Have you ever wondered why people like to swing in a swing? It's all about emerging associations from childhood. The baby's motion sickness and cradle in his hands gives a feeling of calm and peace. It is these feelings that we experience with monochrome swaying. Large swings for summer cottages in the recreation area will provide an opportunity to relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
What are the swings
All types of swings can not be counted, there are a lot of them. But you can try to combine similar species into groups. The method of placing the body depending on the design can be:
- standing up;
- sedentary;
- lying down.
The frame of the street swing for the cottage, which you need to get up on your feet, must be massive, in most cases it is made of metal pipes. The base can be made of a large rubber tire.
A swing with a seat in its simplest form is a small plane suspended on rope ropes. In a more durable version, the ropes are replaced by steel cables or metal pipes. The seat can be equipped with safety rails for the safety of small children. It can be in the form of a bag or a hammock, as well as a full bed.
Swing, on which you can lie, have become popular relatively recently. Their appearance resembles a full-fledged sofa for relaxation, and the roof protects from rain. A swing bed is sometimes suspended in gazebos and even in ordinary living spaces. For functionality on a side fixed base, a hanging table can be built. A swing-bed looks chic, such a design solution will not only help create a cozy sitting area, but also make the interior original and creative.
According to the installation method, the swing is divided into:
- stationary;
- portable;
- outboard.
Stationary swings have a thick, powerful frame and large dimensions. For this reason, most often, a special platform is being prepared for the placement of such swings, on which a shallowly buried foundation is organized. Such swings can only be transported unassembled.
The portable version suggests the ability to change the place for the swing. There are models that, if necessary, can be folded and transported to another place.
Suspended structures - the most primitive and common type of swing for children in the country. Basically, such models are hung on massive branches of trees, or other places suitable for this purpose.
Materials for the manufacture of swings
For the manufacture of a swing, you should choose a material that will meet certain standards of strength and durability. If you plan a street version of the swing, then make sure that the influence of moisture and temperature drops do not affect the state of the material of the swing over time.
If wood is used, then it is necessary to treat it with an antiseptic to prevent rot and fungus. An antiseptic is applied with a brush, roller or spray. To improve the appearance in the form of a top coat, you can use varnish or facade paint.
The metal frame of the swing can be coated with rust, which is formed as a result of the interaction of the metal with water. To prevent this, apply a protective layer of varnish, silica enamel or water-insoluble paint. Such a surface not only protects against corrosion, but also decorates and ennobles the appearance of the product.
Seats for a swing can be made in the form of weaving from a rod. In this case, young shoots of willow bushes should be preferred, since it is more flexible. Procure the material while the snow has not yet fallen, but it is already cold enough. In spring, the material should be collected before the start of the sap flow process.
If you use soft seats, then their covers should be made of waterproof fabric, otherwise, if moisture gets into the stuffing material, fungal colonies may form and a musty smell will appear.
Wooden swing
Below is an example of a photo of a swing for a wooden cottage.
With the right approach and accuracy of execution, a wooden structure will look like a factory one. It is recommended to use conifers such as larch or pine. Wood of this grade has a high level of strength. You need to start with a schematic drawing of the desired result. After that, determine the size and transfer to paper all the details. If you plan large wooden swings for a summer residence with the ability to accommodate several people, then as supports you should choose a beam 10-15 cm thick. Prepare the necessary tools from the list:
- screwdriver;
- jigsaw;
- drill;
- hacksaw;
- screws, nails, bolts, corners;
- level;
- roulette;
- grinding machine (or grinding nozzle on a drill).
The principle of a hanging swing for a summer residence is as follows: on the sides we place racks in the form of the letter "A", which will act as supports, we connect the upper points with a beam. The bench itself can be knocked together using a 10 * 2 cm planed board. We hang the bench to a vertical beam using a chain or rope.
Do not forget about preparing the tree for work. All irregularities are carefully cut and ground. The surface should be perfectly smooth.
If desired, build a canopy. In bad weather, it will protect from rain, and on a sultry day it will be possible to hide under it from the scorching sun.
Metal swing
How to make a swing in the country with your own hands? In the photo, a variant of a swing made of metal. To work with him you will need serious tools, as well as deeper knowledge. The need to use a welding machine makes this method inaccessible to those who do not have experience in this field. If you are a welder, then it will be very simple for you to build a swing on a metal frame. The main thing is to select material and choose a project. We will need:
- welding machine;
- pliers;
- a grinder or hacksaw for metal;
- vise;
- building level;
- roulette;
- iron pipes of different diameters;
- screws, bolts, nuts, spring washers.
The amount of material in the form of metal pipes will depend on the design, design and size of your swing option. Also prepare paint for the exterior of the finished product.
The design of the swing is similar to that of the tree. But the use of metal provides additional opportunities to create an original swing design. Openwork forging and a combination of metal with wooden elements look very impressive.
The color of the coating of the metal frame should match the color scheme of landscape design elements on your site. Glossy or matte black finish looks professional and presentable. This option will fit into almost any design.
Swing for babies
Swings for the smallest need to be equipped with protective barriers so that the child does not accidentally fall out of the seat and do not get hurt. If the swing is wooden, then erect the armrests on the sides and the back in the back. The front guard must be made in the form of a holder with open parts for the legs.
