Garden swings: types, types, designs and DIY construction options (135 photos and videos)

Buy ready-made swings

This option is easier, since it does not require any construction skills or creative work from the owners of the garden plot. Future owners of a swing will only need to choose a model and external design, as well as assess their financial capabilities.

What you should pay attention to when buying a garden swing:

• Frame color. It is worth giving preference to darker tones, since dirt and dust are not so noticeable on such shades.
• Availability of a cover for a garden swing. They try to keep portable structures away for the entire winter period, and a durable cover will protect against dust accumulation, moisture and pests.
• Maximum permissible load on supports.
• Strength of fastening of the seat to the frame.
• Material of the frame and the seat itself.
• Contents: It is worth finding out in advance whether the swing and pillows, covers and auxiliary elements are included in one set.

A large selection of garden swings, different in texture, shape and color, is presented in the largest construction hypermarket - Leroy Merlin.

Types of garden swings

If we systematize all the garden swings produced today, then they can be quite clearly divided according to only one key criterion, namely the construction material.

Metal swing

Metal products remain the most affordable for our customers, as before. This product, if desired, can be purchased for five thousand rubles, but such consumer goods will not last long. Really high-quality models start at fifteen to twenty thousand domestic money and reach a price tag of 50-60 thousand rubles.

A real Klondike for all kinds of crooks. You buy a cheap product from China and sell it for five to six times more expensive. Why not business? The worst thing is that it can actually be quite difficult for an inexperienced buyer to distinguish a brand from a fake.

Swings made of combined materials

Swings made from combined materials are even more valuable. There, along with the profile pipe, wooden parts are also used. They are the ones who cause their owners the most trouble.

Whatever one may say, metal is much more durable and does not require such careful maintenance. In a word, if you decide to buy such a product, you must be prepared to take care of it.

Wooden swing

And yet, the price leader is a completely wooden swing. They are made from timber and boards and, as a rule, are very demanding to maintain. But if you are seriously thinking about buying just such a toy for adults, then most likely you will have enough money for professional care.

In short, in the world of swings, every product has its own buyer.

Homemade swing: basic requirements

In the case where you plan to make a garden swing with your own hands, you must comply with a number of specific requirements regarding:

• Choosing the location of the structure.
• Main characteristics of the swing.
• Selection of material and fastening mechanisms.

Each item on this list is important for making a swing yourself, since the design must meet basic safety requirements.

A few ideas on how to make a swing with your own hands

We use pallets

After construction, pallets are often left on summer cottages, serving as a pallet for transporting bricks or bulk materials. It’s not at all difficult to turn them into comfortable swings with your own hands. Among the consumables, in addition to the pallet, you need to stock up on strong rope and find a support to which the finished structure will subsequently be attached.

homemade swing from pallets with a backrest for two

The easiest way is to build a children's hanging swing for the street. First, process the pallet. Its surface must be made smooth, without splinters. Now saturate it with a protective composition and open it with stain or varnish. Thread the rope under the top tier. This must be done symmetrically on both sides. Tie the loose ends into a common knot. Find a place to hang it. If the swing is intended to be used only by a child, do not raise it too much above the ground. For convenience, you can put a mattress with pillows on top of the improvised seat.

wide swing made of pallets without a back for the whole family

How to make a swing with your own hands from the same material, but for general use? The principle can be left the same, only increase the seating area by connecting two or more pallets together. Those who are familiar with carpentry can assemble swing sofas from pallets.

Transforming a bicycle wheel

From an old bicycle wheel rim you can build a magnificent, nest-like hanging swing for your summer house. In appearance, the structure will more likely resemble a hammock, in which you can ride not only while sitting, but also lying down. What will you need to assemble a swing with your own hands?

1. Large bicycle rim.
2. 4 metal rings.
3. 2 fastening carabiners.
4. Multi-colored and white ropes.
5. Polypropylene pipe.

swing made of a metal rim covered with thick fabric

How to put it all together? The polypropylene pipe is bent and hidden inside the rim. The structure is tied through the existing holes for the knitting needles. Then they braid the resulting frame with ropes and weave the seat. Knitting is carried out according to the scheme for creating a “dream catcher”. The final stage is decorating the rim with colored ropes with parallel fixation of rings for suspensions.

To ensure that the swing in your dacha lasts for more than one season, do not be lazy to additionally insulate the metal rim with tubular material used in thermal insulation of pipelines. So the metal will not rust, and the ropes will not fray so quickly. Hang the resulting swing in the shade of trees or find a place for it on the playground. The fun is ready!

