Re-purposed Chair Swing

Do you have a chair that is just sitting there unused? Do you wish you had a swing in the shade on a sunny day? If you answered yes to either of these questions, I have a simple project for you! Learn how to easily turn your chair into a comfortable swing.

Any chair, new or old, will do. Preferably a chair that you do not mind cutting the legs off of, for that is the first step. You are also going to want to prep the chair by sanding all surfaces to rough-up any existing paint or stain. This will allow your new paint to adhere better.

This is the most difficult step and yet it is still simple. All you have to do is cut 2 boards on the miter saw about 4 inches longer than the seat of your chair. *I added a 45 degree angle for aesthetic purposes* Next, on both ends of the boards you need to make holes for the rope on the drill press. To make the knots less visible from the bottom, I used a Forster Bit to allow the holes to sink in. The holes were then drilled in the center. Before attaching, I measured to make sure the runners were centered on the bottom and square with each other. I mounded them over the holes of the existing legs to make sure the weight would be distributed evenly. To hold them in place and make the chair sturdy, I first glued them down with waterproof wood glue, then used a nail gun and 2" nails to secure.

Choose the spray paint color of your choice (you can use regular paint instead, but spray makes it easier to cover the spindles evenly) For easy access to all angles of the chair, I hung it from a tree branch. Make sure to do this on a day when it is not windy!

The last step is to hang it. You can either use rope (strong enough to hold your weight) or chain for a long lasting hold. All you have to do is find a tree branch with a diameter sufficient to hold. When hanging, make sure the seat stays level and you will be good to swing!