Back in October we wrote about our plans to add a hanging daybed to the covered part of our front porch, and our family couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s finally finished.
Hanging daybeds are everywhere around here, and we’ve always loved the idea of one. What’s better than an afternoon nap or a good book outdoors on a lazy Saturday?
An Airbnb we stayed at in Costa Rica last January had a hanging daybed that cemented the idea for us. Sherry and our daughter spent hours there leaning on the sides, stretching their legs toward each other, reading, chatting and swaying gently.
When we looked at our front porch it felt like a no-brainer: it’s covered to protect from rain and harsh sun, has sturdy exposed beams for hanging, and even has a ceiling fan to keep things cool.
The only constraint was depth. Our porch didn’t easily accommodate a full twin-mattress-sized daybed without blocking the path to the outdoor shower and restricting space near a wicker bin where we load beach chairs. We wanted the daybed to be comfortable but not intrusive.
We found a cushion that’s three inches shorter than a twin (six feet long) and about 10 inches shallower, which worked perfectly. At nearly 30 inches deep it matches a typical sofa cushion depth and is very comfortable, while still leaving enough clearance to move through the porch and access the shower and storage bin.
The nearby egg chair swivels so anyone sitting in it can face the daybed. But back to cushions: finding the right outdoor-ready cushion was the key to making this project practical and low-maintenance.
Finding An Outdoor Daybed Cushion
Even with a cover, an indoor mattress isn’t ideal for porch use unless it’s wrapped in waterproof materials. Some people zip a twin mattress into a waterproof cover and sew or buy an outdoor fabric cover. We considered that, or a custom mildew-resistant foam insert, but custom solutions were getting expensive and bulky.
Instead we searched for an existing outdoor sofa cushion that matched our dimensions. That way the cushion would be made for outdoor conditions, lightweight, ready to ship, and less expensive than a fully custom mattress solution. After hunting around we found a replacement cushion designed for the Pottery Barn Cammeray Outdoor Sofa that fit our spot well in size, color, and material.
We ordered the bottom cushion and three large back pillows during an end-of-summer sale for $399. Although they were back-ordered and took longer than expected to arrive, they’ve been worth it: lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to clean after rain or the inevitable kid spills.
Materials
Besides the cushion, here’s what we used to build the hanging daybed. Quantities match our cushion size (28″ x 72″); adjust if you use a standard twin mattress (38″ x 75″). If you plan to stain instead of paint, don’t buy pre-primed boards.
- Three 8′ long 2×4 boards (frame)
- Four 8′ long 1×4 boards (slats)
- Three 8′ long 1×8 primed boards
- Three 8′ long 1×4 primed boards
- Two 8′ long 1×3 primed boards
- Three 8′ long 1×2 primed boards
- Box of 2″ exterior screws
- Exterior-grade wood glue
- Four 5-gallon buckets
- Eight screw eye hooks (ceiling + bed)
- 3/4″ natural hemp rope (we used 48′ length)
- Outdoor-rated paint and primer (we used semi-gloss exterior)
Building The Daybed Platform
I was nervous at first, but building the platform was straightforward. We combined our experience building bunk beds with a clear tutorial we adapted. The structural core is a simple 2×4 frame cut to the cushion size and fastened with outdoor screws — this supports the cushion and is where the hanging hardware connects.
To give the base a more finished look, we wrapped the frame with 1×8 boards (you can choose thicker or thinner). Because we painted the daybed, primed boards saved time. We planned the lip depth carefully so the cushion would sit securely without making the edge uncomfortable to sit on. We propped the 2×4 frame on scrap wood while testing the height before attaching the outer boards.
After screwing the 1x8s from the inside to avoid visible holes, we added the platform slats using 1×4 boards cut to size. The next day we primed and painted every exposed surface with the same exterior paint we use on our trim (Sherwin-Williams Moderne White, semi-gloss) to help protect the wood from the elements.
We propped the frame on 5-gallon buckets during assembly — they kept the platform level and made some installation steps easier.
Building The Daybed Arms
We chose a look that echoes the horizontal railings elsewhere on our house. We skipped a back rail intentionally; we wanted people to face outward toward the yard rather than turn toward the house. It’s an easy feature to add later if we change our minds.
Start by building corner posts from two 1x4s joined at a right angle, then attach horizontal rails. Our corner posts are 17.25″ tall so the arms are low enough to support leaning pillows without overwhelming the profile. We used exterior wood glue plus brad nails for speed and strength, attaching trim pieces and rails from the inside where possible.
We added a flat top armrest and a decorative 1×2 trim along the bottom edge between posts. After construction we filled holes, sanded, caulked seams, and painted everything the same exterior white.
With paint dry, we were ready to hang it.
Hanging The Outdoor Daybed
We tried a couple of hanging methods — initially two-point suspension, and later a four-point setup — and found the four-point method to be superior. We’ll share a separate detailed post and video that walks through what worked best so you don’t repeat our trial-and-error.
Materials we used to hang the bed: 3/4″ natural hemp rope, heavy-duty eye hooks in the ceiling and the bed, and simple knots. The rope cuts easily with scissors and will relax slightly under load; the buckets used during installation help keep the platform level while you adjust and tie your knots. The important safety note is to find and secure your hardware to ceiling joists or other strong anchor points you trust.
Although the hanging method shown in some photos wasn’t our final approach, the finished placement is now one of our favorite spots to relax. We’ve been taking advantage of the warm days to read, nap, and lounge out here.
With the six-foot cushion, two people can sit upright at either end with legs tucked or stretched out, and it’s even long enough for a six-foot-tall adult to sprawl across comfortably.
Budget
Aside from the cushion, the build was economical. The cushion and pillows were a great find at $399 for the set. Our costs for the frame, hardware, and hanging supplies were modest.
- Wood: $150
- Buckets: $14
- Eye hooks: $25
- Rope: $28
- TOTAL: $217
Add the cushion set for $399 and the grand total comes to $616. That’s far less than many custom hanging daybeds, which can run $1,000–$2,400, making this a cost-effective DIY alternative that looks and functions great.
We’ll post a follow-up with step-by-step hanging instructions and a video showing what worked best (and the mistakes to avoid). If you want to browse more of our building projects and furniture upgrades, check our archive dedicated to those projects or the updates for this house in the last several months.
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