How to Build a Crib Mattress Porch Swing

Since posting my original porch swing bed tutorial, I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a smaller version. Bed swings are large since they are made to fit a twin mattress, and they do take up a lot of room on a porch. So it’s understandable that someone would rather have a smaller swing.

My sister-in-law has also been wanting a swing for her front porch, and after measuring, it’s not quite deep enough for a bed swing. So this was a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. I could build a swing for my sister-in-law and document the process for a tutorial.

After you build the swing, you’ll be wondering where to get a cover for the crib mattress. We’ve found a great website where you can order a cover in any custom size.

Now let’s build a swing!

Let’s get started. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Finish Nailer
• Tape Measurer
• Wood Glue
• Wood Stain
• Wood Filler
• Miter Saw
• Sand Paper
• 1 1/4″ Finish Nails
• 2″ Finish Nails

Wood

• 4 pieces of 1″ x 4″ x 8′ clear pine
• 6 pieces of 1″ x 3″ x 8′ clear pine
• 3 pieces of 1″ x 2″ x 8′ clear pine
• 4 pieces of 1″ x 6″ x 6′ clear pine
• 2 pieces of 2″ x 3″ x 8′ framing lumber

As always, I try to keep my DIY tutorials simple so they’re easy for anyone to do. All joints are butt joints using wood glue and finish nails.

Plans and Instructions

Before you get started, I recommend grabbing the printable PDF to make your build much easier.

The first step is to build the frame out of the 1×4’s. Here I used the 2″ finish nails.

Next, I added 2 pieces of the 1×2 to the inside of the frame on each end. I placed these 3/4″ from the top as seen in the diagram below.

Then I added a 1×3 in the middle. These three pieces will support the boards that form the seating underneath the mattress.

I then cut 4 pieces of the 1×6″ to 50 1/2″ in length and glued and nailed them onto the seat supports.

I cut 8 pieces of the 1×3″ to 20″ in length to make the posts for each corner of the frame.

Two pieces make up one post. I applied a bead of glue down one edge.

Forming an “L” shape I placed the other piece of 1×3 on top of the piece with the glue. After making sure the edges were perfectly lined up, I nailed the two pieces together with 2″ nails.

Once I had all four posts made, I glued and nailed them to the frame using 1 1/4″ nails.

After all four posts were nailed and glued in place, I added the top rails. These are cut from the 1×3’s. See the image below for placement and lengths.

Making the side X’s was the most difficult part of building this swing, but having me provide the angles and measurements should make it easier for you.

Each X is made of 3 pieces of 1×3.

The first piece is the longest. I cut each end of this piece at a 59 degree angle as shown in the diagram below.

The next two pieces are identical. I cut one end at 59 degrees and the other at 27.5 degrees.

After I cut all six pieces, I glued and nailed them in place as seen below.

Next I added the back rail, which I cut from a piece of 1×4.

I then cut all three pieces for the top caps for the sides and back of the swing. For this I used 1×3’s. I cut the ends where they meet at a 45 degree angle. See measurements and placement below.

For some added detail, I added trim around the bottom of the swing. I cut four pieces from the 1×2 and glued and nailed them in place.

Then I added one more piece to the back for added support. I cut this piece from the 1×4.

On all the other swings I’ve built, I’ve always used eye screws to connect the rope. But I thought I would try something a little different for this one. Instead of the eye screws, I used two 2×3’s nailed and glued to the bottom of the swing as shown below.

Then using a 3/4″ drill bit, I drilled a hole though each one for the rope to run through.

After I drilled the final hole, I sanded and stained the swing. After I get this swing put up at my sister-in-law’s house, I’ll write a tutorial on how to hang a swing, and include some more shots of this swing in its completed form. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it helpful! And by the way, here are instructions on how to hang a swing.