Do-it-yourself street swing for a summer house. An especially simple option designed for babies. Work the wood well, its surface should be smooth, perfectly sanded. Seat equip a soft foam pillow, dressed in a waterproof cover. For a more comfortable location, the same backrest with armrests can be equipped with the same elements.
It is best to fix the seat on the frame elements to the base, this will make it possible to limit the movement of the swing. To prevent the child from swinging too much, pin the bars in the upper part of the fasteners, they will not allow the movable elements to rise above the horizontal plane and ensure safety for the baby.
Metal hoop swing
Hammock-swing at the cottage with your own hands. Photo of a wicker version.
Swing-nest - an original solution and a very popular direction in the design of a seat. In this style make chairs, armchairs and hammocks for relaxation. The appearance of a swing from hoops can look different. The hoop itself serves as a frame for fixing the hammock. Let us consider in detail the most popular types of seating design in the form of a nest or a hammock:
- Hammock with a knitted base. To tie the hoop, use strong and durable threads or cord. First we tie the ring, then narrowing the circle we get a bag. It should turn out coarse, and knitting thick.
- Fabric-based hammock. Choose the right fabric. It must be strong and dense. You can use denim. We cut two circles with a diameter of 1.5 m. Stitch along the edge and twist, make another line to form a tunnel for the hoop. In four places we make holes for attaching the hanging straps to the hoop. We pass the hoop, tighten the belts, fasten them to the base, on which our hammock will hang. To create coziness, you can sew several small pillows.
- Hammock based on weaving from rods. Willow is the most suitable material for weaving a hammock. Use thicker rods for the base of the seat, and branches with a thickness of 6-7 mm are suitable for the side walls. Weaving starts from the bottom, its diagonal is not recommended to be made more than 60-70 cm. Then we create the walls so that the hoop is located at an angle of 45 degrees. At the places where the basket is attached to the hoop, reinforce the frame with thicker rods. The wicker base will be eco-friendly, lightweight, and very durable.
Canopy for large swings
For a more comfortable rest on a swing, you need to take care of organizing a canopy that will protect against rainfall and create a cool shadow in the hot heat.
Different canopy designs are possible and the materials will also be different. We will understand some of the options for organizing a reliable roof for large swings.
- Canopy made of fabric. Depending on the material used in the production of a swing, we make a frame for a canopy. We stretch the waterproof fabric so that the edges hang down by 10-20 cm. As a material, you can use Bologna.
- Full roof. We cover the roof frame with a board or close it with a sheet of OSB plate. The top coating may be in the form of metal tiles or slate.
- Transparent roof. This option is convenient if you do not want to create a shadow in place of the swing. As a roof covering, a sheet of polycarbonate plastic is taken. It is especially convenient to use this material if the swing frame is made of metal. The base in this case can be made rounded, it is very beautiful and original.
- Thatched roof. If you are a fan of eco-friendly design, then a thatched-roof swing will surely fit into your site. To make a straw roof, build a frame and cover the surface with a chipboard. Straw will be laid on top, which should be placed in an even layer 5-10 cm thick. It will be attached to the plate with a thick rope. The sheathing is as follows: the screws are screwed at a distance of 15-20 cm, the rope is wrapped around each of them so that the straw layer between the screws is pressed and fixed.
Making seats for swings
If the swing is large, and the seat is presented in the form of a bench and is designed for several people, then it is worth thinking about the comfortable location in such a recreation area. Soft pillows will be more comfortable in comparison with a wooden or metal surface.
Take measurements for future patterns. Fabric cushions must be combined into one surface that will cover the seat and back, and fixation will be carried out using ties. As packing, foam rubber with a thickness of 5 cm or several layers of synthetic winterizer can be used.
For the base of the lining for the seat you will need a moisture-proof fabric. It is better to make a seat in the form of a cover. Sew zippers on one side of each pocket designed for foam. If necessary, you can remove it and wash the cover.
If you have a chic swing bed, then the rest cover should correspond to the high level of comfort of such a swing. The base of the swing-bed, as a rule, has the size of a double bed. Therefore, as a soft base, you can use a double mattress, for which it is necessary to sew a waterproof cover. To design a recreation area, you can use pillows of different sizes.
Swing bed
A large and comfortable sofa is shown in the photo. How to make a swing in the country in such a way that they are as chic and comfortable?
This type of design will appeal to everyone, from small to large. It is not necessary to put a swing on the street, you can replace it with your usual bed in the bedroom. The surface area has the dimensions of a full double bed, this should be suspended no more than 20 cm from ground level. Due to the severity and heavy load, you should take care of a solid base and suspension mounts.
We make the bed surface frame from a planed board 10 * 2 cm. For the basis, you can take the mattress that will be used. We put together the bottom of the base from the same board. Hanging ropes will be located at its corners, chains can be used. To make these places look aesthetically pleasing, purchase special screws-rings that will act as fasteners. The frame of the supports should be massive and durable. If wood material is expected, then the beam should be 10-15 cm.
To insects do not interfere with your rest, you can sew a canopy. It is better to take a thin transparent fabric that is well breathable. You can make a canopy from a dense polyamide fabric and sew a zipper into it, then the problem of protection from rainfall will be solved.
Conclusion
Any interior design or landscape design should include interior elements designed for recreation or entertainment. Swings belong to this category. If you decide to create them yourself, then there are a lot of options for inspiration.