Log swing

classic swing suspended from a tree branch

Also an original idea. Do you want to know how to make a magnificent country swing with your own hands from two unsightly logs? Here, too, you don’t need to be a genius. The model is extremely simple and is combined from two pieces of a rounded block and a rope. All that is needed to get a real hanging swing for the street is to tie both logs into one plane and fix them in this position with some type of sea knot. The remaining length of the rope should be enough to suspend the structure.

Second life of an old skateboard

You shouldn’t rush to take a broken snowboard or an old skateboard to a landfill. You can use them to make quite functional and cute children's swings for your dacha. These boards are extremely durable, so they will adapt wonderfully to their new role and last for many years. Naturally, both candidates are just a sitting duck that still needs to be beaten. Do you want to know how to make a swing with your own hands from these remains? Extremely simple.

children's swing from an old skateboard

All you need to do is find a high-strength rope and cut grooves in the board to fit its diameter. There should be 4 such cuts on each side. This is necessary for securely braiding them with a rope suspension.

It’s even easier to make a design from a skateboard, where the roller mechanism has been preserved. Here the wheels are simply entangled with rope loops. You can't imagine a more reliable fixation.

And again the tires

Car tires have become an indispensable material in country house design. They did not remain unclaimed in constructing swings with their own hands. There are several ways to turn them into exciting attractions.

The easiest way to work is with a solid tire. Holes are drilled in its surface and rope fasteners are passed through them. On the inside, the plants are fixed with strong knots. You can use threaded iron hooks as fasteners and tie a rope to them.

budget option - swing made from a car tire

Now let's see how to make a country swing with your own hands from cut tires. For work, take the tread part of the tires. We bend the first strip in half and lay it perpendicular to the second. At the intersection we fix the stripes. We pass fasteners through the bottom tire and hang the finished product on a branch or horizontal bar. Chains can be used instead of ropes.

Making the task more difficult

If you have carpentry skills, then you can safely take on creating a swing for your dacha with a more complex support structure. We will work with rounded timber. Let's give the load-bearing part the shape of the letter “A”. We will need 4 long logs and two short ones. To assemble the first support, we will make an angular cut of the upper ends of the long beams in a mirror image. This will allow you to install and secure them in the required shape. Now let's strengthen our support by installing a crossbar. We will use the same principle to assemble the second part.

swings made of round artificially aged logs perfectly complement the table and chairs

The next step will be fixing the transverse load-bearing beam to which the seat will be attached.

It is also proposed to make the latter from pure wood. An L-shaped frame made of thick timber is sheathed with sanded and polished durable slats or narrow boards. It looks like a garden bench. For greater comfort, you can provide paving armrests.

Making a stationary country swing with your own hands will be somewhat difficult. It would be nice to involve someone from the household as a helper. Helpers will be needed most during the installation phase. But this is still a long way off, so let's get back to working on the design.

homemade wooden swing on an A-post with a small awning

Let's start hanging the seat from the beam. As fasteners, you can choose any adequate option that can withstand the weight of the seat itself and the people on it. The rope clearly won't cope here. Chains will not look very aesthetically pleasing either, although if you work on the overall design, you can harmoniously fit them into the design. In our case, it is better to use the same rounded beam for the mounting suspension. Other parts you will need are rings or hooks and powerful carabiners.

To install a swing in a country house, you will need to dig holes for the legs and immerse the supports at least 80 cm into them. Since our structure is wooden, to extend its service life, it is recommended to wrap the underground part of the legs with roofing felt or thoroughly lubricate them with mastic.

the larger the area, the more options for choosing a swing

Decorate the exterior at your own discretion. You can add pillows to the seat, you can place a canopy over the swing, you can decorate the structure with carved elements or other accessories.

Choosing a location for the structure

It is necessary to place the garden swing on a fairly wide garden plot, where there is a platform for the swing of the seat.

Before installing the structure, it is imperative to prepare a foundation - a strong, strong platform, cleared of debris, and safe in terms of ground subsidence.

If the swing model includes soft fabric seats or pillows, it is mandatory to install the structure away from water and dampness.

Main characteristics of the swing

Absolutely any device intended for recreational purposes must meet the following requirements:

Safety. All fastening mechanisms must be durable and manufactured to quality standards. It is best to use the services of a professional construction engineer.

