Gardens that were once just beautifully landscaped portions of the house used infrequently, have now become relaxing open air spaces used much more on weekends and holidays. In fact they offer a welcome respite with fresh air and scenic beauty after being locked indoors at work for the whole week. Weekends then become garden specials. The garden needs accessories like the hammock to make the holiday complete, and each member of the family would love to have a hammock of his own to recline in and spend the day resting and reading. A hammock is addictive and once its comfort has been tasted no one wishes to leave it. While too many hammocks may not be possible it is very easy to hang one or two hammocks or even a large family hammock. These suspended slings need either two trees at a certain distance from each other or poles or if neither is available, a hammock with a stand can be placed in the garden.

Hammocks have multiple uses and can be used for rest during the day, for barbecue parties at night, by the poolside when the family decides to take a dip in the pool, in the patio when it rains and even indoors. They are used by insomniacs to go to sleep and by people with back problems to get relief by lying in the hammock. The hammock is an ergonomic recliner that heals as it relaxes.

Selecting a garden hammock can be tougher than most people expect. A closer look with the intention of buying reveals that there is an amazing variety of hammocks available, each differing in shape, size, and style. Before being able to choose a hammock a person has to be able to answer the following questions:
•    Do you need a hammock chair, a swing or a plain reclining hammock
•    A rope hammock or a fabric hammock would be appropriate for your garden
•    Are you keep it hung outdoors all the time or will you be able to take it off at the end of the day
•    Do you prefer hammocks with or without spreader bars
•    The climatic conditions where you reside, since rope hammocks are preferable in warmer places and fabric ones in cooler places
•    What kind of a budget do you have in mind
•    Would you like to take the same hammock when you go out to the beach or the hills for a holiday or will that be the traveling portable hammock
•    The amount of space available for your hammock

Answering these questions would be easy for someone familiar with hammocks but a novice would need to do some research before settling for a particular hammock. The classic rope hammock is the most popular garden hammock since it is weather resistant, does not fade or tear when exposed to the elements for prolonged periods, and are the most durable. With spreader bars, rope hammocks look elegant and are broader, and lying straight in them with legs stretched is easier. Made out of cotton or synthetic ropes, rope hammocks can be hand made or machine manufactured.

However, rope hammocks leave imprints of he knots on the body. This is one reason why many people would prefer fabric hammocks in their garden. Fabric hammocks are

Hammocks are a soft base accessory meant to lie down in for rest and relaxation. These suspended slings make perfect outdoor beds not just because of the gentle swaying motion of the hammock but also because they provide the back of the human body with a different kind of support. Flat beds that we customarily sleep in make the body weight concentrate at pressure points, and the process of tossing and turning sides is primarily to readjust this weight concentration and get relief for the pressure points. The result is that sleep gets disrupted. On the other hand people sleeping on hammocks find the concept of hanging in the air and the body weight gets evenly distributed, not requiring any readjustment through out the night. As a result the occupant falls into a deep slumber of a kind that he may never have before.

If hammocks can provide such superior quality sleep, then the question arises whether this non-traditional sleeping equipment can replace the ubiquitous bed in the bedroom. A hammock hanging in the bed would transform the bedroom into an unconventional one with a hammock hanging from hooks or placed on a stand. Such a drastic measure may be taken by individuals suffering from back problems who may have found relief lying in a hammock or those suffering from insomnia or sleep disorders finding that they manage to drift into sleep while lying in a hammock, something hours of lying in beds do not enable them to.

The following advantages of hammocks make them score over beds in the bedroom:
•    Hammocks are very relaxing for the back and help to soothe a fatigued back with the support they provide
•    Hammocks mold themselves to the body shape in a manner no bed can.
•    Hammocks are recommended by doctors for people having orthopedic problems
•    They are ideal for people with sleep disorders since their swaying motion helps them fall off asleep
•    Hammocks take less space and leave floor space free
•    Hammocks are safe as beds for children since the child cannot fall out of a hammock
•    Hammocks are a low cost alternative to beds
•    They are easy to put up and remove and therefore allow the room to be used for multiple tasks, as a bedroom in the evening and night and as a workroom or office during the day.
•    Hammocks help people with acid reflux in the digestive tract who cannot lie down on beds for two hours. Hammocks provide them with comfort and they feel better.

The only disadvantage of having a hammock is the unconventional appearance of the bedroom since they are hung from poles or fixed on stands or suspended from the ceiling. This is too insignificant a reason to not use a hammock instead of a bed especially when the benefits of the hammock are weighed. A hammock in the bedroom may just transform the quality of life and health of people who opt for them to sleep in at night.

