Last week we showed how we built the DIY outdoor hanging daybed installed on our front porch. As promised, here’s a clear, step-by-step explanation of how we hung it. If you’re like me, hanging something meant to support one or two people can feel intimidating—but the actual process was straightforward and reassuringly secure.
It was so simple we ended up doing it twice to get the smoothest, most level sway possible. Our first attempt used only two ceiling hooks and resulted in an undesired forward-and-back tipping motion. The second approach—suspending the daybed from four ceiling points—eliminated that pitching and produced a gentle, level sway that feels just right for lounging.
Here’s how it looked after our initial hanging attempt:
After that first hang, we realized the daybed behaved more like a playground swing—sit on the front edge and it tipped forward. When lying down you felt a shallow U-shaped rocking motion rather than a subtle, even sway. Adding two more ceiling anchors transformed the motion into the calm, level rocking we wanted.
Now the bed gently sways without pitching forward or back, and it stays flat and comfortable whether you’re reclining, reading, or relaxing with friends and family.
We filmed the process to make it easy to follow: the video explains the hardware we used, how to account for rope stretch, and why basic adjustable knots are perfectly manageable. If you can, watch it while you hang your own daybed—it shows the rope relaxing in real time, which is a key point to understand.
Daybed Hanging Materials
The materials are simple and easy to source:
- Four 5-gallon buckets to support the daybed while you adjust the ropes
- Four heavy-duty screw eye hooks for the ceiling
- Four screw eye hooks sized to fit through the bed’s attachment points
- 3/4″ natural hemp rope (we used a 48-foot length)
- Scissors to cut the rope
- A tape measure
Important: this natural hemp rope stretches under load. Hang the bed significantly higher than your target height to account for that stretch—this is where the 5-gallon buckets are essential. As the rope relaxes under weight, the bed will settle to the correct height; it drops surprisingly quickly, which you’ll clearly see in the footage.
How To Hang Your Daybed
Many tutorials recommend propping the daybed on buckets during installation, and for good reason. It will look too high at first, but once the buckets are removed and the ropes relax, the bed settles to a comfortable height. Skipping that step risks ending up with a bed that sits too low.
We used heavy-duty screw eye hooks driven into a solid ceiling support beam. If your porch ceiling is finished, use a stud finder to locate a structural member. Install one hook for each corner of the bed and space them to match the bottom eye hooks on the bed so the ropes hang vertically from each corner.
Tying Your Rope
We tied the ropes to the top eye hooks with a midshipman’s hitch because it’s adjustable—handy if you ever need to tweak the height to level the bed. With the top knot secured, thread the rope through the bottom eye hook on the bed and leave a couple of extra feet before cutting.
Use slightly smaller eye hooks on the bed so the rope fits through easily; drill pilot holes first. A long screwdriver makes a handy lever to twist the bed eye hooks fully into the wood during installation.
With all ropes threaded, measure to ensure the bed is centered and level. For the lower knots we used a simple, secure knot tightened just below each bottom eye hook. Pull all four knots snug, remove the buckets, and let the bed hang freely. Expect an audible creak as the ropes stretch and settle under weight—that’s normal.
We trimmed the excess rope and allowed a short frayed tail above the decking so it didn’t drag or pick up dirt while the bed moves.
Finishing Touches
If the bed can reach the railing behind it, that’s usually only an issue if someone deliberately pushes into it. For peace of mind we added a few clear furniture bumpers to the back corners to protect the bed if it contacts the railing. They’re unobtrusive and add a small measure of protection.
Our kids understand this is a gentle lounge spot, not a playground swing. Still, the bumpers give us one more layer of reassurance in case someone gets too enthusiastic.
Seeing this porch transform has been gratifying. The daybed hung from four anchor points turned a previously underused corner into a comfortable outdoor living spot where you can fully extend your legs and relax. Below is a view of the finished setup—our favorite spot to unwind.
For a little perspective, here’s a “before” photo from when we first saw the house: the porch was screened in and in rough shape. It’s rewarding to see the improvement and how this hanging daybed helped turn the space into a cozy, functional area.
One year after first walking through this house, the porch is unrecognizable from that rainy first visit. If you’re wondering whether we miss the screened-in porch, the short answer is no—an outdoor ceiling fan keeps mosquitoes away by creating moving air that bugs avoid.
We’re just waiting for consistent warm weather so we can enjoy the porch even more. If you decide to hang your own outdoor daybed, remember these essentials: use four ceiling anchors for stability, prop the bed high while installing, choose an adjustable knot for fine tuning, and secure everything into solid framing for safety. Happy hanging.
K, thanks.
(Yes—since moving here our cold tolerance has dropped; 55°F now feels chilly to us.)
P.S. If you’d like to see more building projects and furniture upgrades, check the furniture and building archives on our site for additional step-by-step posts and inspiration.