by Angela La Fon

Created on: January 06, 2010

Advertisers pedaling products from lawn care, to beer, to laundry detergents have used  hammock scenes in their commercials and for good reason.  Nothing says “Life is great” like the image of relaxing in a comfy hammock al fresco.

Hanging Hammock or Hammock in a Stand:

Hammock customers have so many options.  The first decision to be made is placement.  This will help you determine whether or not you’ll be looking for an attachable hammock or a hammock with a stand.  Not everyone will have the two perfect trees positioned in the best spot and exactly the right width apart.  If you’re one of the lucky ones who do, then a traditional hanging hammock may be for you.  If not, don’t worry.  Hammocks today come with a variety of durable hammock stand options. 

Rope or Fabric:

Rope or fabric is a matter of both personal style and comfort preference.  If you’re not completely determined either way, it’s a good idea to test drive both a rope and fabric hammock much the way you would try out a mattress.  While fabric hammocks may be a little more elegant, and in many cases less expensive, they are also less durable and not easy to care for.

Metal or Wood Frames:

Hammocks come in a variety of frames including painted metal and beautiful wood.  Both can be very durable and easy to assemble.  The advantage of the wooden hammock frame is hands-down beauty. The advantages of the metal frames are that they are lighter and less expensive.

Size:

Another decision to be made before a hammock purchase is the size.  No, they are not all the same, and yes, size does matter.  Is the whole appeal of a hammock for you to take a nap in solitude?  Then maybe you want a hammock for one.  If you’re interested in cuddling up and sharing, there are double hammocks that hold two, and even extra wide hammocks made for the whole family.

Once you’ve made decisions about the hammock that is right for you, there are some hammock accessories worth checking out.

Hammock Pillows:

You can color your hammock happy in pillows in a variety of colors.  Companies like Nags Head Hammock offer hammock pillows made of canvas that resist fading, staining, mold or mildew.  These pillows are washable and quick drying and can be tied in place on your hammock to offer you a comfortable place to rest your weary head while you’re relaxing in your hammock.

Hammock Strollers: 

A hammock stroller isn’t as big or daunting as it sounds.  A hammock stroller is simply a small two-wheel system.  You insert one end of your hammock stand into the hammock stroller, lift the other end and roll.  A hammock stroller can be a good investment if you know you’ll want to move your hammock for mowing or a change of scenery. 

Our family’s hammock of choice ended up being a double hammock with an Oak stand from Nags Head Hammock.  The wood is beautiful but heavy, so we positioned our hammock in a permanent home.  It was truly easy to put together.  It took of us less than ten minutes to assemble.  My hammock is a favorite place to enjoy our view and regroup or read.  The canvas pillow just adds to the comfort and luxury. 

When choosing a hammock for your yard, you’ll have to make some decisions about space, form, materials and size, but with careful choices you too can relax and say “Life is great” in a hammock.

Learn more about this author, Angela La Fon.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.