Have you ever wondered why people like swinging? It's all about the emerging associations from childhood. Rocking a baby and cradling it in your arms gives a feeling of calm and peace. These are the sensations we experience with monochrome swaying. A large swing for giving in the recreation area will provide an opportunity to relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
What are swings
All types of swings can not be counted, there are a lot of them. But you can try to combine similar species into groups. The method of placing the body, depending on the design, can be:
- standing;
- sitting;
- lying down.
The frame of a street swing for giving, on which you need to stand with your feet, must be massive, in most cases it is made of metal pipes. The base can be made from a large rubber tire.
A swing with a seat in its simplest form is a small plane suspended from ropes. In a more durable version, the ropes are replaced by steel cables ormetal pipes. Sitting can be with protective sides for safety of landing of small children. It can be in the form of a bag or a hammock, as well as a full bed.
Swings on which you can lie have become popular relatively recently. Their appearance resembles a full-fledged sofa for relaxation, and the roof protects from rain. Swing-beds are sometimes hung in gazebos and even in ordinary living quarters. For functionality, a hanging table can be built on the side fixed bases. The swing bed looks chic, such a design solution will not only help create a cozy seating area, but also make the interior original and creative.
According to the installation method, the swing is divided into:
- stationary;
- portable;
- pendant.
Stationary swings have a thick, powerful frame and large dimensions. For this reason, most often, a special platform is being prepared to accommodate such a swing, on which a shallowly buried foundation is organized. Such a swing can only be transported unassembled.
The portable option suggests the ability to change the place for the swing. There are models that, if necessary, can be folded and transported to another location.
Suspended structures - the most primitive and common type of swing for children in the country. Basically, such models are hung on massive tree branches, or other places suitable for this purpose.
Materials for making swings
For the manufacture of a swing, you should choose a material that will meet certainstandards of strength and durability. If you are planning an outdoor version of the swing, then make sure that the influence of moisture and temperature changes does not affect the condition of the swing material over time.
If wood is used, then it must be treated with an antiseptic to prevent rotting and fungus. The antiseptic is applied with a brush, roller or spray gun. Varnish or facade paint can be used to improve the appearance as a top coat.
The metal frame of the swing can be covered with rust, which is formed as a result of the interaction of metal with water. To prevent this phenomenon, apply a protective layer of varnish, silicon enamel or water-insoluble paint. Such a surface will not only protect against corrosion, but also decorate and ennoble the appearance of the product.
Seats for swings can be made in the form of wickerwork. In this case, preference should be given to the young growth of willow shrubs, as it is more flexible. Do the harvesting of the material during the period when the snow has not yet fallen, but it is already quite cold. In spring, the material should be collected before the start of the sap flow process.
If you use upholstered seats, then their covers must be made of waterproof fabric, otherwise, if moisture gets into the stuffing material, colonies of fungi may form and a musty smell will appear.
Wooden swing
Below is an example of a photo of a wooden garden swing.
With the right approach and accuracy of executionthe wooden structure will look like a factory one. It is recommended to use softwoods such as larch or pine. The wood of this variety has a high level of strength. You need to start with a schematic drawing of the desired result. After that, decide on the size and transfer all the details to paper. If you are planning a large wooden swing for a summer residence with the possibility of accommodating several people, then you should choose a beam 10-15 cm thick as supports. Prepare the necessary tools from the list:
- screwdriver;
- jigsaw;
- drill;
- hacksaw;
- self-tapping screws, nails, bolts, corners;
- level;
- roulette;
- grinder (or grinder attachment for drill).
The principle of hanging swings for giving is as follows: on the sides we put racks in the form of the letter "A", which will act as supports, we connect the upper points with a beam. The bench itself can be put together using a planed board 102 cm. Hang the bench to a vertical beam with a chain or rope.
Don't forget about preparing the tree for work. All irregularities are carefully cut and polished. The surface must be perfectly smooth.
If desired, we build a canopy. In bad weather, it will protect from rain, and on a hot day, you can hide under it from the scorching sun.
Metal swing
How to make a swing in the country with your own hands? In the photo, a variant of a swing made of metal. To work with it, you will need serious tools, as well as moredeep knowledge. The need to use a welding machine makes this method inaccessible to those who do not have experience in this area. If you are a welder, then building a swing on a metal frame will be very easy for you. The main thing is to choose the material and choose the project. We will need:
- welding machine;
- pliers;
- grinder or hacksaw;
- vices;
- building level;
- roulette;
- iron pipes of different diameters;
- screws, bolts, nuts, spring washers.
The amount of material in the form of metal pipes will depend on the design, design and size of your swing option. Also prepare paint for the exterior of the finished product.
The design scheme of the swing is similar to the one in the case of the tree. But the use of metal provides additional opportunities for creating an original swing design. Openwork forging and a combination of metal with wooden elements look very impressive.
The color of the coating of the metal frame should match the color scheme of the landscape design elements on your site. Glossy or matte black finish looks professional and presentable. This option will fit into almost any design.
Swings for babies
Swings for the little ones must be equipped with protective barriers so that the child does not accidentally fall out of the seat and hurt himself. If the swing is wooden, then build armrests on the sides, and a backrest in the back. Frontthe fence must be made in the form of a holder with open parts for the legs.
