Everything you want to know about hammocks and hanging chairs!

There are many great ways to hang a hammock or hanging chair. Which is a good thing, because not everybody has two palm trees in their garden.

This page is where we answer the questions that we've frequently been asked in recent years, and give some extra useful tips!

Choosing the perfect hammock

All about hammocks

All about hammocks

Hanging a hammock

Hammock stands

Choosing the perfect hanging chair

All about hanging chairs

Payment

Hanging a hanging chair

Hanging chair stands

Hammock hanging options


All about hammocks

All about hammocks

Spreader bars or no spreader bars?

Although hammocks didn't originally have spreader bars, hammocks with spreader bars are becoming more and more popular. Both types of hammock have their own advantages.

You can lie straight in a hammock with spreader bars, so you take up less space when you use it. However, when you're not using your hammock with spreader bars, it takes up more space than one without spreader bars.

A hammock with spreader bars is generally a bit more unstable than one without. So it may be easier to fall out. This is because you're lying more on the hammock than in it. Those well-known hammock videos on YouTube or You've Been Framed often feature hammocks with spreader bars. When you lie peacefully in the hammock there's nothing to worry about, but don't go crazy. ;-)

You have more privacy in a hammock without spreader bars. You can lay down straighter or at more of an angle depending on whether you want more or less privacy. The fabric then wraps around you. For true sun worshippers, a hammock with spreader bars is more suitable. This is because, as we mentioned above, you lie more on that type of hammock than in it. So your body is more exposed to the sun's rays.


How do you lie in a hammock?

It is a common misconception that you have to lie straight in a hammock. That is not the case. You actually have to lie diagonally in the hammock to achieve the most comfortable position.

When you lie down straight in a hammock without spreader bars, the canvas wraps around you completely and you can no longer see anything. Not really ideal (unless you want to sleep well and not be disturbed). So lie at more of a diagonal angle. This applies to both single and double hammocks.

Incidentally, you can lie straight in a hammock with spreader bars.

How do you lie in a hammock?

Which hammock can I leave outside?

All the hammocks we sell are of excellent quality and can withstand bright sunshine, rough weather and rainfall. However, it is always wise to store the hammock in a dry and shady place after use. This will ensure that the colours stay bright and don't fade in the sun.

If you want the hammock to be constantly hanging outside, we recommend that you choose hammocks made from Elltex (ExtraLongLastingTEXtile).

EllTex can stay outside even when it rains or when the sun is very bright. Yet the fabric still feels wonderfully soft. EllTex is a blend of polyester and cotton that is water-repellent and (virtually) fade-proof. Even after it has become wet several times. For longer periods of non-use, we recommend that you always store the hammock.

At the top of each category you can filter by material. If you choose EllTex you will see all the weatherproof hammocks.


How do I wash my hammock?

Because the hammock's bright colours can bleed, always handwash and let the hammock dry naturally (so no dryer!). When drying, hang the hammock neatly so that it remains free of wrinkles and bumps.

A hammock with spreader bars is more difficult to wash because of the spreader bars that unfortunately can't be removed.


How do I figure out the correct dimensions of the hammock?

At HammockGiant we always say: The bigger the better! So if you have the budget and the space, choose a double or a family hammock. Because the fabric is larger, you can lie in your hammock in several ways.

For a hammock with spreader bars, make sure to choose a hammock that has a fabric length (so not the total length) at least 30 cm longer than your own height. This means you will still have some space below your feet and above your head.

'The bigger the better' is also true for a hammock without spreader bars. However, you need to have the space for this. If you don't have that much room, simply choose a hammock with a fabric length that is at least 30 cm longer than your own height.



Hanging a hammock

How do I hang my hammock between two walls?

To attach a hammock to a wall you need the 'Complete' hammock fixings. This contains everything you need to correctly hang the hammock. You need wall plugs to anchor the screws in the wall.

If you only need a hook with a wall plug, the 'Wall Hook' hammock fixings are sufficient.


View all fixings


How do I hang my hammock between two trees?

To hang a hammock between two trees you need the 'Simple' hammock fixings. This contains everything you need to correctly hang the hammock. Of course, you can also use a length of rope.


View all fixings


What is the ideal distance between two suspension points?

It is best to hang a hammock with spreader bars as tightly as possible between two points. So never buy a spreader bar hammock that has a total length longer than the length between the two suspension points.

A hammock without spreader bars (the original hammock) is a different story. You hang this kind of hammock at eye level (180 cm). When you use extra ropes, you have to hang these ropes higher so that the ends of the hammock stay at eye level.

When you hang the hammock, make sure that you hang the hammock in a crescent shape. For extra explanation and clarification, see this image:




Hammock stands

Why a hammock stand?

