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How to Hang A Hammock Indoors - More Tips

February 25th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

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Here’s a great DIY article from the San Francisco Chronicle (CA, USA) on how to hang a hammock indoors in an older apartment building. The old building in question seems to have no detectable studs, but is plaster and wood lath on brick. The column offers great tips and tricks in detail on hanging your hammock if you have to anchor your hooks in masonry walls.  Great stuff! If you live in a similar type building and/or need to put lead anchors into brick for your hanging hooks, read up. You CAN hang a hammock indoors even if your walls are made of brick.

Hanging A Hammock In A Windy City Walkup - via SFGate.com

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.

Cotton Hammocks Are A Classic Summer Backyard Accessory

April 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Cotton hammocks are what many people choose when they’re looking for a hammock. Cotton rope hammocks are a classic among summer backyard furnishings. Hammocks made of cotton are very popular for their soft feel against the skin and their ability to stretch and mold to the body’s contours. Let’s take a look at this well-loved hammock material and the many styles available.

Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant. Its use stretches back thousands of years. The fiber was used for clothing in ancient Egypt, India and China. Native Americans used cotton to weave clothes and textiles. In Central America cotton was used to make into fishing nets and traded as a commodity. It’s believed that hammocks were derived from these woven fishing nets.

A single cotton fiber of itself is not very strong. But when multiple cotton fibers are twisted and interlocked together they make a strong, smooth thread, string or rope. Cotton is renowned for its softness and comfort, especially in clothing. Notably, “Egyptian cotton” is used to make luxury bed sheets and bath towels. As a soft natural fiber, cotton readily absorbs water which can make it susceptible to mold and mildew. Cotton is sometimes blended with other fibers such as polyester or linen to create textural interest or add additional strength and durability.

Types of Cotton Hammocks

Cotton string and cotton rope are often used to make hammocks. Cotton rope hammocks are perhaps the most well known and traditional hammock style. Most rope hammocks are made with spreader bars as pictured above. Bars are often made of wood and are attached at each end of the hammock. Spreader bars help keep the hammock open to lie in and support the user’s weight. If you have small children, you may not want to choose a cotton rope hammock as the large open weave may entangle small hands and feet. The hammock can be hung in the classic manner between two trees; or if desired, suspended from a stand. Cotton rope hammock stands are available from a wide variety of vendors at competitive prices online.

Other hammock styles made from cotton include Mayan hammocks and Brazilian hammocks. Mayan hammocks are made from cotton string, often brightly colored, and hand-woven in a complex yet flexible weave. They are very strong and can hold lots of weight - some hold 3 people and more! - yet are light enough to use for backpacking and camping. Mayan cotton hammocks do not have spreader bars and must be hung higher above the ground than a spreader bar hammock. Some care must be taken with Mayans as their intricate weave can be easily damaged with an errant clothing button or zipper, or sharp object.

Brazilian hammocks are made from cotton that is hand woven into a colorful fabric that features beautiful fringe at the hammock’s sides. Most Brazilian cotton hammocks are non-spreader bar types. These fabric hammocks are somewhat safer for small children because there are no large holes or gaps to get caught in. Keep a watchful eye on children around any hammock.

A fun new style is the hammock swing. Cotton hammock swings may be just the thing if you’re looking for a great way to enjoy hammocks without fear of falling. Hammock swings are a lovely cross between a traditional porch swing and a hammock. The comfort is quite addictive; I’m plotting where to install a few around my home.

Cotton hammocks of any style may be used indoors or outside. Keep in mind that hammocks made of cotton will not last long exposed to the elements outdoors because they will absorb moisture which will eventually weaken the fibers and cause mildew and rot. If you choose to use a hammock stand with cotton hammocks, make sure that you choose the right hammock stand for the hammock style you have. Stands for spreader bar hammocks cannot be used for hammocks without spreader bars; and vice versa. As cotton is a natural material, it will stretch to its full length, sometimes as much as 2 feet, within the first several uses. Because of this natural stretch, you may need to use a little extra rope or chain when first hanging your cotton hammock. As you use the hammock and it stretches out, you will likely need to adjust its height several times by tightening and shortening the ropes or chains. This adjustment period is normal. Check our other tips for hanging hammocks when you buy your cotton hammock.

Summer’s almost here…where’s your hammock? Cotton hammocks can be a wonderful addition to your home or backyard utopia.

Consider an Indoor Hammock For Your Home

March 12th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Lots of people think that they don’t have enough room for an indoor hammock, or can’t imagine how a hammock might coordinate with other furnishings in their house or apartment. A hammock isn’t appropriate for all rooms; examples include formal living or dining rooms, and perhaps the kitchen as well . But if you can find space for a small sofa, you have space for hanging an indoor hammock or hammock chair. Let’s look at five reasons you might think about an indoor hammock:

An Indoor Hammock Can Be Used All Year Long
We all know how great hammocks are in the summer. Lying outside, swinging under the summer sun with a slight cooling breeze, refreshment nearby,…ahhhh, the relaxation! But when summer’s gone, your relaxation need not go with it. You can enjoy that same stress-free experience indoors year ’round if you have an indoor hammock.

Hammocks Great for Family Rooms, Bedrooms
A bedroom is a great place for an indoor hammock. In fact, hammocks were originally used as beds in Central and South America, and by sailors at sea. If you use a nautical, tropical or island theme for your bedroom, your hammock can fit right in. An indoor hammock could also be used in your family room or rec room, or on your enclosed porch. Imagine watching your fave DVD movies or listening to your mp3 collection while enjoying your sweet hammock. Snow may pile up to the roof outside, but you won’t care….

Makes a Unique Conversation Piece
How many other people have hammocks indoors to relax in? It’s a unique concept. When your friends visit they may wonder why they didn’t think about a hammock for their place. Hanging a hammock indoors displays your originality and independent spirit. You could start a style trend. Really.

Indoor Hammocks Are Great For Guests
Your indoor hammock makes great extra seating for guests.  It can double as a guest bed if needed. Hammocks can be a fun and funky alternative to a staid twin bed or a sleeper sofa.

You Want To Treat Yourself…
…to the best year round, 24/7 form of relaxation and stress reduction. We understand. So what’s stopping you? Go ahead, buy that indoor hammock!

Any hammock sold on the market can be used indoors. Your personal requirements and size considerations are the only limits. You may find that non-spreader bar hammocks such as the Mayan, Nicaraguan and Brazilian styles use less space.  Fabric hammocks may be best for families with little children as there’s less chances for entanglement. Never allow kids to play by themselves around hammocks. Make sure the hammock and hanging hardware you choose is rated to hold the weight of the person or persons who will use it. An indoor hammock can be suspended from two wall studs or ceiling joists. If your space is exceptionally tight, all is not lost; an indoor hammock chair just needs a good ceiling joist for support. Use a wall stud finder (sold at home improvement stores) to locate the center of the stud or joist and predrill a hole for a large bolt to attach the hammock hanging hardware. Or,if drilling into the walls isn’t feasible, buy a hammock stand to hang the hammock. Always follow the instructions for hanging hammocks that came with your hammock. When finished, take a well-deserved rest in your new indoor hammock.

The Hammock as High-End Concept Furniture?

January 4th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Inspired by nature, designers Pinar Yar & Tugrul Govsa have developed the LEAF hammock, which has a plastic frame with a woven inset. The LEAF is designed to be more stable (read: no more falling out) and supportive in use.  It appears to be large enough to support two people. In the designers’ words, “The idea of hammock is transformed from a regular rope hammock to an actual outdoor & indoor furniture piece.” It is sleek-looking.  It may even be comfortable (did I say that?).  I just can’t quite reconcile the space-age look with my (outdated?) concept of hammock. No clue as to the price.

Via Yanko Design/GAEAForms

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