Location

• The most relevant measurement that you can take for this project is for where the swing will hang. You need enough room from side to side as well as front and back. There also must be room enough from the swing to any nearby door so no one will open the door and hit someone on the swing. The location requires a ceiling strong enough to support the swing or you will need to make a structure for the swing.
  
  

Size

• Once the area is chosen, determine the size of the swing. A classic porch swing is large enough for two people and has a back. However, there are swings for one, or swings that fold out to lie flat. The size of the swing will depend largely on the installation area. Other factors include how many people will be using the swing and how tall they are.
  
  

Plan

• The basic swing has a bench, two arms and a back. Draw a diagram of the area the swing will go and use the measurements from this area to determine the right swing size. Using these measurements, you can find a plan online that will work or create your own. See resources for free plans. Also, if you plan to add cushions, add height to the back of the swing.
  
  

Build

• Before building, gather all the tools you will need, such as a hammer, drill, circular saw and screws. Use a tape measure to measure the wood to the designed measurements. Insert eyebolts into the beams of the porch to support the weight of the swing and the people swinging. Use screws to assemble the swing. Smaller eyebolts can be inserted into the arms or the back and seat of the swing to connect chains or rope to the eyebolts in the ceiling beams. Seal the wood with a stain followed with an exterior polyurethane to prevent damage from the elements.