Upcycle Your Toddler's Old Bed Into The Ultimate Comfy Porch Swing

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Watching our kids outgrow things is tough on the heart and the pocket book. One way to overcome the pain of spending on a new big kid bed is finding a way to repurpose the now too-small toddler bed. A fun way to incorporate the mattress (and possibly the frame–depending on the style) is in a DIY patio swing. This is exactly what content creator Emyludesigns on Instagram chose to do by building a frame to fit the bed pad and using it as the seat.

Fresh lumber was sourced for the project in this video, but if your little one has a wood frame, you could easily repurpose the boards instead of buying new. By the looks of it, even beginners can pull off this DIY porch swing with a few scrap materials and the discarded mattress. The finished bench is hung from the porch overhang, offering a perfect spot to sit and enjoy your outdoor living area. If you don't have an alcove to mount the hooks, you can buy or build a supportive frame to do the job — as long as the resulting project gives you a comfy spot to use with the family.

To get this job done, you'll need a few supplies, including the lumber (if your child's bed frame isn't solid wood), a saw, hammer, nails, wood glue, mounting hardware like MAKELEN heavy duty swing hangers, and the mattress. You should also grab paint, stain, and decorations. Adding a swing is one of the best ways to enhance your home's front porch, according to Home Town's Ben and Erin Napier. So, if you're looking for a way to add style like the Napiers do, this is a chance to do it on the cheap. With your materials prepped, it's time to get to work.

Start by flushing out the frame. Measure the boards to fit the mattress and assemble with wood glue and nails. The design is up to you, but it should resemble a bench with no legs. The arms should be sturdy, as you'll use them to mount the hardware. Chains or rope can be used to hang the project, but while rope has a rustic vibe, metal is more durable. Once you've painted, all you need to do is slide the mattress on, and you've got a comfy seat. Use the fitted toddler-sized sheets as a pattern to make a chair cover, or wrap the pad in a cozy blanket. If you can use regular sheets as couch covers, why not a bench? However you customize your new swing, you'll have the perfect spot to relax outside with your now big kid.