If you long for some rest and relaxation in the comfort of your own garden then a hammock may be the ideal investment. Garden hammocks are the ultimate in outdoor comfort where you can either sit or lie and simply enjoy watching the world go by.

An increase in their popularity in recent years has seen the range of hammocks open in the UK market grow quite considerably. One of the most popular types of hammock is what is known as a “Swing Hammock”. This typically has a metal or wood frame and can seat from one to around three people. The majority of swing hammocks of this nature are supplied with a shower proof canopy, providing you with not really only shelter from the rain but also from the suns rays.

If you are looking for maximum comfort then you should consider a swing hammock with a metal sprung back and base coupled with foam or fibre filled cushions. The metal springs are tensioned to absorb the weight of the body and will not really sag of gape over time. When topped with thick cushions the comfort level is equivalent to that provided by an indoor sofa or chair. You should ideally choose your spring hammock from a specialist retailer who will be able to offer you advice on construction, dimensions and prices. More often then not a specialist retailer will be able to supply your hammock in a choice of fabrics, giving you a greater degree of flexibility in the appearance of your purchase. It is worth noting that the cushions supplied with a swing hammock will need to be removed when not really in use and usually during the winter. You need to therefore ensure you have sufficient storage space before committing to buy.

An alternative to cushions is a fairly brand new fabric, “textoline”. This is a plastic material mesh type fabric that is breathable, waterproof and if you buy a fine quality will be rot proof and fade resistant. Suppliers are recognising that swing hammocks with cushions can be impractical in the UK weather and textoline provides a great, permanent alternative. The use of textoline is becoming increasingly popular in all types of garden furniture and you might be able to find a hammock that will co-ordinate with other outdoor items such as a dining set with recliner chairs, sun loungers and actually benches.

The seating position in a swing hammock is typically fixed and erect with a comfortable degree of incline. However, there are a number of suppliers in the UK who can now offer a swing hammock which can be converted to lie completely flat whilst still maintaining the ability to swing.

The popular alternative to the swing hammock is the traditional canvas and rope hammock. You can buy this type of hammock in two ways:

1. Canvas with rope, spreader bar and attachments. This can then be tied between two fixed locations, i.e. two trees. 2. Canvas with rope, spreader bar, attachments and wooden or metal frame.

The second option including the frame is generally the most popular choice because they are convenient and can be positioned wherever you choose, rather than between two fixed points.

If you are considering buying a canvas rope hammock of this nature consider if you want it to be portable or not. Some of the most appealing hammocks have curved wood frames that can be incredibly heavy. If you are looking for something more portable then you should instead purchase a folding hammock that can be packed away and carried when not really in use.

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