Bright yellow, bold green and sea blue are a few of the colors that give these bathrooms pizazz. While bathrooms decked out in neutrals such as black, white, gray and taupe are trending these days, plenty of spaces are taking a different approach and inserting a shot of color into the bathroom. There are many examples among the 50 most popular new bathroom photos uploaded to Houzz from April through June this year, as measured by the number of people who saved them to ideabooks. Here are nine bathrooms with a hit of color — from a single shot of a bold hue to multiple colors applied in this small space. 1. Yellow and gray. This bathroom marries the of-the-moment neutral palette of gray, wood and Carrara marble with an unexpected shock: happy yellow cabinetry. The contrast between the centered pulls on the drawers and the offset one for the center door panel gives this piece a quirky look. Vanity: custom by Joe Worland of H & J Cabinets; cabinet hardware: Flute reveal knob, Rocky Mountain Hardware; mirror: custom by Bonesteel Trout Hall; light fixtures: Small Bluff City pendants, Design Within Reach; faucet: Waterworks; tile and countertop material: Concept Studio 2. Watery blue. The blue and green tile paving the walls of this shower reflect its location, a marina dock in the seaside town of Sausalito, California. Multilevel glazing gives the tiles their rich variation. 3. Orange alert. Colorful blue, orange and yellow wallpaper lend a tailored look to this farmhouse-style bathroom designed by Alison Kandler, but the bright clawfoot tub is what draws the eye. A checkered, painted wood floor in aqua and avocado green balances out the busy wallpaper. Wallpaper: Galbraith & Paul 4. Fuchsia funs it up. A bathroom finished in classic gray and white gets added interest from the fuchsia rug, hand towel and orchid. Note in the reflection of the mirror that the fuchsia complements the accent color in the adjacent master bedroom.  Floor: French Quarter Azul stone, Materials Marketing; bathtub, Michelangelo, Hydro Systems, Rampart Supply; rug: Surya; cabinet hardware: Martello collection, Schaub & Co. 5. Green energy. Everything in this bathroom in an Atlanta townhouse is understated except for the vanity — and, of course, the cheeky bath mat. Vanity: refinished in milk paint; countertop: acrylic blend cement, custom 6. Blue skies ahead. A bright blue ceiling sets a cheery mood for this San Antonio bathroom designed by Shea Pumarejo of Younique Designs for two growing teenage boys. The colorful backsplash is composed of wooden tiles that mirror the tailored farmhouse feel of the shiplap walls. Vanity: Pottery Barn; sconce and mirrors: Restoration Hardware; wood tile backsplash: Moonish 7. Unabashed pink and blue. Textured blue wall tile pairs with hexagonal floor tile in a similar tone, creating a soft blue bathroom oasis in the 2017 Pasadena Showcase House. In this light, the walls read a pale blush color. The window treatments add a sweet note to the room. 8. Nautical time. This children’s bath designed by Rhona Chartouni of Eclipse Designs has a nautical blue and white theme, with stripes made up of hexagonal tiles that should still be appealing as the children get older. 9. Deep teal accent wall. This bathroom designed by SGS International, also in the Pasadena Showcase House, has many of the elements popular in neutral bathrooms today: a marble vanity, faux wood tile accents, a chevron pattern and hexagonal tiles. But the dark teal accent wall to the left of the vanity sets this space apart from so many bathrooms that stick with a color palette of pure neutrals. Shower and sink faucets and accessories: Newport Brass; tile and countertop: Walker Zanger; pendant lights: Rejuvenation; wall sconce and mirror: CB2; toilet: Toto

As you plan for Halloween and winter travels, remember to savor today’s pleasures before they flicker by. We’re thick into fall now — it’s a good weekend to rake leaves, and then curl up with an engrossing book and a mug of something warm to drink. Here are seven weekend could-dos, including watching monarch butterflies and getting ready for trick-or-treaters. 1. Put fall leaves to good use. Spy some beautiful fall foliage outside your door? Before you rake and bag it, consider other uses for the leaves. They would make good mulch for your lawn or garden. Or, if the leaves are still more on the trees than on the ground, cut a bundle and bring it inside for a long-lasting display 2. Plan a winter trip. Let the chill in the air be a reminder to book that winter getaway you’ve been thinking of. Lodging in popular destinations fills up early for holiday travel, so it pays to book early. Not planning any big trips? Make a date with your calendar and a mug of hot cider to plan some fun weekend jaunts instead. 