How to Hang a Hammock on an Apartment Balcony

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: July 18, 2022 References

Are you looking for a way to kick back and relax on your balcony? A hammock is a great way to transform your space into a cozy getaway, but it does require a bit of planning beforehand. Not to worry—we’ve answered all your frequently asked questions here, so you can turn your balcony into a slice of paradise.

Question 1

Am I allowed to hang a hammock on my apartment balcony?

Yes, in most cases it shouldn’t be a problem. How you hang up your hammock really depends on your lease agreement—some agreements let you drill into your walls and ceiling, while others aren’t so lenient. Fortunately, even if your lease doesn’t allow drilling into the walls, you have a few other options.^{[1]
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- Check with your landlord to clarify what is and isn’t allowed in your lease.

Question 2

How can I hang a hammock without drilling any holes?

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Place your hammock on a stand. Hammock stands are the most convenient way to set up and relax in a hammock. All you need to do is assemble the stand—there are no stud finders, pilot holes, or special hooks required.^{[2]
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- Hammock stands typically cost at least $100, but they’re a worthwhile investment if you plan on using your hammock a lot. You can buy them online, or at your local home improvement store.
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Secure the hammock to any balcony roof beams. Pick up a set of hammock straps—you can find these online for under $15. Loop and secure both straps at different points along the roof beam; then, attach the strap to a carabiner or S-hook. Connect these hooks or carabiners to each end of your hammock to finish the setup.^{[3]
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- Always check with your landlord before hanging anything from your roof beams—they can let you know if the beams are sturdy enough to hold up a hammock.
3
Hang the hammock between vertical posts or beams. If your balcony is made with beams or posts, ask your landlord if they’re secure enough to hold a hammock. If the posts are sturdy enough, wrap both hammock straps around 2 separate posts, connecting them to the actual hammock with carabiners or S-hooks.^{[4]
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- This process is similar to hanging a hammock between 2 trees.

Question 3

How can I mount a hammock using a drill?

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Locate and mark 2 studs along your wall. Studs are the supports in your walls. You'll need to mount your hammock on 2 studs so that it's secure. Use a stud finder (you can buy one for relatively cheap at a hardware store) along the wall, slowly guiding it in a horizontal line. When your device beeps or flashes, back-track with the stud finder to confirm where the stud is. Then, grab a pencil and lightly mark the studs you’ve chosen.^{[5]
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- Choose studs about 10 to 15 ft (3.0 to 4.6 m) apart. If you can, set aside at least 10 ft (3.0 m) of space so you can comfortably stretch out your hammock.
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Drill pilot holes into your stud markings. Pilot holes are pre-drilled holes that protect the wooden frame from cracking.^{[6]
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- A ³⁄₈ in (0.95 cm) drill bit works well for a pilot hole.^{[8]
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Screw eye bolts into the wall. Twist the eye bolt into each pilot hole until it’s completely firm and sturdy. For reference, eye bolts are pieces of hardware that are curved along the end—this makes it easier to hang up your hammock.^{[9]
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Mount your hammock from the bolts. Attach each end of the hammock to one of the eye bolts with a length of rope or a small section of chain. Double-check that your hammock is firmly attached to each bolt. You can now relax and recline on your very own balcony hammock!^{[10]
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Question 4

How high off the ground should my hammock be?

Hang your hammock about 5 ¹⁄₂ to 6 ft (1.7 to 1.8 m) off the ground. This will let your hammock dangle comfortably without touching the floor. If you’re mounting your hammock to the wall, just mark your studs at least 5 ¹⁄₂ ft (1.7 m) off the floor.^{[11]
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- If you’re using a hammock stand, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to adjust the height.

Question 5

Can I hang a hammock from metal studs?

Wooden studs offer a lot more security. Many buildings use wooden studs that are supported by wooden planks, which can support your hammock’s hardware. Unfortunately, metal studs don’t hold as much weight, and aren’t a great option for your hammock.^{[12]
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- Some modern apartment complexes might be made with metal studs. To be safe, always double-check with your landlord before setting up your hammock.

Question 6

What if my balcony is really small?

Hang up your hammock from the ceiling, instead. This is the same process as hanging up a hammock from your wall—just search for studs along the ceiling, and attach the eye bolts from there. Then, dangle your hammock from these bolts.^{[13]
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- You can always mount the hooks right next to each other to create a hammock “swing” of sorts.^{[14]
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Warnings

Always double-check with your landlord before making any big changes to your apartment.

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If you're drilling, make sure your eye hooks are stainless steel.

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