Many of us dream of this setting, but lack the necessary yard or evenly spaced trees to make a hammock part of our summer relaxation.

The right stand can make a hammock part of your dream come true this summer. Selecting a stand is easy. But first you have to start with the hammock.

What kind of hammock do you have – or do you wish to purchase? There are three basic kinds: (1) ones made of cotton or nylon rope or cord. These have a ‘knitted' or ‘crocheted' look made of many knots of cord or rope; (2) those constructed of a solid sheet of fabric, and (3) the heavier fabric versions that are a bit puffy or quilted. While choosing a stand for any of these hammock types, there are two primary considerations: how is the hammock hung and what is its length? Hammocks hang by two types of hardware: rings or spreader bars. Certain stands are designed for each type, so choose carefully.

Check the length and width of your hammock as well when choosing a stand. Make sure the stand is made to handle a hammock of the length you desire so that it hangs on the stand neither too low or too high.

Now that you know the size of stand that you need, let's look at stand types.

Do you want your hammock to stay in one location or will you wish to move it from one spot to another in your yard or on your deck? Portability is an important consideration when choosing a hammock stand – and many models either come with wheels or have a wheel kit that you can choose when ordering.

Most hammock stands are made of two basic materials: metal or wood.

Metal stands are usually made of stainless steel – which is strong and durable. Often these types of stands are powder coated with a rust-proof paint and come in a variety of colors to match your outside décor. Metal stands are the most affordable choices and often come in pieces, which means they are easier to store at the end of the summer season. Metals stands run from $US 89 to $US 200.

Wooden stands are beautiful as well as functional, but often are not easy to store and so by default are mostly chosen by people who live in climates where you can use a hammock stand all year round. This year round use also justifies the additional expense. Most wooden stands start at $US450 and come in a variety of woods and finishes. One of the most popular is the Hammaka Arc Hammock (retail $US600) which is constructed of durable birch wood, and comes with UV protection and is also waterproofed. A wooden stand of this type typically weighs over 100 lbs (an important consideration if the company does not offer free shipping) and has a weight capacity of 450 lbs. It is only compatible with spreader bar hammocks.