Build Your Own Crib Mattress Porch Swing!

April 27, 2020 |

I’ve always wanted a porch swing! So I decided to build my own! And build it to fit my daughter’s old crib mattress that I had sitting in the basement! I used Plank and Pillows tutorial for inspiration and edited it for the things I wanted! This is a Simple Tutorial especially if you opt-out of the x design on the sides. I would rate this a SKILL LEVEL TWO on the 1 to 5 skill scale.

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:

Miter Saw

Measuring Tape

Pen/Pencil

Nail Gun

Outdoor Wood Glue

Countersink Drill Bit

Drill

Kreg Jig (optional) and clamp

1/4 inch drill bit

3/4 inch drill bit

MATERIALS LIST

18 Gauge 1 1/4 inch Finishing Nails

3 inch screws

1 1/4 inch Softwood Kreg Screws (optional)

2 3/8 Eye Screws

3/4 inch Rope length 4 times floor to ceiling height

Crib Mattress

APPROXIMATE COST- $130

This does not include tools costs

Let’s Do It!

STEP 1:

Use 1×4’s to create a frame. Cut 2 pieces to 26 1/2 inches and 2 pieces to 52 inches. Place the shorter pieces inside the longer pieces to create the box. I used two pocket holes with screws and wood glue on both ends of the shorter pieces to create a very strong base. If you don’t have a kreg jig. wood glue and finish nails are ok!

STEP 2:

Use 1×2’s to create supports. Cut 2 pieces to 26 1/2 inches. Use wood glue and brad nails to attach the pieces inside of the frame with 3/4 of an inch gap to the top of the outside frame pieces.

STEP 3:

Use a 1×3 to create central support. Cut a 1×3 to 26 1/2 inches and attached to the center of the frame using wood glue and brad nails leaving a 3/4 inch gap from the top of the board to the top of the frame.

STEP 4:

Use 1×6’s to create a base. Cut 4 1×6’s to 50 1/2 inches and attach them to the frame using wood glue and brad nails. Space the boards evenly apart with the first and last boards flush to the frame.

STEP 5:

Use 1×3’s to create L shaped front posts. DO NOT attach them to the frame yet. Cut 4 pieces to 20 inches. Make two L shaped posts by using wood glue to attach the edge of one to the back of the other (x2). Let them sit and dry for a few minutes.

Once the L shaped posts have dried, attach them to the front corners of the frame using glue and brad nails. Place the shorter side of the L’s along the front and the longer sides along the side of the frame.

STEP 6:

Use 1×3’s to create L shaped back posts. Exactly the same as the last step but cut 4 pieces to 26 inches. Create the L shaped posts first with wood glue and then attach them to the back corners with wood glue and brad nails. The short side of the L along the back and long side along the side of the frame.

STEP 7:

Use 1×3’s to create the sides of the swing. Cut two pieces to 28 inches, attach them to the inside of the front (20 inch) posts using wood glue and brad nails. Use a level to level the piece and then attach the other end to the inside of the back post (26 inch) using wood glue and brad nails. Repeat on the other side.

STEP 8:

Use 1×3 to create the back. Cut one piece to 52 inches and attach to the inside of the back posts using wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 9:

Use 1×3’s to make an X design on the sides. This is THE hardest step. (If you don’t feel like tackling the angles you can take one or two pieces and make slats instead.) The X’s are made from 3 pieces. The ends of the X’s are cut at a 60-degree angles. The first piece has alternating 60-degree angles on both ends and from the short of one angle to the long of the other measures 27 inches. I had to create a jig to get a 60-degree angle with my miter saw (you can watch this video to learn how.).

The next two pieces have a 60-degree angle on one end and a 30-degree angle on the other with the board measuring 13 1/2 inches from long tip to short tip. Attach the long piece first with wood glue and brand nails and then the shorter two on either side.

STEP 10:

Use 1×3’s and 1×4’s to create the back slats. Cut 3 pieces of 1×3 to 52” and 1 to 50 1/2 inches. Cut 1 piece of 1×4 to 52 inches. Attach the 1×3 pieces to the inside of the back L posts using wood glue and brad nails 1 1/8 inches apart from each other. The 50 1/2 inch 1×3 will be attached where the side arms hit the back posts.

The 1×4 piece is attached at the bottom as low as it will sit before hitting the cross pieces.

STEP 11:

Create a back support piece using 1×3’s. Cut one piece to 26 inches and attach it to the back slats using wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 12:

Creat armrests using 1×3’s. Cut 2 pieces 26 1/4 inches long and attach them along the top of the sides using wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 13:

Add trim pieces with 1×3’s. Cut two pieces to 5 1/4 inches and attach them to the face of the back trim using wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 14:

Add top finish pieces using 1×3’s. Cut two pieces to 4 inches and attach them to the top of the posts using wood glue and brad nails.

STEP:15

Add finish pieces using 1×2’s. Cut one piece to 58 1/16 inches. Us your measuring tape to check your space before cutting. Attach with wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 16:

Create finish trim using 1×2’s. Cut 2 pieces to 23 inches and 2 pieces to 48 1/2 inches. Attach them to the base front and sides using wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 17:

Add Trim pieces to the back using 1×2’s. Based on how you centered the back support the measurements will change. So, measure the distance between the supports and posts, cut 2 pieces, and attach with wood glue and brad nails.

STEP 18:

Add 2×3 Studs for hanging supports. Cut 2 pieces to 59 1/2 inches. Attach them to the bottom of the front and back of the base using wood glue and 3-inch screws. Drill pilot screws using a countersink bit before screwing in the 3-inch screws.

STEP 19:

Add holes to the studs for hanging. Using a 3/4 inch drill bit to drill 4 holes in the center of the overhanging stud ends.

STEP 20:
Paint/Stain

If you’re painting your swing I recommend the extreme bond primer first from Sherwin Williams. And then follow with two coats of their Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.

If you’re staining I would recommend a good outdoor wood stain like this one.

STEP 21:
HANG

We set the porch swing on two upside-down 5-gallon buckets (It’s the perfect height!). The trickiest part of hanging the swing is finding the support studs in the ceiling, especially if you have metal ceilings like us. We pushed around on the ceilings and you could easily feel the studs.

Once you find it, use the 1/4 inch drill bit and make a pilot hole into the center of the stud. Make sure wood shavings come out when you drill. Then screw in the eye screws into the pilot holes- use a long screwdriver through the hole and turn it until tight. We recommend you reinforce the stud beams to be safe!

Then run the rope through the eye screw and down through the hanging holes on the side of the swing. Tie knots in the rope right beneath the stud/hole.

And TA-DA!!! A Beautiful, functional and fun porch swing!!

Please tag me on Instagram @huntersofhappiness if you complete it!! And follow me there to see how I decorate this beauty!!

Posted in DIY