DIY Hammock Ideas for Your Backyard

As summer warms up, many people find themselves spending more and more time outdoors. Coming up with outdoor decor can be difficult when you have to find something both attractive and weather resistant. Hammocks were first used by natives of South and Central America for sleeping and throughout history, hammocks were used on ships as a space saving way for sailors to rest.

In modern times, hammocks have become an international symbol for relaxation and leisure. If you want your backyard to feel like a relaxing paradise, adding a hammock to your yard could be the perfect addition to get the mood you desire. Buying a hammock can be expensive, but you can make your own hammock using a few things you may already have at home.

Use an old bedsheet to create a hammock in your backyard or on your next camping trip. First fold a sheet in half. Pleat the ends of each sheet like an accordion. Use some weather resistant rope to tie around the accordion folds, about 10 inches from the end. You will want to loop the cord around 6-8 times and tie with a secure knot. Next, fold the end over creating another loop and tie the cord around again. Wrap the rope about 8-10 times and secure with a knot. You could insert rings inside to make the hammock easier to hang.  Use a strong, weather resistant rope to run through the loop and secure this to a tree. Repeat this process on the other end.

If you know how to crochet, making a woven hammock for your yard will be easy; if you don’t crochet, you can do a simple knot stitch to create a bohemian addition to your garden. You’ll need 24 strands of rope and by simply looping and loosely knotting them together you can create a woven masterpiece. You could learn the basics of crochet by watching a few instructional videos or follow the instructions on this DIY tutorial from Kinfolk magazine for a backyard hammock that looks as fabulous as one bought from a store.Another way to create an amazing outdoor hammock uses just a white canvas drop cloth and grommets. For this extra large hammock, you will hammer grommets into each corner of the canvas. Using an S-Biner and chain, you can attach each corner to a center point and hang it from a strong branch above or the porch ceiling. Read the detailed tutorial from Remodelista and make a lofted bed where several people can gather and relax. We’ve added one to our loft conversion and it’s just perfect.

Taking your backyard from boring to extraordinary doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor. Adding a handmade hammock will be cost effective and will add a real statement piece to your yard decor. Swing beneath your trees and transport your mind to a tropical isle as the breeze blows gently across your face. Your new hammock will enrich your life for years and years creating the sanctuary of your dreams just steps from your back door.