How to Build A Bed Swing

The screened-in porch is one of the most used spots in my house during the summer months. A big part of this is because of the bed swing. You need to learn how to build a bed swing if you want the perfect spot for your whole family to hang out!

Cutting the Wood for the Bed Swing

I am starting this project with 2x4s that I am cutting down to 81 inches long. Using my table saw, I am measuring a blade depth of 5/8 to make grooves in the 2x4s for my furring strips to sit in. I keep making cuts next to each other until it is 3/4 inches wide. This is going to be the basis for my bed swing. This will be the box that holds all the weight, so I want the furring strips to be supported.

Once my 2x4s have grooves cut into them, I cut out pieces of my furring strips to go across and support the mattress. These are 1x3s, and they are pine. I measured them to a little over 39.5 inches. I did this so there would be a little over 1/2 an inch of extra board to go on top of the 5/8 inch deep grooves in the 2x4s. The measurement between the 2x4s should be 38.5 inches to accommodate a twin mattress. I am spacing the 1×3 furring strips evenly across the whole thing, I cut 11 of these. Next, I am cutting 2x4s to 38.5 inches; these pieces will complete the box. Using my Kreg jig, I am drilling two pocket holes on each end. The reason I did this is because I want all of my screws to be hidden.

How to Build a Bed Swing: Assembling the Box

To assemble the box of this bed swing, I am lining up the 38.5-inch 2x4s that I just drilled pocket holes into with the 81-inch long 2x4s. I am putting the screws into my pocket holes and screwing the pieces of wood together. My 38.5-inch 2x4s do not go all the way to the end of the 81-inch long 2x4s, this is intentional. There needs to be some overhang so that I can drill holes and hang my ropes for the bed swing. To hold the furring strips in place, I am shooting brad nails through them.

Building the Arms of the Bed Swing

I am going for a very modern look with this bed swing; I want these arms to look nice and smooth. To do this, I am using 3/4-inch plywood. I am cutting the plywood to the length of the 2x4s plus the 38.5-inch wide furring strip opening. Then, I cut 2×2 strips to perfectly frame the plywood. I am connecting these by first using wood glue, then screwing them together. These must be strong because I want people to be able to lean their bodyweight on them. The arms are also what is going to be holding up the backrest of my bed swing. To securely attach the arms to my box frame, I am drilling pocket holes and putting screws into them!

How to Build a Bed Swing: Building the Backrest

To start building the backrest for my bed swing, I am setting up a straightedge and ripped 3/4-inch plywood to go along the length of the back. For the kind of strength I am looking for, I am gluing and screwing a second piece of 3/4-inch plywood to the first one! Now my backing is an inch and a half thick. Next, I am going to use a template I made to make the corner perfectly curved. I am also doing this on the arms so that there will be soft edges.

Facing Concerns

I am worried that this bed swing will not hold the amount of weight I want it to. I want it to be able to hold 1000 pounds, yes, ONE THOUSAND! Because of this concern, I am going to reinforce the 2×4 box. To do this, I am cutting out 45-degree angle pieces that I can put in the corners. This is really adding a lot of stability. While I have my bed swing on its side, I think it is time to drill holes for the ropes. I am using a spade bit in 1/2-inch and drilling that down on the overhang on the 81-inch long 2×4.

Finishing Work

Now that I am done building, it is time for finishing work. I am going in with A LOT of wood putty. The reason for this being I really want the finish to be extremely smooth. I used almost an entire tub of wood putty. Once the putty is dry, it is time to sand. Six hours of sanding, to be exact! I am starting with a 40-grit sandpaper, then moving to 80-grit, and ending at 120-grit.

After I finished sanding, I primed the bed swing using an exterior primer. Once the primer is drying, I am going in with black paint. For the first coat of paint, I painted the entire bed swing. For the second coat of paint, I only did the areas that would be seen. When all of the paint is dry, I use another homemade template to draw an angle to mount on the back piece. I used my line to attach a stair stringer. The backrest then got screwed into the stair stringer.

Hanging the Bed Swing

The rope I chose is a 15-foot nylon double braided rope. I am measuring this to 7.5 feet. When you cut nylon, you have to burn the end so it does not keep fraying. To attach this rope, I had to drill into my ceiling to put hooks into place. I made sure to drill so the hooks would hit a joist. Before I did this, I reinforced my ceiling joists just to make sure they could hold the weight. I am placing my bed swing a little bit more than 2 feet off the front of my porch so that there is walking room in front of it. The way I am hanging the hooks is turned out so that someone can’t swing too hard that it comes off the hood. All that is left now is to hang it up!

I love the way this bed swing turned out! We love to hang out on it as a whole family! It is the perfect addition to our newly screened-in front porch! I hope you loved learning how to build a bed swing. If you did, and you want to see more of my outdoor projects, check out the DIY firepit patio I just built!