I want to build a simple porch swing. Where can I find a good DIY kit?

Depending on what you mean by a "kit" (pre-cut wood vs. hardware-only brackets), there are a few great routes you can take to build a simple porch swing.

1. Pre-Cut Wood & Hardware Kits (All-in-One)

If you want the pieces cut, sanded, and pre-drilled so you just have to assemble them, look at these options:

• Cedarwood Furniture: They offer a Western Red Cedar Wood Porch Swing Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. that comes with all slats, hardware, and instructions ready for assembly.
• Easy Breezy Porch Swings: If you want a larger project, they sell the [PorchCraft Do-It-Yourself Swing Bed Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://easybreezyporchswings.com/products/do-it-yourself-swing-bed-kit?variant=43573338275926&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoox9ogTo747_FhmllrkuFoAOfRnwzJLtRlff8f9duFwEEXotfJFTwg) which includes pre-cut wood, hanging ropes, and hardware to build a twin-sized daybed swing.

2. Hardware & Bracket Kits (You Buy the Lumber)

If you want to save money by picking up cheap 2x4s or 2x6s from a local big-box store, you can buy a dedicated hardware/bracket kit that takes the guesswork out of the angles and hanging:

Available via retailers like Walmart , this steel powder-coated kit handles the structural angles for a bench swing without requiring complicated cuts.

Available at hardware suppliers like Max Warehouse , this gives you the heavy-duty ceiling hooks, springs, and snap hooks safely rated for a standard DIY bench.

If you don't have a strong porch ceiling to hang from, The Porch Swing Company sells a heavy-duty A-frame stand hardware kit where you supply the 6x6 lumber for a freestanding station.

If you prefer a visual guide on how a basic frame goes together using standard lumber and simple hardware, watch this tutorial:

11:07 How to Build a SIMPLE Porch swing (basic tools!)296K views  · 5 years ago YouTube · DIY MAN

Would you rather go with a pre-cut wood kit where everything is ready to assemble, or a hardware/plans combo where you cut standard 2x4s yourself?

If you mean a DIY kit where you supply the lumber and build the swing yourself, there are a few good routes. I’d favor a hardware kit + plans rather than a “complete” swing kit—you get a much nicer result and can choose cedar, pine, etc.

Good options

Pylex Wood Swing Hardware Kit

$56.86

Winfield Collection Porch Swing Plan

$13.45

Everbilt Porch Swing Chain Kit

$32.45

Levi Innovations Classic Hanging Kit

$69.99

• Pylex Wood Swing Hardware Kit — probably the closest match to what you're describing: hardware intended for building your own wooden swing, for swings up to about 5 ft wide.
• Winfield Collection Porch Swing Plan — inexpensive plan with full-size patterns and assembly instructions; it also offers a separate hardware kit.
• Everbilt Porch Swing Chain Kit — a simple, inexpensive hanging kit if you already have your own swing design.
• Levi Innovations hanging kit — a nicer option with comfort springs if you want the swing to have a little more give.

For the wood/build itself, I'd use cedar if you're going to leave it exposed to the weather. A beginner-friendly porch-swing design can be made with basic tools; Instructables' April Wilkerson design, for example, says a jigsaw and drill are sufficient and recommends cedar for outdoor durability.

There are also free plans: Rockler has a downloadable porch-swing plan with a material list, drawings, photos, and step-by-step instructions.

My pick: get the Pylex hardware kit + a straightforward 5-ft swing plan + cedar lumber. That's probably the best balance of simple, inexpensive, and genuinely DIY.

One important point: make sure the porch framing where you attach it is actually structural—the swing's hanging hardware is only as safe as the joist/beam it's attached to.

When building a simple porch swing, true all-in-one kits containing both wood and hardware are rare and usually expensive to ship . Instead, the standard DIY approach is to buy a hardware/bracket kit (or just the hanging components) and source inexpensive dimensional lumber (2×4 s or 2×6 s) locally using a set of step-by-step plans.

