As the weather begins to cool for the Northern Hemisphere, it’s time to look for ways to extend the hanging season by hanging indoors (unless, like me, you already hang indoors anyway).
Getting an Indoor Hammock
If you have multiple hammocks, or are thinking of buying a hammock just for indoors, I highly recommend getting or using a hammock without a bug net (e.g., a simple, gathered-end variety). It’s just a little more convenient to get in and out. A large, cotton Mayan-style hammock is my favorite for indoor hanging. I love this inspirational photo set of a hammock used in a sitting room; it is absolute bliss. (A camping hammock with a bug net works indoors too).
Anchor Systems
If your room has exposed joists or studs, you can hang indoors just as you would outdoors with the same strap and suspension system you already have. Be warned: the load from a hammock can rub off paint or create compression marks just as well indoors as out. If you plan on hanging indoors for the winter season (or longer), I recommend a more permanent solution.
If you haven’t already seen it, check out my post on hanging a hammock indoors for tips and tools for drilling and securing an indoor anchor.
Some folks attach an eye bolt to a board and then screw the board into multiple studs to spread out the load. A more common approach is a single point bolt. Here are a few kits I found for hanging indoors for a variety of locations and situations.
- MinorSwing Wall Anchor Kit (and for brick and mortar walls)
- Multi-bolt hang kit
- ENO Hammock Hang Kit
- Mayan Hammock Round Hang Kits
- Eye Screws (or bolts)
- Concrete hanging kit
- DIY Climbing Anchors
If your room is modest in size, say a 10×10 ft (3×3 m) or 12×12 ft (3.6×3.6 m), you won’t need much suspension to reach from hammock to the anchor point. I use short hammock chains and S-hooks in some of my rooms. These chain segments offer quick adjustment in short increments.
Hammocks With End Loops
If your hammock is outfitted with short end loops, you can use a simple S-hook, or carabiner to connect to a wall anchor or to a chain segment.
In my master bedroom, my hang distance is long and my wife doesn’t like the look of a steel chain hanging from the wall, so I use white webbing straps (they blend in better with the wall when not in use) and use a simple slippery Becket Hitch to attach my hammock.
The Becket Hitch is commonly used in South America, but you’ll need a short rope or webbing strap that is connected to the anchor to make it work.
Hammocks with Long Straps, Rope, or Whoopie Slings
If your hammock is outfitted with a long strap, rope, or sling on the ends of the hammock, you can tie up directly to the anchor bolt or to an S-hook or ‘biner. However, if your hang point is really high, it might help to have an extension loop to connect to. A continuous loop out of webbing or rope works well by tying a Lark’s Head through the anchor point or using a short chain segment.
Do you hang indoors? Please share a photo to theultimatehang@gmail.com
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