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Hammock chairs are a great investment that can be used in your home, the backyard, or even whilst out camping. Unlike regular hammocks which have two support points to distribute the weight, a hammock chair is typically carrying the same weight across one support point so you must be extra careful where you set them up.
In this guide, I’ll share 7 different ways you can hang a hammock chair at home, some that involve a little bit of DIY and others that are super simple.
How to Hang a Hammock Chair Indoors
1. Hang it From the Ceiling
The most common way to hang a hammock chair indoors is to use a hammock chair hanging kit and screw it directly into the ceiling.
If your hammock chair doesn’t come with a kit, I recommend using the Gelury hanging kit which allows the chair to rotate 360 degrees as well as swing.
Here are step-by-step instructions:
- Work out where the ceiling joists are and ensure you screw directly into these. You shouldn’t screw a hammock chair into a drywall ceiling where there is no support above.
- Hold the hook to the ceiling and use a pencil to mark where the holes are.
- Use a drill to create the holes.
- Now, screw the hook to the ceiling and attach the carabiners.
- Hang up your hammock and use some heavy objects to ensure that your ceiling is strong enough and the fitting is secure.
How Much Weight Can the Ceiling Hold?
As a general rule, wooden ceiling joists that are 2” X 6” should be able to hold a hammock chair with a person sitting in it. These are commonly used in ceilings where there is another floor above. Ensure you place your hammock chair near the edge of the room where the joists are strongest.
If your joists are smaller than this (e.g. the trusses that hold up the roof in an attic) or you are unsure whether the ceiling will hold a hammock chair with a person, then I’d recommend an alternative hanging method such as those detailed below.
How to Hang a Hammock Chair Indoors Without Drilling
2. Hang it From a Beam
If you’re lucky enough to live in a house with exposed beams (wooden or steel), then you can make use of these to hang your hammock chair.
The amount of weight a beam can hold will depend upon the size and material of the beam:
- Steel – You should have no problems supporting a hammock chair regardless of the size
- Wood – Ensure it’s at least 2” X 6” (most are) and try to position your hammock near the edge of the room if possible.
If the beam is fixed directly against the ceiling, then you’ll need a hammock chair hanging kit such as the one shared in the previous method.
However, if the beam is not directly against the ceiling, you can wrap a hammock chair strap (such as this one from Royal Oak) around the beam and hang your hammock chair directly from it.
3. Use an Indoor Hammock Chair Stand
A popular alternative method to hang your hammock chair indoors without drilling is to use an indoor hammock chair stand. There are several different styles and materials to choose from.
Generally, when buying a hammock chair stand for indoors, look for lightweight materials, a compact footprint, and reasonably low height depending upon the size of your room.
Here are a few stands I recommend but you can also see my full guide to the best hammock chair stands for a full list and reviews.
Top Pick: Sorbus
This stand is simple to put together and has an adjustable height so you can change it depending upon your room or the type of hammock chair you’re using. It’s very fast to construct and lightweight to move around.
Great for Indoors: Sunnydaze
Alternatively, the Sunnydaze stand has a fixed height with a sturdy U-shape base. As well as hammock chairs, this one is also great for swing seats and egg chairs.
4. Use a Pull Up Bar
One of my favorite hacks for hanging a hammock chair indoors without drilling is to use a pull-up bar in a doorway. Pull up bars are designed
If you already have a chair and just need the pull-up bar, I would recommend one of the pull-up bars that hooks over the top of the doorframe as these provide extra safety. This Iron Gym pull-up bar is a great example.
Alternatively, this all-in-one kit from BXL (see image) includes both the pull-up bar and a hammock chair that’s already been tested with the bar for peace of mind.
How to Hang a Hammock Chair Outdoors
5. Use a Strap to Hang it From a Tree
If you’re lucky enough to have a suitable tree in your backyard, using this is the best way to hang your hammock chair outdoors. Here are some tips:
- Ideally, you’ll want a tree with a strong branch between 6-9ft from the ground.
- Good species include beech, sycamore, oak, ash, and maple.
- Try to avoid weaker trees such as pine, poplar, and willow.
- The branch should be at least 6” thick to ensure it will hold the weight.
I recommend using this Royal Oak Hammock Chair Strap when hanging it from a tree. The strap is heavy-duty due to reinforced stitching and can hold up to 2,200lbs of weight which far exceeds any hammock chair I’ve reviewed.
It also comes with carabiners and a heavy-duty screw lock that will allow the chair to swing and rotate freely. You should wrap the strap around the branch twice and then attach the carabiner, followed by the heavy-duty screw.
If you’re using the strap I recommended, you won’t need to tie any knots, however, if you opt for an alternative strap or a rope, I’d recommend a bowline knot.
How to Hang a Hammock Chair Without Trees
6. Hang it From the Porch or Pergola
If you don’t have a tree, you can look for other structures to hang your hammock chair from. Common examples include a porch, pergola, balcony, gazebo, garage, or anywhere else you can find which has solid vertical bars.
You have two options here depending upon your ability and the object you’ll be attaching the chair to:
- If you can drill into it, use a kit such as the Gelury hanging kit shared earlier in this article.
- If you can wrap a hammock chair strap around the object, use a strap such as the Royal Oak strap from the previous point.
7. Outdoor Hammock Chair Stand
You can hang a hammock chair outdoors without trees by using an outdoor hammock chair stand. Most stands are suitable for both indoors and out, although you need to ensure it’s got a good amount of weather resistance.
If you want something portable, then a steel or aluminum stand would be a great fit. However, wooden stands are more elegant and permanent, although they cost more.
Here are a few stands I recommend for outdoors or you can visit my guide to the best hammock chair stands to get some additional options.
Top Pick: Sorbus
The Sorbus stand is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. It’s fast to put up and take down so you can easily store it away in the included carry case during the winter months. It’s also fairly portable if you wish to take it to the park or beach with you.
Great for Outdoors: Christopher Knight
The Christopher Knight hammock chair stand is made from treated curved wood which looks elegant whilst also being very durable. With an annual coat of varnish, this stand will outlast many metal stands even if left out year-round.
Related Questions
What’s the Best Hammock Chair?
The best hammock chair is the Sunny Daze Mayan-style stand. The mesh-style polyester material is comfy whilst allowing plenty of air circulation and it’s a great size for both indoors and out.
See my full guide to the best hammock chairs for more recommendations.
