A garden swing that becomes a bed.
Most swing seats offer one posture: upright, with a gentle sway. A swing bed adds a sequence of backrest positions that ends in a surface you can lie on. This guide explains how the five positions work on a solid iroko swing, who they suit, how much space they need and how the canopy and cushions fit in.
A swing bed is a swing seat whose backrest reclines in fixed steps until the last position gives a surface for lying down. On the Mihenk 2400 this comes from a 5-position backrest, standard on all our models: Conversation, Reading, Rest, Recline and Hammock, set with a single lever and a stainless steel mechanical lock. The space needed is unchanged: 320 × 200 cm of clear floor and a 220 cm ceiling.
What a swing bed is
A swing bed is a free-standing swing seat that can be used both sitting and lying. The backrest does not just tilt a little; it moves through fixed positions, and in the last one the seat becomes a bed.
The names vary by market. In the US people search for porch swing bed, bed swing or daybed swing; in Britain, swing bed or outdoor swing bed. In German the same idea is a Hollywoodschaukel mit Liegefunktion.
The Mihenk 2400 is a canopy swing in solid iroko (Milicia excelsa), seating four people with a 400 kg capacity. The bed function is part of the standard design, not an add-on.
How the 5-position backrest works
Three things change together when you move between positions: the backrest angle, the seat depth and the hammock tilt. That is why each position is a different posture rather than the same seat at a slightly different angle.
You change position with a single lever, and a stainless steel mechanical lock holds it. No tools are needed.
The five positions run from upright to fully open: Conversation, Reading, Rest, Recline and Hammock. In the Hammock position the swing becomes a bed. For the exact dimensions of the lying surface, ask for the technical drawing on WhatsApp; we do not quote a figure here.
Who a swing bed suits
The positions follow the course of an afternoon. Conversation is for tea and a short chat, Reading for a book or tablet, Rest for watching the garden or the sunset.
Recline and Hammock are for longer stays: an afternoon nap, a slow hour with the canopy overhead, or simply lying down without going indoors. For people who use the garden as a living room rather than a passing place, this is the main difference.
Within our range, the Lavinya 2100 (four people, 380 kg, 195 cm wide) and the Almila 2800 (five people, 460 kg) also come with five positions as standard. The Almila is additionally available with a fixed backrest, which gives the classic sway and a slight recline but no bed position.
Does a swing bed need more room?
No. The Mihenk 2400 measures 211 × 134 × 195 cm (W × D × H), and the clear area is the same whichever position you use: 320 × 200 cm with a 220 cm ceiling. That includes 60 cm of swing clearance front and back and 30 cm at each side.
Most enclosed apartment balconies cannot take the 211 cm width; open balconies of 3 m or more and roof terraces can. Our dimensions guide covers the measurements in detail.
The swing does not need fixing to the floor. In an open, wind-exposed spot we recommend anchoring it.
Shade while lying down, fabric and upkeep
When you lie back, your face points at the sky, so the canopy matters more in the bed positions than when sitting. It cuts direct sun and light rain over the whole seat.
The cushion is solution-dyed olefin with a light fastness of 7-8 (ISO 105-B02), in Mustard or Anthracite. The colour runs through the fibre rather than sitting on the surface, which is why it holds up in strong sun.
Care is simple: one coat of Italian teak oil a year, which penetrates the wood rather than forming a film, and the cushion indoors in winter. Once a year, check the fixings by eye and the tightness of the bolts.
The five backrest positions at a glance
Each position combines a backrest angle, seat depth and tilt. The last one turns the swing into a bed.
| Position | Setting | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Conversation | Upright | Short chats, tea or coffee |
| Reading | Slightly back | A book, magazine or tablet |
| Rest | Mid recline | Watching the garden, sunset |
| Recline | Wide recline | Long rest |
| Hammock | Fully open: the swing becomes a bed | Afternoon nap, deep sleep |
Solid Iroko, in the garden and in the studio.
Mihenk 2400 — a selection of garden and studio frames with mustard and anthracite cushions; the product page has every frame and the colour selector.
Frequently asked about swing beds
What is a swing bed?
A swing seat whose backrest reclines in fixed steps until the last position gives a surface for lying down. In the US it is also called a porch swing bed or daybed swing.
Is the bed function an extra option?
No. The 5-position backrest is standard on all our models: the Mihenk 2400, Lavinya 2100 and Almila 2800. Only the Almila is also offered with a fixed backrest.
Do I need tools to change position?
No. A single lever moves the backrest, and a stainless steel mechanical lock holds each position.
How big is the lying surface?
We do not give a figure here. For exact dimensions, ask for the technical drawing on WhatsApp.
Does the bed position need extra space?
No. The same 320 × 200 cm of clear floor and 220 cm ceiling apply in every position.
What is the difference from a fixed-back swing?
A fixed backrest gives the classic sway and a slight recline. The 5-position system adds Reading, Rest, Recline and Hammock, ending in a bed.
From conversation to an afternoon nap.
Ask about the positions, the technical drawing or whether your terrace has room on WhatsApp, and speak directly with the maker.
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