Garden Swings — Review and comparison in 2021

The garden swing is one of the most appreciated outdoor furniture items, due to the comfort offered and the inevitable association with the carefree period of childhood. Available in a variety of models and styles, such a product is all the easier to choose, as you know a little about the elements that define the quality and safety offered. For example, Kring Sanremo is an elegant, modern model with a metal structure and armchair-type design, designed for two people. It mounts quickly and is placed directly on the ground. For those looking for a model for children, a KBT Leagan For You alternative will definitely be more suitable.

Comparative table

Option with armchair type structure, provided with two seats and support capacity of up to 160kg. The swing is made of durable metal structure, with cushions included for the back and seat, plus the individual canopy for each seat, and does not require suspension, being a version with support system, which can be placed on the floor.

The light color of the upholstery predisposes the pillows to light soiling, which means that you will need to clean them quite often.

Armchair type swing, suitable for landscaped gardens that include a flat surface, large enough to stably house the support base.

Swing designed for children, with a simple structure that includes a pine wood seat and polyester support ropes, resistant and durable, for anchoring. It can support a maximum weight of 55kg and is intended for use by children over 3 years old, for which it offers a pleasant and safe way to spend free time and a way to improve balance and fitness.

Because it does not include additional safety systems, it is not recommended for children under 3 years.

Classic model, ideal for families with children, easy to install and adapted to the particularities of the space.

The swing variant inspired by the classic versions, with wooden seat, provided in addition, with handles, back support element and front component that offers more safety in use. It can easily support a weight of up to 40kg, being designed to be used by children over 3 years old.

It is not a model with its own suspension system, which means that it will have to be anchored by a tree, a stand or even the ceiling.

Model suitable for completing the playground in the garden or home, available at an affordable price and easy to use.

Reviews about the best garden swings

Are you looking for a garden swing , at a good price and it is difficult for you to stop your eyes at one suitable option? Use the examples below to define exactly what type of product you are looking for and what are the main advantages you want to offer.

Rocking garden swing:

Kring Sanremo

This version Kring Sanremo is a modern and elegant garden swing model, with armchair type format, but designed for two people, with two seats located in the same structure. The skeleton is metallic, with a layer of paint with a protective role, the product being one of the versions with its own support structure and location on the ground, which does not require independent suspension.

The two armchairs included in the design benefit from sponge pillows, which cover the seat and back, with polyester exterior, and individual umbrella, which protects against the strong summer sun. In addition, there are cup holders on the side edges, so you can enjoy your favorite drink in peace, without having to bring a table nearby.

It has the dimensions of 170 x 136 x 170cm and can support, in total, up to 160kg, so approximately 80kg of each armchair. The upholstery has a cream color, and the appearance is one suitable for gardens cared for in detail, with layers of flowers, lawn and fruit trees.

Kring Oxford

Spacious and elegant, this comfortable model is suitable for those looking for a cheap garden swing, which will provide enough space for the whole family. It has the dimensions of 170 x 110 x 153cm and the sofa type structure, with three seats. The support system is made of aluminum pipe, covered with paint, which makes this product easy to mobilize and move.

Regarding the maximum support capacity, although the technical manual indicates 200kg, we recommend that you consider a 160–170kg as soon as possible, in order to benefit from it for as long as possible.

The bench is covered with pillows with a 5cm sponge layer, integrated in resistant polyester, which ensures a comfortable stay. The material pleasantly combines wide navy blue and white stripes, with an elegant and relaxing look. Includes a navy polyester cover, which has the role of protecting you from the sun on hot summer days.

Kring Sorrento

If you are tempted by a garden swing that can be easily transformed into a bed, for the days when you would like to be able to take a nap in the open air, we propose the Kring Sorrento model. It is a bench-type version, with ground placement and a resistant and durable support system, made of stainless steel, which can handle a total weight of up to 270 kg, although the thickness of the pipes is not very large.

