Best Hanging Chairs in Australia for 2024

Hanging Chairs Buying Guide

What are Hanging chairs?

Hanging chairs come in so many shapes and sizes, with different designs to suit different gardens; from free-standing hanging swing chairs to hammock chairs, to garden swings, and swing benches.

Hanging chairs, specially egg chairs, adds comfort and style to your garden with next to no effort. They look great by themselves or I personally prefer with some plant stands, a vertical garden backdrop or tower garden surrounding the chair to help me relax as if I am out in nature.

 In the buyers' guide to hanging chairs, we’ll look at the different types of outdoor hanging chairs to help you decide which the best hanging chair is for you.

What to Look for When Buying Hanging Chairs

When you’re looking for a new chair, there really isn’t that much to consider. Hanging chairs are about style and comfort, so as long as it’s got a cushion and it's safe, that’s about everything you need to know. 

Do check the weight limits though, as some are designed for kids and won’t last for long with adults swinging around in them. It’s also important to state that most hanging egg chairs are designed for sitting, not swinging, so shouldn’t be used as a plaything.

Different Types of Hanging Chairs

I adore outdoor chairs. There was a time when I was really against them and thought that they were too big and too overpowering to fit subtly in a garden, but now I wouldn’t be without one.

Hanging Egg Chairs

Hanging egg chairs are the most popular types of chairs, typically woven with rattan or plastic, and hanging from an overhead structure that folds away for winter to protect them from the elements. 

Hanging egg chairs give a sense of enclosure and privacy, wrapping you in their domed arms as you rock gently in the corner of the garden. Based on the 1960s and 70s egg chairs, they up the game by dangling, rather than simply sitting as static chairs.

Double Egg Chairs

Double egg chairs are great for families as they can usually take the weight of two people and a child so are perfect for snuggling up together in the evenings. They rock less than egg chairs, and typically just gently sway backwards and forwards.

That might seem disappointing to anyone who enjoys the 360 rotation of a hanging egg chair, but the double chains they hang from make them far stronger and help them support the weight of multiple people.

Swing Seats

Swing seats are great for small spaces, and anyone going for a more traditional style. Rather than having the structure of an egg chair, swing seats typically come attached to small arbours, so make a great climbing frame for plants as well as a practical place to sit.

Swing Benches

Swing benches come in so many styles that it’s hard to define just one, but the most common design is free-standing support, with a standard bench seat suspended from above.

They’re great for traditional garden designs, and some modern designs are incredibly comfortable too.

Hammock Chairs

Hammock chairs are great for informal, relaxed gardens, where you don’t want large structures, and flopping back into a fabric chair is all you need to enjoy your garden.

Hammock chairs are harder to install, as they do need existing patios, or sturdy branches to hang from, but in essence, they are the same as hanging egg chairs and pod chairs.

If you are leaning towards hammock chairs then you will definitely love this list of DIY macrame hammock patterns.  

How to Install a Hanging Chair

Most egg chairs are free-standing and come with instructions, but for standalone outdoor egg chairs, or hanging chairs like hammock seats, you will need an existing structure in place to hang from.

Always use sturdy materials to hang from, like steel beams, solid timber rafters or mature branches on tall trees. 

When hanging, use the rope or chain provided with the chair to stick to manufacture guidelines, but if none is provided, use good quality rope, sprung mounting hooks, strapping or chain which is tested for strength up to your weight as a minimum.

Installing mounting hooks

To install a hanging swing chair using sprung mounting hooks, you’ll need a few particular materials. The main principle is that you need to use nuts and bolts, not screws, regardless of the material you’re attaching to.

This means the load is spread properly, and not reliant on the wood grain to hold the screws (and you).

1. Mark the timber, or metal beams with the holes on the mounting bracket.
2. Drill all the way through the timber so your bolts are a tight fit.
3. Attach the bolts with washers on both sides of the beam, and a sturdy nut on the top.
4. Tighten fully.
5. Hang your chair.

Hanging Chairs Safety Guide

Hanging chairs are generally safe to use, but do come with some general guidelines to keep you safe while using them:

• Don’t swing
• Don’t exceed the weight limit
• Secure well to overhead structures
• Place freestanding chairs on level ground
• Keep any soft furnishings away from fire or electric heaters

1. Garden Egg Chair Hammock Chair Swing with Steel Stand and Hanging Chain

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 150kg

The Garden hanging outdoor swing chair is the essence of ultimate relaxation. It has an eye-catching exotic vibe that will add style no matter where you place it. Included is a soft cushion for ultimate comfort.

