Porch Swing Plans – Free PDF Download

Porch swing plans - free PDF download.

Porch swing plans – includes a free PDF download, shopping list, cutting list, and drawings with step-by-step instructions.

Pictures From These Plans

DIY Porch Swing

Porch Swing Plans – Overview

Porch Swing Plans – Material List

Shopping List

Shopping List

2 – 2×4 – 8’1 – 1×4 – 8′
6 – 1×3 – 10′
1 – 2×6 – 8′
12 – 3 1/2″ carriage bolts, nuts, washers
3″ deck screws
2″ deck screws
eye bolts, nuts, washers
porch swing chain
porch swing hanging kit

Cutting List

Cutting List

8 – 2×4 – 1′ 8″
1 – 1×4 – 5′
6 – 1×3 – 5′
6 – 1×3 – 4′ 9″
2 – 2×4 – 1′ 7/8″
2 – 2×6 – 1′ 10 1/2″

Porch swing plans - seat support - grid.

Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 8″ long for the bench seat support. Cut as shown on illustration above, use the first one as a template to cut the remaining three (the back of the seat support will have a 12.5-degree angle cut).

Porch swing plans - back rest support - grid.

Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 8″ long for the bench back-rest support. Cut as shown on illustration above, use the first one as a template to cut the remaining three (the bottom of the back rest support will have a 12.5-degree angle cut).

Porch swing plans - carriage bolts for seat and back rest.

Drill holes and use 3 1/2″ carriage bolts to assemble as shown on illustration above.

Porch swing plans - front 1x4 support.

Cut a 1×4 to 5′ long for the front rail and install to the seat frame using 3″ deck screws. Assemble as shown on illustration above.

Porch swing plans - seat slats.

Cut six 1×3’s to 5′ long for the bench slats. Install as shown on illustration above. Pre-drill holes and use 2″ deck screws to install slats, gap slats about 1/2″.

Porch swing plans - back rest slats.

Cut six 1×3’s to 4′ 9″ long for the bench slats. Install as shown on illustration above. Pre-drill holes and use 2″ deck screws to install slats, gap slats about 1/2″.

Porch swing plans - arm rest support details.

Cut two 2×4’s to 1′ 7/8″ long for the arm rest support, cut 12.5-degree angle cuts on both ends in the same direction.

Porch swing plans - arm rest support installed.

Install the arm rest support to the bench seat frame as shown on illustration above. Drill holes and install with 3 1/2″ carriage bolts.

Porch swing plans - arm rest - grid.

Cut two 2×6’s to 1′ 10 1/2″ long for the arm rest. Cut the arm rest as shown on illustration above.

Porch swing plans - arm rest installed.

Pre-drill holes and screw 3″ deck screws through the arm-rest and into the arm rest support and through the back rest frame into the arm rest.

Porch swing plans - eye bolt, washer, nut.

Drill holes and install the eye bolts as shown on illustration above.

Like these porch swing plans? Let me know, leave me a comment below. Share this link with your friends and your social media, thanks.

72 comments

  1. Worked well very sturdy. Changed a few things .

  2. How am I supposed to attach the chain to the eye-bolt?

  3. I got my first plans the porch swing I think it is going to a joy to build. My neighbor behind us has already informed me that as soon as I get ours built I get to start on theirs lol.

  4. How much does this build cost on average?

  5. How do I down load the plans?

  6. Unfortunately I don’t have a bandsaw so making thcurved cuts will be difficult

  7. I cannot down load files why not?

  8. I see that someone else already asked how much this build costs on average, but I don’t see any replies/answers. I’d like to know this as well. Thanks.

  9. Can I replace the chain with a rope? If so what kind of rope would you recommend

    • Lawrence Greene

      You could replace the chain with rope but consider that rope will stretch as well as knots. Adjustments are more difficult over time, trying to adjust the tension and placement of knots. I’m guessing you are wanting a “softer” , more natural look? You can opt for different color or type of chain, or even weave fabric between the links to better achieve that look or feel that you are wanting.