Mobility. The main purpose of the swing is movement, so special attention should be paid to the design of the rotation mechanism.

Another feature worth paying attention to is that the mechanism must dampen vibrations to avoid excessive swinging.

The quality of the site and the fastening of the structure to it. The support must be firmly on the ground to prevent the swing from falling suddenly.

Compliance with these requirements will allow you to build a high-quality and reliable garden accessory.

Choosing material for a swing

Today, craftsmen have access to the following materials for making swings themselves:

• Metal. Allows you to create a durable and reliable structure. Before starting work, it is necessary to treat the material with an anti-corrosion coating to prevent rapid deterioration of the product.
• Wood. A good basis for the manufacture of original and beautiful models, however, it requires timely treatment of the material from pests, fungi and dampness.

Plastic swings are available only in finished form, but the variety of shapes, colors and manufacturing technologies meet all the specified requirements.

What factors are important to consider when choosing a garden swing

Modern manufacturers offer a huge variety of ready-made designs that can be purchased for personal use at an affordable price.

The option of independently manufacturing durable and reliable, convenient structures cannot be ruled out; when choosing the best option for arranging a site, it is important to take into account a number of factors:

• the materials used to make the frame and seat must be as durable and wear-resistant as possible;
• a correctly selected method of fastening moving elements guarantees the safe operation of the entire structure;
• the optimal level of comfort is determined by your own experience and the opportunity to try the swing in action;
• the design style of purchased and manufactured structures must fully comply with the concept of landscape design;
• The dimensions and maximum load level of the structures used are fully consistent with the upcoming operating mode.

Separate attention should be paid to the presence of additional accessories, such as an awning for garden swings and textiles.

Special knowledge has the color and stylistic design of the structure, which makes it possible to increase the aesthetics and decorativeness of the design of the recreation area equipped in the local area.

Making a drawing

Engineering specialists will help you make a professional drawing for a garden swing. But if you wish, you can use ready-made diagrams for constructing similar structures from web networks.

What must be shown on the drawing:

• Layout of the supporting structure.
• Fastening mechanisms.
• Swing area for the moving part.
• Basic relationships between the elements of a swing.

Careful display of all these parameters will make it possible to make the swing high-quality and reliable in practical use.

Making a swing with your own hands

Step-by-step construction instructions can be seen using the example of a simple wooden swing:

• Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare 4 beams 3 meters long, and make two structures from them in the shape of the letter L. The angle of connection of the beams is 50 degrees.
• Be sure to make smooth surfaces for supporting structures.
• At the border of the lower and middle third of the length of the supports, wooden puffs are made, two on each side.
• The resulting supports are connected by a crossbar made of strong material (oak beams can be used).
• The “legs” of the frame are dug into the ground to a depth of 60 cm.
• The bench itself is made according to the principle of an ordinary bench with a high back.
• Eye bolts of sufficient size and strength are installed in the crossbars of the backrest and armrests. The same bolts are secured to the top crossbar.
• Hang the bench on a thick, strong chain and attach it to the upper beam.

The final stage of construction work is the decorative finishing of the swing: painting, varnishing, forming a pattern (if you have wood carving skills).

Types of country swings

First of all, depending on the functionality, garden swings are divided into several categories. Of course, their main task is to give joy and emotions to their households and their children. Depending on the size of the area, age categories and preferences, you can install one or more types of swings. Main types of swings:

• Garden swings are structures designed for relaxation and conversations with loved ones. Typically, a swing can accommodate several people, allowing them to enjoy the air together, but a single structure can also be installed if the homeowner prefers to be alone or read a book in the fresh air. The design is based on two support posts with a crossbar and a seat secured with ropes, chains or metal slats. Additionally, the seat can be equipped with a backrest and armrest (wooden or metal). Also, the garden swing can be supplemented with a canopy that protects from direct sunlight and rain and pillows that provide comfortable rest.

• A swing for active recreation is the best option for families with active children looking for adventure. Of course, sometimes adults also want to plunge into childhood, forgetting about work and other problems. This type of swing involves strong swinging, which will allow you to soar in the air, enjoying the surrounding landscape.

Interesting ideas for garden swings

Today there are many models of garden swings, both ready-made options and ideas for making them yourself.

