Hanging a Hammock
HANGING A HAMMOCK
Once you start looking, you'll find lots of places to hang your hammock. Although 2 trees are perfect, they are not the only things that you can hang a hammock on. You can drill hooks into most types of walls and ceilings, indoors and out. You can combine a hook with a tree, post, garden fence, children's climbing frame etc.
You can hang a hammock from: trees, balconies, strong fences, pergolas, children's climbing frames, bandstands, concreted in park benches, lamp posts, boat rails, roof beams... the list is endless - feel free to send us your suggestions! Just make sure whatever you hang it on is strong enough - see 'getting in a hammock' below.
You can dig posts into your garden. Set them in concrete or make them removable. Angle removable posts away from the hammock and line the hole with drainpipe. Use 9’ long x 3” diameter posts and bury 3’ deep: create a garden feature! If you don’t want a hole, use a pointed 6' long x 3" diameter post. Stick it in the ground leaning away from the hammock. Attach two guy ropes. Secure the guy ropes with large pegs.
If all else fails and we can't help you to find something suitable to hang a hammock on, we sell free-standing hammock frames that are suitable for both indoors or outside. They are easy to fold away and store when not in use. you can hang hammocks from columns, exposed beams and strong staircases; You can even hang them underneath double bunk beds (with no bed underneath)!
There are many types of hammock stands, single-ended or free-standing, from simple metal to elegant wood, ready-made or DIY. We sell high-quality Amazonas stands that are suitable for all our hammocks. There are plenty of other stands out there but most cheaper frames are made for hammocks with wooden 'spreader bars' at the end. They're not suitable for our hammocks. Ask us if you find a hammock frame that you think might fit our hammocks and we'll tell you if it will. We are happy if you save money, as long as you get a comfortable hammock experience at the end of the day.
If you have a hammock already and want one of our frames, make sure that it fits! We do not accept returns on frames (unless faulty) so please contact us if you're not sure.
HANGING SPACE
Distances here are just guidelines: you can fit a hammock in almost any space with our help. Contact us with your proposed space and we'll tell you which hammock will fit! You can make one of our hammocks fit in a space between approximately 1m-10m if you know how...
Our Mexican style hammocks are virtually the same length so they need the same amount of space to hang them in (only their widths are different). The ideal distance between the 2 end loops of the hammock is around 3.5m and the ends should be at least 1.5m from the ground. However, as you can lie any direction in a Mexican type hammock, you can hang them in a space as narrow as 1.5m wide. Hang them loose so that you can lie across them at an angle.
The cotton Brazilian hammock needs 3.25m between the 2 end loops. Position the ends about 1.2m above the ground. The large Brazilian hammock needs 3.5m between the 2 end loops and aproximately 1.5m above the ground. Traditionally hammocks are designed to be hung loosely and lain across at a diagonal angle.
Our camping hammocks need 2.75-3 m minimum between the 2 hammock ends (not including the attached rope) but can stretch to 5m easily. Hang the ends 1.25m from the ground (the further apart your ends, the higher you have to hang the ropes). You can hang the large travel hammocks in a very narrow space (like with the Mexican hammock) as you can lie across it - as opposed to lengthwise.
Chair hammocks need to be hung at least 2.2m high. They need a space of about 1.2 across, more if you want to swing!
Any hammock will fit in a bigger (or higher) space but you may need extra rope. The wider apart your supports are, the higher you must hang the ends of your hammock.
All 'proper' hammocks are better if you hang them a little loose so that you can lie at a diagonal angle or across them. The narrower the space, the more diagonal you should lie. Hang the lowest part of the hammock (i.e. its centre) at chair-seat height so it is easy to get in and out.
If your hammock supports aren't optimal, don't worry, just adjust the rope or the height you attach it. Hang the end loops of the hammock at the same height if you can. If not, lie with your head at the higher end. Also, always remember a new cotton hammock will stretch with age so you may have to adjust its height after using it for a while.
GETTING ON AND OFF
When you first hang your hammock, test that everything is safe and secure! Sit down on your closed (folded) hammock and then bounce gently (with your feet on the ground) until you're confident your supports are safe. Once you're sure it's fine, you can lie down. Repeat your testing if more people join you!
To get onto the hammock: open it out and sit down in the centre, as if sitting on a chair. Then turn around and lift your feet in. If you can lie on a diagonal angle across the hammock you will be flatter, which is better for sleeping.
To get out of the hammock: put your feet on the ground, sit up and then stand up. If the hammock is hung very low to the ground this will be more difficult.