How to add rope to swing bed chains, it’s easier than you think!
We are thoroughly enjoying our swing bed and entire patio this summer and adding rope to the swing bed chains was one of the best things I did to finish it off. You see, I had my eye on a swing bed for several years before i actually got my own. Thanks to my sweet husband, Mark, he made my swing bed dreams come true when he bought this one for me last year for Christmas and surprised the heck out of me.
One of the first swing beds I saw that had rope on the chains was this one from the Southern Living Idea house in Nashville, TN that I visited back in 2013 for a blog event. This one is hung looser than what I did, but it’s definitely open to interpretation in how you want your swing to look. I like this method, but ended up making mine tighter and closer together.
Pin for later!
Here’s my finished swing, so I’ll walk you through how I did it.
Be sure to measure your chain to see how much you need to cover it. If I had done more the more loose method it probably wouldn’t have taken as much rope.
Here’s the 50′ rope I got from Amazon. It was perfect for my swing and I had just enough for all 4 chains. I figured this would be enough for my swing and it was. I unrolled the rope, found the middle of it by folding it over and then cut it right in the middle. Then I folded those 2 pieces of rope over and found the middle of those 2 pieces and cut them, so I had 4 pieces of rope approximately the same length. This rope has 3 strands woven together, so I took the first piece and starting at the top of one of my chains I opened up the strands and began tying it off to the top of the chain and the big hook that’s in the ceiling.
You can see that in the above picture. I simply tied it off and then started winding the rope down and around the chain, making it about the same space between each twist so it looked uniform going down the chain. Again, you can make it looser if you want. My goal was to make it look like the rope was hanging it up and not just the chain. The rope does nothing but hide the chain and make it look better.
I simply wound each piece of rope down the chain to the bottom and then tied off the bottom piece the same way I did the top, with the 3 strands unwoven so that I could tie them on the chain and hook at the bottom.
One by one I covered each chain until I was finished and the whole thing took me less than an hour to do.
Here’s a look at the bottom of the rope and chain. Once I took apart the 3 strands of the rope a little bit to tie it off, it forms sort of a tassel at the bottom. It’s very casual and stays in place just fine.
So that’s how I added rope to my chain for my swing bed. I love the look and it really finishes it all off so well.
I like your tight winding method best as the rope shows up better and looks neater. As I’ve said before, this porch is a masterpiece of comfort and beauty.
Thanks Doreen, I like my method too, it is just the finishing touch.
Love the swing! On another note… I know you and Mark love bruschetta so check out the bruschetta pizza on The Kitchen blog. It looks like something y’all would like.
,
Thanks Ginger, we sure do love it!
Perfect touch to the swing! Always enjoy seeing what you and Mark have been up to around your home. My hubby and I enjoy working on home projects as well. Your home is so nice and welcoming.
Thank you, Karen, we enjoy making things better.
I’m just curious. How far away from the wall is the swing as it looks like it would hit the wall if you were swinging? The ropes added a lot. Lovely space.
Hi, Toni, it’s at least 12-15″ away from the wall. It can gently swing in either direction, front to back or side to side and I swing often.
This is the most STUNNING PORCH SWING that I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Sandee, we sure love it here!
I love this space! The rope was a great addition to the swing : )
Thank you!
Your swing looks so beautiful! Glad you are still enjoying it. The rope really adds a nice touch!
Thank you, Sarah, your team did such a great job with the cushions, so loving it all!
Green with envy over your below deck porch! You have some really useable ideas on your blog – and I have copied several. My husband took a cue from Mark’s lattice work on the side of your downstairs porch and built lattice under the new steps going up to our deck – mainly to be a backdrop for a small flower garden spot, and to hide all the uglies that lurk in the space under the deck. Keep up the good work. On an another note: how is your dad this summer? Was he up to planting a small garden spot? Love hearing about your parents.
Hi, Becky, I’m so glad you’ve gotten ideas from us, that makes me happy that we share good stuff. I just did an update about family, so hopefully you saw that. He did plant a small garden of tomatoes only. If you missed that post last week, be sure and see it. I showed the tomatoes and my first tomato sandwich.
Ooops… did not see the post last week (too much time at the office). I did go back and catch up. Looks like you are having an enjoyable summer with the family. Thanks for the update and photos.
Great, Becky, glad you saw it!
Beautiful. Love the rope idea. I have a large white vinyl clad swing arbor in my yard we installed last year. I have a wood swing from about 23 years ago that I’m looking to replace. Now that I see swing beds, I think I like the idea better.
Mine will be out in the elements all year here in Pennsylvania where we get snow.
How do you think the rope will hold up? I already have Suncast storage deck boxes to store cushions when not in use.
Mine won’t have 4 ropes, but 2 like the chains that are on there now.
How is your white paint holding up? I have the option of paint or stain and not sure which I will choose yet 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration and suggestions
HI, Ruth, I still love my swing bed. It’s under the cover of the deck so it’s holding up fine. I’m not sure which would hold up better out in the elements, but stain might be better. I think the rope would probably last a long time even outside.
Can u share where you got your swing?
Hi, Dana, yes Mark got it for me from this company:
http://www.hangingporchbeds.com/
I love this! I would love to have a swing on my porch.
Do you have the link to where you got the rope and what size?
Hi, yes I just updated that post. The Amazon picture links were discontinued and I added text. Here you go:https://amzn.to/49qwgmw