The thought of a hammock brings to mind a picture of a suspended sling made out of rope or fabric that beckons the spectator to try out the blissfully relaxed feeling it can bring. A single experience of reclining in a hammock is sufficient to have everyone hooked to it and tempts them to invest in one of their own. However when it comes to buying a hammock, the most crucial decision is which hammock to buy, a rope or fabric one. A lot depends on personal preference and the relative advantages of each make the choice of a hammock difficult.

Rope hammocks are made out of strong and sturdy ropes that have holes in them and have the following advantages:
•    Rope hammocks are generally attached to spreader bars which make them spread out more and give the body more room to lie down;
•    They do not wrap around the reclining form and bring an open feeling;
•    Rope hammocks have holes and make ventilation possible both from above and below;
•    They are also better equipped to handle exposure to the elements

The flip side of rope hammocks is that they:
•    Absorb moisture that times to dry and hence there are higher chances of getting mold and mildew;
•    Are a bit tough and poke the soft body at various points and even leave an imprint on the skin;
•    In colder places they make the individual feel colder since he gets exposed to the cold from above and below.

None of these however, detract from the popularity of the rope hammock. Used extensively in the western world rope hammocks are the most preferred beach and garden accessory.

In contrast, come with their own distinct features that make them preferable to some people. Fabric hammocks most often are made out of pure cotton fabric, though recent innovations involve a synthetic blend which helps the fabric become fade resistant and stronger even after persistent exposure to natural elements, quick drying and more portable. Fabric hammocks score over rope hammocks since they absorb the warmth of the body and hence remain warm in winter and cool in summer. Their overlapping weave style makes them strong and more weight bearing Besides they do not their impression on the skin and instead offer smoother comfort. Some of the principal advantages of fabric hammocks are:
•    They enfold the body that lies in them
•    They are strong yet soft to feel
•    They are quick drying and do not take long to get rid of moisture
•    Fabric hammocks remain warm in winter and cool in summer since they absorb the body temperature and prevent ventilation from below

It is difficult to generalize which of the two is better. Both rope and fabric hammocks have their advantages and disadvantages, therefore it is more a question of individual preference and the climatic conditions that they are likely to be used in that will help to decide which hammock must be bought.

Come summer, and it is time to be outdoors. Throughout the summer months endless outdoor activities are planned, some for the day and some for much longer. The need then is for accessories to make the times of fun, more comfortable and relaxing as well. How else to do so, other than buying hammocks for the family? Yes, hammock sales spiral upwards every summer and the numbers are going higher each year. While all types of hammocks find serious customers, some brands and specific hammock varieties sell far more than the others. We decided to take a closer look at the best selling hammocks and find out the reasons why they sell more than the others.

The Hatteras Deluxe Cotton Rope Hammock is among the most popular and highest selling hammocks worldwide. Being a large sized hammock, it is woven out of the purest three-ply cotton rope with the double latch method of construction and the use of a greater length of rope enhances both strength and comfort. The pure cotton is ideal for summer, keeping the user cool and its natural color prevent discoloration from use and exposure to the sun, hence the years’ old hammock looks almost new all the time. The hammock comes with oak wood spreader bars, which provide greater comfort since they help the hammock to spread wider and the user gets more flat space. The spreader bars also do not get discolored since they are varnished which prolongs their life.

The Pawleys Island Original Collection Large Duracord Rope Hammock also ranks among the highest selling hammocks, and is a large hammock providing space and comfort. In fact, the Pawley’s original hammock is the best-known image of hammocks, incorporating fashion, looks and comfort.

Research and statistics reveal that the Island Bay Rope Hammock with its double thickness rope is the best selling rope in the one hundred dollar range. From the Mayan type of hammocks the Deluxe Mazatlan Mayan hammock clocks the maximum sales. Poolside hammocks have additional features and the best in this category is the Pawleys island Grove fabric Hammock which is both beautiful to put up near the pool and quick drying as well. Camping hammocks need to be portable and should get bundled up in small spaces. Under this class of hammocks, the Deluxe Portable Hammock is the winner in terms of sales. Hennessey Hammocks feature in the list of the most saleable hammocks as well. All the Hennessey hammocks are known for quality and durability. Finally, Tranquility hammocks that have the most superior workmanship and are made out of thick rope are a great favorite of hammock lovers.

It is clear from all the names mentioned that it is the rope hammocks that sell far more than any other type of hammock. This can be attributed to the fact that hammocks are more for outdoor use during summer and the breathable quality of these hammocks makes them more popular.