3. Get inspired with a new design book. Peruse the shelves of your local bookstore and bring home a new tome for your coffee table. Looking for a recommendation? The New Bohemians Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes, sounds like just the thing to curl up with on a chilly fall afternoon. 4. Add warm, cozy layers and flickering light. Bring autumnal warmth and coziness to your living room with candlelight, extra-soft blankets and cushy pillows galore. Layer beds with thicker quilts, turn on the twinkle lights, and set out bowls of apples and nuts in the shell. It doesn’t take much effort, and your home will instantly feel more fall-like. 5. Help storm victims. Hearing news reports of natural disasters can leave those not in harm’s way feeling powerless to help. But the truth is, even small amounts of aid are very much needed and appreciated. If you decide to donate money, just be sure you are giving to a legitimate relief organization — sites like Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org can help. 6. Say hello to migrating monarchs. Every fall, monarch butterflies make their way back to the same overwintering grounds — monarchs from the eastern coast of the United States migrate to Mexico, and butterflies from west of the Rocky Mountains return to coastal California. This month, those along the migratory paths may be able to spot monarchs on their way to warmer climates.  If you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance of Santa Cruz, California, you can visit the monarchs at Natural Bridges State Beach. Guided tours of the habitat are available on weekends starting in mid-October. 7. Prep for Halloween. Candy corn? Fake spiderwebs? Check and check. If you plan to pass out candy or host a party on Halloween night, this weekend is a good time to stock up on supplies.

We all know the drill: You wake up on a Saturday with every intention of doing some pre-winter maintenance but ditch your best-laid plans as soon as you feel the late-summer sun on your shoulders. Take a tip from the experts and avoid putting off till next Saturday (or next year) what you can do in a snap today—whether it’s replacing old weather-stripping or adjusting the pitch of the gutters. You can always put your feet up late, when it’s time to rake the leaves. 1. Weatherproof Windows and Doors Seal gaps larger than ⅛ inch around windows and doors to cut your winter heating bill by up to 15 percent. On windows, press adhesive-backed closed-cell foam onto the bottom of the sash. Secure a loose sash by applying a strip of plastic V-channel weather­stripping in the groove the sash slides in, securing it with finish nails. Use foam strips on the sides and tops of doors, and install a door sweep on the bottom. 2. Check Your Gutters When gutters aren’t pitched at the right angle, they overflow—and can threaten your once dry . Properly pitched gutters slope between 1/16 inch and ⅛ inch per foot, directing water to the leader and out the downspout. Check the pitch by holding a level even with the gutter; on longer runs, pour in water from a hose and check the flow’s direction. Get instructions for keeping your gutters in good working order. 3. Find and Fix Cracked Concrete Cracks in your driveway, walkway, or steps are a big-time trip hazard, and they’ll only get worse if water seeps in and freezes. Luckily, if you can caulk, you can fix concrete—just make sure it’s clean and dry to start. For cracks less than a half-inch wide, squeeze a bead of acrylic latex concrete repair compound deep into the crack, smoothing excess with a putty knife. For larger cracks, trowel on a vinyl concrete patching compound, and let it cure one day before walking on it, three days before driving over it. 4. Clean Cooling Devices If you have ceiling fans, change their rotation to clockwise to push warm air down (usually accomplished by flicking a switch on the base), and while you’re at it, wipe down the blades with a microfiber cloth that traps dust. At month’s end or when the temps drop, remove window AC units. Vacuum the coils and filters, and store them in a cool, dry place, preferably covered to keep out dust and bugs. 5. Check for Holes in The Attic During the brightest part of the day or a steady rain, look for streams of light or water entering the attic through the roof or sheathing, which can lead to more serious damage (and critter invasions) if