Each model has its own level of complexity in manufacturing, features of the rotation mechanism and decorative finishing. The most original options for garden swings are:

• Forged swing.
• Combined metal and wood structure with a canopy.
• Swing-sofa.
• Swing with fabric seats and mosquito net.
• Decorative swing in the form of driftwood.
• Wide design with soft mattresses.
• Single model: cocoon swing.

Each of the ideas presented can be brought to life if you have sufficient construction skills, or you can use the help of a specialist.

Swing for a summer house: choice of materials

When choosing an outdoor swing, it is important to pay attention not only to the design, its shape and size, but also to the materials that were used for manufacturing. If you look at the sales market, metal and wooden structures are especially popular, but there are also wicker, plastic and fabric models.

It is not difficult to guess that the most durable and reliable is a metal structure, because the material is durable and reliable, resistant to precipitation and other factors. Of course, metal is susceptible to corrosion, which is its key disadvantage, but this problem can be solved, it is enough to treat the surface with anti-corrosion agents and varnishes in a timely manner. An alternative option is periodic painting, which allows you to change the appearance of the swing while maintaining its performance characteristics. An expensive option for adults is a metal garden swing with decor in the form of forged elements.

Wooden swings are also popular due to the naturalness, environmental friendliness and safety of the raw materials used to produce the structure. Such models will easily complement the landscape design of a summer cottage and will captivate with their appearance and implementation. At the same time, the tree does not tolerate rain and snow well, and is exposed to insects, mold and mildew. In order for wooden swings to serve for a long time, they need to be treated using special impregnations and antiseptics. The key advantage is the variety of shapes and decorative elements, because wood is easy to process, which allows you to create original figured elements and carved patterns. An alternative option is a wicker structure made of rattan or wicker.

You can also find plastic structures on the market that captivate with their affordable price and ease of assembly. Often, plastic swings are collapsible and mobile structures that can be easily hidden in winter to extend their service life. At the same time, it is worth noting that plastic has fairly good performance characteristics (it is resistant to precipitation and insects). The main advantage is a wide color palette, which will allow you to choose a swing, taking into account the characteristics of the summer cottage and the taste of the children. Disadvantage: poor resistance to large mechanical loads.

Forged swing

This metal garden swing model is distinguished by its elegant structure and original decorative design. Such designs are most often made to order.

A distinctive feature of the texture is twisted patterns on the back and the seat itself, a single color scheme, and a strict style. The manufacturing technology provides a strong frame, reliable fastening and stable support.

Garden swing design, drawings

To indicate the scope of work and calculate the approximate consumption of materials, a drawing is drawn up, which you can do yourself or use a ready-made one from the Internet. For example, this simple option

The design is more complex with composite racks and jibs

Diagram of a swing with a canopy

Double swing for those who like challenging but interesting tasks

The design of a simple garden swing made of wood includes:

• supports made of timber, boards or cleaned round timber of small diameter, which can be A-, X- or U-shaped, with triangular or trapezoidal side elements;
• seats made of wooden planks with or without backrests, armrests;
• suspensions - chains, polypropylene ropes, ropes;
• fastening elements.

If a canopy is to be built, a light, durable frame will be built for mounting the roofing material.

All wooden elements are screwed together with bolts, self-tapping screws, or with additional gluing of the joints. In some connections, nails, staples, and overlays are used. Fasteners must be resistant to corrosion.

For garden swings, inexpensive lumber is usually used - pine, spruce. Larch has the greatest moisture resistance. It is used to make critical parts that are in direct contact with the ground.

For comfort, you can put pillows on the seat or sew soft, removable covers. A mosquito net will help protect you from flies and mosquitoes.

Combined design with canopy

Outdoor swings for country houses can also be combined, for example, using a wooden frame and a metal seat. An original solution is to decorate the bench with fabric pillows.

A canopy is a practical addition that allows you to hide guests and home owners from the rain. Most often, the canopy is made of polycarbonate, and always has a round shape. This design is as practical as possible - it is easy to wash away dirt and blockages.

Wooden

To facilitate the construction, you can use not solid wood, but wooden lumber, boards and beams.

Wooden pallets deserve special attention, they fold like a construction set and are distinguished by their affordable cost combined with ease of processing and the ability to create original outdoor swings for country houses.

Swing with mosquito net

The swing itself can be made in any style and shape, but its distinguishing feature is the presence of a mosquito net. This small detail plays an important role: it protects against mosquitoes and midges on summer evenings.

The net can be installed either on the top bar of the swing or at a certain distance from the structure. The second option requires a frame and tension fabric.

