More and more couples are discovering the fun and relaxation of a portable double hammock as a way to enjoy the shady and privacy of their own back yard.

Most of us think of Fred Flintstone being suspended in between two trees and quickly falling asleep. But Fred never had the fun and romance of sharing his hammock with Wilma because it wasn’t a double hammock.

And it does mean having two trees spaced apart at exactly the right distance, which isn’t necessarily available when you want to enjoy your double hammock. Planting another tree at the right distance and waiting for it to grow so that it’s sturdy enough to support you before using your double hammock just won’t do, so there must be other options.

How To Make Your Hammock Portable

One option is to install a two foot galvanized pipe into a hole in the ground and keeping an eight foot, 3 inch galvanized pipe to insert into the pipe. When installed, six feet of pipe will protrude out of the ground but you’ll still need something to attach your double hammock ties to. Drill a hole 24 inches from the top and insert an industrial strength “eye bolt” through the hole with nuts and lock washers on both sides. This will prevent it from coming lose and will give you a height of 4 feet from the ground. This “portable pole” could be twelve feet from an existing mature tree in your yard or even the wall of the shady part of your house. Using this portable pole will make your double hammock more portable.

Another option is add an eye hook to the wall of your house on the porch and tie the opposite end of your double hammock to one of the posts holding up the roof of.

Yet another option is to buy a “tubular steel” stand which is manufactured to hold your double hammock perfectly. The advantage of this is being able to take your hammock anywhere…to the beach…to the park, on a hike or anywhere you want to get away.

The height off the ground of the double hammock that is portable is more flexible than one that isn’t portable. It can be adjusted by allowing some more slack at either end or simply installing your eye bolts at the level you feel comfortable at. Remember that depending on your size and the size of your partner, all hammocks including the portable double hammock, will sag and this will need to be taken into consideration.

Getting into a portable double hammock is easier than it looks. One partner can hold the hammock still while the other climbs on. The double hammock becomes steadier and easier for the second partner to roll into.

Some couples like to bring a pillow and even a light blanket if the weather is cooler since air can circulate through your double hammock and you may find yourself a little cooler than you want.

On the other hand, in the heat of the summer, some couples like to trade in their stuffy hot bedroom for a breezy restful sleep on their portable double hammock. If you have a small “folding table” such as a card table you can bring a pitcher of lemonade and a couple of crystal glasses and your portable double hammock can be the beginning of a romantic evening.

Are you thinking of buying a double hammock chair? It could be put in your backyard by the pool or on the patio. Sounds great! What do you need to know before buying one? Let’s take a look at some things to think about – the style, the fabric, and the rope or frame for your double hammock chair.

What Style Do You Want?

Double hammock chairs come in various styles. Some are similar to a regular double hammock, where both ends are attached to places overhead (as opposed to attached to two trees on a regular hammock). Others are literally shaped more like a chair, and only have one rope to attach the double hammock chair overhead. Still other double hammock chairs are portable, with the double hammock having its own frame to hold it wherever you are – whether on the patio or under a tree.

What Type Of Fabric Should It Be?

When it comes to hammocks, all fabrics are not created equal. If your double hammock chair is going to be inside, a cotton fabric will be nice. It will be cool and comfortable, and you can easily buy one to fit in with your décor. But if it will be out of doors, it really should be made of a synthetic fabric. A common one is a nylon woven hammock, but it could also be made of nylon parachute silk.

Alternately, you can have a double hammock chair that isn’t made of fabric at all, but rope. While some say that the rope hammock is less comfortable, as the rope can bite into the skin over time in the hammock, others love the natural aspects of the hammock.

And How Will It Be Held Up?

How do you want your hammock held up? Some of that decision was made when you chose the style, but there are other things to consider even within each category of hammock. If your hammock will be free-standing, with a metal frame, it is usually steel. If you will be hanging your double hammock chair in between trees or in a favorite tree, the rope can by nylon or cotton.

As you shop for your double hammock chair, take these ideas into consideration. If you plan to take your double hammock on trips with you, a compact hammock will be best. If it will be in your yard, you might want one with wheels on the frame.