left unfixed. (Another sign of holes is black staining on insulation.) From inside, fill sheathing gaps with closed-cell polyurethane foam. Fix small roof leaks by caulking with tripolymer elastomeric sealant, which is compatible with asphalt shingles and resists UV rays. But don’t caulk large leaks, which tend to develop around chimneys or vent stacks. For now, place a bucket underneath to catch drips and stuff an old towel in the crevices to absorb moisture. Then do a more serious repair before the first winter storm hits. 6. Check Your Insulation How do you know if your attic is properly protected? It’s simple: If you can see the tops of the joists, you’ve got a problem. If the existing insulation is roughly even with the tops of the joists, add a new layer of unfaced batt insulation perpendicular to the old one, pushing the pieces together so they fit snugly side by side. On the other hand, if the existing layers are more than an inch above (or below) the joists, blown-in cellulose or fiberglass does a better job of filling the crevices. To find out how much you need, depending on where you live, type your ZIP code into the ZIP-Code Insulation Program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. And give yourself a pat on the back for keeping up with fall upkeep.

Play up your home’s amenities for the season in which you choose to sell. There is a selling myth that you should wait till springtime to sell your home. While spring is the busiest season for real estate sales, people buy homes 365 days a year. If you decide you need to sell your home in the off-peak season, emphasize its seasonal amenities. Choose Your Selling Season Because many buyers prefer to move in the spring or summer, the market starts to heat up as early as February. Families with children are eager to buy so they can move during summer vacation, before the new school year begins. The market slows down in late summer before picking up again briefly in the fall. November and December are traditionally slow months, although some astute buyers look for bargains during this period. Despite these trends, not everyone’s situation will be the same. Ask yourself questions like these: How quickly do I need to move? If you need to relocate quickly for a new job or family emergency, you’ll need to sell as quickly as possible. If your moving dates are more flexible, you may be able to get a higher sale price in the spring or summer. What season will your home be most desirable? If you’re selling a lake or beach home, for sale homes will be most in-demand in the early spring and summer months. A ski chalet in Aspen would make more buyers bite during wintertime. Once you’ve chosen your selling season, play up its perks! Master these tips for a successful home sale no matter what season it is: Winter Selling Tips Clear snow and ice away from walkways and stairs. If you live in an area with lots of snow and ice, keep walking areas salted and shoveled. Buyers and agents want to see that your home is well maintained, and, of course, you’re not likely to wow a house hunter if they fall on the way in and break a leg. Learn more about boosting your winter curb appeal. Stage it outside. Even if the grass is brown and the patio is snow-covered, you can still do some outdoor staging. Tasteful winter wreaths and garlands can make your home seem welcoming. Just like inside the house, pick decorations that will appeal to a wide variety of buyers — blow-up snow globes and giant plastic Santas are probably no-nos. Learn more about staging for the holidays. Make it cozy. Clean up your windows. Fall Selling Tips Keep your lawn in shape. Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you should abandon your lawn. Patch up any brown spots in the grass, and keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking. Get a fall garden. As your summer plants start to fade, replace them with vibrant mums or other colorful plants. Tasteful fall decorations, like pumpkins or tri-colored corn, can also add to your home’s curb appeal. Get indoor fall decorations, too. Without breaking the bank, get a few fall-colored decorations, like inexpensive window treatments or seasonal dinnerware. Fresh decor will make your space seem current and well-maintained. Repair outside lights. As the days get shorter, you may end up showing your home in the dark. Make sure your outdoor lights are clean and working — if they’re dirty or broken, buyers will get a bad feeling before they even come inside. Keep exterior photos of your home up-to-date. If you listed your home in the summer, update your