Even though there are 3 main materials used to make hammocks, there are a wider variety of styles available to today. Some of most popular include the Mayan, Brazilian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan and the ever popular travel or camping hammock. Each style is different and has it’s own set of pros and cons. But they will all come in a variety of colours and sizes, ranging from a 1 person hammock that can hold up to 350lbs to a 2 or even 3 person hammock, which could easily hold up to 600lbs.
The most common design for a hammock is the spreader bar type which is easily recognisable by pieces of wood at each end of the hammock. These types of hammock make it easier to climb in and out of and they also help to spread your weight more evenly and because of the bars at each end the hammock will not close in around you once you sink into it. These are probably the most popular types of hammock for a garden. But they are not recommended to sleep in , they can also have a tendency to flip quiet easily.
Ever hammock will work on the basic principle and many can seem quite similar but each type will have a slightly different purpose, and will be made with slightly different materials and build in a slightly different way.
The Brazilian Hammock is made from cotton and tend to be one of the more durable types of hammock, they do not use the bars at each end so the hammock can have a tendency to wrap around you. Probably not recommended if you are a sun worshipper and are trying to get a sun tan, but they are perfect for a relaxing day in your back garden.
Mayan and Nicaraguan hammocks are woven from cotton or nylon. When buying one of these hammocks it is important to look at the quality and closeness of the weaver, the closer the weave the more supportive the hammock will be. These types of hammocks will not have the wooden bar at the end so they will tend to wrap in around you.
Venezuelan hammocks also known as jungle hammocks are a very durable and long lasting, they now tend to be made for synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. Many of the higher quality Venezuelan hammocks will use a material called Dacron for the suspension ropes. These hammocks are the best kind to use for sleeping in as you sleep length ways in the hammock instead of many of the larger hammocks where in essence you will lay sideways on the hammock.
Travel or camping hammock. These have become very popular as they are very fast and easy to set up all you really need is 2 trees at a suitable distance apart from each other and if you know some strong knots it will ensure a peaceful night’s sleep. If you are a camping in warmer climes all you will really need in addition to a camping hammock is  canopy which can be erected in much the same way. Many of the better quality camping hammock like Hennessy hammocks will come with a canopy built in to the design of the hammock.
So if you are choosing a garden hammock to spend a weekend lazing in the sun or one to take camping with the choice and variety is quiet something, but there are a few recognised quality brands like Hanteres or hennessy hammocks.

A Garden hammock is good for one thing and that is to relax. So when you are trying to choose the best hammock there are a 5 basic things that you will need to decide on before buying one, but once you’ve decided on what suits you best the choice will become pretty simple.

The most important thing is to choose a hammock for you, as ideally you will be the one that will use it the most so you need to feel that it is the most comfortable and luxurious place in the world (well at least in your back garden).

Hammocks originated from South America and where made by the bark of the Hammock tree, thus the name, hammock. Although I have never had the pleasure of using one of these types of hammocks, I would imagine that because they were made from bark that they wouldn’t be to big on the comfort stakes. Thankfully today most garden hammocks are made from 3 textiles, rope string of cloth which are vastly more comfortable than a hammock made from bark.

Each material has it’s pros and cons

Rope: These are the iconic types of hammock and are indeed the ones that everybody will picture swinging between 2 palm trees on a deserted Mayan beach. Most will be woven from one piece of rope making them super durable. But if this rope brakes they can be repaired but in many cases they will never be as comfortable they are also quiet cheap so it will not cost much to replace the old with a new hammock.

String: Highly breathable quick drying, Colours will fade quickly if left in the garden during bad weather. Look for a string hammock that has been woven quiet close together, if the diamonds are too far apart it can be a little uncomfortable, but this can be solved by using a heavy blanket or a throw.

Cloth: Easily the most luxurious and comfortable of all the different types, they can feel more like a hanging bed than a hammock. They are easy to maintain ( look for ones that can be easily dismantled and washed) Materials used can range from a simple canvas cover to a quilted fabric cover.

Some tips before you buy a hammock.

If you are looking for a garden hammock, chances are you will want to put it in your garden, but will it fit? You will need to measure, do you want the hammock to be in the sun as much as possible. Will you be able to achieve this with a fixed position hammock or will you need to a buy a portable one that can be moved around to get the most exposure to the sun.

How big does it need to be , you can easily buy a hammock that will comfortable fit 3 full size adults, will your children use it, do you want your pets to be able to get on to it.

So once you have figured all these questions out the only thing left to do it go out and buy your hammock get it back to you garden, get it set up and get relaxed.