Is it called a Swing Bed, a Bed Swing, a Swinging Bed, or maybe a Swingbed? Whatever you call it, it’s way fun, easy to make, and a place you’ll want to spend many a lazy summer afternoon.

My fascination with swing beds goes way back, here is a previous post with more swing bed ideas!

I’m thinking about building a hanging bed for my backyard deck, so I went out in search of inspiration. Here is what I found:

1. Hanging with Freinds by The Lake

Call me modest or old-fashioned, but I still kind of prefer one bed per room myself. This sleeping porch is designed for a camping-like experience for summer nights at the lake. It looks like fun.

The beds themselves use chain for support. While that probably will last awhile, chain presents a couple of issues: pinching, rusting, noise, and no flexibility meaning a very firm base for the bed. I think heavy rope would be better, but it wouldn’t last as long.

Source: Remodelista

2. Hanging in Style By The Beach

This is just un-be-lievable! I want this. I love the attention to detail and unique features of this.

• I’m guessing that the column/legs on the corners are upcycled from a down-and-out previously awesome piece, but they may be made just for this. Either way, yes.
• The thin-ish rope (about 3/8″ – 1/2″ thick by the look of it) wrapped around the rails is just owning me. I’m not even going to be able to sleep without dreaming of the awesomeness which is this rope-wrapped bed rail.
• The perfectly frayed “tassle” ends on the hanging ropes. Somebody was on fire when they built this thing.
• Not to mention the awesome stained concrete floor, the perfect weathered wood window casings, or the so-fab-it-should-be-outlawed roof structure.

Twenty years from now you’ll be able to read a story, maybe even watch a movie, about one man’s quest to find the perfect swing bed he saw in a picture one day. Though I’m seeing imaginary youtube videos of the moment I find it and plop down the rope breaks. I think these particular hanging ropes are a little too thin for a person of my, ehem, stature.

Source: Indulgy

3. Three Boys One Room

This looks awesome! While not technically a swing bed, what a great looking room and fun for three boys to share.

I almost didn’t share this image, however. The reason is the safety concern of this design. A regular thinking person (as compared to a structural engineer) might not grasp the tension on the point where the rope attaches to the wall. In technical terms: It’s a ton of weight!

If I were to build this, I would be wanting to reinforce the framing at the point of connection and use a bolt with a ginormous washer on the backside of a 2×4 (inside the wall). You could also use the ladder for extra strength by making it permanently fixed in place.

Of course it all depends on the size and bouncy tendancy of the boys in question! Just be careful not to underestimate the forces at play!

Source: The Bumper Crop

4. Looks Can Be Deceiving

If you want the look of a swing bed without the actual swing and without worrying about the rope pulling free or breaking, then this idea is for you!

These beds aren’t actually hanging on the ropes, they’re resting on 4×4 (maybe 6×6) legs under the center of the bed, combined with strong attachments at the wall to create the illusion of a hanging bed.

What gives it away?

• The way the ropes are connected to the rings on the ceiling… no strength there.
• The ropes aren’t perfectly taut, no tension there.
• Then, of-course, there is the fact that you can see one of the legs in the picture!.

Image source (and designer I think): CaldwellFlake.com

5. Hanging Anthropologie Style

I can’t decide what to think about this one. Part of me says that if Anthro ever sold it it must be so stylish as to be out of my league. On the other hand, since they don’t make it anymore maybe it’s not so hot.

What do you think?

Source: Anthropologie.com

6. Pretty Swing Bed Daybed Porch Swing Thingy

Doesn’t this look inviting? I’d love to have a big enough porch to include one of these. One day, one day…

I thought about creating a set of plans to build this puppy but the closer I look at it, the more complex it gets. If you’ve got the skeelz to build this one, you probably don’t need any plans to guide you.

I love the big fluffy mattress. It looks like a great place to read a book or write a blog post!

7. The Perfect Perfect Perfect Porch Swing

The only things that could make this better would be:

1. Me lounging on the daybed swingy thingy instead of awesome designer Rachel Halvorson.
2. A big beautiful horse poking his head out through that stall door just behind, if indeed that’s what that door is. (I love horses and it’s been way too long since I’ve been riding!)

I’ve been staring at the design of this swing for awhile because I think it’s darn near perfect. Luckily, I was able to find another picture!

Nice setting for the sitting!

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So, what do you think about the idea of beds that hang from the ceiling? Good for outside only, or inside too? Just for kids or will one of these bring the kid in all of us right out?

I think my favorite is the one by the beach (#2). I’m a sucker for the crystal clear water and bright white sand in my toes. Which one tugs at your heart?

Also on RemodelingGuy.net – Swing Bed Ideas and Inspiration