Swing materials

Attractions are created from different materials. Mostly masters use:

• metal;
• wood;
• plastic;
• dense fabrics;
• combined materials.

Models made of wood and decorated with carvings look beautiful. But in order to extend the service life of the swing, you will need to treat it every year with impregnations, insecticides and varnish. If you are going to make such an attraction yourself, wood will be the most convenient material to work with. One of the advantages of such models is their decorativeness and lightness. Natural beauty fits into the style of almost any dacha or country cottage.

Decorative swing in the form of driftwood

A very interesting option that fits perfectly into the garden interior. You can make such a swing for a summer house only on order, since independent work will require sufficient experience and skill.

The frame is made of durable wood, treated with antiseptic and antifungal solutions, and covered with acrylic varnish or paint. The seat is made in the form of a continuous bench with elegant decorative trim.

What can you use to make a swing with your own hands?

When arranging places for leisure, make sure that they have comfortable and practical swings. Don't rush to go to the store for them. Try making a country swing with your own hands. Of what? From whatever comes to hand. What can you always find at your summer cottage?

Rope

This is the main element of the design of the famous “bungee”, capable of causing screams of delight not only from children, but also from very respectable adults who dare to ride it. Most often, it is located above bodies of water and at the same time endowed with the function of a kind of springboard for diving.

rope swing and log

It is not difficult to build a rope version. All that is required is to find a stronger branch and tie one end of the rope to it. On the other side, a thick knot is tied or a sanded log of small thickness is tied, which will be pleasant and convenient to grab with your hands.

Wood

This is a material from which you can make a less frivolous swing at the dacha with your own hands. Wooden structures should have comfortable seating. The advantages of this option include the environmental friendliness of the product. The wooden model will simply fit into any garden landscape, regardless of its stylistic decision.

Even a beginner in carpentry can make such a children's swing

Wood is not a very difficult material to work with, so even beginners in carpentry can use it to create a swing. We’ll tell you how to make a swing for a dacha out of wood a little lower, but for now let’s digress into its shortcomings.

Although the material is considered durable, it is not durable and reacts poorly to moisture, cold, and sunlight. You can extend the life of a wooden swing only by treating it with protective compounds, which, fortunately, are in abundance today.

Metal

Only a select few can make a swing from metal with their own hands, that is, those who have experience in welding or know blacksmithing. Of course, metal models are the most durable and efficient for outdoor use. They can be done:

1. Collapsible.
2. Mobile.
3. Stationary.

glass swings should be installed in a shady place

According to the production method, they are also divided into:

• welded;
• forged.

The hand-forged swing has a luxurious and rich exterior. Openwork elements give the country swing a unique look and make it a stylish addition to the landscape design. If you need an eternal swing in the country, make it from metal .

Naturally, the metal surface of the frame will also have to be protected with a special coating (provided that you did not weld the swing from stainless steel), which can be attributed to the disadvantages of the material. But by and large, metal structures have only one disadvantage, and that is relative. It's about their massiveness. The heavy weight complicates the task of moving mobile and collapsible options.

Plastic

swing made in the form of a basket

If you don’t know how to make a children’s swing for the street, pay attention to durable polymers. You may have to buy a seat, or perhaps something suitable for this role will be found in the bins of the barn.

The easiest way is to build a hanging children's swing. For this option, it will be enough to pass a rope through the holes or tuck a rope into the grooves and adapt the entire structure to a tree or other type of support. For kids, it is still more rational to purchase ready-made swings made of plastic. In principle, they are not that expensive, but they look very attractive. They are bright, do not react to moisture, and do not require special care.

When choosing a design, pay attention to the quality of the plastic. It should not release toxins when heated.

original plastic triangular swing

Plastic swings in the country may not always blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The modernity of the material can negate all the designer’s efforts to give the landscape a vintage or rustic look. The fact that plastic swings are not an attraction for the whole family cannot be called positive. Neither teenagers nor adults will be able to ride them.

And further. In a swing for a summer house, assembled with your own hands, a symbiosis of materials may well slip through. This will not seem nonsense. Wood can be a wonderful complement to metal, and rope can be a wonderful complement to wood.

Single model: cocoon swing

This model is an analogue of a cocoon chair. Wicker structure, rounded shape, cozy soft pillows. The main difference from a chair is that there is no stationary supporting structure. Instead, there is a hanging chain and a holding mechanism.

Photo of garden swing

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Category: Small architecture