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Indoor Hammock Beds: Get a Good Night’s Sleep

January 28th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Indoor hammock beds may sound exotic to you. But in fact hammocks were originally invented as beds in the tropical jungles of Central and South America. Nothing can beat a hammock for absolute and total relaxation. It is said that well over 10 million people worldwide currently use hammock beds fulltime. Let’s look at a few reasons why you might consider replacing your mattress and box spring with an indoor bedroom hammock.

Indoor Hammock Beds Are Comfortable, Healthful, Inexpensive

Anyone who has lounged in a hammock can attest to its amazing sleep-inducing powers. There’s actually a good reason for this. The hammock bed custom molds itself to your body and supports it without creating pressure points. When sleeping on a mattress the body is forced to constantly turn and move to keep redistributing your weight and relieve stress on the parts of the body that are in contact with and supporting your weight on the mattress’ flat surface. This in turn can disrupt your sleep and prevents you from experiencing deep relaxation that’s so necessary for complete rest and renewal. The hammock suspends and supports your body weight in air, eliminating pressure points and the need to toss and turn. Your weight is evenly distributed and you relax fully. The gentle rocking motion of the hammock bed further helps calm and relax your body and mind.

If you are sleep-deprived and generally don’t rest well at night, you might try sleeping in a indoor hammock bed. It’s generally recognized that chronic lack of sleep contributes to fatigue, metabolic and immune system problems; and may even precipitate the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Back pain and arthritis sufferers may benefit from the lack of pressure points that can cause morning stiffness and pain. Because you don’t lie flat to sleep, hammocks may be a creative way to cope with nighttime acid reflux. It’s also claimed that people with Huntington’s disease who often suffer from involuntary tremors or chorea may also benefit from an indoor bedroom hammock. Hammocks are relatively cheap and easily replaced. And as I mentioned in my earlier post on indoor hammocks, they are an inexpensive and creative guest bed option.

Best Indoor Bedroom Hammocks

The best hammocks to use for beds are the non-spreader bar types such as the Nicaraguan, Mayan and Brazilian hammocks. These sides of these hammocks safely enfold you to help keep you from falling at night. Look for Mayan and Nicaraguan hammocks woven with thick cords. Brazilian and Columbian hammocks are generally made from cloth and are great for cool climates. Cotton and DuraCord hammocks are great choices as they will soften with use over time. Cloth or fabric hammock beds are generally thought to be safer if you have small children; but your young child must be made to understand that the hammock is not a toy or jungle gym to play on or around. Older children and teens may enjoy sleeping in a fabric hammock bed. Be sure to measure your bedroom well to know if you have room to hang your hammock bed, whether you use a hammock stand or not.

Are hammock beds a miracle cure? No, but they’re the next best thing to utopian sleep perfection. Consider trying indoor hammock beds and see how much better you feel in the morning.

Steel Hammock Post Is Removable for Easy Yard Maintenance

December 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

This steel hammock post by Algoma elegantly solves your hammock hanging problems. For starters, no more worries about where to hang your hammock. If you don’t have two suitable trees in your yard - or any suitable trees, for that matter - you can still hang a hammock wherever you like by installing one or two of these metal hammock posts. Secondly, it’s removable, meaning that you can neatly mow and maintain your lawn around the hammock post without having to resort to the string trimmer (which lashing might mar the forest green powdercoat finish). The green color is designed to blend into your yard. Sturdy 11-gauge metal is rated to hold 325 pounds and is weather-resistant.

The steel ground post has a “ground tube” or sleeve which goes into the ground to support the hammock post. You’ll dig a hole about 24 to 27 inches in depth. The ground tube is secured in this hole by backfilling cement around it. Detailed installation instructions and handy tips are included with the hammock steel post kit along with s-hooks and a post cap that can be used on the post, or to cap the ground tube when the hammock post is not in use. Note that the steel hammock post is suitable for stretcher bar hammocks only. The posts are not tall enough to hang a non-stretcher bar hammock.

Even if the ground is frozen solid where you live, take advantage of cheap off-season pricing and gift yourself or a friend with one or two of these. It won’t be winter forever…. You’re welcome! Check out this steel hammock post today.

Wooden Hammock Stands Recalled by Pottery Barn

October 2nd, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Pottery Barn Inc. and the US Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced yesterday a recall of 30,000 Chinese-manufactured wooden hammock stands. It seem that when the stands are used outdoors, the wood can deteriorate over time and break, resulting in falls, lacerations, and in one instance fractured ribs.  There have been 50 reports of the stands breaking, with 12 incidents of injury. OW! Not good!

The wooden hammock stands measure about 154 ½ inches long by 53 ½ inches in height by 53 inches in width. There are two black metal brackets on the base and on the arms of the hammock stand. The stands were sold from the Pottery Barn’s catalog and Web site from March 2003 through July 2008 for about $300. All Pottery Barn two pole wooden hammock stands sold from 2003 through 2008 are included in this recall.

