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How to make a DIY hammock chair

Brown and white striped hammock chair hanging in a white painted undercover area

Overview

If you don’t have room for a full-sized hammock, why not transform one into a comfy hanging chair? We’ve used a special kit to secure the seat to two points on the rafters; if you do the same, just make sure the rafter is sturdy and safe enough to take the weight of an adult. 

Steps

1Measure the folds

Spread the hammock out, with the side you'll be sitting on facing down. Fold back the top by 320mm and fold up the base by 200mm.

Green Bunnings hammer
Pro tip: We’ve used a king-size hammock, but you can use any size – just adapt the fold-over measurements to suit how much fabric there is, and the amount of space in which you have to hang it. For a double hammock, fold the top to be 150mm and the base 100mm. For a single, fold a 100mm top and 50mm base.
Hammock spread out on a deck with a measuring tape rolled out

2Form the chair shape

Apply construction adhesive in a zigzag along the hems, press them down and leave to dry without moving the hammock. The top fold creates a pocket for a rail to give the chair structure; the base fold reinforces the seat.

Construction adhesive is applied to hammock fabric in a zigzag pattern

3Make the rail and stoppers

Using a handsaw, cut two 90mm stoppers from 6mm dowel. Cut a 600mm rail from 25.4mm dowel, measure 25mm in from the ends, lining up the marks, and drill through with a 6mm bit. Smooth over the holes with 180-grit abrasive paper.
Close-up of a person drilling a hole in a dowel rod

4Secure the hammock on the rail

Thread the rail through the top fold of the hammock, then use a hammer to tap in the stoppers to protrude evenly. Dab construction adhesive around the holes to prevent the stoppers from moving. Wipe away excess adhesive with a cloth and leave to dry.
Close-up of a person securing hammock fabric on a dowel rod with dowel stoppers

5Prepare the hammock hanging kit

Use a hammock hanging kit to secure two hooks 500mm apart. Run the supplied cord around the rafter. Thread the lengths together through the figure-eight hook.
Close-up of hands beginning to thread a cord through a hammock hanging kit

6Thread through the clamp hook

Thread the cord through the clamp hook and over the sliding lock bars.
Hands threading white cord through hammock brackets

7Pull the cord through the hanging kit bars

Fold the cord up behind the bottom bar and thread it forward between the bars. 
Close-up of a hand pulling white cord through the bars of a hammock hanging kit

8Secure the cord

Feed the cord up behind the clamp hook and knot at the top. 
A person ties a knot at the top of brackets to secure cord

9Hang the hammock

Position the hammock loops over the hooks, ensuring the ropes aren't tangled. Twist the rail so the stoppers hold against the seat, tucking rope behind them to prevent the fabric slipping off. Gather the fabric along the rail evenly, and fold down the sides to minimise bulk. Place a firm cushion (ours is 450mm) in the base to help hold the shape of the seat.

Green Bunnings hammer
Pro tip: Adjust the ropes so the seat is about 450mm up from the ground (standard stool height).
Close-up of a person suspending a loop of cord on a hammock hanging hook

10Try this, too…

If you have a solid rafter at least 100mm square, but without access to wrap a rope around it, use a more permanent solution by installing two large screw-eyes with hammock hooks. To do this, drill a hole with a 10mm bit for hardwood, or use a 9mm bit for pine, then twist the screw-eye all the way in. Position the loops of the hammock over the hooks, or knot lengths of rope from the hook to the loops to lower the seat.

11Keep in mind ...

  • Using a temporary hanging set means there's no need for drilling holes, so it’s a great solution for renters. 
  • Ensure any fittings you use and the structure you affix the seat to can bear the weight of an adult.
  • Timbers vary by state and territory, but you should be able to find dowel that is close to these diameters. Contact your local store for further information.

12Looking for more clever weekend projects?

Our D.I.Y. Advice page is stocked with a wide range of home improvement builds for every skill level.

 

Photo credit: Natasha Dickins

 
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.