Furniture styles that combine retro materials and curvy shapes are one of this year’s biggest trends, and perhaps no piece encapsulates this better than the hanging chair. Typically oval-shaped and suspended from the ceiling, these funky chairs are making their way into homes across social media and magazines alike. On Instagram alone, the hashtag #hangingchair results in nearly 70,000 uses of the furniture piece.
Commonly made from rattan, hanging chairs have a unique shape that might remind you of another retro trend: the egg chair that was popular throughout the midcentury period. The peacock chair of the 1960s and ’70s, with its woven construction and cocoon-like form, also bears a resemblance. Whatever the historical significance, it’s clear that these chairs are back in a big way.
Hanging chairs work especially well in a four-season room or on a patio, where the breeze can give the furniture a gentle sway. The chairs are also frequently spotted in bohemian-style living rooms, where rattan and wicker are plenty. In a living room, top a hanging chair with a plush pillow and an ultra-soft throw blanket to create a cozy corner for reading or relaxing.
In kids’ rooms, hanging chairs provide the perfect place to curl up after school. Hang one near your child’s bookshelf for a fun reading nook.
When it comes to design, hanging chairs come in a variety of styles and materials outside the classic rattan model. If you love lounging in a hammock, consider a hanging chair made of macramé. If you lean more toward a contemporary aesthetic, a glass bubble chair might be a better fit. Select the style that best suits your space, then use these must-know tips for hanging.
Before you buy a hanging chair, prepare an installation plan to ensure you can hang it safely. The hardware must be secured into a ceiling joist for proper support. Always follow the instructions provided by the chair’s manufacturer, and refer to the instructions below as an additional resource. Some chairs come with their own hanging hardware, or you can purchase the necessary elements separately.
If you don’t want to put holes in your ceiling or don’t have a sturdy surface, you can find hanging chairs with a stand-alone base, similar to a hammock. This is an excellent option for an apartment or outdoor room that might lack a joist.
What You Need
- Stud finder
- Pencil
- Drill
- Screw eye
- Two heavy-duty chain links or locking carabiners
- Galvanized metal chain or heavy-duty rope
- Hanging chair
Step 1: Locate a joist and mark the desired hanging location.
Use a stud finder to locate a ceiling joist in your desired location. For the most secure hold, you’ll want to hang the chair from the center of the joist. Lightly mark both sides of the joist, then make a third mark in the middle to denote the center point. Ensure the chair has plenty of space on all sides to avoid hitting a wall or another obstacle once it is hung.
Step 2: Install screw eye into the ceiling joist.
Drill a pilot hole into your center mark on the ceiling. Twist a screw eye into the hole, tightening it fully into the joist. Use a screw eye with a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds to ensure it can support your weight.
Step 3: Attach the chain or rope.
Hook a heavy-duty chain link or a locking carabiner around the screw eye. Loop the end of a pre-measured galvanized chain onto the link and screw the connection shut. You can also use a heavy-duty rope with loops tied at both ends. Make sure your rope is rated for at least 300 pounds of weight and tied securely.
Step 4: Hang the chair from the chain.
Connect the second chain link to the other end of the galvanized chain. Loop the chair’s attachment ring onto the link and screw the connection shut. Allow the chair to hang freely, then check its height. If needed, adjust the chair’s height by attaching it to a higher link on the chain.
Post time: Feb-19-2022