Where to Find Plans and Hardware Kits

• For Hardware & Frame Brackets: If you need a freestanding A-frame stand rather than hanging the swing from your porch ceiling, heavy-duty bracket sets like the Amish Casual DIY Swing Stand Bracket Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. available via The Porch Swing Company provide the structural steel corners while you supply the lumber. For an easy-to-assemble hanging bench without complex angle cuts, look at the Pylex Swing Bracket Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. on DK Hardware.
• For Hanging Kits: Standard safety-rated ceiling hooks, springs, and heavy-duty chains can be found ready-to-go via the National Hardware Porch Swing Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or heavy stainless options like the LuxCraft Swing Hanging Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. on Amazon.
• For Woodworking Plans & Templates: If you want a straightforward blueprint, popular builder sites offer clear cut-lists. You can grab highly rated beginner instructions and a material list from The DIY Plan , follow free popular walkthroughs like the Shanty2Chic Simple Porch Swing Plan Go to product viewer dialog for this item. via Ana White , or buy precision CNC-cut plastic shape templates from Wilker Do's if you want to rout out curved armrests and supports easily.

Community Experiences

“With a small investment of time and about , you can create a swing that enhances your home and endures for years to come.”

To help narrow down the best approach, let me know:

• Do you plan to hang the swing from an existing porch ceiling/beam or build a freestanding A-frame stand?
• What length are you aiming for (e.g., standard 4-foot or 6-foot)?

If you're looking for a simple, beginner-friendly porch swing, you have two good paths:

1. A hardware kit (you supply the lumber).
2. A pre-cut wood kit (everything is included except basic tools).

For most DIYers, the first option gives the best value.

Good DIY kit options

Best overall (build it yourself from lumber):

• Use a quality porch swing plan (such as the beginner designs from This Old House) plus a dedicated hanging hardware kit. The projects use common dimensional lumber, straightforward cuts, and basic tools.

For the hanging hardware:

Porch Swing Hanging Kit

$39.99

This style of kit includes heavy-duty hangers, comfort springs, mounting bolts, and installation instructions.

If you want a complete wood kit

These come with pre-cut or partially assembled components, reducing the amount of measuring and cutting.

4' Luxe Cedar Porch Swing

$309.00

or

5' Luxe Cedar Porch Swing with Springs

$519.00

These cedar kits are attractive and weather resistant, though they're more expensive than building from dimensional lumber yourself.

Budget-friendly alternatives

All Things Cedar Porch Swing

$222.40

Backyard Discovery Cedar Farmhouse Porch Swing

$179.00

VINGLI 4 ft Wooden Porch Swing

$117.99

Before you build

A few tips that make a big difference:

• Choose cedar or pressure-treated lumber if you're building from scratch.
• Plan for 500–800 lb capacity once people and motion are factored in.
• Mount only into structural ceiling joists or beams, never just porch ceiling boards.
• A 4-foot swing seats two adults comfortably; 5-foot swings provide a little more room.

If you already own a circular saw and drill, I'd recommend following one of the simple This Old House plans and buying a quality hanging hardware kit. The total cost is often around $150–250, which is substantially less than many prebuilt swings while still being an approachable weekend project.

If you want to build it yourself without designing everything from scratch, a DIY kit or plan-and-hardware package is a nice middle ground. Here are a few good options:

Best if you want a complete woodworking plan

Porch Swing Wood Project Plan

$13.45

This includes full-size patterns and assembly instructions, and there's an optional hardware kit available. You'll still buy your own lumber, but it removes most of the guesswork.

If you already have basic woodworking tools

The free plans from This Old House are among the easiest to follow. They include cut lists, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions for beginner-friendly swings that cost around $100 in materials.

You can also watch the complete build here:

urn0youtube13

Don't forget the hanging hardware

A quality hanging kit is just as important as the swing itself.

Levi Innovations Porch Swing Hanging Kit

$39.99

It includes heavy-duty hangers and comfort springs with a high weight rating.

If you'd rather assemble than build

If cutting lumber isn't your goal, these arrive mostly pre-cut and assemble in about an hour:

My recommendation

For a first porch swing project, I'd go with:

1. The free This Old House plans (excellent instructions).
2. A quality hanging hardware kit like the Levi Innovations kit.
3. Cedar lumber if your budget allows—it naturally resists rot and insects and requires less maintenance than pine.