The design is designed to allow three people to stay in the tight format, and the second in the bed version. It is easy to mount, but it moves a little harder, weighing more than an aluminum alternative. It is provided with seat and back cushions, which ensure a soft and comfortable layer for your body.

Both the outside of the pillows and the awning are made of 180g polyester, resistant to moisture. The shade protects you from the sun and rain, but we draw your attention to the fact that it is not very resistant to strong winds.

Kring Bora Bora

If you are wondering why Bora Bora, you will definitely understand the meaning of the name while analyzing the design of this product, designed just to say vacation, relaxation, luxury and exotic. It is a model with location on the floor and armchair type format, for one person, but long enough to allow the comfortable stretching of the whole body.

The armchair has a triangular shape, wider at the base and narrower towards the head, and is covered with a waterproof pillow, with a 10cm sponge layer and a resistant polyester exterior. The resistance structure is metallic, covered with a protective layer of paint that prevents corrosion and ensures the safe suspension of the armchair, so that you can benefit from the pleasant sensation of levitation created by these products. In addition, the design includes a roomy umbrella, also made of polyester, which protects your eyes from the sun.

Because assembly can be a little difficult, we recommend that you read the instructions carefully and test the product carefully before considering it stable enough for use.

Cradle kindergarten:

KBT Leagan For You

From the category of garden swing models for children, we offer you a classic and resistant version, with seat without backrest, plank type, wide and roomy, which offers the child the necessary support for safe swinging. It is a variant that requires anchoring at a height of no more than 240cm, the ropes allowing the adjustment of the dimensions up to 185cm, for easy adaptation to the targeted space.

The ropes are made of moisture and wear resistant polyester, and the seat is made of pine wood, with dimensions of 44 x 17.5cm. In addition, the product is provided with galvanized steel rings, which provide better support.

It is a swing designed for children over three years, without additional handles, backrest or seat belt, which can support a weight of up to 55kg. You can hang it either from the sturdy branches of a tree or from the ceiling of a terrace. We recommend that you treat the wood periodically, in order to prevent the penetration of moisture and the weakening of the material’s resistance over time.

KBT Leagan Baby Trix Orange

Do you want to arrange a playground suitable for the little one and are you looking for a children’s swing, for the garden, which will offer safety and comfort? Take a look at the Baby Trix Orange model, with a roomy seat and a teddy bear-shaped backrest. It is made of plastic, durable and easy to maintain, and because it is intended for children under 3 years, it includes additional safety features.

Thus, the polyester ropes are provided with handles that are easy to grip and hold, made of plastic, and in the front area you can fix an additional handle. Inside you will find a seat belt, which you can easily fasten around the child, so that you are sure that it does not rise during the swing. As it grows larger, you can gradually give up these accessories.

The product is built to support up to 45kg, and the chair has the dimensions of 39 x 30 x 38.5cm. Requires anchoring at a height of no more than 240cm, the ropes allowing the adjustment of the length in the range 185–240cm. It is easy to install, and for easy use it is recommended to place it at a maximum of 45 cm from the ground.

Garden swing, wooden:

Dohany 5997885503007

For those who want to buy a garden swing made of wood, for the little ones, which offers a little more safety features than the classic option, with a simple wooden seat and ropes, we have included this model in the product list. Unlike the classic formats, this constructive version includes side arms and wooden elements arranged in front and rear, which completely frame the child.

All the elements of the chair are made of resistant wood, the seat has an area of 38 x 38cm, and the suspension is provided by ropes. So you will need to anchor it from the ceiling, on a special stand or in the yard, from the branches of a sufficiently old tree.

It can support up to 40 kg and is designed for children over 3 years, who can maintain a stable sitting position without help and can hold their hands well. It lasts well over time, and the chair is painted multicolored for the pleasure of the little ones.

Rustic garden swing:

A&C 01

If you have created a relaxed and pleasant space, with traditional elements, layers of brightly colored flowers and fruit trees that provide shade, you may also like this rustic garden swing, with a simple format, made entirely of wood.

