In this article, you will learn all you need to know on how to hang a hammock in a dorm. Hanging a hammock in your dorm room is something worth exploring to have a free self curling posture to sleep in, read a book, relax, or listen to your favorite music with your earpiece strapped on.
Who wouldn’t love to have a hammock where possible in their dorm room. You may be among the people that may want to have that lovely hammock in our dorm room, but do not know how to go about it.
If that is your situation then you are in the right place, read on as I would guide you on how to hang and put in place the hammock of your choice in your dorm room.
What Is A Hammock?
A hammock is a lightweight cloth sling made of cotton, nylon, or canvas stretched between two points, used for swinging, sleeping, or resting. They can be used as permanent relaxation spots in your dorm or outdoors at the beach and several other places.
With the popularity of hammocks on the rise, It will be good for you to learn how to hang a hammock in your dorm room if you so desire to hang one. If you want to hang a hammock in your dorm room there are certain things you need to do.
How To Hang A Hammock In Your Dorm Room
To hang a hammock in your dorm room there are several ways to do that including:
- Hang your hammock in a corner of the room
- Hang your hammock from the wall
- Install a hook in the ceiling
- Install a hook in a window or door frame
- Attach your hook to a pipe
- Hang your hammock safely and securely, and sit back and relax
Hang your hammock in a corner of the room
Before you hang your hammock, you need to find the perfect place for it. Here are some things to consider when choosing a corner:
- If a window or door is nearby, don’t put your hammock near that corner. You need to have enough room for yourself and other people who may want to use the hammock at any given time.
- Also, if there’s a wall socket nearby, that would be ideal because you can use extension cords to plug-in lamps or other devices without having them on the ground. This also helps keep cords out of sight so they don’t clutter up the room too much.
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Hang your hammock from the wall
If you can’t find a suitable corner to hang your hammock from, you can use the wall instead and place an anchor point on the wall. Here are the steps:
- Use a stud finder to locate studs in your dorm room walls. (You may need to ask an RA for help finding these.)
- Attach hooks or nails directly into those studs using the appropriate hardware (nails vs screws whichever you prefer). If you have no access to power tools and are planning on doing this project yourself, make sure that whatever hardware you choose is not too heavy for what will be holding it up.
- When hanging your hammock, attach carabiners on either end of the rope so it’s easy to take down and put up again when necessary.
- Hang one end of the rope over each hook/nail, then secure them together with another carabiner at midpoint lengthwise along both ropes this way they won’t get tangled while hanging there
Install a hook in the ceiling
you can find a place on the ceiling where you can safely hang your hammock. If you’re in an apartment or dorm room, your best bet is going to be a structural beam or joist. You can use a stud finder to locate these areas, but if you don’t have one handy (or if there are no studs), don’t worry.
You can also use a power drill and screwdriver bit (or hammer and nail) to make pilot holes for your nails in the ceiling joists or beams within 3 feet of one another.
Then nail the hook into place using galvanized finish nails that are long enough not only to penetrate through both sides of the board but to also reach at least 2 inches into each side after penetrating through the wood; this ensures safety during use by preventing any kind of bounce back effect while swinging back and forth on your hammock.
Test the capacity of your hammock by hanging weight from the hook until it feels safe before using it wholeheartedly to keep things safe for you and any other persons that may use the hammock.
Install a hook in a window or door frame
You will need to install a hook in a window or door frame on the wall where you want your hammock. You can do this with either a screwdriver or an electric drill. Make sure that your choice of window or door frame is strong enough to support the weight of your hammock and yourself.
If you’re using a screwdriver, just make sure it fits securely into the wood of your frame before attaching it. It should be firm enough that it won’t fall out when knocked against by accident.
If you’re using an electric drill, first use some masking tape along all edges so that paint doesn’t chip off during installation (make sure no one is standing below while installing).
Then drill through each side’s wood until there’s enough space between each hole for a bolt head inside; attach one end of each chain link directly through two holes. Once they are attached securely on both sides, remove any excess length from both chains using pliers so that they are evenly distributed across both sides of every link this way no one will fall off when swinging.
Attach your hook to a pipe
You will need to find a pipe or pole in your dorm room that can hold the weight of your hammock. If you have an exposed beam in the ceiling, this is a perfect place for your hook.
You can use a pipe clamp to attach the hook, but if you don’t have one lying around, it’s not difficult to make one yourself. To create a pipe clamp follow these steps:
- Take two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood that are 2 inches thick by 8 inches wide and secure them together with screws or nails (or glue them together if you prefer). Leave about 1 inch on each side of the wood unsecured so that it will fit over the top of your pipe without being too tight around it. This allows room for adjustment as needed when hanging your hammock later on
- Place one end over some sort of circular object so that both edges meet evenly at its middle point this could be something like another piece of wood connected via hinges, or even just two large screws sticking out from opposite sides
Hang your hammock safely and securely, and sit back and relax
Safety is a priority and if you are unsure about what you’re doing, ask for help. If you’re not sure how to hang your hammock safely and securely, don’t do it. The first rule of hammocking is: Don’t get hurt! If something goes wrong and your hammock falls on top of you or another student, no one will be able to blame themselves more than yourself.
The second rule of hammocking is: Keep the safety instructions in mind while reading this guide and thinking of setting up your hammock so that nobody gets hurt.
FAQ
How do you hang a hammock indoors without damaging walls?
There are several ways to hang a hammock if you do not wish to hang it on the wall which will involve puncturing and damaging your wall. Some of the ways of hanging your hammock without damaging walls include: drilling into the ceiling, using pillars for your stand, using stair rails, using balcony rails, and many more ways.
Can Command hooks hold a hammock?
Yes, you can use command hooks for holding your hammock but this will be dependent on the weight each command post can carry. If you want a hammock that can carry more weight using screws and nails into the wall would serve better.
Can you hang a hammock on drywall?
Hanging your hammock on drywalls comes with risks even though it can be done. The safest thing to do is to find the studs placed on the drywalls in different positions and drill into these studs for the sake of safety.
Can you hang a hammock from the ceiling in an apartment?
Yes, you can hang your hammock on your ceiling but you have to be careful about what part of the ceiling you’re going to hang the hammock on.
Conclusion
Using hammocks is very desirable but ensure that you hang the hammock properly before you begin to make use of the hammock. My advice will be to get a professional to help you hang your hammock. If you cannot perform any of the ways we have discussed how to hang yourself in your dorm room or at home.