If you tell me your budget (for example, under $150, $250, or $500+) and whether you have a miter saw and drill, I can narrow it down to the best kit for your situation.

Depending on whether you want a full kit with pre-cut wood or just the hardware and plans to assemble yourself, several reputable options exist for a DIY porch swing.

Pre-Cut Wood & Hardware Kits

• Cedarwood Furniture: Offers dedicated Western Red Cedar porch swing kits that arrive with cut, sanded, and pre-drilled boards, alongside the hanging hardware and instructions. It's a great choice if you want to skip the measuring and miter saw stage.
• Easy Breezy Porch Swings (PorchCraft): If you are looking for a larger daybed-style swing, their PorchCraft DIY kits come with pre-cut wood, ropes, hardware, and instructions designed to go together quickly.

Hardware & Bracket Kits (Bring Your Own Wood)

• The Porch Swing Company: They offer heavy-duty standalone frame and swing accessory hardware kits where you supply the standard dimensional lumber locally, saving on heavy shipping costs for wood while ensuring the structural joints are rated for high weight limits.
• National Hardware / Big Box Stores: Standard hanging kits (including heavy-duty spring snaps, lag screws, and swing hangers) can be found at local hardware stores or online via The Home Depot if you prefer to use a free online woodworking plan (like those from Ana White ) and buy standard $50 2x4s.

To help narrow down the best option, tell me:

• Do you want a classic bench swing or a larger swing bed?
• Will you be hanging it from an existing porch ceiling/beam or do you need a freestanding A-frame stand?

For a simple DIY porch swing, you can find complete, pre-cut kits or hardware-only kits to build your own.

Top DIY Swing Kits

A highly recommended kit for a "swing bed" (fits a twin mattress) that includes pre-cut, sanded, knot-free yellow pine, hardware, and ropes for roughly $460–$480. It is designed to be assembled in about 2 hours.

Offers kits with pre-cut, sanded, and pre-drilled cedar boards.

If you prefer to buy your own wood, this hardware kit includes hangers, spring snaps, and screws to build a standard swing.

This video shows the process of assembling a similar, straightforward porch swing kit: 8m

Other Options

• Templates: You can buy CNC-cut templates for the armrest shapes from Wilker Do's for a semi-custom approach.
• DIY Plans: For a completely homemade project, look for plans on Ana White or Wilker Do's.

These videos provide step-by-step instructions for building a simple porch swing from scratch:

Key Tips for a Simple Build

• Wood Choice: Cedar is ideal for rot resistance, while pressure-treated wood is a more budget-friendly alternative.
• Fasteners: Ensure all screws and bolts are rated for exterior use.
• Assembly: Pre-drill your holes to prevent wood from splitting.

To help you choose the best option, are you looking for a standard bench-style swing , or a larger daybed-style ? Also, do you have a preference for cedar or pine?

If you're building a simple wooden porch swing, there are three good approaches depending on how much of the project you want to do yourself.

For the easiest build, buy a pre-cut DIY swing kit where the wood is already cut and drilled.

4 ft Canadian Made Porch Swing Bench Seat DIY Kit

$360.00

This style of kit typically includes the pre-cut cedar parts and hardware, so you're mostly assembling, sanding, and finishing it yourself.

If you'd rather build from standard lumber but want professional plans:

Adirondack Plus Porch Swing Plan

$23.50

You'll buy the lumber locally, but the plans include cut lists and detailed instructions.

For hanging hardware, don't skimp—it's one of the most important safety components.

National Hardware Porch Swing Hanging Spring Kit

$85.86

A few additional resources that are worth considering:

• urlThis Old House DIY porch swing guideturn0search1 walks through building a straightforward swing from common 2×4 and 2×6 lumber. Their design costs about $100 in materials (excluding cushions) and is a solid weekend project for someone with basic woodworking tools.
• If you're in Canada, urlHome Depot Canadaturn0search2 sells an unfinished Canadian-made pine porch swing kit with all parts pre-cut, drilled, and hardware included if you'd rather assemble than build completely from scratch.