It has a robust design, with a resistant support structure, which can support a maximum weight of up to 300kg and allows easy placement on the ground, ensuring a very good stability. It belongs to the category of bench type models, with wooden seat and back. The space allows the placement of 2–3 people, but it is not provided with pillows, so if you need a soft support to sit on, you have to buy them separately.

The wood is painted white, with a clean and bright look, which you can easily integrate into the garden design. It is not provided with a canopy to provide shade, so it will best find its place under the trees or in the shelter of a pavilion or on the terrace.

Iron garden swing:

Garden Pleasure Leagan Rust

Do you like the idea of integrating a wrought iron garden swing model in the green space? If you already have outdoor furniture in this category or a yard decorated with stone statuettes, we offer you as an elegant and sophisticated addition the Rust version from Garden Pleasure.

The swing is made entirely of iron, with delicately developed floral details, both in the back of the bench and on the sides of the support system and in its upper area. As you have already noticed, it is a bench type format, with a width of 178cm and a depth of 90cm, which can easily accommodate three people.

The durable structure supports up to 250kg and has a height of 220cm, which is good to keep in mind if you want to place the product under trees or on the terrace. However, it does not include pillows or tarpaulins, aspects that you will have to solve separately. It also weighs 30kg, more than other versions, so choose your seat carefully so you don’t have to move it frequently.

Buying guide

The garden swing is essentially an outdoor furniture object with a suspended seat support, which allows front-back swinging. It is used for rest and relaxation and pleasantly completes the outdoor spaces.

The role of this guide is to provide you with enough relevant information about design, materials, dimensions, capacity and format, to be able to identify the best garden swing for your family.

Type of swing: It is important to remember that priorities differ when choosing a swing for adults, compared to the situation in which you are looking for a model for the little ones.

In the latter case, strange as it may seem, comfort is less important or is appreciated by other criteria. Children need a sturdy support, which often means a wooden rectangle, or in the case of the little ones, a kind of plastic chair, with backrest and handles. Few of them will require pillows or a soft substrate, but it is essential that the swing be equipped with strong and well-fixed chains or ropes. For those under 3 years old, belts or harnesses and a format with backrest and handles are mandatory.

If we talk about garden swings, at good prices, for adults, things change. We already take into account the number of people who can use it at the same time, whether the style matches the outdoor space or not, and the associated upholstery or pillows are on the list of items that can include or remove an option from the list of potential purchases.

Structure: The main types of material found in this range of products are synthetic rattan, wood, aluminum, stainless steel and wrought iron. Rattan is usually used to make the seat, back and awning (if applicable), in combination with a metal structure. It is light, resistant to moisture and UV action and reduces the price of the product quite a bit.

You will also find garden swings, cheap and good, made entirely of wood, or in combination with metal elements. The wood copes quite well with environmental factors, if it is treated correctly and carefully maintained. A good durability, at a reasonable price you will be able to obtain if you orient yourself towards fir, pine, alder and ash, the models from teak, cedar and cypress being a bit more expensive, but also more resistant due to the richer content in own oils. But avoid poplar and oak, because some species are more sensitive to moisture and rot.

Aluminum structures are durable and lightweight, but more expensive, while stainless steel alternatives are just as durable, but a little heavier, making it harder to move. Wrought iron is used both in the supporting structure and for making benches, being durable, heavy, quite expensive, but very pleasing to the eye, due to the ornamental details included in this type of swing .

Location: If you want to buy a garden swing, cheap and good, for the little one, you will definitely have to deal with a model that requires suspension. Some versions come with a bespoke stand, but most often it is a system that allows mounting on the branch of a tree or the ceiling of the pavilion or terrace.

Most adult variants include the support structure and can be easily placed on the ground, anywhere in the garden, although you will also find models without this element.

