Outdoor Hammock Ideas

Nap Spot

• One idea for hanging your hammock outside is making it into a nap spot. In this case, hang the hammock in dappled sunlight and away from noise. Dappled sunlight shouldn't be too hard to find, since outside hammocks are often hung from trees that allow sunlight to filter through. You may need to hang the hammock on the far side of your yard, though, away from household sounds, if you want to get a good snooze. If you have a portable hammock, setting it up in a park or nature preserve for the afternoon can provide a stress-free spot for a nap.

Romantic Getaway

• Many hammocks are build to fit two people comfortably, in particular, cloth hammocks that have wooden beams holding them open. To plan your romantic hammock getaway, plant flowers around the hammock or install a fountain nearby. You can hang the hammock near a willow or other draping tree that creates a shield between your getaway and the rest of the world. Make sure you are not visible from the road to ensure that smooching is an option--hammocks tend to put any two loungers in intimate contact with one another.

Social Center

• Make your outdoor hammock the hub of outdoor socializing in the spring, summer and autumn by hanging it near lawn chairs or a picnic table. This way, one or two people can lounge in the hammock while others sit nearby. If the hammock is near a grill or kitchen, it is guaranteed to be a seat of choice as the food is cooked and enjoyed.

Play Area

• If a hammock is hung near a house or campsite, let children turn it into a play area. They can flip each other around in net-style hammocks or allow their imaginations to roam in a round of hammock-inspired make believe. Meanwhile, adults will be nearby to supervise play. Be sure to hang the hammock low to the ground for children, so that they can easily access it and so that any spills will be minor.