Installing a Hammock chair in your house can transform an empty corner into a comfortable reading haven, asides from being a beautiful addition to your home.
After we posted pictures of our hammock chairs on Instagram, comments, and messages expressing how hard it looks to install one flooded in. If the concept of drilling holes into the ceiling sounds hard, don't worry, I got you!
I've outlined the steps and instructions with images of how to make installing your hammock chair as easy as 1-2-3.
What do you need to install your hammock chair?
Tools
- Power drill (if unavailable, you can substitute it with a hand-held Phillips screwdriver with a lot of muscle).
- Tape measure: Not an essential tool but it's good to have one.
- Pencil: For making marks on the ceiling.
- Stud finder: This is used to locate studs/beams behind the drywall so that mounting hardware can be installed in the right position.
- It can be purchased in Home Depot, on Amazon, or other hardware stores. Below are links to a few sites for easier access.
Hardware
The hammock chair supports up to 330lbs (150kg) so it's a sturdy chair. Even so, the hardware is equally (if not more) important in supporting that weight. Here's a list of what I used:
- Screws: 1.25" - 2" long.
- Ceiling mount/base plate that can support over 330lbs/150kg.
- Swivel bracket: This makes turning the chair 360 degrees easy without bending the hardware or putting stress on the chair itself. Hence, it is very important.
- Spring extension: This helps to adjust the seat height to the right level (approximately 18" off the floor) if you have 8' ceilings. For taller ceilings, you'll need an extra hammock approved rope or chain.
- A ladder or step stool to stand on is also necessary, unless you're 7ft tall.
Where to purchase your hardware?
For high ceilings, you'll need an extension chain or rope. The woven jute ones look very nice but they're not as safe as nylon. I have a few examples for you below:
Now, you are set with all you need, so let's dive right in. It's as easy as a walk in the park, trust me.
1. Locate the beams/joists
Hold your hammock chair up to get an idea of where you want to install it while making sure you have enough room to rotate and swing it. I highly suggest a minimum of 30" from the edge of the ceiling if it's in the corner.
After that, grab your ladder/step stool and make a faint mark on the ceiling where the center of the chair would be. That's your first reference point. In perfect situations, you'll want a beam right there behind the drywall but sometimes it doesn't work out that way.
Next, you must install the hardware into a beam/joist. Double emphasis on the 'must' to explain how important this step is. Attaching it to drywall alone can lead to injuries and marks on you and a gaping hole in your ceiling, none of which are pretty sights.
After noting this down, you may have to let go of the perfect location and move the chair over a few inches. Beam lengths depend on the size of the room, the width is usually 2" wide by 4" high. They are spaced 16" apart from centre to centre.
Here's a visual:
Grab your stud finder and hold it flat against the ceiling. Then hold down the power button (usually found on the side). The stud finder will stop flashing when it has been calibrated (this takes a couple of seconds at most), then you can begin to move it across the ceiling away from your pencil mark. The stud finder shows you on the screen where one edge of that 2" beam when it comes across a stud, or beam. It beeps where the center is and beeps again to tell you where the other edge is.
Once it has found a beam, double scan to be sure, then make a little pencil mark where the light is shining on the ceiling. Checking everything twice is a great rule of thumb with any DIY project and should be implemented in this case.
Checking everything twice is a great rule of thumb with any DIY project.
To triple-check that mark, move 16" further away and repeat the process, you should find another beam. Make sure you find the absolute center of that 2" beam because the mounting hardware's screw holes in the one I used are 1.25" apart on the short side, and you want both of them in the stud.
2. Screw the mounting plate to the ceiling
Once you have your mark (hopefully close to your original pencil mark/reference point), but the screw finder away and screw in your ceiling hardware with the longer side going with the length of the beam.
The screws will begin to put up lots of resistance when it's going into the stud, this will let you know you are on the right track.
When all four screws are in, the hardest part is over. Yay! Take a huge breath and pat yourself on the back, you've done well :)
3. Hang your chair!
Next, hang the extension spring onto the ceiling mount and hook your hanging chair on it. If your hardware set includes a swivel hook, clip one end onto your hammock chair and the other end onto the extension spring.
The seat should be about 18" off the floor (average seat height), a little lower for use in kids' rooms.
You're all done! Now admire what you put together and test that thing out. Add a pillow or two, a rug, and an ottoman to bump up the coziness!
The gentle sway of a hammock chair is so relaxing (I actually fell asleep in it once!). It's one of the reasons I love taking a few minutes at the end of stressful days to sit here, unwind, and take a breather. It's also a hit with everyone who comes to our house.
You see how easy it is, right? Are you ready to do it yourself? Let me know how it goes with your hammock chair(s). I would really love to hear back from you!
If you're still undecided about it, feel free to send me any questions you have.
