The IKEA Hack That Transforms A Bed Into An Adorable Porch Swing

Summer is here, and there's no better time to lounge on a shady patio and enjoy a glass of iced tea. However, outdoor furniture tends to become worn and tired quite quickly, so it's important to clean and update your outdoor space at the start of the season. Refreshing your patio can be a great time to invest in a new outdoor furniture piece! If you're looking for a new cozy swing or a bed for your sleeping porch, this simple DIY project by Hanna Soderstrom may be just the thing to glamourize your outdoor space without breaking the bank. Soderstrom transformed a queen-size bed from IKEA into a luxurious swinging bed by sawing it in half, adding a twin-size foam mattress, and suspending the bed from the ceiling with hemp rope. 

Compared to pre-made porch swing beds, which can cost a small fortune, this IKEA hack should cost less than $200 in total and is a fun introduction to DIY woodworking. If you're ready to raise your outdoor lounging to new heights, here's what you need to know to make your own IKEA bed porch swing, plus some styling tips to keep your swing looking gorgeous all year round. 

Before purchasing your supplies or sawing anything apart, ensure that your porch can hold the weight of a swing bed first. To create the swing, you'll need an IKEA TARVA bed, a hand saw or miter saw, a drill, and enough hemp rope to stretch from the swing to the ceiling joists on all four corners. Hanna Soderstrom explained in a highlight reel shared on her Instagram that the exact bed she used is no longer sold, but that the TARVA queen-size bed is almost identical. Because the bed isn't intended for outdoor use, you'll want to cover the bare pine with exterior paint or seal it in polyurethane to protect it from natural elements. 

To recreate Soderstrom's swing, start by building the TARVA bed according to the IKEA instructions. Next, saw the four bed legs off at each corner, so the frame rests directly on the ground. Measure from the headboard to about 40 inches down the frame of the bed, slightly larger than the width of a twin-sized mattress. Cut the frame in half here, leaving the headboard as a backrest for the swing. Next, drill holes in the footboard and reattach it to the raw edge you've just created. To finish off the swing, Soderstorm made armrests out of leftover wood pieces and attached two long 2x4 boards underneath the swing for support beams, which she said was the trickiest part of the project. 

Now that the structure of the swing is complete, it's time to paint, hang, and style it! Hanna Soderstrom decided to paint her swing in a soothing dove gray that effortlessly brings her indoor design style into the outdoors. Finally, Soderstrom recruited the help of her husband to drill holes through the 2x4 boards, thread and knot the ropes, and affix them to the porch ceiling. Ideally, a porch swing should hang about 17 to 19 inches above the ground, but your bed can be higher or lower to suit your personal preference. After installing the new DIY swing, Soderstorm explains on her Instagram highlight that she fitted it with IKEA's cheapest twin-size foam mattress. She had to shave about a foot off the length of the mattress, but the width already perfectly fits the cut bed frame! 

For the best results, you may want to consider a waterproof cover for your foam mattress. Although the swing may be situated under a covered patio, a waterproof mattress protector will prevent stray droplets from ruining the foam pad. Alternatively, you can opt for pre-made outdoor cushions that will better stand the test of time. Style your swing with festive throw pillows to match the seasons and a nearby table to hold your books and drinks. For a whimsical touch and mosquito protection, hang a dried flower wreath and canopy above the bed.