Trampolines are great fun on their own, but after a few years or sometimes even a decade of exercise and play, they tend to just sit there in the yard. Once people have grown tired of seeing it collecting leaf litter and rainwater, they either end up going SUPER cheap at your next garage sale or in the donation pile.
Instead of tossing out all those fun memories though, you can keep the parts and the memories by repurposing them into a DIY bed swing. They are crazy simple to make, budget-friendly, and make a wonderfully whimsical addition to your garden or patio area.
Whether you like to have outdoor get-togethers or would like a cozy lounging area indoors, you can fashion your bed swing to suit your purposes. They can be as intricate or as simple as you want, and they will get you excited about your trampoline all over again.
Get started with this easy DIY bed swing tutorial from designer Ken Wingard with OWN’s Home Made Simple.
The rainy season is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to get crafting. One of the best parts about repurposing an old trampoline into an extravagant swinging bed is that you already have most of the materials right in your yard.
With a few simple extras, you can make your bed swing within the span of an hour or less.
If you want to upcycle your trampoline into something you can enjoy year-round, you can use an old tent or tarp to encase the swing, keeping out the wind and rain.
Beyond your trampoline frame, there are some other key materials you’ll need.
- Pool Noodles
- A Box Knife or Heavy Duty Scissors
- A Strong Spray-On Adhesive
- Soft Fabric of your choosing
- Strong Rope (check the tensile strength to make sure it will hold the weight of anyone in the swing)
- Papasan Cushion or any other large cushion (if you can sew, you can make your own out of old memory foam)
- Decorative Pillows and Throws
Now that you’ve got everything that you need, you’re ready to get started. First, you will want to remove all of the legs on the trampoline if they’re still attached. Just flip the frame upside down and the legs will generally pull right off. Otherwise, you’ll have to unbolt them.
Leave the frame in its upturned position so you can clearly see where the legs used to go. Then grab your pool noodles and get ready to cut.
Start by taking your box knife and cutting one straight line down the entire length of the pool noodle, making sure to cut all the way through.
After you make each cut, open the pool noodle up gently and “clip” it around the frame of your trampoline.
Do this until the entire frame has been cushioned with the pool noodles. This will keep you and your guests comfy by creating a nice barrier between your legs and the cold metal frame.
Once you’ve attached all of your pool noodles to the frame, it’s time to apply your fabric. This is the fun part, as you can choose any color or pattern of fabric to match the theme of your home’s interior or exterior.
Take your fabric and cut it into wide, long strips to cover your pool noodles as you wrap them around the frame. Cover your pool noodles with adhesive spray and pat the fabric into place as you go, making sure the noodles are completely covered.
Now you’re ready to add your rope.
When you’re picking out what type of rope you want to use for your bed swing, make sure to check the strength of the weight it will hold. It is usually clearly labeled on the packaging and will give you a good idea of what your swing’s maximum weight capacity is.
Tie a sturdy knot in your rope around the pool noodle and frame, then wrap the rope all along the frame, making sure the pool noodles fit snugly all the way around.
After you’ve wrapped and tied your noodles into place, it’s time to add the rope your swing will hang from.
Depending on how large your trampoline frame is, you will want to cut 3-5 pieces of rope (more for a big frame) that are double the length of how long you want your swing to be, and fold these in half.
After you’ve got your long pieces of rope sorted out, you can get started with the hanging process.
Using the holes where the legs used to be attached as a guide, take the folded end of one of the ropes and slip it underneath the frame, bringing the loop up between the springs so you can see it.
Then bring the two loose ends of the rope up on the opposite side of the frame, and push them through the loop you’ve created with the folded end. Slide these through all the way until the rope is tightly hugging the frame, and move onto the next spot. Repeat this process all the way around the frame, leaving one opening for access.
Now that your ropes are all placed where you want them, you’re ready to hang your new DIY masterpiece.
You can hang them anywhere they will fit, but be sure that whatever tree, support beam, or ceiling you hang it from will support the weight of you and any guests you might have.
If you’ve got skills in construction or know someone who does, you can also build a structure to hang your bed swing from. Again, just make sure it’s sturdy.
After you’ve chosen your hangout location you can add the finishing touches to your repurposed trampoline.
If you’re using one of the standard 48″ exercise trampolines for this project, you can pick up a Papasan Cushion from Pier1 Imports, Pottery Barn, or online for anywhere between $40-$100.
If you are going huge with your bed swing, you can either cozy it up with fluffy blankets and sheets or if you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own giant cushion in whatever color or pattern you like.
Now you’re ready to kick back and relax on your brand new customized bed swing at a fraction of the cost if you had purchased it from the store. Plus, you finally accomplished your mission of repurposing that old trampoline.
Check out the video below for full details and see this beauty in motion!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