Format: In the category of adult versions you will find sofa swings, for 2 to 4 people, and armchair and shell style variants, designed for one person. There are swing models with a sofa structure that allow extension in the form of a bed and include a support system adapted to allow use in this situation as well. Also, some armchair-type versions are short, and allow use only in the seat, similar to shells, others are long enough to be able to lie down. The best garden swings, from this point of view, are the ones that fit the style of the users, so carefully weigh the formula that will be the most comfortable for you.

Safety: The first and most important element that determines safety is the observance of the maximum weight indicated by the manufacturer. So check this parameter carefully before buying. In the case of children’s models, we usually talk about a maximum of 50–55 kg, while adult products, for 3 people, can support up to 300 kg.

Also check the quality of the fasteners and the stability (in the case of those with the support structure). For children, the safety elements include backrest, side handles and seat belts, in the case of the little ones. Also, suspension systems with metal chain or polyester rope are more resistant to moisture than those made of thick hemp twine, but all require periodic inspection.

Accessories: Numerous opinions about the best garden swings recommend the versions provided with tarpaulin or umbrella. Some models are accompanied by pillows with sponge, for sitting and back. The best ones are the ones covered with rattan or polyurethane, if you choose a textile variant, make sure that it is waterproof and UV protected.

Frequent questions

How to build a garden swing?

If you want to build a wooden garden swing, you need four 2.4m long poles, cut at the top at an angle of 25 degrees and at the bottom at an angle of 15 degrees. It is joined two by two, in the shape of an A, by fixing with two horizontal elements also made of wood, one near the top and the second in the middle of the distance between it and the ground.

The two sides of the support are then joined at the top, through a 2.4m long beam. The beam is fixed with a board placed diagonally, which rests on the upper horizontal element, used for fixing the legs. After these steps, the frame is ready and all you have to do is catch the bench with it, with strong chains.

What are the dimensions of a garden swing, depending on the number of seats?

In order for a person to sit comfortably in a garden swing or swing, he needs a width of at least 50cm, which means that two-person models must be at least 1m wide, and those of 3 must exceed 1.5m. m.

How do we protect the garden swing from the weather?

There are two types of protection. The one provided during use involves the renewal of the paint layer whenever necessary, when its deterioration is observed, in the case of metal versions, and annually, with anti-mold treatment, for wood. The second set of measures is related to the storage of the product and involves the use of a protective cover during the period when the swing is left outside (during the night, when it rains, etc.), but also in the garage or anywhere you decide to place it in winter. (if you have where).

Can I make a garden swing mattress at home?

Of course. All you need is a sponge and a textile material to match the surface you want to cover.

Ideas for building a garden swing

If you have not been able to find a garden swing, at a good price, that matches what you need, or you have decided that it is easier to improvise one yourself, you will definitely be interested in the ideas below. With some materials and tools you can get an ingenious and safe model, both for children and adults.

Rubber swing

If you have an old car tire in the garage, you can use it to get a swing for the little ones. You need a durable rope and we recommend that you look in stores for a version whose breaking point you can definitely know, in order to know clearly what weight it can support. If you want to hang it from the branch of a tree, insert the support portion on the branch in an old bicycle room to protect the tree. There are several options for gripping the rope wheel, so we recommend that you use a detailed tutorial for this and other useful details.

Use pallets

Do you want a wooden swing for the garden , but you don’t have the right planks at hand? Find a pallet of the right size and use it as a seat support. Use a drill to make 4–6 holes in the two rows of overlapping planks, which define two of the sides. Insert equal rope segments, through sets of two holes, and use strong knots to form support loops. Join the loops on each side and fasten them to the ropes you will use to suspend the tree swing.

Textile variant

For those who just want a soft and comfortable space in which to squat after a day of work, there is also the version of the textile swing. For such a project you need a durable material (we recommend jute), a thick rope that can support a weight a few tens of kilograms over yours (you do not know who sits) and a mop tail, made of wood , which ensures a suitable width for sitting, preventing the material from tightening over you. The realization process is simple, and you can find it in detail on the Internet.