online photos with brand new fall shots. Pictures from the previous season make your listing seem dated. Spring Selling Tips Whip your yard into shape. When you’re selling in the spring, you need to get your yard in shape as quickly as possible. Clear winter yard debris, and get frost-resistant plants that won’t be affected if a late cold spell hits. Or, invest in silk flowers for a touch of color that you don’t have to worry about watering. Do some spring cleaning. It’s natural to want to spruce up your space in the spring, so scrub away! A sparkling home will impress buyers and make your home seem even more appealing. Box up your winter wardrobe. Bulky winter clothes take up lots of space, so move them out as you de-clutter your closets. You’ll impress buyers with all that space. Spruce up the entryway. If your welcome mat is covered with winter dirt, pick up a new one. A clean, pretty doorway will help set the tone for the entire showing. Bring spring aromas indoors. Spring is not only a colorful season, but a fragrant one, too. Bring the aroma indoors. Scents have a profound effect on mood, so infusing scent into your decor with diffusers, candles, fresh cut plants/flowers, or incense can change the overall feeling of a space. Bring out the bright colors. Tuck away the heavy, winter flannel comforter and pull out crisp linens with coverlets for color. Bring in the spring with floral-designed spreads or colorful solids. Don’t forget accent pillows for added style and comfort. Summer Selling Tips Highlight your outdoor areas. This is your outdoor space’s chance to shine. Clean your deck, porch, patio or outdoor kitchen, and repaint or make repairs if necessary. No deck? Arrange chairs or outdoor furniture in your yard to create the illusion of an outdoor room. Make necessary repairs to your home’s exterior, including your siding and windows. Play up the pool. A pool is a huge selling point during the sweltering days of summer. Keep yours clean and debris-free, and create a seating area near the pool where buyers can imagine themselves floating through the cool water. Spruce up your landscaping. Make sure your lawn and flower beds aren’t languishing in the summer heat. Add pops of color to your entryway with potted plants. Add value and security with lighting. Frame your walkways and driveways with lights for a stylish touch. Don’t skimp on the air conditioning. House hunters will want to escape the heat so make sure your home is nice and cool. Set the thermostat at a comfortable level, so it doesn’t feel like an ice box either. Provide refreshments. Even though you likely won’t be home for a showing, greet buyers like you would party guests. During the dog days of summer, set out a cool pitcher of lemonade for buyers. Anything you can do to make them linger a little longer can only help you sell.

House at a Glance Location: Eastgate neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); three bedrooms, 1¾ baths Year built: 1969This family recently relocated from Long Beach, California, to Seattle, leaving behind ever-present sunshine. “We moved in during the thick of winter and, boy, were we in for a surprise,” Michelle says with a laugh. “It snowed 6 inches that weekend and here we were a bunch of Californians getting off the plane in flip-flops.”With the move, the family left behind its Cliff May-designed ranch home. Michelle, who owns home decor and vintage store 6th and Detroit, sought a house that was equally architectural and one where she could easily express her late-’70s California-inspired style, this time in a Pacific Northwest setting.The 1969 home, designed by Seattle architect Omer Mithun, has everything they were looking for: “Floor-to-ceiling windows, midcentury architecture and an insane view of the horizon that made you feel like you were in the heavens,” Michelle says. Wall hanging: Ay Que Vintage; mirror: D+K Renewal; PS 2014 plant stand: Ikea; vintage gold plant stand: Mazidori; vintage wicker plant stand: Vintage Seattle Rain; white planter: Peacock & Co.; green planter: Home Depot; lamp: Mod Pop Vintage; Fireside faux fur throw blanket: Anthropologie; blanket: Etsy; plant basket: HomeGoods Before making the move, the family had just one weekend to tour homes and make a decision. After viewing four houses, it was starting to get discouraged. “The second we walked through the door of the fifth house,” Michelle says, “it screamed out to us, ‘This is it!’ ”Karim, left, Hamilton, Davis and Michelle are pictured here in their formal living room, where they spend the most time. “It was interesting to see that in our new house we still all hang out in the same room at the same time every day as we did in our California home. Creatures of habit I guess,” Michelle says. “It’s where I can lounge, work, chat when guests come over, fold laundry, play games with the kids and just ‘be’ when I get those free moments of quiet.” The entryway showcases the home’s subtle Asian design influences. “It was perfect,” Michelle says. “There was an immediate East-meets-West Zen feeling that brought an instant calm.”Desk and bench: 6th and Detroit Michelle credits her Southern California upbringing for her signature aesthetic, which often features a sunburned color palette. “My love of sun makes me gravitate toward pops of yellows and oranges,” she says. The hues also pair perfectly with a 1970s-inspired look. “I love midcentury and I love the ’70s, so I like to marry the two,” Michelle says.Sofas, rug and armchair: 6th and Detroit; metal wall art: Fremont Vintage Mall This mix of styles is seen in the downstairs living area. “You’ll see a handsome tapered-leg teak coffee table paired with a wicker room divider,” Michelle says.Daybed sofa: Overstock; Mexican serape: 6th and Detroit; rug: OfferUp; midcentury teak coffee table: Vintage Seattle Rain Michelle found this pair of midcentury armchairs and the woven side table at Goodwill. “We were on a very tight decorating budget, but luckily my love for vintage and deal hunting pays off,” she says. Houseplants decorate nearly every corner of the house. In Michelle’s words, there are “plants galore.” The lower level has wide-open views of the large, wooded backyard. “As an outdoorsy family, having the yard wrapped around the home full of the great evergreens is the boys’ perfect playground for exploring and adventures,” Michelle says. Rattan peacock chair: Vintage Seattle Rain  “My love of the sun makes me gravitate toward circles,” Michelle says. Circular shapes are seen in a number of decor items in the home. Here, a mirror with a quarter-circle pattern forms rainbow-like imagery behind a vintage floor lamp.Throw pillows: D+K Renewal The open kitchen is in between two upstairs living areas, where plentiful windows look out to downtown Bellevue and Lake Washington. The living room opens onto a deck with an outdoor dining area. “We get to dine alfresco while watching the perfect view of the sunset, hearing nothing but birds chirping. It’s magical,” Michelle says.Russell Woodard patio set: The Fair Trade Union; jute rug: OfferUp The home’s Pacific Northwest influence can also be seen in its unique round columns that run through the upper-level communal spaces. They’re reminiscent of totem poles, a symbol adopted by Seattle as a symbol of the city during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. The family room connects to a patio on one side and a deck that overlooks Lake Washington on the other. The house is larger in square footage than the family’s Southern California home, and this bonus living space gave Michelle room for her blush-colored velvet Adrian Pearsall sofa, which she calls her “biggest splurge of all time.”Adrian Pearsall sofa: Sunbeam Vintage Circles and half circles repeat in the wall art and accessories in the guest bedroom. “I tend to always lean toward natural elements, wood textures and all the plants I can get my hands on,” Michelle says.This room comes in handy when family comes to visit from California. Pillows and sheets: Jungalow; accent pillows: Myhavenhome; wall hanging and nightstand: Vintage Seattle Rain; mirror: 6th and Detroit;  A large, wraparound bed frame Michelle found on Etsy and a scalloped mirror from her shop, 6th and Detroit, are focal points in the master bedroom.Monte Viso bedspread: Hamamlique;  George Nelson cigar bubble wall sconces: Modernica; bed: Etsy; sheets: Macy’s; pillows and rug: D+K Renewal; pot: Peacock & Co.  “This home encourages play and discovery because it feels like it’s nestled deep within a forest,” Michelle says. That vibe is evident in the boys’ bedroom, where picture windows put the lush surroundings at their fingertips.Santa Fe Mission bunk beds: Camaflexi; Golden Canyon duvet cover: Circa 78 Designs; Ornos pillow cover in yellow: Hamamlique; rug: 6th and Detroit When spring arrives, it changes how the family uses the home. “We finally get to use the outdoor spaces and fulfill our yearning for indoor-outdoor living that we are so used to,” Michelle says. A bench on the front porch creates a staging area for the family’s outdoor gear — everything from rain boots to coolers to fishing poles for weekend fishing trips with the boys.

