Swing Seat, Hammock, Swing Chair, Swing Bench. What's in a name?

The best kind of friend is the one you can sit on a porch swing with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had...

Swing Seats are known by many different names, but some we've come across include:

• Swing Chair
• Swing Bench
• Tree Swing
• Rocking Bench
• Porch Swing
• Porch Seat
• Swinging Bench
• Hammock
• Hammock Swing Chair
• Egg Chair

What's In A Name?

Of course it’s perfectly fine to call swing seats ‘swing hammocks’ or asomething similar – but since the start of Sitting Spiritually in 2004 we’ve always called them ‘swing seats’ so it’s kind of stuck, but nowadays we are noticing so many more different names springing up for them, especially online.

All  of them essentially provide the same thing, that is a “seat” that swings and is the perfect place to relax and unwind.  On another blog we have looked at the health & sleep benefits of swing seats,  read this here.

HAMMOCK

The one from the list above that does differ though is the Hammock. A hammock (from Spanish hamaca) is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two or more points. A Hammock is really more for solo use, unless of course you are particularly intimate with the person you want to share it with!

 A Hammock may not give you the same sense of stability that a traditional swing seat does, even if that sounds like a contradiction in terms as you want both to swing and sway in a relaxing way.  And certainly it won’t be as easy or comfortable to get in and out of, or on, nor provide the solid comforting feeling that a wooden swing seat does.

Some people believe that only a hammock will allow you to stretch out fully, that is most definitely not your only option. Certainly with our three and four seater swing seats this is not the case, and with a cushion under your head and shoulders, you will find that most people will be able to lie out comfortably on a swing seat.  And of course, a swing seat also lets you sit companionably side by side with someone for lengthy chats and drinks together.

EGG CHAIRS

Also popular at the moment are Egg Chairs. An egg chair is actually a half egg shaped chair. They are also known as swing chairs, hanging basket chairs, or egg hammocks.  They are made for one person.  Our own equivalent is our single swing seat, available with or without a frame. A hanging egg chair without stand, suspended from one anchor point -a ceiling or a tree branch – allows you to rotate 360 degrees.

PORCH SWINGS

Quite often an American term, and I think many of us have memories of Porch Swings in old films, always creating an almost romantic feel.  A Porch Swing is defined as a type of swing shaped like a  garden bench (a long wooden seat for several people) that hangs from the ceiling of a porch.

The video below shows one of the Swing Seats in the Sitting Spiritually Garden, hanging  underneath a balcony, so it is attached to the "ceiling" of the covered area.  This works perfectly on hot days as it is always shaded and has the added benefit of a highly scented Jasmine trained up the side of the area, intoxicating on Summer nights!  In another blog we will look at scented plants to have near your garden furniture.

SWING SEATS

There are many different swing seats (call them what you will) on the market today, but we believe ours are one of a kind, hand crafted, and beautifully finished. With a unique British made design and the finest timbers, and Endorsed by The RHS, they stand the test of time, unlike a fabric hammock, and with the correct care, will easily outlive a hammock. 

We're always happy to chat swing seats, so if you have any questions, just give us a call, your dream swing chair/swing seat/swing bench is only a call away!

If you would like to contribute a guest blog, please contact Siobhan at siobhan@sittingspiritually.co.uk