Camping, Patio and Garden Hammocks

Hammocks are perfect for relaxing in the garden after a hard day's work, or for simply giving us just the right place to be comfortable while lounging outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature. If you've never experienced the gentle comfort hammocks offer, it's definitely time to see for yourself why they've been a popular choice for outdoor living spaces since the native American Indians created the very first one from the Hamack tree a few centuries ago.

The Many Types and Styles of Hammocks

When shopping for hammocks, choose from everything from the simplistic and basic, to the rustic and country, to contemporary and modern, and just about every other style in between. A rainbow of shades and a variety of fabrics, including woven designs and brilliantly colored ropes, are just some of the options you'll have when looking at the many types available, including these specific styles:

Brazilian Hammocks: While hand-woven Brazilian hammocks are extremely comfortable as they're made from a thick, soft cotton, making them perfect for relaxing, their colors do tend to fade over time if they're regularly left out in the direct sunlight. Brazilian hammocks are great for colder climates and are available in any number of colors. They're also able to withstand the wind and rain and are sure to get plenty of use throughout the spring, summer, and even during the fall months.

Camping Hammock: The vast majority of camping hammocks are made from a durable nylon material, enabling them to stand up to all types of weather. Most of these conveniently styled hammocks fold up rather small and weigh very little so they're able to be packed away and carried in a backpack or easily stored with the rest of the camping equipment. Camping hammocks also will usually feature netting, offering protection from pesky insects.

Mayan Hammocks: Unrivaled in their comfort, Mayan hammocks have been compared to floating effortlessly upon a soft sponge that absorbs the body's pressure points, making them the ultimate piece of outdoor furniture for a most relaxing experience. The colorful pieces of thick string used to create authentic Mayan hammocks are dyed and then woven into a diamond pattern.

Rope Hammocks: Rope style hammocks feature wooden or metal spacer bars that keep the unit open, and of course, large ropes that are woven together to serve as the hammock part. As with other type of hammocks, if you plan on leaving yours outdoors throughout the warmer seasons, be sure to choose one with sturdy bars that are finished with some type of weather resistant coating.

The most inexpensive of this particular type of hammock are those made with cotton ropes, although this material doesn't withstand the elements too well and is also prone to mildew. For rope hammocks that hold up a bit better and that will last for several seasons, you may want to choose nylon, or the most expensive material, olefin rope, instead.

Other hammocks are made from quilted fabrics, and the weight limits will vary slightly between the different types. Rope, quilted, and those meant to be used poolside, which are fade-resistant and quick-drying, usually have a weight limit of 400 to 450 pounds and are meant for two to three people, while Mayan and Nicaraguan styled hammocks may support up to 600 to 650 pounds for as many as three people at a time. The kind with the lowest weight capacity are the smaller camping hammocks that are intended for only one person at a time.

Also: Choosing and Caring For Hammocks