Most people who want a hammock chair talk themselves out of it before they even start shopping. The reason is almost always the same: "I don't know how to hang it."
It's a fair concern. You're putting your body weight on a single point in your ceiling. Get it wrong, and you've got a hole in the drywall and a bruised tailbone. But here's the thing: hanging a hammock chair is a straightforward job if you hit a ceiling joist. You don't need to be handy. You just need a stud finder, a drill, and about 15 minutes.
This guide walks through the full process, from finding the right spot to your first sit.
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather your hardware. Most of this you probably already own or can pick up at any hardware store for under $20.
Tools:
- Stud finder (electronic ones are about $15 at Home Depot)
- Drill with a 3/16" drill bit
- Wrench or pliers
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
Hardware:
- Heavy-duty ceiling hook or eye bolt (rated for at least 300 lbs)
- Ceiling plate or mounting bracket (optional, but cleaner look)
- Carabiner or S-hook (for connecting the chair to the mount)
One note on weight ratings: buy hardware rated for at least double the weight of the person using the chair. A 150 lb person generates significantly more force when they sit down and swing than their static body weight. Aim for 300 lbs minimum on every component in the chain.
Step 1: Find Your Ceiling Joist
This is the most important step. Everything depends on it.
Drywall alone cannot hold a hammock chair. Not even close. It'll rip out within minutes. You need to screw directly into a ceiling joist, which is a solid wood beam behind the drywall. Joists are typically spaced 16 inches apart, as outlined in this stud-finding guide from Family Handyman.
Run your stud finder slowly across the ceiling until it signals a joist. Mark the center with a pencil. If you want to double-check, you can drill a small pilot hole with a thin bit. If you hit solid wood after about half an inch of drywall, you've found it. If the bit pushes through into empty space, move over and try again.
What if there's no joist where you want the chair? You have two options. You can adjust your plan and hang the chair where a joist happens to be (usually the simplest answer). Or you can install a mounting plate that spans across two joists. This gives you a wider area to work with and distributes the load.
Or if you'd rather avoid ceiling work altogether, see our comparison of ceiling mount vs freestanding stand.
Step 2: Drill the Pilot Hole
Once you've confirmed the joist location, drill a pilot hole straight up into the center of the joist. Use a 3/16" bit for most standard eye bolts.
Go slow. Keep the drill perpendicular to the ceiling. You want the bolt going straight up into the joist, not at an angle. Drill about 2 to 2.5 inches deep. Wood shavings falling down confirms you're in solid lumber.
Quick tip: put a piece of tape on your drill bit at the 2.5-inch mark so you know when to stop.
Step 3: Install the Ceiling Hook
Screw the eye bolt or ceiling hook into the pilot hole by hand. Start it with your fingers, then use a wrench or pliers to tighten it the rest of the way. It should feel firm and solid once fully seated, with no wobble and no give.
If you're using a ceiling plate (the flat metal disc that sits flush against the ceiling), hold it up to mark the screw holes, drill pilot holes for those too, and bolt the plate in place first. The plate looks cleaner and spreads the load more evenly, but a single heavy-duty eye bolt into a joist works fine on its own.
Step 4: Attach Your Hammock Chair
Connect your hammock chair's hanging rope or loop to the ceiling hook using a carabiner or S-hook. Again, make sure every link in the chain is rated for at least 300 lbs.
Before you sit in it, give it a hard pull with both hands. Hang your full weight on it for 30 seconds. Check the ceiling around the hook for any cracking or movement. If everything holds, you're good.
Adjust the hanging height so the seat sits about 18-20 inches off the floor, roughly standard chair height. Most hammock chairs have an adjustable rope or chain that lets you dial this in.
Step 5: Test and Adjust
Sit in the chair. Shift your weight around. Swing gently. Check the ceiling for any creaking or signs of stress. After a few minutes, get up and inspect the mounting point one more time.
If everything looks solid, you're done.
For the hanging height, here's a rough guide:
- Chair seat 18-20 inches from the floor: comfortable for getting in and out, feet touch the ground
- Chair seat 12-15 inches from the floor: more of a lounge position, legs extend out
- Chair seat 24+ inches from the floor: swinging height, fun but harder to get in and out of
Most people prefer the 18-20 inch range for everyday use.
What About Concrete Ceilings?
If you live in an apartment or loft with exposed concrete ceilings, the process is different. You'll need a masonry drill bit and concrete anchors instead of wood screws. The steps:
- Mark your spot (no stud finder needed, it's all solid)
- Drill with a masonry bit to the depth of your anchor
- Tap the concrete anchor into the hole
- Screw the eye bolt into the anchor
Concrete is actually stronger than wood joists for this purpose. The anchor is the weak point, so buy expansion anchors rated for at least 300 lbs in concrete. Bob Vila's guide to concrete anchors covers the different types and when to use each one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the stud finder. Guessing where the joist is and screwing into drywall alone is the number one reason hammock chair installations fail. Always verify.
Using hardware from a craft store. Decorative hooks and ornamental hardware are not load-bearing. Buy from the hardware section, not the home decor section. Look for weight ratings on the packaging.
Hanging too close to a wall. Leave at least 18 inches of clearance on all sides so the chair can swing without bumping into anything. Walls, furniture, and door frames all need breathing room.
Forgetting about your downstairs neighbors. If you're in an apartment, a hammock chair that swings can create noise below. Put a rubber washer between the hook and ceiling to dampen vibration.
Ready to Hang Yours?
The whole process takes about 30 to 45 minutes for a first-timer. The hardest part is finding the joist. Everything after that is just drilling and screwing.
If you'd rather skip the drilling entirely, the Hammora Cocoon Chair + Stand bundle comes with a freestanding steel stand that's ready in 10 minutes. No joists, no hardware, no holes in your ceiling. And if you decide to ceiling mount later, the chair transfers over in two minutes.