Ever since we started talking about all of our outdoor spaces here in the woods, this is the project I talked about A LOT.  We had a pergola swing set for a porch swing at our last house in the woods.  Deb and I built it as one of our first projects at that house.  We LOVED that swing.  It was a place where we sat in the evenings and unwound from our long days at the office.

Anyone who stopped by would find us right there.  We had actual plans that Deb found in a magazine for that one.  For the pergola swing here on this property, we wanted something a little different.  And, knew we would have to design it ourselves.  I have an entire Pinterest Board with a bunch of inspiration swing frames and had several of these in mind.

Once we started digging the holes and building this frame, it kind of took a mind of it’s own.  We just kept designing it differently as we went.  Here is what we came up with for our pergola swing set.

Pergola Swing Frame with Stained Glass

We dug the four holes in the ground, which with being in the woods, these weren’t too bad.  Both of us were thinking it, but neither one would say it aloud.  Because you know what would happen after that.  ????  We added the 6×6 posts and used a bag of concrete per hole.  We bought 2 x 12 boards to go around the top and hold it all together.  

Deb started adding several boards to get it more secure because with the constant swinging, we were afraid it loosen up.  While we were working on this pergola swing, I remembered these HUGE antique corbels that we had in storage.  And, we had NOWHERE to put them because of their size.  They actually worked perfect to add on the front of our pergola swing set to give it a lot of character. 

Of course, I needed to add an old window for some more interest.  We actually have two of these windows that we found at a flea market YEARS ago for $20 each.  I chose the one that was in more rough condition since it will be out in the elements.  I get asked every time people see me add architectural pieces if it makes me sad to use them outside.  And if I am worried about them getting  ruined.  I buy items to use.  I don’t buy them to put in storage.  So, the answer is No… I love adding things like this to my spaces.

Upcoming plans for this area…

Deb has some more trim work she wants to do to this pergola swing set.  She wants to add a few more brackets under the side braces just for some extra decoration.  This is very sturdy so she really doesn’t need any more support but Deb is always EXTRA.  So we can’t expect anything else from this project either.

The pile of bricks are some we have had in our stash for a long time.  They are from an old street that got torn out in our home town.  We knew they would come in very handy for a project here in the woods.  So, that project is next.  It will be under the swing as a little patio area.  Also.. I think I may stain this structure a solid white… but I am still making up my mind.  And, of course, there will be landscaping here, too!  I’m so excited because I can see this entire area in my mind.  

And, our porch swing just got delivered for this swing set, so we will be putting that together and hanging that this week.  Stay tuned for more updates on this pergola porch swing.

What do you think?