Easiest Hanging Daybed

A hanging daybed big enough to fit a standard twin mattress. It has extra room on all sides to hold drinks, books, phones and maybe even a snack.

Additional Photos

Photo Credits:

the bumper crop [2]

Dimensions

Dimensions:

Dimensions:

see photo

Materials and Tools

Shopping List:

17 – 2×4 studs (should be less than $2 each)
100 3″ wood screws
50′ of rope or chain with a load limit of at least 200 pounds (for an 800 pound capacity)
4 – Eyebolts (8 if you also need bolts for the ceiling mount too)
Finishing Supplies as desired
Drill with a countersink and drill bits to match the eye bolts and the screw heads
Saw if you can’t get Blue or Orange to cut your boards for you.

Tools:

measuring tape

square

pencil

hammer

safety glasses

hearing protection

Kreg Jig™ [3]

circular saw

sander

level

countersink drill bit

Cut List

Cut List:

2 – 2x4s @ 82 3/4″ (Frame Sides)
6 – 2x4s @ 42 1/2″ (Frame Joist)
12 – 2×4 @ 84 3/4″ (Deck Boards)

Step 1

Cut your frame sides at 82 3/4″ long. Mark the sides with a carpenter’s square every 14 3/4″ as shown above, leaving a 1 1/2″ gap between the marks for your studs. Then in those 1 1/2″ gaps, predrill two holes with a countersink bit. You can even start your screws. Then screw the studs to the frame sides with 3″ screws.

Step 2

pply glue to the top of the bed frame and lay the deck boards on the frame. Adjust so that the deck boards overhang 1″ on all sides as shown in the diagram above. Space the deck boards 1/2″ apart and screw down, 2 screws per deck board per joist.

Step 3

Drill a hole with the appropriate sized drill bit for the lag screws in the corners of the daybed. The pilot hole must be drilled over the bed frame. Apply glue to the pilot hole and screw the lag screw into the bed, securing tightly. TIP: Avoid over tightening and stripping the wood and creating a weak joint.

Step 4

See finishing instructions.

Step 5

Locate rafters or beams to hang the daybed on. Install lag screws directly to a beam or rafters, as done with the daybed. Use the rope or chain to hang the daybed at the desired height. TIP: Hang the daybed at 18” to the top for standard bench height. The daybed is ready for a mattress and bedding. DISCLAIMER: Hang and use at your own risk. Failure to properly hang your bed could result in serious injury or even death. Check with local building codes to be sure you roof system can support the daybed.

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions:

Fill exposed screw holes with wood filler and let dry. Sand the entire daybed with coarse sandpaper. Refill holes as needed with wood filler and let dry. Sand with medium grit sandpaper, followed with fine sandpaper. Vacuum the daybed with a soft bristled brush to remove sanding residue. Follow the instructions on the exterior top coat to apply a protective finish to the daybed. Let dry completely.

I've had these plans drawn up for quite a while now, and just haven't posted them. Because I thought that they were too simple.

Imagine that, too simple.

I wondered how the hanging daybed would look.

[4]

photo by Ana White, Hanging Daybed designed and built by Jacob and Ana White

And then a major media company called and asked if I would build this bed and photograph it for them. So I enlisted the hubs help and we started building it one evening. It only took about an hour, without a miter saw (my beloved saw is at the lake, miss ya!) and as we were building it, these are some of the ideas that we had:

1. Let's turn it into a picnic table top
2. Let me just burn it. We need to have a bonfire. (that was NOT me)
3. Oh, Mom, you made me a deck for my swimming pool! (again, NOT me)
4. Don't put too many screws in it, then we can disassemble it and use the lumber for something else (maybe that was me).

You get the idea. We weren't in love with it.

So I kept repeating to myself, never judge a project until it's finished. Even though I was looking at 17 scrap stud 2x4s put together with 100 screws in the most basic and simple way. Talk about not a lot to work with.

So we threw it all together, threw Grandma's handmade quilt and threw Aunt Sherry's retro ruffled pillowcases on top, and I tell ya, I was ready to throw myself on too!

[5]

photo by Ana White, Hanging Daybed designed and built by Jacob and Ana White

We fell in love with the hanging daybed.

[6]

photo by Ana White, Hanging Daybed designed and built by Ana White

It looks good, but oh my, it feels amazing. Even I, who is often the butt of duct tape and fishing jokes (as in the only way I will relax is if I'm duct taped to the boat) found myself enjoying a quiet swaying. If you don't have a hanging daybed, do yourself a favor. Buy 17 2x4s, 100 3" wood screws, 50' of chain or rope and 8 eye bolts and skip your workout and build this. You won't regret it. And here's how.

Easiest Hanging Daybed

Beds [7], Bedroom [8], Kids and Toys [9], Outdoor [10], Beginner [11], $20 - $50 [12], Children's [13]