How I built my front patio rope porch swings in 5 easy steps.
These cute porch swings might be one of my favorite projects we’ve ever done at the house!
They are used almost daily and have held up great over the past couple years. They make the front of our house look inviting and fun for the whole neighborhood, and the best part… they were just the easiest to make.
The day we toured our new house and I saw the large overhang of our front patio I knew it needed swings! I had this inspiration saved from my Pinterest board and was excited to put it into action.
Creating these 2 small rope swings instead of one larger lay down style swing was the right idea for our space.
Everytime kids come over they can be found swinging on the swings and they’re a perfect place for adults to sit and chat while saying goodbye, these are the favorites of every age group.
We even have neighborhood kids we don’t know pop up and swing on them as they walk by.
Basically this simple project has made our entire street more fun and I would 1000x recommend it for your front patio too.
This easy DIY that can be completed in an afternoon, but if DIY is not your style I just saw they have pre-made swings available now to buy here is a version from Amazon & a cute handmade one from Etsy.
Here’s what we used to create the hanging patio swing set:
Materials For A Rope Patio Swing DIY
- A sturdy wooden slab or board (the size of your choice, but typically around 2 feet long, 1 foot wide, and 2 inches thick for a single seat)
- 16 to 20 feet of thick, strong rope, that’s the one I used.
- Sandpaper (120 grit and 220 grit)
- Wood finish or paint (optional),
- Two 1/2″ diameter drill bits
- Two carabiners
- Two sturdy hooks for hanging
- Tools: Drill
Steps To Make These Cute Hanging Swings
Prepare your wood
Sand your wooden slab using your sandpaper, starting with a rougher 120 grit and then finishing with a finer 220 grit. This will create a smooth surface and remove any sharp edges.
Once sanded, treat the wood with a finish or paint if desired. We skipped this step, but especially if you’re swings aren’t covered it will help them last.
Drill holes for the ropes
On each end of the slab, measure and mark where you want your ropes to go. Usually, this is about 2-3 inches in from each end.
Make sure these are evenly spaced so your swing doesn’t tilt.
Drill 4 holes all the way through the slab at these corner marks.
Thread the rope
Cut your rope in half to have two equal lengths, measuring the distance needed and adding some for the ending tie off.
Take one end of a rope and thread it up through one of the holes, then make a knot on the underside so it can’t slip back through.
Repeat with the other hole and rope.
Attach to the porch
The other ends of the ropes will be attached to your porch. This will depend on the exact structure of your porch, but generally, you’ll install sturdy hooks into the ceiling or beams of your porch where you want the swing to hang.
Helpful Tip: Be sure to have someone who understands studs and weight distribution approve your hanging decision. I’m not in your space and the last thing you’d want is a falling swing with a child or adult on it.
Once installed, use a carabiner to connect the rope to the hook, adjusting the height of the swing as needed.
Test the swing
Before you start swinging, make sure everything is secure!
The knots in the ropes should be tight, the swing should be at a comfortable height, and it should hang evenly. Test it by applying some weight slowly and checking that everything holds.
Remember to make sure it is secure before allowing kids to swing and that all materials used are suitable for outdoor use and capable of supporting at least your body weight.
The height of the swing should be such that your feet can touch the ground easily.
How Have They Held up?
Our swings are one of my favorite projects and I love that they’ve held up over the years.
One funny thing is that the neighborhood squirrels have enjoyed the hanging rope on these and the bottom tie off has gotten a bit tangled throughout the years;). However we are 4 years into having these swings now and they look just about as great as day one!
Longevity tip: We use WD-40 a couple times a year on the bolt and hooks to ensure the swings aren’t squeaky, but that’s really the only upkeep needed.
If you are interested in more home decor inspiration, you need to see my home renovation tour!
Happy swinging friends!