As homeowners put not-so-big-house principles into practice, downsize into smaller homes and plan more efficient uses of space, we often see the formal living room and casual family room merging into one. Casual comfort meets luxe accents and grand fireplaces meet TVs and smart built-ins. This is the case in photos of living rooms and family rooms. Here’s a look at some of them. Shades of Gray The popularity of gray showed no signs of waning this spring. Notice the subtle color of the walls (Gray Cloud by Benjamin Moore).Detail worth noting: Yes, stylish ceiling fans do exist. This one is called Haiku. In this large family room outside Chicago, shades of gray add calmness. Color takes a back seat to the soaring ceiling, expansive windows and a range of textures, from smooth alabaster to hefty wood beams. Detail worth noting: Sometimes the scale of such a high ceiling can be overwhelming. Here, the proportions of the beams, windows, fireplace and chandelier make the height feel comfortable. No Drywall I’m not sure who gets the credit, but shiplap, tongue-and-groove paneling, butt boards, beadboard and V-groove paneling are bringing texture to many of today’s most popular family room and living room walls. Detail worth noting: The rug ties this seating area together. Smart Built-Ins Whether you need library-style book storage, a place to hide media equipment and toys, a proper place to store musical instruments or a good way to show off your favorite objects and photographs, there’s a built-in solution that will work for you. This popular shot has a variety of storage offerings all along one wall: concealed storage with drawers and cabinet doors, open storage for books, sculptures, plants and photos. There’s even room for windows. Detail worth noting: The weathered reclaimed beam that serves as the mantel is a well-worn contrast to the crisp white paint. I doubt these homeowners had unpacked all of their moving boxes before the photographer showed up. Here we’re able to visualize these lovely built-ins in their own homes filled with their own things. Detail worth noting: The metal grilles on the built-ins’ doors. This is a good way to dress up cabinets while partially obscuring the view into them. Fantastic Fireplaces This is one of the coziest family rooms I’ve seen in a while — plenty of books to choose from, overstuffed furniture, a few plaid patterns tossed about and that wonderful fieldstone fireplace. Detail worth noting: Check out the way the drapery rods are mounted into the thick crown molding. Stylish Sectionals There was a time when furniture like reclining chairs and sectional sofas scored high in comfort but abysmally low in style. Today, style has more than caught up. We find chic sectionals not only in the expected places such as casual family rooms, but also sliding into formal living rooms. Detail worth noting: The oversize lantern navigates the split-level space. It hangs over the entryway but also plays an important role in the living room. Browse stylish sectionals Another fabulous sectional cozies up a San Francisco family room within an open floor plan. Detail worth noting: The way the pillow fabrics work with the kitchen backsplash. By the way, this “sofascape” is a lesson in how to mix colors, patterns and scales of patterns when choosing throw pillows. Artful Hanging Displaying favorite family or travel photos can be tricky. How do they wind up in so many different frames and mats, looking like a total hodgepodge? Matching frames, photo sizes and large white mats tie the photos together. Hanging them in a perfect grid also creates cohesion. Detail worth noting: The coffee table, stump side table and fiddle leaf fig tree in a basket add natural textures to the room. Clever Lighting Lighting is an important part of living and family rooms, whether to read by, to highlight objects or to create a mood. In this sleek Miami living room, a soffit provides a recessed cove for overhead lighting, creating a soft glow around the tray ceiling. There’s lighting in the built-ins as well. Detail worth noting: The TV wall has hidden storage drawers cleverly camouflaged within the wood panels.