Do-it-yourself street swings for summer cottages are easy to make. A particularly simple option for kids. Treat the wood well, its surface should be smooth, perfectly sanded. Equip the seat with a soft foam cushion, dressed in a waterproof cover. For a more comfortable arrangement, the backrest with armrests can also be equipped with the same elements.
It is best to attach the seat to the frame elements to the base, this will make it possible to limit the movement of the swing. To prevent the child from swinging too much, pin the bars at the top of the mounts, they will not allow the moving elements to rise above the horizontal plane and ensure the safety of the baby.
Metal hoop swing
Hammock-swing in the country with their own hands. Photo of the braided version.
Nest swing is an original solution and a very popular seating trend. In this style, chairs, armchairs and hammocks are made for relaxation. The appearance of a swing from hoops may look different. The hoop itself serves as a frame for fixing the hammock. Let us consider in detail the most popular types of seat design in the form of a nest or a hammock:
- Hammock with knitted base. To tie the hoop, use strong and durable threads or cord. First we tie the ring, then narrowing the circle we get a bag. It should be rough and knit thick.
- Hammock on a fabric basis. Choosesuitable fabric. It must be strong and dense. You can use denim. We cut out two circles with a diameter of 1.5 m. We sew along the edge and turn it inside out, we make one more line to form a tunnel for the hoop. In four places we make holes for attaching suspension straps to the hoop. We pass the hoop, tighten the straps, fasten them to the base, on which our hammock will hang. To create comfort, you can sew a few small pillows.
- Hammock based on weaving rods. Willow is the most suitable material for weaving a hammock. Use thicker rods for the seat base, and branches with a thickness of 6-7 mm are suitable for the side walls. Weaving starts from the bottom, its diagonal is not recommended to be more than 60-70 cm. Then we create the walls so that the hoop is at an angle of 45 degrees. In places where the basket is attached to the hoop, reinforce the frame with thicker rods. The wicker base will be eco-friendly, lightweight, and very durable.
Canopy for large swings
For a more comfortable stay on the swing, you need to take care of organizing a canopy that will protect from rain and create a cool shade in the hot heat.
Canopy design may vary and materials will also vary. Let's look at some of the options for organizing a reliable roof for a large swing.
- Canopy made of fabric. Depending on the material used in the manufacture of the swing, we make a frame for a canopy. We stretch the waterproof fabric so that the edges hang down by 10-20 cm.bologna can be used as material.
- Full roof. We sheathe the roof frame with a board or close it with a sheet of OSB board. The top covering can be in the form of a metal tile or slate.
- Transparent roof. This option is convenient if you do not want to create a shadow in place of the swing. A sheet of polycarbonate plastic is taken as a roof covering. It is especially convenient to use this material if the swing frame is made of metal. The base in this case can be made rounded, it is very beautiful and original.
- Thatched roof. If you are a lover of eco-style design, then a swing with a thatched roof will undoubtedly fit into the decor of your site. To make a straw roof, build a frame and cover the surface with OSB. Straw will be laid out on top, which should be placed in an even layer 5-10 cm thick. It will be attached to the slab with a thick rope. The sheathing looks like this: screws are screwed in at a distance of 15-20 cm, the rope is wrapped around each of them in such a way that the layer of straw between the screws is pressed and fixed.
Making swing seats
If the swing is large, and the seating area is presented in the form of a bench and is designed for several people, then you should think about the comfort of the location in such a recreation area. Soft cushions will be more comfortable than wooden or metal surfaces.
Take measurements for future patterns. fabric pillowsmust be combined into one surface that will cover the seat and back, and fixation will be carried out using ties. As a stuffing, you can use foam rubber, 5 cm thick or several layers of synthetic winterizer.
For the base of the seat pad, you will need a waterproof fabric. It is better to make the seat in the form of a cover. Sew zippers into one side of each foam pocket. If necessary, you can remove it and wash the cover.
If you have a chic swing-bed, then the rest cover should correspond to the high level of comfort of such a swing. The base of the swing bed, as a rule, has the size of a double bed. Therefore, a double mattress can be used as a soft base, for which a waterproof cover must be sewn. Pillows of different sizes can be used to decorate the relaxation area.
Swing-bed
The large and comfortable sofa is shown in the photo. How to make swings in the country so that they are just as chic and comfortable?
This kind of design will appeal to everyone, from young to old. It is not necessary to put a swing on the street, you can replace it with your usual bed in the bedroom. The surface area has the dimensions of a full-fledged double bed; this should be hung no more than 20 cm from ground level. Due to the weight and heavy load, a solid base and suspension mounts should be taken care of.
We make the frame of the bed surface from a planed board 102 cm.take the mattress to be used. We knock together the bottom of the base from the same board. Hanging ropes will be located at its corners, chains can be used. To make these places look aesthetically pleasing, purchase special ring screws that will act as fasteners. The frame of the supports must be massive and durable. If wooden material is supposed, then the timber should be 10-15 cm.
So that insects do not interfere with your rest, you can sew a canopy. It is better to take a thin transparent fabric that is well breathable. You can make a canopy from a dense polyamide fabric and sew a zipper into it, then the problem of protection from precipitation will be solved.
Conclusion
In any interior design or landscape design, there should be interior elements designed for relaxation or entertainment. Swings fall into this category. If you decide to create them yourself, then there are a great many options for inspiration.
