Move Over Chaise Lounges; Make Room for Hammocks

If you're looking for the ideal way to relax and laze away a summer day, a hammock may be the answer. Hammocks are easily the most recognizable symbol of the island life: hot sun, cool breezes and glorious, sandy beaches, but you don't have to live the island life to enjoy the comfort of a hammock. In fact, hammocks and hammock chairs are rapidly becoming as popular as the ubiquitous chaise lounge used to be. Whether you're looking for the perfect accent for your patio or your bedroom, check out the various styles of hammocks and hammock chairs available on the market today.
Keeping with Tradition
The most traditional hammocks are rope hammocks meant to be suspended between two posts or two trees. Today, they come in a wide range of colors, sizes, patterns and styles, so that you can easily choose the one that suits your tastes and needs the best. 
Going Extra Wide
Wide hammocks are designed for the comfort of larger adults or to allow two or more people to relax together. Most extra wide hammocks are fitted with a spreader bar to help keep the net, rope or fabric spread at the two ends. The spreader bars keep the hammock from "cocooning," or wrapping itself around the occupant, and make it easier to get in and out of the suspended swing.
Hammock Chairs
Hammock chairs are designed to hang from a single overhead suspension point, making them especially popular in dorm rooms and on porches and patios. The wide net expands to allow you to sit or lounge in perfect comfort for reading, napping or just hanging out. They come in a wide range of colors, including natural, earthy colors and bright, Caribbean inspired rainbow stripes, so it's easy to match a hammock chair to your decor. 
Hardware and More
Depending on the hammock style you choose, you're likely to need the right hardware to hang it safely. While it's delightful to think about simply tying the hammock between two trees, it's not necessarily the safest way to hang your new sling sleeper. Instead, stylish hammock stands will hold your hammock safely while looking fabulous with your decorating scheme. Look for hammock stands in metal or wood, either stained or natural. Among the most striking hammock stands are crescent shaped arc stands that suspend your hammock in the curve of a crescent. 
If you prefer to hang hammock from your walls, ceiling, trees or porch posts, it's important to invest in the appropriate hardware. The right hardware will make it easier to install your hammock or chair properly. In turn, proper installation will ensure that your chair doesn't come tumbling down when you settle into it.
In addition to the necessities, there are some accessories, such as hammock pillows, that make your hammock more comfortable and enjoyable.
You don't have to escape to an island paradise to have a taste of island comfort. The array of available hammocks, hammock swings and hammock chairs let you enjoy the pleasures of island living in your own backyard.