I built the ultimate backyard hack for turning a plain old porch or patio into your very own oasis. This DIY daybed swing is now one of my favorite places to be outside! The best part? It only cost me $100…
Now, before you get intimidated and think, “There’s no way I could ever build a swing like that,” lemme me reassure you: if I can do it, you absolutely can too. Seriously.
This was a pretty simple project that even a beginner DIYer can tackle without any specialized carpentry skills and it only took me about 4 hours.
What You Will Need:
I promise you won’t need any exotic materials or fancy equipment to make this daybed swing… just a few trusty tools and supplies.
- 2x6s – Pressure Treated (for the seat and frame)
- 2x2s – (for the back frame)
- Wood Screws
- Wood Glue
- Router – (optional)
- Metal Brackets
- O-Rings
- Rope
- Heavy-Duty Hooks
- A Mattress – ( I already had one on hand but you can get a cheap one here )
- Mattress Cover – ( To keep your swing dry and comfortable when it rains )
- A Sheet & Pillows
Building the Frame of the Swing
The first thing I did was cut the pressure-treated 2x6s to make the frame for the bottom of the swing. This is the part that will support your weight, so we’re starting strong with some solid lumber.
Make sure your cuts are as straight as possible—I recommend measuring twice and cutting once, because, you know, mistakes happen.
Now that you’ve got your pieces cut, arrange them into a basic rectangular frame.
For extra stability, I overlapped the 2x4s on the sides where the horizontal and vertical slats met. This is key, because it adds more strength to the frame, so you won’t be worrying about it collapsing when you sit on it.
I drilled screws from the 2×4’s into both the horizontal and vertical slats, making sure everything was locked in tight.
Making the Back Frame
This is where the 2x2s come into play, creating that perfect backrest to lean against when you need a break from the world (or when the wine glass is dangerously close to being empty).
Cut your 2x2s to the height and width in my plans and evenly space the slats.
When attaching the 2×2 slats, make sure the gaps are tight enough that no one is going to accidentally fall through. Mine were spaced a bit big but if you think you need to lessen the gaps go ahead and cut 1-2 more.
Using screws, attach the 2x2s to the back of the bottom frame. Be sure to reinforce with metal brackets on a slant from the 2×2 frame to the 2×6 frame.
Building Details
Let’s talk about that router. I know, it sounds like a tool only used by professional carpenters but its actually such a fun one to use and makes you look like a pro yourself…
I went across the entire outline of the seat and the back frame with the router to smooth out any rough spots and give the swing that sleek, polished look. It’s the difference between your swing looking like a rough draft and looking like something straight out of a catalog.
Next I drilled 5 or 6 holes on each side of the swing base. These holes are where the rope will go through, securing the swing to the O-rings.
Hanging the Swing
I used some sturdy rope for this part. You want something that’s tough enough to hold up under the weight of… well, you. Thread the rope through the holes you drilled earlier, making sure it’s nice and tight.
Take your O-rings and loop them through the rope on both sides. Make sure you’re looping them through the O rings after each hole you loop them through.
Then, grab your heavy-duty hooks and attach them to a strong overhead support—whether that’s a sturdy tree branch or a beam on your porch. I hung mine up on our swing set.
Finishing Touches
I had an old twin mattress sitting in my basement that was just begging for a second life. BUT…if you don’t have a mattress lying around, don’t worry—you can grab a super cheap one on amazon.
Since it’s an outdoor swing, I used a mattress cover designed for storing mattresses. It’s made of thick plastic, so it’s perfect for keeping the mattress dry when it rains (because, spoiler alert: it will rain).
I added a regular sheet over the mattress for a little style, then threw on a few pillows for extra comfort. Now, my swing looks as good as it feels!
Now that your swing is all set up, it’s time to get comfortable and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Or browse more of the blog for your next DIY project!
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