Last Summer I was driving past a yard sale when my spidey sense started to tingle with such intensity that I knew I would find something awesome. Sure enough, there was an incredible Haba play tent, new in the box because the woman who bought it couldn't persuade her husband to put a bolt in the ceiling.
I snatched it up at 10% of its retail price, and excitedly called my husband to tell him that we needed a bolt in our ceiling. He was quickly convinced, and we have come to realize that one little piece of hardware affords us incredible play opportunities and versatility in our family room. The Haba tent hangs instantly with a carabiner, and we frequently swap it out for the IKEA Ekorre swing (which seems to be intermittently available in the US market but is easy to find on ebay or amazon). Both items store easily and became fast family favorites. There are a few other swings and tents that we might add into the mix.
Without anything hanging from it, the eye bolt is inconspicuous, and it will be easy to remove and repair if we ever want to list our home. We chose hardware rated for much more weight than necessary and made sure it was securely anchored into a joist. That family with no holes in their ceiling is totally missing out. Homeowners should bite the bullet, while renters are wise to ask landlords for permission rather than forgiveness. Put a bolt in your ceiling!
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I so want to hang a swing chair in my living room but am still searching for said swing. Thereafter I'd have to find a skilled handyman to hang it from the ceiling of my circa 1930's home.
How I relish the idea of having one to come home to after a long day at work or for simply enjoying on lazy days.
My ex boyfriend's cousin bought a home from a, ah, slightly eccentric couple that had bolts in the ceiling of EVERY bedroom, as well as a private little nook off the porch. The first time we saw it we were cracking jokes left and right about what they were really for. :)
Where did you get that quilt? It's stunning!
I always wanted one but imagine my son a little older acting like I would have and swinging from the chair like tarzan! Could end bad, but I would love a bolt to use. And really, it would be a little spackle and paint and fixed it you wanted to remove it. We put anchors and stuff in our walls, why should the ceiling be any different?
For newbies like me to DIY projects, did you happen to take a photo of the hardware from other side of ceiling? Would love to see it.
I love the decor of this room. It's sooo cozy. Great job!
This post is interesting but would be even more helpful if it included instructions about HOW to put a bolt in the ceiling --- do you use a stud finder like with walls? I have no idea how to go about doing this and would like to know.
That blue bedroom is just lovely. Lovely!
Please tell me about the wallpaper! Swoon.
What a beautiful room!
But I do agree that this sort of conceptual post that suggests an idea like "put a bolt in your ceiling!" without offering any sort of practical instruction are really missing an opportunity. A simple list of supplies and basic directions are really all it needs.
My mom and I quilt, i love LOVE that quilt~
The picture above is from a Room Tour done a while back. The link is posted at the bottom, but here it is again:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/carolines-vintage-collaboratio-114532
The quilt looks a lot like the one my grandmother made for my parent's wedding, back in the 70's - if I'm not mistaken, those are vintage fabrics.
My husband used a stud finder and then put the screws in the ceiling and went to test it. he missed the wood of the stud by such a teeny tiny amount, and I have a basketball sized hole in my ceiling. my advice, stud finder and then a small nail to make sure you are finding the wood :) our Ekorre swing has been in our living room for a year and my children never leave it (except to sleep and go to school, true story)
Oh my Gosh. This room is so beautiful. I love it all---the origami, the blue wallpaper, the shutters and sunlight, the QUILT. My goodness.
Love that quilt. Love everything.
A good stud finder will help you find the edges of a beam. Locate the middle of the two edges--done.
It's best to pre-drill to prevent splitting, especially if you are using a large bolt.
I did this same thing (I had to get the swing on eBay, the bolts were still available at IKEA). See here for how and pictures of the result: http://holidayhouserules.typepad.com/house_rules/2012/07/and-the-install.html
Best thing we ever did!