Before you hang any porch swing, make sure:

• It's attached to a structural ceiling joist or beam—not just porch decking or trim.
• The combined rating of the hardware and the support structure exceeds the maximum expected load.
• You use exterior-rated chain or rope and galvanized or stainless hardware for outdoor durability.

If you already own a miter saw and drill, I'd recommend the pre-cut cedar DIY kit—it gives you the satisfaction of building it without spending hours cutting lumber. If you're trying to keep the cost under about $150, the This Old House plan plus locally purchased lumber is likely the best value.

You can find excellent, straightforward porch swing DIY kits online, with options ranging from simple hardware packs to complete, pre-cut wood kits.

Top Places to Find DIY Porch Swing Kits

• Easy Breezy Porch Swings: Known for the PorchCraft DIY Swing Bed Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. , which includes pre-cut wood, hardware, rope, and instructions, often designed to fit a twin mattress.
• Cedarwood Furniture: Offers Western Red Cedar Wood Porch Swing Kits Go to product viewer dialog for this item. in 5-foot or 6-foot sizes. These kits provide cut, sanded, and pre-drilled boards, making assembly straightforward.
• ThePorchSwingCompany.com: Features various kits, including the Amish Casual DIY Heavy Duty Swing Stand Go to product viewer dialog for this item. bracket kit for building a free-standing frame.
• Etsy: Great for finding CNC-cut, durable plastic templates (like from Wilker Do's ) that allow you to trace the pattern onto your own lumber.
• Max Warehouse: Sells the National Hardware Porch Swing Kit Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (N900-010), which includes chains, hooks, and hangers.

This video shows the process of building a simple porch swing, which is a great reference for assembly: 7:16

What to Look for in a Kit

• Pre-cut vs. Plans: Decide if you want a complete kit with wood (usually pine or cedar) or just the hardware and instructions.
• Material Durability: Cedar and cypress are naturally rot-resistant, whereas pine is less expensive but requires sealing.
• Weight Capacity: Look for kits that support at least 400-500 pounds for a two-person swing.

Common DIY Kit Components

• Pre-cut Wood: Saves time on measuring and cutting.
• Hardware Sets: Often include chains, S-hooks, and eye bolts.
• Instructions: Detailed, step-by-step guides, often with a cut list.

Would you prefer a full kit with wood included , or just the hardware and plans ? I can give you more specific recommendations based on your choice.

If you're looking for a simple DIY porch swing kit, there are a few good approaches depending on how much of the project you want to build yourself.

If you want a true DIY woodworking project (best value)

A kit with pre-cut lumber and hardware is surprisingly hard to find. Most DIYers instead buy:

• a set of detailed plans (often with a hardware list), or
• a hardware kit, then purchase the lumber locally.

This keeps the cost down and lets you choose better-quality wood like cedar or cypress. Many straightforward designs can be built in about 6 hours with common tools and around $100 in lumber.

If you want the easiest "assembly" project

Some manufacturers sell swings that arrive as mostly pre-cut parts and assemble in a few hours.

One example:

Backyard Discovery Farmhouse Cedar Porch Swing

$179.00

It's made from cedar, includes hanging chains, and is designed for straightforward assembly.

Other good options include:

VEIKOUS 5-ft Wood Porch Swing

$139.99

VINGLI 5-ft Wood Porch Swing

$163.41

If you're building completely from scratch

Don't overlook the hanging hardware—it matters as much as the swing itself.

A solid option is:

Levi Innovations Porch Swing Hanging Kit

$39.99

Great free plans

If you'd rather build the swing yourself, these are among the clearest tutorials available:

• This Old House offers a modern, beginner-friendly porch swing with step-by-step instructions and a complete cut list.
• Bob Vila has a collection of porch swing plans ranging from simple benches to swing beds, with recommendations for different skill levels.

If you're new to woodworking, I'd recommend a 5-foot cedar swing with a separate hanging hardware kit. It's a forgiving weekend project, holds up well outdoors, and provides enough room for two adults.

If you tell me:

• your budget (e.g. under $150, $300, or $500),
• whether you have a miter saw and drill, and
• whether the swing will hang from a porch ceiling or a freestanding frame,

I can narrow it down to the best kit or plan for your situation.