Have you priced out a nice porch swing lately? I did, and I was a little shocked at how expensive they can get. And living here in Charleston, it seems like if you don’t have a porch swing, do you even live in Charleston? They’re everywhere—and I’ll admit, I wanted one too. But once you start looking at the big, comfortable wooden swings that actually look like something you’d want hanging on your porch, you’re easily talking almost a thousand dollars—and sometimes a whole lot more. Instead of paying that, I decided to build my own. Not only did I save hundreds of dollars, but I ended up with a porch swing that fits our space, looks great, and feels a whole lot more satisfying knowing I built it myself.
I would call this a medium-level DIY project, but don’t let that scare you off. You definitely don’t need to be a professional woodworker or have a garage full of fancy tools. If you’re comfortable measuring, making basic cuts, using a drill, and following along step-by-step, this is a project most DIYers can tackle. There are a few parts where you’ll want to slow down and double-check your measurements, but nothing about the build is overly complicated. In the video, I walk through the entire process so you can see exactly how everything goes together.
HOW I MADE MY OWN PORCH SWING
One of the biggest advantages of building a porch swing yourself is that you can customize it. You’re not stuck choosing between whatever sizes, colors, and styles happen to be available at the store. You can adjust the dimensions for your porch, choose the type of wood you want, and stain or paint it to match your house. You can also decide how deep you want the seat and how you want the back designed. That’s one of my favorite things about DIY projects—you can build something specifically for your space instead of trying to make something from a store work. I chose to make a porch swing that fits a twin size mattress.
Of course, the biggest win for me was the money I saved. Lumber and hardware aren’t exactly cheap these days, but the total cost was still significantly less than buying a comparable finished porch swing. Plus, you’re getting a solid wood swing instead of wondering how well a cheaper store-bought version is going to hold up after a couple of seasons outside. Just make sure you’re using appropriate hardware and a secure, properly rated hanging setup for the finished swing. This is one part of the project where you definitely don’t want to cut corners.
If you’ve been wanting a porch swing but haven’t wanted to spend the money on one, building your own might be easier than you think. Set aside some time, measure twice before you cut, and don’t rush the process. Check out the video above to see exactly how I built mine from start to finish. You’ll see the tools I used, how I put everything together, and the finished swing hanging on the porch. It’s a great weekend DIY project, and every time you sit down on it, you get the added bonus of knowing you built the thing yourself—and saved a few hundred bucks in the process.
The finished swing is sturdy, comfortable, and built to last. Plus, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in a swing that you built yourself.
🔨 MATERIALS LIST:
- 1x8x8′ prime pine – 3 boards
- 1x3x8′ prime pine – 12 boards
- 1x4x8′ prime pine – 1 board
- 2x3x8′ framing lumber – 2 boards
- 2x4x8′ framing lumber – 1 board
- 1x6x8′ knotty pine – 4 boards
📏 CUT LIST:
- 1×8 prime pine (2) – CUT TO 77” – USED for Main bed frame, long sides
- 1×8 prime pine (2) – CUT to 39” – USED for Main Bed Frame, short sides
- 2×3 framing lumber (2) – CUT to 72 ½” – USED for Inner frame support, front/back
- 2×4 framing lumber (2) – CUT TO 39” – USED for Inner frame side supports/eye-screw support
- 1×6 knotty pine (8) – CUT to 39” – USED for Mattress slats
- 1×3 prime pine (4) – CUT to 20” – USED for Front corner posts
- 1×3 prime pine (4) – CUT to 26 3/8” – USED for Back corner posts
OTHER MATERIALS I PURCHASED: