DIY- Hanging Porch Bed

I am always one who will make sure that, if there is a porch swing or hammock, I call dibs.  I love the relaxing nature of them.  The lull that you can rock yourself into.  I have never had the pleasure of relaxing  in a hanging porch bed, but they look just as awesome, if not more, than the other two things that I enjoy lounging in.  I think that if I were better with tools, I would be building this in an instant, but as I completely power tool challenged, I will be working on talking Mr. Sthole to build it for me instead.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 8 hours
Cost: $350

Tools and Materials

• 4 3/8-inch x 6-inch eye bolts
• 8-foot long 4 x 4 posts
• 8 double shear hangers
• 4-pack 3/8-inch fender washers
• 4 8-foot long 2 x 4 posts
• 4 corner brackets
• 4  joist hangers
• 1 box 10d joist hanger nails
• 2 9 oz. tubes adhesive
• 4 x 8 x ¼-inch sanded pine plywood
• 3 8-foot long 1 x 6 pine posts
• 1 pack 1 ½-inch finishing nails
• 1 pack 1 ½-inch common nails
• Tack cloths
• 1 quart Behr Exterior Latex Primer
• 1 quart Behr Exterior Gloss White Paint
• 4 3/8 x 5-inch eye bolts
• 8 pack 3/8-inch bolt washers
• 4 2-pack 2-inch S-hooks
• 2 15-foot packs #135 chain
• 7 5 x 38-inch bunk bed mattress
• 6-foot step ladder
• Measuring tape
• Carpenter’s pencil
• 3/8-inch VSR drill
• 3/8-inch drill bit Screwdriver
• 15-inch hand saw
• Caulk gun
• Claw Hammer
• Chalk line
• 9/16-inch combination wrench
• 2/32-inch nail setter
• Paint brush tray kit
• Framing square
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses

This project is intended for open joist or open rafter ceilings. Access to these structural members is needed to construct braces suitable for supporting the weight of a bed and its occupants. Finished ceilings will need to be opened up and later repaired.

The bed uses a standard twin size bunk bed mattress, which is 75 inches x 38 inches. You will be constructing a supporting frame of this size using 2-inch x 4-inch lumber, and wrapping the frame sides with 1-inch x 6-inch pine boards, which will keep the mattress in place. Because this bed hangs, it can swing somewhat, so avoid placing it near walls or other furniture.

STEP 1

Measure the joist spacing where the bed will hang — either 14 ½ inches or 16 inches on center joists, or 22 ½ inches or 24 inches on center joists. Cut four pieces of 4 x 4 post lumber to that length.

Using the double shear hangers and joist hanger nails, secure the 4 x 4 braces you have cut to the ceiling joists. Each pair of braces should be spaced 75 inches apart so that you are able to drill vertical holes in each brace with a spacing between 28 inches and 34 inches. If you have open rafters, you can mount these braces higher up into the space for an improved appearance. If you plan on refinishing the ceiling, these mounts will need to be flush with the bottom of the joists.

STEP 2

Using a 3/8-inch drill bit, drill one vertical hole in each 4 x 4 brace. This is where the hanging eye bolts will go. These holes should be centered in the width of the brace, but can be drilled anywhere along its length so that the eye bolts will be located in a rectangle sized about 76 inches x 30 inches. As noted above, the width can vary as needed more than the length.

STEP 3

Push each 3/8 x 6-inch eye bolt through its hole. Place a 3/8-inch fender washer on the threaded end, and then thread on its nut. Tighten the nut with a 9/16-inch wrench, using a screwdriver placed through the eye to keep it from turning. The eyes should be parallel with the length of the bed frame location.

STEP 4

To begin frame construction, cut your 2 x 4 lumber into two 75-inch pieces and four 35-inch pieces. Two of the 35-inch boards will be on the ends of the bed, while the other two will be inside support members.

Using joist hanger nails, attach the four corner brackets to the two 35-inch end pieces. These are located on the inside of each board at each end, placed flush with the very end of each board.

STEP 5

Using joist hanger nails, attach the four joist hangers to the 75-inch boards. These are located on the inside of each board 25 inches away from each end, forming the mounts for the inside frame support boards.