  10. so there’s 6 slats for the bottom that’s 6×3″ equa; 18″. The maximum distance on the layout is 17″ plus the 1/2″ for the end board. You also added 1/2″ gaps between boards total 5 1/2″ How’s is this supposed to work out.

    • 1×3 wood is not really 3inch and is 2 and half inch instead. Just like any other standard lumber you from any home improvement store

  11. George Gallardo

    I would like for you to send me the plans to my Email so I can take a crack at it, thanks George.

  12. I extended the top frame pieces by 3″ and spun the top slat to make a taller back – same number of slats, just slightly altered the frame shape, followed through with the same curve instead of a flat top.

    If there’s going to be a lot of weight on it, definitely go with through bolts for the eye bolts, not screws. My wife and I are about 515-525 combined weight and the eye screws started to spilt the wood primarily at the bottom. I repaired and reinforced because the damage wasn’t bad yet.

    Really easy to follow design. This was the first “real” project I did, so very much a beginner. I bought 6′ slat pieces because that’s all Lowe’s had but, I’m using the excess to make 11×15″ side tables.

  13. Gerardo Hernández

    ya termine la silla, solo me resta ponerle las cadenas, muchas gracias por sus planos…..me interesan mas proyectos.

  14. I would like the actual blueprint pdf

  15. How do I download the PDF Can you send it to my email address?

  16. I just finished this build. I extended the seat back a lot to give it a headrest to look up the stars.
    It came out great. Thank you.

    • How much did you extend the back by? I was thinking 4″? Also, did you just narrow the decrease the slope of the back slats as they headed to the top?

  17. I’m going to try to build the porch swing hop it work

  18. This plan set me off and I added modifications and a frame and a roof…

    Made a lovely swing bench and very comfortable.

    You can see a picture of it here http://www.dropbox.com/s/8w3nswxzrgcprhi/20201008_165308.jpg

  19. Plans specify 3 1/2 carriage bolts which is the length of the bolt. What is the recommended thickness? HD sells 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 in

  20. By the way; I built the swing using 5/4 x 6 deck boards for the entire swing. Worked great. Prefer 5/4 cedar ($21.00) at Home Depot so settled for 5/4 pressure treated, 7.80 +/-.

  21. I have a metal porch swing that has been hanging from a tree limb in the city cemetery for 50 years
    I need to build a frame to get it off the tree limb for safety reasons. Any suggestions?

  22. Tem como vc me enviar o plano de corte desse banco suspenso para varanda, mais com as medidas em centímetros?

  23. I am a beginner in wood working and would like to make your bench.

  24. Do you still have the templates?

  25. What should the angle be for back mounted to bottom

  26. How much weight will this swing hold if made from pine at HD. Also, will treated pine hold more weight. I weigh 340lb and my wife is 280lb. We are looking at the 5′ Porch Swing.

  27. I was using this design as inspiration, so I quickly put it together in sketchup. Unfortunately, there are a few bits of info left out in the guide, and the measurements are unclear. For example, the bench slats labeled as 1×3 don’t fit in the length of the supports, and the back rest supports arent tall enough to fit 6 more slats. Also, it is unclear what the length of the flat section at the top of the back rest supports is. I could be missing something, but those measurements are incorrect.

  28. Very nice looking porch swing. Instructions are clear and easy to follow.

  29. What diameter of carriage bolts are used in the porch swing build, I see the 3 1/2″ long, but what diameter. Thank you in advance.

  30. Great plans, made mine out of redwood and it looks beautiful! Almost finished. How far apart do you space the porch swing hanging kit. Some of the eye bolts are 4′ 9″ apart in the back rest and the ones in the arms are about 5′?

    Thanks!

  31. Turkey;

    Excellent design. I made it for myself to use in the garden. It was great.

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