How to Hang Hammocks Inside
Hammocks today are a symbol of rest and relaxation. Until the 20th century, they were used as a method to rest or sleep without contacting the ground. Almost purely functional by design, they can also be used indoors. Lightweight, easy to setup and take down, and requiring very little storage space, the indoor use of a hammock is fun and can be accomplished by almost any homeowner who has adequate space and needs a place to relax.
Things You'll Need
- Hammock
- Tape measure
- 2 "S" hooks (if necessary)
- 2 eye screws (1/4 inch by 3 inch)
- Electric drill
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- Pencil
- Eye protection
Instructions
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1
Locate an area indoors where you wish to hang your hammock. Because hammocks need to be hung (stretched) between two fixed points, a sizable amount of horizontal space is required. A good rule of thumb for hanging a hammock indoors is that you need 2 feet of additional space on either end of a hammock before it is hung to have adequate room for its use.
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2
Lay your hammock flat on the ground. Measure the total distance between the 2 ends (hammock leads). This is generally from "S" hook to "S" hook, or loop to loop depending on the hammocks manufacturer. Add 4 feet to this measured distance, and this is considered your working distance.
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3
Measure the room in which you wish to install the hammock. You need to identify an area equivalent or slightly greater than your working distance. The trick is that the working distance must be located from wall stud to wall stud, not just any two random points, as the hammock must be mounted so it can support your weight.
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4
Locate wall studs by tapping gently on the walls with with your knuckles. Tap back and forth horizontally every 4 inches. You will notice that every 2 feet or so, the sound made by your knuckles goes from a hollow sound, to a solid "thunk" sound. The solid sounds are areas where the wall studs are directly beneath the drywall. These wall studs run vertically, and are spaced about 2 feet apart.
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5
Locate two wall studs that are your working distance apart. Generally, this will include 1 wall stud near a corner and another stud some distance away down a perpendicular wall. Pick studs that will place the hammock in the general direction you wish to face. For example, facing a television or looking out a window.
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6
Measure up from the floor directly over the center of each wall stud approximately 6 feet. Mark this spot with a pencil. Drill one hole 3 inches deep in each stud with the drill directly over the pencil mark. Screw an eye hook into each hole, as far as it will go without damaging the wall.
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7
Hang your hammock between the two eye hooks. Test the strength of your eye hooks by carefully applying weight to the hammock. Adjust the height of the hammock by either using the manufacturers adjustment method, or by simply shortening or lengthening the length of the hammock leads.
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Verify that your hammock has the general appearance of an upside down banana. If so, and the eye hooks are mounted solidly, the hammock is ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Allow enough space in your selected location for hammock swing, so that the hammock does not bang into walls or other obstructions.
Be sure your eye hooks are mounted directly into the center of each wall stud. Failure to screw into the center of the stud could cause an eye hook to suddenly pop free, and cause the hammock to fall.
References
- Photo Credit REPOS image by sylvie BRELOT-FORMENTO from Fotolia.com
