How to Choose the Right Hammock for Your Backyard

Quick answer

Choose a two-person hammock with included straps if you have two solid trees and want the simplest, most affordable setup. Choose a hammock stand if your yard has no suitable trees or you want to move your hang spot with the sun. Buy the size for how you actually relax: solo nappers can stay compact, while couples and families should size up to a double.

A backyard hammock is one of the few purchases that changes how you use your own yard. The catch is that the right choice depends less on the hammock itself and more on where you plan to hang it and who will be climbing in.

This guide walks through the decisions in the order they matter: hang setup first, then size, then material and extras. Get those right and almost any hammock on your shortlist will feel like the right one.

Start with where you'll hang it

The hang point decides more than any fabric spec. If you have two healthy trees roughly 10 to 15 feet apart, a strap-based hammock is the cheapest and most packable route. If your yard is open, sloped, or shared with a patio, a stand keeps you off the trees and lets you reposition for shade.

Measure before you buy. Strap kits typically include five-foot straps, which covers many residential tree spacings, but wide trunks or long gaps may need extensions. A stand needs flat, stable ground and enough clearance to walk around it, so check the footprint against your patio or lawn layout rather than guessing.

• Trees: confirm trunk health and spacing before committing to a strap setup.
• No trees: a stand is the deciding purchase, not the hammock.
• Shared space: stands avoid bark damage and keep the hang zone tidy.

Match the size to how you relax

Hammock size for a backyard is really a question about occupants. A double gives two adults room to sit side by side or one person a generous diagonal lie. A single is lighter and cheaper, but it gets crowded fast when a second person or a kid joins.

Think about your typical use, not your best-case use. If the hammock will mostly hold one reader, a double still adds comfort because you can lie diagonally. If it will host kids, guests, and weekend naps, treat a two-person capacity as the baseline rather than an upgrade.

• Solo relaxation: a double still improves comfort and resale appeal.
• Couples and families: prioritize two-person capacity and included hardware.
• Small yards: a compact double plus a stand often fits better than a large fixed setup.

Material, weather, and storage

Parachute nylon is the common choice for backyard hammocks because it packs small, dries quickly, and feels soft against skin. It is not invincible: UV exposure and repeated wet storage shorten any hammock's life, so plan to bring it in or cover it when not in use.

If the hammock will live outside all season, budget for care rather than assuming it is maintenance-free. A dedicated gear soap and a seasonal inspection keep fabric and hardware working longer, and they cost far less than replacing a hammock mid-summer.

• Store dry; never pack a damp hammock away for the season.
• Inspect straps and carabiners each spring before the first hang.
• Use a gentle cleaner made for technical fabrics, not household detergent.

Decision rules for your backyard

• Two healthy trees, 10-15 ft apart: Choose a strap-included double hammock and skip the stand entirely. Lowest cost, fastest setup, most packable.
• No trees, sloped yard, or shared patio: Buy a stand first, then pair it with a double hammock that matches its recommended fit. You gain placement freedom; you give up packability and spend more.
• Mostly one person, occasionally two: Size up to a double anyway; the extra fabric improves diagonal lounging. Better comfort now, better guest capacity later.
• Gift or permanent centerpiece: A made-to-order custom double trades a 3-4 week wait for a one-of-a-kind hammock. Order early if a specific date matters.

Products that fit common backyard setups

• Double Deluxe Hammock w/Straps: A packable two-person parachute nylon hammock that includes carabiners and five-foot hammock straps, sold as an all-in-one kit. If you have suitable trees, this removes the extra strap purchase and gets you hanging the same day.
• Hangout Hammock Stand: A hammock stand intended for car camping, the beach, or glamping; the hammock is not included and TrunkTech Double Hammock is recommended. The right pick when your yard has no reliable trees or you want to move your hang spot with the shade.
• Custom Print Double Deluxe Hammock | Your Art. Your Adventure.: A made-to-order double hammock with a custom design proof, straps included, produced in 3 to 4 weeks. Worth the wait if the hammock is a gift or a permanent backyard centerpiece rather than a same-week purchase.
• Hammock & Gear Soap: A concentrated cleaner for hammocks and shelters, used by immersing the gear in a five-gallon bucket of cool water. A low-cost way to keep a backyard hammock in service longer instead of replacing it after a dirty season.

Who this backyard setup is for

Best for

• Homeowners with two suitable trees who want an affordable all-in-one hang
• Renters or yard owners without trees who need a movable stand-based setup
• Couples and families who want a two-person hammock for daily lounging

Not for

• Buyers who need a hammock delivered in days and are considering a made-to-order custom print
• Backpackers prioritizing minimum weight over backyard comfort
• Anyone unwilling to store the hammock dry or inspect straps seasonally

Pick your hang point first, size for the people who will actually use it, and treat care as part of the purchase. Do that and your backyard hammock becomes the spot you use every week, not the one you store in the garage.