Warm summer evenings are meant for porch swings. Hanging one from a porch or an arbor is a fairly easy weekend project. There’s hardly anything more relaxing on a warm evening than swaying on a porch swing and watching the world go by. Hanging a porch swing is easier than it might seem: It requires only a few tools, some careful measurements and a little homeowner handiness (or the right professional). Get started this weekend, and soon you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy what may be your new favorite seat inside or outside the house. Keep reading to learn how to hang a porch swing or daybed from your porch or an arbor. Tools and Materials Porch swing of your choice Pencil or painters tape Tape measure Metal chains or sturdy rope (up to four sections, each at least 7 feet long, depending on setup) Heavy-duty metal screw eyes (up to 8, depending on setup) Heavy-duty S-hooks (up to 6, depending on setup) Drill Ladder Stud finder Level (optional) Comfort swing springs (optional) Note: Many porch swings come with a hanging kit that includes all hanging materials needed. If you purchase a swing chair that includes a hanging kit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting. Before You Start Check that your porch can support a porch swing. Before the fun part of picking out a porch swing, make sure your porch is strong enough to support one. Use a stud finder to look for ceiling joists, the thick overhead beams that support a ceiling, to which you can anchor the swing. If you’re unsure, hire an experienced home builder or contractor to take a look. Choose a porch swing. There are plenty of porch swings on the market, in styles that range from classic wooden benches to backless, platform-like seats and 4-foot-deep daybeds. Look for swings made of durable outdoor-friendly materials like coated metal or rot-resistant woods like redwood and teak for a long-lasting swing. Choose a style that complements your porch and the architecture of your home. You can also turn a bench you already have into a porch swing — as long as it’s sturdy enough to be suspended by the corners — by drilling eye bolts into the sides and hanging it. The owners of this porch swing used a vintage Indian teak bench as a porch swing outside their New Orleans home. How much space you’ll need for a porch swing depends on the size and style of swing you select. In general, you’ll want to have at least 4 feet of space for a standard bench swing to swing back and forth, and more space as needed. Leave at least 14 to 16 inches on either side of the swing for clearance. Swings mounted on two chains, rather than four, require a larger space for the arc of their swing (add 2 to 4 more feet of clearance). Swings mounted on four widely set chains (a common setup for daybeds) don’t swing in an arc as much as move back and forth. Therefore, they require less additional space to account for movement. Tip: When planning, it can be helpful to mark a swing clearance box on the porch floor using painters tape. Decide to hang with chains or rope. Galvanized steel chains or thick marine-grade rope are the most common methods for hanging a porch swing. Select whichever material you prefer based on look, feel and durability, or use the chain or rope included with a porch swing. Many porch swing chains come with two long chains and two short chains. The short chains attach to the arms and back of the swing and then come up about 2 feet above the chair to form a triangle. The longer chain attaches to the ceiling.Chains offer the advantage of being completely weatherproof and friction-proof and will not fray over time as a natural fiber rope does. Ropes, however, feel nicer to the touch. If using ropes, you’ll usually need four 7-foot-long sections to attach to each arm and the back corners of the bench. How to Hang a Porch Swing 1. Attach hooks to the swing. If your porch swing doesn’t come with pre-installed hardware, attach your own. Where to install the screw eyes depends on the style of your swing. In general, install hooks on the outer sides of the swing in even, opposite points where the swing will then hang in a balanced way. For daybeds and deep platform-style seats, attach four screw eyes (two on each side) to the swing base, setting them back about 3 inches from the corners. For classic bench swings, attach two screw eyes to the outsides of the arms, set back a few inches from the end, or to the bench seat below the end of the armrest (as pictured here) and two more on the backrest, a few inches