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4 DIY garden swing ideas

From an old tire you can make a garden swing. Make three holes at equal distances, fix a U-shaped screw, and then fasten the steel chains with a link, made of the same material. If you want a bigger swing, you can make one from the pallet. You need a drill, a string and a little skill to make sailor knots. At the end, secure everything with a steel link and fix it in an upright position, attached to the branch.

Are you thinking of arranging your garden with little money? Then, here are some ideas for handmade swings, easy to make, that can be to your taste.

Turn tires into swings

Above all. you have to decide how you want to place the tire, vertically or horizontally. Those in the first category have a single point of attachment and require less time to complete.

The one positioned horizontally has three attachment points, in order to maintain the shape of the tire. In addition to rubber, you will need four pieces of steel chain (for horizontal ones) or one (for vertical ones), a drill, swivel hooks and U-shaped steel screws.

After washing it well, make a few holes in the bottom to make it easier for water to drain when it rains. Then, position the tire on a flat surface, establish the center of the tire and mark a point at the top, at relatively equal distances, on the sides. Using a drill, make holes in the marked points.

After that, measure the distance from the hole made and mark the right point for fixing the U-shaped hook. After fixing these metal elements, using nuts, fasten the steel chains to the tire, using a hook of the same material, with locking system . Then fix them to the main rope, previously fixed to the tree.

The wooden swing — an easy option to make

Before you get to work, make sure you have all the materials you need around. In addition to the wooden board, you also need a rope, sandpaper, string, screws and two U-shaped steel links.

Using a saw, cut the board to the right size. Make two pieces of the same size. Make sure they are wide enough to provide comfort during your stay.

Then sand the entire surface, using a fine sandpaper. Through this process you will remove the fine chips, but also the small unevenness. After that, glue the two boards on top of each other, using wood glue.

If you do not have such a product, you can also use screws, but there is a risk that when you sit down to hang your clothes. The next step involves making holes for the rope. They are made at a relatively equal distance from the edge and must be wide enough to allow it to pass.

Then, put one end of the string in one corner and the other in the hole on the width of the board. Secure the string with knots. Make sure they are tight enough and there is no risk of them falling apart due to weight.

At the end, with the help of some steel links, catch the swing of the rope that you caught on the tree. Before sitting down, check that the swing is straight, positioning a level on its surface. If it is tilted, adjust the position by adjusting the knots next to the links.

Turn the chair into a swing

If you have a chair with a wooden back, which you can no longer find its place, you can reinvent it, turning it into a swing. The first step in this change involves cutting your legs.

Using a saw, cut them as close to the seat as possible. After that, make holes at all four corners with a drill. To restore the beauty of the wood, rub the entire surface with sandpaper.

Then apply paint or varnish, depending on your preferences. For the result to be more durable, you may need to apply the content in two layers. After completion of application, allow the chair to dry, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, on the varnish / paint packaging.

The last step involves fixing the rope and positioning the swing. One end of the string is fixed in a hole, with the help of a knot, and the second end, in the hole located parallel, so that the two strings are placed on either side of the seat, like arms. Then they are attached to the main rope, with the help of steel links.

Do you have an old pallet? Turn it into a swing

If you want to make a garden swing with a generous surface, use a pallet. Before starting the construction of the swing, choose a pallet that looks more neat, because over time the wood will deteriorate. Then clean the entire surface, using sandpaper.

In this way you will be able to remove the chips and at the same time you will bring back to life the whole object. After you have completed this process, you can apply a protective varnish or paint, depending on your own preferences.

Then, place it on a flat surface and make six holes in the sides, both in the top and in the bottom board. Make sure that the two holes are located parallel and at a relatively equal distance. After that, take the string and pass it through each hole, starting from the bottom up, and at the end make a knot to provide safety. Do the same on the other side of the swing.

The next step involves fixing the pallet. Pull on each loop of the string, until the knots get glued to the bottom board. Then secure them, using a steel link and repeat the operation on the opposite side.

At the end, catch the string that is fixed to the tree branch. For extra comfort, put a pillow on the surface of the pallet.

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