This particular heaven is on loan, actually, courtesy of our friend Eileen, who may just be the only person in the world to have more hammocks (three) than can possibly be enjoyed by a single household. It’s one of those traditional-style American hammocks with the long wooden spreader bars on either end, which actually do work small miracles in keeping the hammock from bundling your body in too tight a woven pod. I love this hammock. I love eating a bowl of cereal while I sit in the hammock in the mornings; I love kicking back with ankles crossed and book in hand on lazy weekend afternoons. I love sharing the hammock with my boy while we nap till the sun goes down, and lying head-to-toe late at night as we talk in the smoky glow of citronella candles. I’d live in this hammock, if only I could figure out a way to get my desktop and peripherals set up out here.

Hammocks are one the best investments you can make for your patio, porch, balcony, backyard. Maybe you think you’ve survived just fine with your folding beach chairs and plastic chaise longues, but trust me: you’re wrong. There's something about sinking into the comfort of a hammock that instantly, magically melts away just about all the troubles and stresses of day-to-day life. Or at least pushes them far, far away into the distance for an hour or two.

With the days getting long and the temps downright balmy, it’s the perfect time to start shopping for a hammock. Check out our tips on how to choose a hammock, and what to do with it once you’ve brought it home …