to add a comfortable fun seating area closer to ground level.

You can hang a swing on your patio, backyard balcony, garden, bedroom, or family room! Swing chair installation is simple and requires just a couple of items from the hardware store, so you can hang your hammock chair quickly and be ready to enjoy the afternoon.

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Choosing the Right Hanging Swing Chair

This chair hanging method will work for many different types of hanging chairs, from swing chairs and hammock chairs to egg chairs and even stretchy fabric swing chairs. We’re using a circle macrame swing chair in beige (also available in a double swing), and you could use any of these hanging chairs we love (including the internet-famous Aldi swing chair!)

Some of our favorites:

You can purchase a hanging chair stand to make your swing chair easy to move, if you’d like. We like hanging the chair from a ceiling joist to free up floor space.

For a patio hanging chair, ensure that the hardware and the cushion are rated for outdoor use. Be aware that polyester seat cushions or pillows are likely to fade more quickly in sunlight.

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.

Safety and Liability: Please remember, this blog is for entertainment purposes only. As with ALL of our DIY projects and tutorials, be certain to read over the complete tutorial before starting a project. Build at your own risk and be smart, be safe. We will not be responsible for any injury or damage incurred while following a tutorial from our site. None of our posts should be considered expert advice; please consult a professional when needed, read all safety and instruction manuals, and take all safety precautions. All projects performed following instructions found on this site are done at your own risk.

Materials to Hang a Swing Chair

These supplies are readily available at hardware stores and local store prices are pretty affordable. You can use a premade swing hanger if you prefer. For a traditional playground swing, you can also mount these swing hardware kits to indoor joists instead of a swingset beam. For a single-connection swing or yoga swing, you can use a 360-degree swivel hook if you prefer – just be sure to ensure minimum clearances around the swing.

Tools to Hang a Swing Chair

• Drill
• 5/16″ drill bit
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Ladder
• Knife
• Screwdriver
• Safety glasses

Step By Step: How to Hang a Swing Chair

We’ll show 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.

Step 1: Select the hanging chair location.

The swing should be hung 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.)

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: Drill a pilot hole for the eye screw.

Make sure the hole is deep enough to securely hold the ceiling hook. Drill the depth of the hole the full length of the screw.

Step 4: 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.

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: 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 5-8 inches.

Step 7: Attach the rope to the eye screw.

Hook the loop onto the ceiling hook using a second quick connect carabiner. Make sure it’s centered and secure.

Step 8: Attach the hanging chair.

Attach the rope or chain to the chair using one of the rope loops and the carabiner already on the chair.

Step 9: Repeat for a second hanger (if needed)

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!)

Step 10: Adjust the hanging chair swing height

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.

Step 11: Enjoy

Finally, enjoy your newly installed macrame swinging chair! It’s a cozy and stylish addition to any space.

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Common Questions about Hanging a Swing Chair

What is the weight limit of a hanging swing chair?

The weight limit of a swing chair will be determined by a few factors: the chair manufacturing and material, the rope/chain weight limits, and the connection point strength. So if your chair is manufactured for 500 lbs capacity, but your rope is only rated for 200 lbs, the weight limit of your chair is greatly reduced (which is a safety concern!)

Should I hang my swing chair with rope or a chain?

Use rope for swing chairs whose usable weight limit will be under about 250 lbs (including the weight of the chair itself). I like to use rope for lighter chairs because it’s a little easier, a little cheaper, and looks a little better, in my opinion. Make sure you use a sturdy nylon rope or similar, and inspect the rope regularly for signs of wear or damage.

Use chain to hang swing chairs whose usable weight limit is over 250 lbs. Chain can be easier to hang (since you don’t have to tie a loop) but is also more expensive typically.

How do I know if my ceiling can support a hanging chair?

For an indoor hanging chair, ensure that your chair is hung from a joist that is a 2×6 or larger. Modern building code requires this, so this shouldn’t be an issue in most homes.

For an outdoor hanging chair, ensure that your chair is hung from a joist or beam at least 2×6 or larger AND that the structure is stable and braced for cross-wise movement. A porch joist or swing set beam, for example, are both good places to hang a swing chair. If you want to hang a chair or swing chair from a pergola, you’ll need to have a pergola that is set in footings like we showed you here and also that is braced for lateral movement. You’ll also want to check the supports the cross-brace has to ensure that it can handle the weight load of the swing.

Is a hanging swing chair safe for children?

Yes, a swing chair can be safe and also beneficial for children! A hanging lounge chair makes for a relaxing hangout for kids and adults alike, and may even be recommended to a caregiver by a pediatrician or therapists to help a child with anxiety or to help with a child’s development. Swinging on a swing helps a child’s developmental abilities in sensory perception and balance, for both neurotypical and neurodiverse children (and adults).

High quality products must go through rigorous safety testing before selling a product, which means your swing is as safe as possible right out of the box. To ensure your child’s safety in a swing, safety recommendations include using the swing only under adult supervision and guidance, and installing protective floor matting around the perimeter of the swing. With any swing for any age range, ensure that you’ve installed the swing in an area that meets the minimum clearance to allow the swing’s range of movement.

Lorene has been behind the scenes here at Remodelaholic for more than a decade! She believes that planning projects and actually completing them are two different hobbies, but that doesn’t stop her from planning at least a dozen projects at any given time. She spends her free time creating memories with her husband and 5 kids, traveling as far as she can afford, and partaking of books in any form available.

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