Place this chair indoors or outdoors. It is made from 100% hand-woven, UV-resistant wicker. The frame is made from powder-coated steel for stability and strength.

2. Gardeon Outdoor Egg Chair Patio Hanging Swing 

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 150kg

Get cosy in this pod outdoor swing chair. The design allows for natural gravitational motion that will help calm you. You will be able to enjoy all the views around you since the chair can rotate 360°.

When not in use, the foldable pod can be removed and stored away. However, the fabric is weather and UV-resistant. The frame is made from powder-coated steel, making it strong and sturdy.

3. Santiago Hanging Egg Chair Charcoal with Latte Cushions

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 120kg

Create the perfect place to rest with this chic hanging egg chair. It is made from alloy steel and wicker. It was designed to make a statement in your outdoor space.

The outdoor swing chair is UV, water, and rust resistant. However, it is intended for undercover use only. Included are water, oil, and stain resistant seat cushions.

4. Chenqian Iron Hanging Patio Swing Chair

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: Dependant on fixings

This hanging bench is straight out of Little House on the Prairie, and completely perfect for any patio with a well-built pergola. Picture sitting out with a cold drink on a summer evening, just lying back and reading a book as your bench swings beneath you. 

I can’t really think of anything more perfect, and the welded iron bench from Chenqian is exactly what you need to recreate that.

5. Gardeon Wooden Bench Outdoor Swing Chair

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 250kg

While this self-assembly timber swing bench might seem like hard work at first glance, it’s actually really simple to put together with just a few bolts and wingnuts.

The chain can hold up to 250kg too making it ideal for families to enjoy together, and the shade cover is completely removable if you want a simpler-looking swing seat through summer.

6. Levede Swing Chair Hammock Outdoor Furniture 

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 200kg

Experience relaxation on this heavy-duty outdoor swing chair. The chair is built with powdered coated steel and oxford fabric. The structure is extremely stable and steady. It is large enough to accommodate up to 3 adults.

To make the outdoor swing chair even more comfortable, it has a special cotton cushion filling with 5 cm of thickness.

7. Gardeon 3 Seater Garden Wooden Bench with Canopy and Removable Cushion

• Frame included: YES
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 360 kg

Made from sturdy, durable fir wood, the frame of this outdoor swing chair strong. It is a large chair with enough space for three adults. The Gardeon Canopy Swing Chair is the ideal getaway for chatting with friends, reading a book, or just relaxing.

Included with the outdoor swing chair is a generously padded seat cushion, upholstered in durable polyester. The cover is weatherproof and removable for easy cleaning.

8. Little Av White Outdoor Hanging Bench

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 500 kg

Hang this gorgeous outdoor swing chair on your verandah. The chair is made for the Australian outdoors. It is constructed using outdoor-grade timber, weatherproof paint, and marine-grade rope. The outdoor swing chair can seat 2-3 adults comfortably. 

9. Agility Macrame Hammock Swing Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 150kg

Nothing says relaxed like macramé, and there is no better way to use macramé in a garden than in your seating. Whether it's traditional hammocks or framed hammock seats like this one from Agility, there’s just something magical about the lightness of design in macramé furniture.

As well as its good looks, this chair is easy to install with simple fittings for any sturdy beam.

10. Costcom Portable Hanging Hammock Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 150kg

As well as looking good, this simple swinging hammock seat is convenient too, with an entirely machine-washable seat and cushions with removable covers.

These swing seats are designed for camping more than permanence but work really well out in the garden too. The easiest way to install swing hammocks like this is with a set of sailing ropes wrapped around the branch of a tree, but they can just as easily be bolted onto rafters.

11. Agility Hammock Hanging Rope Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 120kg

Agility makes a wide range of garden furniture, and fittings are always important to them. If you want simple, efficient, and reliable hanging systems, then this hammock chair comes with everything you need for installation so you’re confident the chair will take your weight.

The simple hammock design is incredibly comfortable too, supported with sturdy timber at the top, and held in place with clever rope work around the entire chair that gives you just enough support, without making you feel restricted.

12. Vivere Single Cacoon Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 200kg

Cocoon chairs are great for adults but designed for kids, with a beautiful filtered light that relaxes even the most overactive imagination.

