How to Hang a Hammock for Ultimate Summer Vibes

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There's a difference between summer and summer vibes. Summer lasts from late June to late September (if you're lucky), usually bringing with it lots of heat and bugs and maybe a few sunburns. Summer vibes? That's the breezy feeling of joy and nostalgia—beach-scented sunscreen, watermelon slices, and, yes, swinging hammocks.

Whether you're looking out over the gulf of Mexico while the ocean breeze whips through your sea salt-sprayed hair, or staring at your neighbor kids' treehouse and tuning out the sounds of traffic, a hammock's a hammock! It's soothing and good for the soul and provides instant relaxation no matter where it hangs. And while it might seem tricky or intimidating to install, this is one project you can knock out in an afternoon—all the more time to relax and swing once you're done.

Traditionally, hammocks are hung from eye bolts screwed all the way through the trunks of two trees. But there's an easier way that doesn't require any power tools—so if you blended up your marg and took a few sips before the install, no worries! Here's what you need: 

Supplies needed to hang a hammock

When it comes to tree straps, make sure to pick something that's at least a few inches wide; thin straps or rope can cut into your trees' bark, leaving them susceptible to disease. These tree straps are a few inches wide and made from a heavy duty polyester nylon. They have a loop on one end and a carabiner or hook on the other so you can wrap them around the tree and clip into the ends of your hammock. The straps are adjustable, and work on both large and smaller trees and will not cause any damage to the trunk. 

Scope out a pair of trees that are approximately 13 feet to 16 feet apart. Ideally, you're looking for a distance two feet greater than than the total length of your hammock stretched out, but if your straps are adjustable, as mine were, that number can fudge a bit. 

Place the loop end of the strap on the tree trunk 6 feet to 8 feet from the ground, directly opposite from the second tree. This placement will be the anchor point where your hammock will eventually hang from. Bring the opposite end of the strap around the tree and pull the carabiner through the loop. 

3. Adjust the length of your straps

To adjust the length of the strap, wrap it around the tree, then bring it through the loop. If you don't quite have enough length to wrap completely around the tree, you can just tuck the carabiner end behind the strap and through the loop a few times until you have the right length. 

4. Connect your strap to the hammock

Attach the end of the hammock to the carabiner. 

Grab your floppy hat, sit back, and dream of the ocean. 

Ashley Poskin

Contributor

Ashley traded the quiet life of a small town in a big house for the hustle and bustle of the Windy City. On any given day you might find her working on a freelance photo or blogging gig, wrangling her little darling, or walking Chuck the boxer.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com