Swings for your compound
What you need to know:
Typically meant for entertainment, swings can be made part of your outdoor décor depending on the type and colour choice you go for
While swings are popular among children, they can be enjoyed by people of all ages and will also make your compound look nice.
Jonathan Kigozi from Nkooyoyo compound designers says you can have more than one swing in your compound depending on the age groups of your family members. He adds that these can be in different types.
“Types of swings available range from a porch swing that functions as outdoor furniture, to a playground swing for the children and for relaxing to adults,” Kigozi says.
Measures while buying swings
Lillian Kemigisha, an interior and exterior designer says it is important to account for the different safety measures that should be considered when having a swing in your compound.
“Before buying any kind of swing, it’s important to determine how much room is available in order for it to be functional. She adds, “All swings need ample room around them for maximum movement.”
Kemigisha further explains that there should be at least six feet of room between a swing and the nearest structure, such as a wall or a fence. If a swing is part of a support structure, there should be at least 30 inches between the swing and the support beam.
“For multiple swings in a swing set, there should be a minimum distance of at least two feet between each swing.”
Different types of swings
Kemigisha explains that swings come in all shapes and sizes and these include:
Porch swings
Porch swings are more of a piece of furniture and rarely for children. Typically made out of wood or plastic, porch swings are in form of bench swings that hang from the roof of a house.
Playground swings
Playground swings are typically hung by exposed or covered chains, with seats made out of a variety of materials including wood, metal, plastic, canvas, or rubber.
Tree swings
Tree swings include any material used to hang a swing seat from a strong branch of a tree. They are hung by tying a rope to a tree branch with a tyre, or other strong device, acting as a seat.
Infant or toddler swings
Kemigisha says infant or toddler swings can be found as a part of a playground set or hanging from their own separate frame. Depending on the intended use and the age of the child, infant and toddler swings can come in indoor and outdoor varieties.
“The seat is usually a bucket shape with holes for a child’s legs, or a half-bucket shape and a safety belt. Infant and toddler swings are specifically designed to provide maximum safety for an infant or young child,” Kemigisha explains.
While swings are mainly for entertainment, they also work as an outdoor décor item thus making it necessary that you opt for bright colours that easily blend with the other hues in your compound.
They range from Shs50,000 and Shs700,000 depending on the type you are going to buy.
