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Porch Swings

Add a Big Dose of Charm to Your Porch

Porch swings make a porch.

I have fond memories of playing on our swing as a child. It became my airplane soaring through the air or a ship on the high seas.

My parents would relax on our swing after a long day at work. We tried to coax dad off of it so we could play catch in the yard. It was a gathering place; it was home. A good swing creates memories for a lifetime.

Pure Contentment and Relaxation

Photo courtesy of Diana Robinson Photography
A lovely wicker swing on this cottage porch

Porch swing in a beautiful autumn setting

Photo courtesy of Jeff and Leyla
A beautiful autumn setting for this wonderful wooden swing

I like to think that swaying on a swing is "therapy for the soul".

See the Different Types of Porch Swings

You are sure to find a swing that is just right for your porch. We even show you how to hang a swing on your porch.

Visit all of our porch swing topics

Colorful cypress or polywood swings

Wood Swings

Adirondack Swings

Metal Swings

Wicker Swings

Porch Gliders

Swing Cushions

How to Hang a Swing

A porch glider is something between a rocker and a swing. It's basically a bench that's suspended from its base by a pair of brackets. The brackets have ball bearings that allow the bench to swing forward and backward a few inches. Porch gliders work well on any porch; see our porch glider pictures and find one to put on your porch or patio.

Front Porch Swings are fun! You can find one in a variety of colors, styles, materials, price ranges, and sizes. There's even swings you may not have known about like this porch swingbed from CedarStore.com - imagine the naps you could take on this. Take a minute to learn more about sleeping porches and see a custom-made porch swing bed.

Swings can fit on almost any sized porch. Many range in size from 4 feet to 6 or 7 feet wide. Custom swings can be made to any size. If choosing a wooden swing opt for teak or cedar as they will wear better than oak, pine, or other woods.

Want to be environmentally conscious? A recycled plastic swing may be the answer. They come in a variety of colors and will last forever with minimal maintenance.

Recycled Porch Swing
The pillows, small black stand and rug pull it all together

A friendly place to snuggle up

How Do You Judge a Good Swing?

Being comfortable and not falling down are two of the first things that we like. You surely don't want your swing collapsing.

A seat depth from 18 to 36 inches (50-100 cm) - depending on your preference and comfort.
Curved or slanted chair slats to make a more comfortable seat. Air should be able to circulate between the slats.
Think of how your swing will be used...swings can hold one or more people depending on the length of the seat and the strength of the chains, hardware, and supports.
Additional length-wise supports under the chair slats will make your swing a lot stronger and will swing more evenly.
All joints should be bolted or screwed together, not nailed. Mortise and tenon joinery is strongest.
Pine, poplar, maple or oak swings will not weather as well but are great for covered porches.
Cherry, teak, and even eucalyptus are great woods for swings exposed to the elements.
Wooden bench backs come in a variety of styles. Back slats can run horizontally, vertically with a topper or even vertically at differing heights to form a "round" back. Some styles will suit certain homes better than others.
Cushions covered in durable outdoor fabrics, can complement any architectural or decorating style. They also make it a lot more comfortable!

Swings Can Be Beautiful, Creative and Fun

This beautiful handcrafted musical swing was made by Tor Clausen of Olympia, WA. Learn more about Tor and his handcrafted pieces at his website. You can hear the musical sounds from this swing at his website.

Swings and porch gliders can range from beautifully hand-made designs to charming novelty designs. In doing our research, we found that even the Coca-Cola Company® has a red and white striped classical swing for your porch. How cool is that?