above where the armrest meets the backrest. For either setup, drill a pilot hole first and then screw in the screw eyes by hand. 2. Locate ceiling joists. It’s best to anchor into a joist when hanging a porch swing. Joists are the structural beams (usually either a two-by-six or a two-by-eight) that support the ceiling of a porch. Use a stud finder to locate ceiling joists and mark both sides of the beam and the approximate center of the beam, which is the ideal spot to mount the anchor. Don’t have joists in the right spot for your swing? If thick ceiling beams don’t happen to fall where you need them, install short beams (four-by-four) to span multiple joists. Position the short beam so it’s where you need it for hanging the swing, and then use 3-inch screws to secure the short beam to multiple joists. Proceed with the next steps, attaching the hanging hardware directly into the short beam. 3. Measure and mark where you’ll hang your swing. Set the spots for the hanging hardware between 2 and 4 inches wider than the length of the swing. For example, space the hanging hardware 62 to 64 inches apart on the ceiling for a swing that is 60 inches wide. This prevents the chains or ropes from rubbing against the sides of the swing. Do a final check on your measurements for mounting the swing to the porch, lining up where the center of the swing would fall and marking ceiling joists. You can choose to have either four ceiling anchors or two, depending on your swing style and setup. 4. Attach hanging hardware to porch. Once you’re set with measuring and marking where you’ll hang the porch swing, pre-drill holes for the screw eyes into the ceiling and screw them in by hand. If you’re anchoring onto a short beam between joists, you can also drill all the way through the beam, screw in a bolt and anchor the other side with a washer and nut. Add comfort swing springs, if using. Comfort swing springs add some bounce to a swing and can make for smoother swinging. If using, attach to each ceiling anchor, between the screw eye and the chain or rope. 5. Hang porch swing. It’s optimum to hang your swing 17 to 19 inches off the ground. If you’re using 7-foot-long chains or sections of rope and hanging a porch swing from a standard 8-foot-tall ceiling, it will fall somewhere in this optimum height range. For both hanging methods listed, it’s helpful to have a friend hold up the swing while you’re working on mounting. Chains: For chain hanging systems that use two ceiling anchors, you’ll use a short chain and a long chain on each side of the swing. (Swing chains usually come this way). On each side of the swing, attach the end of one short chain to the screw eyes in the arm and back of the chair, bringing the chain up to form a small triangle. Use an S-hook to attach the longer chain to the middle of the short chain (at the point of the triangle). Then, attach the long chain to the screw eye in the ceiling with another S-hook. Check that the swing is level by using a level or by counting chain loops. Rope: Loop four sections of at least 7-foot-long ropes through the four screw eyes on the corners of the swing and connect to the corresponding screw eyes in the ceiling. Knot the rope to hold the swing in place. Use a level to check that the swing is even. Wait to trim the ends of the rope until after you’ve tested the swing. Add a slight tilt. Porch swings and daybeds with a seat back are often more comfortable if the back of the seat hangs slightly lower than the front of the seat. In four-rope or chain setups, before tying off ropes or anchoring the chains, you may want to consider adding 1 inch or one chain link to the two back ropes or chains.  If you’re using the triangle chain setup (long chain combined with smaller chain), attach the long chain one or two chain links off-center on the smaller chain, placing it closer to the front of the chair to tilt the seat back. Give it a swing. Once the swing is mounted, sit down and give it a go. Adjust the chains or wires as necessary if one side feels slightly lower than the other, and adjust the height of the swing as desired. Once you’re happy, trim the excess ends from the bottom of the ropes or knot them up the sides. Excess chains can either be cut with a bolt cutter or hooked into a loop. How to Hang a Porch Swing From an Arbor You can follow the same general steps to hang a swinging seat from an arbor, pergola or under a deck, providing that the structure is strong enough to support a swing.

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