How to Build a Wood Porch Swing

Building a homemade wooden porch swing can be a rewarding project.

At the end of a hard day's work, a great stress buster is simply kicking your feet up on your porch swing/bed, sipping your favorite beverage and enjoying the view. Not all homes come equipped with a porch swing, but you can build your own, and every time you lie on it, you will appreciate it more knowing you built it.

Things You'll Need

• Two-by-fours
• Table saw
• 3/8-inch nuts and bolts
• Power sander
• 1½-inch construction screws
• 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch scrap piece of wood
• Jigsaw
• 1¼-inch screw
• 2½-inch bolts
• 2 pieces of 3-foot-long chain
• 2 eye bolts
• Outdoor sofa cushion
• Outdoor pillow
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Cut six pieces of wood from two-by-fours that are 19 1/4 inches long, using a table saw. These are supports for the swing. Pair the supports, then bolt them together with two 3/8-inch nuts and bolts per pair to form the three major supports of the swing. Power saws can leave jagged edges that can cause injuries and are unsightly; therefore, use a power sander to smooth the pieces of wood cut with a saw.

2. Build 19 or 20 slats from the two-by-fours, using the table saw and making them 3/4 inch thick and 57 inches long. Use a sander to smooth out the areas exposed to the table saw.

3. Position the three supports on the floor, and attach the first slat at the top of the supports and the second slat to the bottom of the supports, using 1 1/2-inch construction screws and a screwdriver. Ensure that the spacing between each slat is uniform by placing a 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch-thick scrap piece of wood between each slat before you screw the next one into place. Continue to attach all the slats.

4. Cut four pieces of wood that are 23 1/2 inches long from the 1-by-6 pieces of lumber, using a jigsaw. Pair and bolt them together to form the two armrests. The armrest support pieces are four vertical pieces cut from two-by-fours, and are 7/8 inches by 1 1/2 inch by 19 1/2 inches, as well as four horizontal pieces 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch by 13 inches.

5. Connect one horizontal support to two vertical supports, using a 1 1/4-inch screw and a screwdriver. On the opposite end, attach another horizontal support, using the same type of screw. Complete this again for the other arm support.

6. Fasten the armrests to the swing with two 2 1/2-inch bolts. Remove two slats to attach the armrests. Attach the armrest tops to the supports with two screws each. After they are in place, cut the slats to the new length so that they will fit properly.

7. Stain or paint your swing using outdoor paint. In the front vertical arm support, attach a 3-foot-long chain to two eye bolts. The opposite end will attach to the ceiling. Place a support beam in the ceiling when hanging the swing.

8. Add a sofa cushion and an outdoor pillow.

Tips & Warnings

• Use different color paints to liven up the porch swing bed. Paint designs, such as flowers or trees, on the back of it.

• Do not fall asleep in the porch swing if it is in direct sun. You may suffer serious sunburn. Also test the swing to ensure it is sturdy enough to handle your weight.

References

• OnlineTips.org: Porch Swing

Resources

• This Old House: How to Build a Porch Swing