Hammocks are a ubiquitous part of summer, almost synonymous with lazy days and warm weather. But traditional hammocks take up quite a bit of space, sometimes at the expense of other outdoor furniture (or space for the kids to play in your yard!). So if you love a good sunny summertime lounge but don’t want to dedicate your whole deck to the purpose (or if you don’t have anything to tie a hammock to in the first place), it might be time to consider an alternative. Hanging chairs, swing chairs, and mounted hammocks provide much the same experience in a whole lot less space, often with little or no setup.
Hammocks vs. Hanging Chairs
The biggest problems with hammocks? You need to mount them to something on both ends – more than a body-length apart – in order for them to be usable. Even if you take them down when you aren’t using them, that’s a lot of space to dedicate to seating for one. But hanging chairs and swing chairs only have a single mount. That means that, regardless of the shape of the chair, you don’t need to have a lot of available anchors. Of course, hanging chairs with that single anchor are often a little smaller than a hammock, too – allowing you to swing, but not necessarily stretch out.
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Hanging Lounge Chairs
The good news is, that isn’t always the case. Hanging chaise lounges look a little like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they let you stretch out your legs, put your feet up, lie back, and relax. Plus, they afford a little more stability and support than a traditional net hammock. Sometimes, hanging chairs even come with built in sun umbrellas or awnings to help protect you from the sun. That means you can lounge comfortably even if you don’t have a shady spot to set it up!
Hanging Chairs With Overhead Mounts
Like hammocks, you will need to mount most hanging chairs to something. But where hammocks shine in an open lawn with even-spaced trees, hanging chairs are a little less picky. They only need a single overhead mount rather than two at waist height. A stout tree branch or porch beam will work equally well, and you’ll only need to adjust the hanger to ensure a comfortable height. That said, you want to make sure that whatever you mount your chair to is sturdy enough to support the weight of both the chair and anyone that will be sitting in it. Hammocks are able to distribute the weight between multiple mounts, but might take up your entire porch; hanging chairs concentrate weight in a single area, but fit in less space than you’d need for a porch swing.
Standalone Hanging Chairs+Mounting Stand
On the flip side, you can also find hanging chairs come with their own stands. In other words, ones you won’t need to mount to anything at all. These stands are compact and sturdy, typically made of stainless steel to ensure they can hold 250+ pounds of weight. Powder coated steel is highly weatherproof, too, so you can place them just about anywhere in your back yard, not just on your deck or patio. The chairs themselves are exactly the same as free-hanging models; the only difference is that they hook onto the stand rather than a beam or branch. Not only can you put them just about anywhere, you can move them around as needed without any complicated uninstalling or reinstalling.
Weatherproof Synthetic Construction
In addition to rust-proof stands, hanging chairs are also often made from durable, weather-proof materials. Depending on the model, you’ll see some sacrifices for comfort (since you’re laying directly on them). But hanging chairs and chaises have some kind of synthetic wicker structure that’s resistant to damage from sun, water, and mold or mildew. Most also include a cushion, which should (and usually is) made of some kind of fade-resistant, washable, mildew-proof fabric. Together, they have the same breezy, breathable feel of a traditional cushioned wicker chair, but will hold up better to long-term use outdoors.
Standalone Mounted Hammocks And Swings
All that said, even if you can’t be swayed (pun intended) from an authentic hammock, you aren’t out of luck. Mounted porch swings and hanging chairs are more common, but you can also find freestanding hammocks. These are pre-mounted to hefty wood or metal frames that can support your weight, no side-by-side trees needed. Rather than simple nets, these hammocks are often made of fabric with stylish frames that help them hold their shape; think of them as big statement pieces rather than earthy accessories. If you want that real true authentic hammock experience? This is the best way to get it in a portable form. Just set up the frame, hang the hammock, and you’re good to go!