Now if you or someone you know bought one of these wood hammock stands, Pottery Barn wants you to remove and save the two top side metal brackets of the hammock stand (circled in red on the photo at left) and throw out the remaining portion of the hammock stand. Do save your hammock - I assume it’s something you may still want. ;-) Then, contact Pottery Barn to schedule a free pickup of the brackets and to receive a merchandise credit for the amount of the stand. If you have any questions or need additional info about the recall contact Pottery Barn toll-free at (888) 942-9245 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.potterybarn.com/content/shop/recall/index.cfm (link will take you to the company’s hammock stand recall page).

If you need a new hammock stand check out our articles on how to choose hammock stands, buying discounted hammock stands, and our feature of the beautiful Roman Arc hammock stand.  If you’re a DIY’er, check out this wooden hammock stand kit.

Build a Hammock Stand With This DIY Hammock Stand Kit

June 23rd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Would you like to build a hammock stand yourself? You can with this great DIY hammock stand kit.

It includes all the weather-resistant hardware you need; just choose the wood you like.  The DIY hammock stand holds up to 500 pounds and includes simple instructions.  To build this hammock stand you’ll need wood from your local lumber supply yard;  and of course, when finished, a hammock. The stand can be used indoors or outside. If you opt to use it outside, be sure to choose a weather resistant hardwood like cedar, cypress or teak.  Paint or stain the wood as desired, or not!

Building a hammock stand is especially satisfying if you have sewn, crocheted, macramed or otherwise crafted your own hammock. This is a project you can truly be proud of. So what are you waiting for?  Summer’s a’wastin’…build your DIY hammock stand today!  

Hammock Stand: Choose Well for Safety, Comfort and Durability

May 29th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

You’ll need a hammock stand if you don’t plan to hang your hammock among trees; or if you don’t have any trees or posts to safely hang the hammock from. A hammock is only as comfortable, sturdy and as safe as the hammock stand or frame that supports it. 

When choosing a hammock stand, the material that the stand is constructed from is important. You should consider whether you’ll be using the hammock mostly indoors or out, in a sheltered area or perhaps in open air next to your pool. Not only should the material used in the manufacturing of the hammock stand be strong enough, but you’ll probably want to complement your backyard or interior décor.

You should also take into account the type of hammock you have.  Many hammock stands you see are built for hammocks that have spreader bars – the wooden bars one sees at each end of certain hammocks.  If you have a hammock that does not have spreader bars, such as a Mayan hammock, you must buy a stand specifically made for such a hammock.  What’s the difference?  The hammocks without bars must be hung at a higher height that those with bars, otherwise you’ll be sitting on the ground.  Also account for the length of the hammock you have, and buy a stand that can accommodate that length.

There are two basic materials used for hammock stands – metal (usually steel or aluminum) and wood.

Steel and Stainless Steel Hammock Stands

Steel is a common hammock stand material.  It is very strong and durable.  The lower the gauge of steel, the tougher it is. For example, a stand made from 12 gauge steel is heavier and much more sturdy than a 16 gauge steel stand. The very best stands use 12 gauge or lower steel. Higher-gauge steel stands are less expensive; but are often lower quality. You can buy steel stands in many colors to match your design scheme.  If the finish becomes chipped and you mostly use the hammock outside, be ready with touch-up metal paint to minimize and hopefully prevent rust.  Many of these stands are made for the spreader bar hammocks; but you can find quality steel stands for non-spreader bar hammocks like the one at right.

A stand made from stainless steel is a good choice for many reasons.  For example if your hammock is placed on the open patio or deck, on the lawn or near salt water or a pool, it will be exposed to water and the elements of nature.  A stainless steel hammock stand is best suited to resist rust and moisture damage, allowing it to remain strong and able to support your body weight.  Stainless steel stands are a little more expensive than the common steel ones.

Aluminum Hammock Stand

Some hammock stands are made from aluminum.  These stands are not as strong as the other materials.  They are generally used for portable hammocks.  Aluminum is used in this instance for its lightweight qualities, making it easy to carry your hammock to a picnic or party for use.

Wooden Hammock Stands

Wood stands have a beautiful classic look about them.  Wooden stands are the strongest, most stable and most durable of hammock stands.  A wooden roman arc hammock stand is a striking piece of furniture for your house.  If you want to use a wooden hammock stand outdoors you can, but look for stands made of wood that can resist moisture. Cypress, teak and cedar are woods known for their weather resistance. The finish will change on exposure to the elements.  You may want to generously apply wood preservative to the base of the stand to protect it, especially if it will sit on damp ground.  To preserve unfinished wood’s original appearance apply a moisture repellent treatment yearly.  You can stain them or paint them; or simply leave outdoor wood hammock stands untreated and they’ll slowly weather to a silver gray finish. 

You will find the largest assortment of hammock stands on the internet. This makes it easy to compare prices and choose what you like. Hammocks.com and EveryHammock.com have a great array of options. Use our tips to find the best hammock stand for your needs.

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