Sometimes you just don't have a good place available to hang a hammock. Stands have been invented especially for this scenario. But there is another advantage to a hammock stand: you can move it. So when you need some shade or want to move with the sun, you can just drag the stand to another spot and continue relaxing.

In a hammock (without spreader bars) hanging in a stand, you are usually lying a bit lower than when you hang the hammock yourself. This can be a problem if you have limited mobility. A hammock with spreader bars is hung more tightly and doesn't have this problem.


A wooden hammock stand?

A wooden stand looks super cool, naturally. Unfortunately, wooden hammock stands are somewhat heavier and therefore more difficult to move. Storage is also a bigger job. You have to dismantle it. Putting the hammock stand together or taking it apart takes about 10 minutes.


View all wooden hammock stands


A metal hammock stand?

A metal stand is a bit more compact. Metal hammock stands are also lighter, easier to move, and can be assembled or dismantled within 5 minutes. The 'Easy' hammock stand is the lightest and cheapest hammock stand. If you want something a little more sturdy and solid, then go for the 'Arc' hammock stand.


View all metal hammock stands


How do I choose the right stand for my hammock?

First you need to know the total length of your hammock (including ropes). Here at HammockGiant we provide this information with every hammock. ;-)

If you have a hammock with spreader bars, you can assume that if the hammock fits in between, you can easily order the stand. A hammock with spreader bars may be stretched fairly taut in the stand (so doesn't have to hang in a crescent shape). Incidentally, most stands can be made a little longer or shorter, so it isn't necessary to order extra fixings.

If you have a hammock without spreader bars, the hammock may hang in a crescent shape. You don't want to hang it too taut. 10 cm to 20 cm slack is sufficient. It's a good idea to order a stand that you can adjust so that you can make the hammock comfortable according to your preferences.




All about hanging chairs

All about hanging chairs

Which hanging chair can I leave outside?

All the hanging chairs we sell are of excellent quality and can withstand bright sunshine, rough weather and rainfall. However, it is always wise to store the hanging chair in a dry and shady place after use. This will ensure that the colours stay bright and don't fade in the sun.


How do I wash my hanging chair?

Because the hanging chair's bright colours can bleed, always handwash and let the hanging chair dry naturally (so no dryer!). When drying, hang the hanging chair neatly so that it remains free of wrinkles and bumps.

Remove the bars of the hanging chair first before you wash it.


How do I figure out the correct dimensions of the hanging chair?

Unlike with a hammock, things don't have to be as precise with the dimensions of a hanging chair. Some people prefer a more spacious hanging chair and others prefer a smaller, niftier model.



Hanging a hanging chair

How do I hang my hanging chair from the ceiling?

To attach a hanging chair to the ceiling you need the 'Complete' hanging chair fixings. This contains everything you need to correctly hang the hammock.

For concrete ceilings, extra plugs are supplied to anchor the screws in the concrete.

For wooden ceilings, we recommend attaching the hanging chair to a crossbeam.

Please note that the maximum load can vary depending on the quality of the wood and/or concrete. A well-hung hook in a solid ceiling can easily withstand 100 kg.


View all fixings


How do I hang my hanging chair from a branch of a tree?

To hang a hanging chair from a branch or a beam, you need the 'Simple' hanging chair fixings. This contains everything you need to correctly hang the hanging chair. You simply wrap the rope around the beam or branch, adjust the length of the rope and hang the hanging chair from it.


View all fixings


What is the ideal height of the suspension point?

As long as it's not too low, it doesn't matter. A hanging chair must hang at least 30-40 cm from the floor. Make sure that the ropes are long enough to hang the hanging chair at the correct height.



Hanging chair stands

Why a hanging chair stand?

Sometimes you just don't have a good place available to hang a hanging chair. Stands have been invented especially for this scenario. But there is another advantage to a hanging chair stand: you can move it. So when you need some shade or want to move with the sun, you can just drag the stand to another spot and continue relaxing.

In a hanging chair suspended from a stand, you are usually lying/sitting a bit lower than when you hang it yourself. This can be a problem if you have limited mobility.


A wooden or a metal stand?

A wooden stand looks super cool, naturally. However, they are somewhat heavier and therefore more difficult to move. Storage is also a bigger job. You have to dismantle it.

For that reason, many people opt for a metal stand. They are lighter, easier to move and can be assembled or dismantled within 5 minutes.


Are there any stands that can be attached to the wall?

Totally! You attach these stands to the wall and ensure that the hanging chair hangs freely from the wall.


How do I choose the right stand for my hanging chair?

All hanging chairs fit into all hanging chair stands. Nice and simple. All you have to pay attention to is the weight that the stand can support. Metal stands can usually carry less weight. So pay attention to this when choosing a suitable stand.


View all hanging chair stands