Escaping to a backyard hammock is a special treat. But without sturdy, hang worthy trees, your options are fairly limited. If you're the DIY type, you may be interested in this guide to building a simple pergola that can safely support your hammock-and look good doing it.
Step 1: Placement
The foundation of this project rests upon two 10 ft 4x4 wooden posts. Your hammock will hang between these posts, so keep that in mind as you consider where to begin this project. We chose an area near enough tree line of our yard to enjoy ample shade in the late afternoon and evening. Additionally, consider the view you'll have from the hammock when laying down.
Step 2: Prepping the pergola frame
Fit the top edge of both the 4x4 and each 2x6 flush, and allow the 2x6 cross pieces six inches of horizontal overhang beyond each 4x4. Make sure the 2x6's are square with the 4x4's before any holes are drilled. Mount these 2x6 pieces with two six inch hex bolts per side. We'll pre-drill the holes for these boots to pass through at two points at upper and lower center of the 2x6. They'll be cinched off on the other end of both 2x6 and intervening 4x4 with a hex nut. Tighten these until secure with a wrench or ratchet.
Step 3: Mounting the frame in the ground
With holes dug and cross pieces firmly attached, we're ready to begin mounting the 4x4's in the ground. Use a level on top of the middle of one of the 2x6 cross pieces first to ensure that the bottom of your holes are either level, or properly compensate for land on a slight or severe grade. You'll want the level to be showing dead center on those cross pieces to ensure a straight and neat looking finished product. The inside corners should be 90 degrees at four points. Where the 4x4's meet the 2x6's, and where the 4x4's enter the ground. You'll also want to use the level to ensure that both 4x4's are pointing straight up out of the ground.
Step 4: Add a decorative cut to your 2x6 boards
Your concrete has set. The pergola 4x4's are vertically level, and the 2x6's, horizontally level. They meet at 90 degree angles on either side of your pergola hammock stand. Now it's time to begin the carpentry work that will give your pergola hammock stand it's aesthetic appeal.
Step 5: Attaching the 2x4 cross pieces
The next pieces of lumber we'll be working with are the 3 ft lengths of 2x4 board. We'll need to cut out three 12 ft long 2x4's into sixteen 3 ft sections. We'll measure and mark these intervals before doing any cutting. This is a lot of cutting, and if you decide tondo this yourself instead of having it done at the hardware store, take occasional breaks, and don't try to cut every board in one go. Fatigue makes imperfect cuts, and you'll want these sections to be as uniform as possible.
Step 6: Fitting the final top beams
The final six 2x3 boards we'll be using sit atop the 2x4 pieces in pairs along three rows. These are 2x3 boards 8 ft in length, so we'll need to use two end to end in order to reach reach perpendicularly placed 2x4 board. In addition to providing shade, these boards help to stabilize the entire structure.
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