The single hanging point makes them really easy to install, but you will need to buy some extra fittings, or use a really good quality rope to attach to a tree branch.

What’s even better about these hanging pod chairs is that they work just as well in the garden as they do out camping thanks to being so incredibly easy to pack away!

13. Vivere Double Cacoon Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 200kg

The double cocoon chair is perfect for parents to sit with their kids, or even find a hiding space away from them for a few minutes. The seclusion of cocoon chairs is like nothing else, wrapping you in beautiful filtered light, with a neat window onto the rest of the garden.

14. 2 Seats Hammock Chair Outdoor Patio Furniture

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 200kg

Use this swing chair indoors or outdoors. It is beautifully built with a sturdy structure wrapped in polyester and cotton fabric. The swing chair is adorned with lovely, handcrafted tassels.

The Gardeon hammock outdoor swing chair was designed to cup you comfortably and provide a relaxing experience. The chair will hold up to 2 people. It is easy to clean, soft to the touch, and well ventilated.

15. Hammock Sky XXL Hammock Chair Swing 

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 149kg

Lay back and relax in this soft and extra-comfortable hammock chair. The XXL size provides plenty of room to stretch out and unwind. The hammock chair has a solid fabric bed that is suitable for adults, kids, and pets. Included is the hanging hardware and a free hammock drink holder.

16. Soho Hammock Hanging Chair 

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 120kg

Create a relaxing space under a tree or on the verandah with this two-toned hammock chair. The provincial style hammock is handcrafted from hand woven cotton in a heavy duty weave.

Included are the hammock, wooden rod, and top rope detail. Hang it anywhere that will support your weight with its O ring.

17. Hi Suyi Hanging Rope Hammock Lounger Chair 

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 158kg

Use this macrame swing hammock lounger as a reading swing or relaxing chair. Hang it outside to enjoy nature, or indoors as a decoration. It would make a great addition to any home.

The hammock chair is made of 100% handmade cotton and rustproof iron pipe. It features a macrame net chair pattern with fringe tassels.

18. Salvador Macrame Hanging Hammock Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 120kg

Create a relaxing space, indoors or outdoors, with this boho chic macrame hammock chair. Hang the handmade hammock in your bedroom, or choose a tree or the verandah.

Setup is super easy. Simply install a screw hook into a wooden beam or strong tree branch.

19. Sorbus Hanging Rope Hammock Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: YES
• Weight limit: 120kg

Find comfort with the Sorbus Hanging Rope Hammock Chair. This colourful, trendy hammock is the perfect addition to any indoor or outdoor space. The hammock swing has back support and two seat cushions.

It is made from sturdy cotton and polyester fabric which makes it machine washable.

20. Soho Hammock Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 120kg

Add a country feel to your home with this boho hammock. It is handmade with woven cotton and a wooden rod. Hand the chair in your backyard, the courtyard, or on your patio.

21. Keezi Kids Nest Swing Hammock Chair

• Frame included: NO
• Cushions included: NO
• Weight limit: 120kg

Children and adults alike will love swinging on Keezi hammock chairs. They were designed to keep kids happy and adults relaxed. The hammock chairs are strong and sturdy. They have double rings and durable hanging ropes.

You can hand the chair in your garden, on the verandah, or in your child’s bedroom.

Hanging Chairs Frequently Asked Questions

What are hanging chairs called?

Hanging chairs have all sorts of different names, and are often called swing chairs, hanging chairs, basket chairs, outdoor swing seats, hammock seats and pod chairs.

All have slightly different designs, but all come under the same umbrella of hanging chairs.

Are hanging chairs comfortable?

They are comfortable. No matter how much you think you don’t want one or that it will get in the way of the garden, just step back, maybe find a hanging chair on display at Bunnings, and enjoy it. 

Can you hang a hanging chair from the ceiling?

As long as they are supported by joists or solid beams they are safe to hang from the ceiling. Plaster or roofing battens are not strong enough to support hanging chairs, so always be absolutely sure to bolt hanging chairs right through ceiling joists.

How much weight can a hanging chair take?

They can take up to 300lbs (130kg) but every chair will have its own weight limits, with some hanging chairs only capable of a max weight of 75kg.

Check the manufacturer's instructions before purchasing or installing a hanging chair.

To boost your outdoor design, be sure to check out our list of outdoor decor buying guides below: 

• Fire pit tables
• Cast iron chimineas
• Outdoor blinds
• Shade sails
• Garden ponds