Hammock Solutions for the Urban Home
, 10 09th, 2009
For those lucky enough to have a backyard filled with trees, the process of hanging a hammock is a virtual no-brainer. Just find a pair of tall, sturdy specimens that stand about 15 feet apart and attach the chain to each. Use more chain for wider distances and less chain if the trees are separated by less than 14 feet. Many urban dwellers would be happy to have this problem, as they might lack trees in their yard entirely.
Unless you feel like putting posts in the ground or attaching the hammock to parts of the exterior of your home, you’ll need an arc hammock stand. This portable apparatus represents the best alternative to a hanging hammock; it sets up easily and automatically adjusts to the proper tension. If you don’t feel like fussing around with a hanging hammock, a portable stand is the only sensible solution.
Laying Down the Rules of Backyard Safety
, 09 25th, 2009
Hammocks are a symbol of relaxation and luxury, and there’s no better place to chill out for a few minutes on a hot day. Fathers and mothers can unwind in a hammock after a long day at work, and kids can rest their heads on a hammock pillow, swinging gently and staring up at the clouds. It’s vital that parents warn their kids about the dangers of horseplay on a hammock, as injury could result.
Be sure to set up the hammock far away from dangerous drops such as the edge of a pool or the downward slope of a hill. Kids waking up from a nap could easily hurt themselves trying to exit the hammock in a disoriented state. Also discourage children from jumping on and off the hammock, as their limbs could get caught in the netting. Backyard safety parameters should be set at the beginning of the season and reinforced as necessary.
Relaxing by the Pool
, 09 07th, 2009
For the average worker, any chance to relax is welcomed with open arms. Long hours and stressful deadlines have a way of preventing us from enjoying those simple moments of respite as often as we perhaps should. Not everyone has hours of excess time to lounge by the pool, but even just a bit of relaxation time here and there makes a huge difference.
Still, there’s just something natural about the pairing of hammock and pool. A quilted hammock can be set up poolside in a manner of minutes, and there’s no need to worry about the fabric getting wet. Moisture beads off the surface almost instantaneously, allowing you to recline on a dry, cozy hammock for as long as possible. At some point, a real-life issue will bring you back to earth; don’t waste your chance to relax.
Bringing the Family Together
, 08 24th, 2009![]()
Earlier this summer, I noticed that my family had been growing gradually apart. This wasn’t intentional on any of our parts – I make a concerted effort to eat dinner with my wife and two daughters every night, and we try to catch up on each other’s lives. But I recognized that it was time to strengthen our familial bond with a camping trip.
Knowing that my daughters would be somewhat averse to the idea of sleeping on the ground, I invested in a couple of hammock beds. As it turned out, they both developed a new appreciation for the night sky after lying for hours beneath the stars. I taught them both how to fish, and we had a rollicking good time telling stories in front of the campfire.
Cleaning and Maintaining Hammocks
, 08 10th, 2009
Hammocks need proper care in order to retain their support and color throughout the seasons. Hammocks are best left out in the warmer weather, and then brought in and placed in a garage or shed during the autumn and winter months. If a hammock or hammock pad is allowed to endure the elements outside, there is a good chance it will be wrecked at a later date. In order to clean a hammock, it’s a good idea to just bleach it in a little bit of water and bleach. This is of course just for the standard string hammocks. For hammocks with color, use an old washcloth and some soap to rub out stains and grit from remaining outside. Make sure to clean hammocks and hammock pads each summer before putting them away.
Hammock stands can also rust if left out in the rain and snow, so it’s a good to store these in the same area as the hammock or hammock pad. It’s also a good idea to wipe down the hammock stand and ensure no critters are living inside it before storage.
Summertime is for Hammocks!
, 07 27th, 2009
Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than lounging in the shade supported by the weight of a hammock. There’s no time of the year quite like summer for hammock relaxation, and there are a lot of clever ways to set up a hammock even if there aren’t two trees in close proximity. For some people, a hammock stand is a great option, though these stands can be expensive. Instead, look around the area for any two objects that are in close proximity. These objects could include: a tree and a fence post, two deck posts, a basketball hoop and a tree, etc. Just look around for two objects that could support cotton hammocks between them, and you’ll have a great place for relaxation.
Planting a future location for a hammock is also a great activity for kids. Take two saplings, and plant them perpendicular to each other, then watch them grow over the years, and eventually, you’ll have two great hammock trees!
Hang In There for Summer Fun
, 07 13th, 2009
When most people think of hammocks, they understandably think of a great spot to lie down and relax. Whether it’s below decks on an ocean vessel or on the sandy shores of Hawaii, people take advantage of the rustic luxury afforded by a hammock. However, hammock culture doesn’t necessarily have to be so passive.
Creative spins on the traditional hammock abound, and the hanging hammock chair is just one example. It retains the aura of relaxation while encouraging conversation with others. Alternately, these chairs make for some of the most comfortable places to read a trashy summer novel. While alone or hanging out with friends, a hanging hammock chair represents the ultimate in leisurely enjoyment.
Hammocks Are Off the Chain
, 06 29th, 2009
A humid summer morning spent mowing the lawn can leave some homeowners drained. In these situations, nothing short of a quick nap will do. Time to head to the backyard, climb onto the hammock and place your arms behind your head in quiet satisfaction. Suddenly, a snapped hammock chain interrupts your doze and brings you all too literally back down to earth.
Thankfully, there are solutions that don’t involve shelling out extra cash for a brand-new hammock. As with most household products, parts wear out at varying times. Restoring that early afternoon slumber could be as simple as finding a tree-hook, a chain or other hammock accessories.
Hammocks After Summer Passes
, 06 10th, 2009
One of the major advantages to hammocks is that practically everyone can enjoy them. Regardless of your height, weight, or size, you will be able to comfortably and leisurely enjoy a swing, a rest, or a nap. And one of the best ways to enjoy these hammocks is by coupling them with the fresh air and warm breeze of the outside. To that end, outdoor hammocks are one of the best ways to relax and unwind on a spring or summer day.
But what should people do about their outdoor hammocks in the fall and winter? During these rainy months, after all, the hammock is sure to be neglected. If you want to ensure that the hammock lasts its longest, it is advisable to take it down during the months that you’re not going to use it. This will stem some of the damage that it could incur in bad weather. And because they are easy to set up, take down, and reassemble, it’s no big deal to dig it out of the garage if you experience an abnormally nice fall day and want to take a swing.
The Best Way to Stargaze
, 05 27th, 2009
As it nears the summer, it gets closer and closer to that time of the year where the sky is ablaze with falling stars. Depending on your location, the peak typically hits around August, but they can start occurring much earlier than that. But it can be downright difficult to get a view of these stars for several basic reasons. One, many of us live in the city, and because of this, there is simply too much light pollution to get any kind of view of the night sky.
And two, even if you are in a place that’s remote enough to enjoy the stars, it can be a big (literal) pain in the neck. After all, craning our necks backwards for long periods of time can understandably be uncomfortable. That’s why you want something like hammock chairs for your back deck. Allowing you to easily and comfortably rest your head backwards, you’ll be able to view the night sky for hours without any lasting pain the following morning.