Swinging garden day beds, handcrafted in oak for calm outdoor living
Our swinging garden day beds are made in Britain from prime European oak, designed to bring calm to outdoor life. A generous place to recline, gently suspended, and crafted with the same quiet attention to detail that defines every Sitting Spiritually piece.
Choose a simple open setting or add an optional oak pergola to frame the day bed and define the space. Built to live outdoors and age beautifully, it’s an invitation to slow down - season after season.
As featured in:
400+ five star reviews across Trustpilot and Google
Commonly Asked Questions Around Day Beds
What's included with a Swinging Day Bed?
The day bed arrives fully assembled, complete with a maritime-grade Nautolex vinyl mattress built to live outdoors in the British climate. Cushions, a waterproof pull-over cover, the oak pergola structure, and accessories such as UV-rated polycarbonate roof panels can all be added at the point of order. Your maker will talk you through the options - the day bed is a considered purchase and we'd rather help you configure it correctly than leave anything to chance.
Can a Swinging Day Bed stay outside all year?
Yes. The day bed is built to live outdoors year-round. The frame is prime European oak - FSC-certified, dense-grained and suited to the full range of the British climate. The standard mattress uses Nautolex Maritime Vinyl, a weather-resistant material designed to be left outside. If you add cushions, these should be brought in when not in use, or protected using the waterproof pull-over cover. Our Accoya® painted day beds carry even greater long-term weather resistance: Accoya® holds a 50-year manufacturer's guarantee above ground and 25 years in ground contact - an exceptional credential for any outdoor structure.
What is the Waterproof Pull-Over Cover, and how does it protect the day bed?
The cover is made from Top Notch® 9 - a breathable, water-repellent polyester with a durable boat vent built in. The vent allows air to circulate and moisture to escape, which is the detail that matters most: a cover that traps damp does more harm than none at all. This one is designed not to. It's the recommended option for protecting cushions and the mattress surface through wetter months without creating a sealed, stagnant environment underneath.
How much space does a Swinging Day Bed need?
Day beds are designed to swing within the footprint of their pergola, so the pergola dimensions are your starting point. Sizes vary by model - we'd recommend checking the specific dimensions on the product page for the configuration you're considering. As a general principle, allow clear space on all sides for both the swing arc and comfortable access. If you're working with a defined space and want to check feasibility before ordering, our team are happy to advise - it's a conversation we have regularly.
How is the day bed delivered and installed?
Once your day bed is ready - typically four to six weeks from commission - our team will deliver and install it. The day bed itself arrives fully assembled. If you've ordered a pergola, the structure is assembled in our workshop, then carefully deconstructed, numbered and delivered for reassembly on site; the installation typically takes around one working day, leaving you with everything in place - day bed, pergola, cushions and cover.
If you'd prefer to assemble the pergola yourself, that's possible. The day bed comes fully assembled either way, but it weighs approximately 200kg, so plan for a team of at least two. Numbered sections, assembly instructions and a video guide are all provided.
How long does a Swinging Day Bed take to make?
Typically four to six weeks from commission to delivery, though this can extend during our busiest periods in spring and early summer. Every day bed is made to order in our Devon workshops - nothing is held in stock. If you have a specific date in mind, it's always worth asking: we'll tell you honestly what's achievable and do what we can to accommodate a tighter window.
How do I secure the pergola?
On soft ground, we recommend excavating four holes and setting the pergola posts in concrete for maximum stability. On an existing paved area, steel shoes with anchor bolts are available to secure the posts without groundwork. Once installed, the day bed can be held still when needed using the supplied restraining ropes - useful if you want it stationary for reading or sleeping, rather than gently swinging.
What maintenance does a Swinging Day Bed require?
Oak is a naturally resilient timber - in the first few years, the wood's own tannins offer meaningful protection, and little intervention is needed beyond keeping the surface clean. After that, a seasonal routine of cleaning and feeding the timber will keep the frame at its best. We recommend cleaning with sugar soap or our approved products, and treating with the appropriate oil or feed thereafter. Algae is the main thing to stay ahead of - a little attention each season prevents the build-up that causes longer-term problems. An aftercare kit is available to order alongside your day bed.
Can I see a Swinging Day Bed before I order?
Yes - and for a piece of this scale, we'd encourage it. You're welcome to visit our garden in Lyme Regis, where a number of pieces are on display in a garden setting. If you'd like to find a placed day bed closer to you, get in touch and we'll do our best to arrange a viewing through one of our existing customers, subject to their agreement.
For more frequently asked questions, please see our FAQ page or email us at info@sittingspiritually.co.uk.
"Far beyond our expectations"
Absolutely first rate service from Martin, Celia and everyone else and Sitting Spiritually.
The team of craftsmen that installed our daybed and custom oak pergola were fantastic - hard working, tidy and phenomenal attention to details. The quality of the finished product is second to none and we can't wait to enjoy the structures in the summer!
Google Review
Guidance around a Swinging Day Bed
Expert guidance and garden design advice for our beautiful range of handcrafted swinging day beds.
An Oak Swinging Day Bed, Made to Live Outdoors
A centrepiece for slow afternoons, or a subtle sanctuary tucked beneath a tree. Let clematis soften an oak pergola, or settle your garden day bed into a secluded corner of planting. However you place it, it becomes the part of the garden you return to.
Our Swinging Day Bed is a luxury garden day bed swing designed for real outdoor living — to sit, recline or drift into an afternoon doze. Handcrafted in prime oak for strength and longevity, it’s made to live outdoors year-round and will naturally weather over time to an elegant silvery grey. Choose to hang your day bed from your own structure, or pair it with our bespoke oak pergola for a beautifully framed, architectural setting.
For comfort, we offer perfectly sized cushions made to suit the day bed, with a wide choice of weather-resistant outdoor fabrics so you can create the look you love — calm neutrals or a considered note of colour. Optional glass and bottle holders keep everything within arm’s reach, so the garden day bed becomes what it should be: effortless, unhurried, and entirely yours.
Behind the scenes:
The Sitting Spiritually
Experience:
Installing Our
Swinging Day Bed
Your Perfect Garden Swing Bed
On a beautiful sunny day, you sit on your sofa and yearn to be outdoors. The outdoor day bed is the perfect solution, you can enjoy the outdoors without giving up the comfort of your indoor furniture.
Our day beds have mattresses and cushions designed to fit perfectly. You can select the colours for your bedding to reflect the colours in your garden or your favourite colours. We have a wide range of fabric options for your new garden furniture. We use Sunbrella® fabric, to ensure durability and easy maintenance.
There's no need for assembly instructions, your new day bed can be delivered to your garden and assembled for you by our associates at Saturn Removals. They'll even put all your chosen accessories onto your day bed for you, so you're ready for a relaxing swing.
Don't worry about leaving your day bed over winter. We have a pullover cover that will keep your day bed and bedding safe from the elements. The covers fabric is breathable, water repellent and exceptionally high quality.
Updating page...