How can I convert this chair into a porch swing?

Margie
by Margie

This beautiful patio chair broke and it is still in good condition; it's partner is almost ready to break too, I'm thinking I wanna make a pair of swing chairs out of them and hang them in my back patio; any ideas? I also have the love seat to match, should I make them all into swing chairs to keep the set looking the same? I have plenty of space in the patio beams to hang all 3. (see pictures)Or any other ideas on how to just fix the legs to keep using as regular chairs? Keep in mind that the inside of the leg is probably rusted all the way through.Thanks.

  5 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 20, 2019

    What exactly is broken on the chair?

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Nov 20, 2019

    If the leg supports have rusted all the way through, I would be concerned about the safety of using the chair as a swing. Perhaps look at other swings and incorporate their use of new lumber along with just the arms and back of the chair for "decor" on the wood structure?

  • Suzanne L Suzanne L on Nov 23, 2019

    I’d make a wood bottom Out of 3/4” exterior plywood the size of the bottom plus the over lap of each arm (the entire width) and add about a foot. Then paint it to match if necessary add a cross brace under the seat to bring the chair bottom down so it is flat . Glue the seat to the brace to the plywood then screw through each side of tHe whicker into the brace and from underneath from the bottom to the brace. Drill 2 holes into the bottom board on each side. Touch up paint if needed. Anchor strong screw eyes into the rafters running rope through the back left hole with the end knotted well up through the Screw eye back down to the front hole across the seat bottom up through the right front bottom hole back down the right back hole and knot or secure it well underneath . It sounds complicated but is really simple. You will end up with a rope triangle on both ends and the same rope across the bottom under the front two holes. The continuous rope should make it stronger as long as the rope is the correct weight and the back rope ends are secure. You could add big washers between the knots and the bottom board if you choose to add more strength. Some rope stretches so selecting the rope at a marine store or good hardware store would be best. I would choose a rope rated for at least twice the weight of whoever might sit in it even though the wait would be divided over the base! I have ten grandkids and grew up when twenty people would try to fit into a Volkswagen bug.lol

  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Nov 23, 2019

    Betsy is spot on. You need to brace the chair using 2X4 all around/front, back and sides. Then either pass the chain under chair on sides or attach heavy duty hooks(similar to cup hooks) to attach chain. Then run both ends of chains to a heavy duty hooks in ceiling beams and attach chains to that. Keep in mind that the chairs will be supporting 100+ pounds. Look for hooks that have a long screw shank. By using longer piece of chain you can adjust height and angle of swings. If you have extra heavy guest you may have to ask them not to sit in swings and keep an eye on any kids that sit in them.


  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 06, 2023

    Hi Margie, hope this helps you out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1fAN7VjK4c