A hammock is a stretch of material strung up between two (or more) points and is used for sleeping or relaxing. "Hanging beds" were used in early Greece, and later Spanish explorers found that the indigenous people of the Caribbean used hammocks to keep them safely off the ground and safe from snakes and floods. Sailors used hammocks to protect them from rough waters and being thrown around while they slept; it's nearly impossible to fall out of a hammock.

Today hammocks are often found outside in backyards, inside bedrooms and in campers' backpacks. The pliable fabric sling cradles the body to remove points of pressure on the back and the gentle sway helps relax the occupant. Much like the fabric that holds a person, the way the hammock is attached can vary. Hammocks can be hung between trees, suspended from a ceiling, or attached to special hammock stands with two or four points.

Hanging a bed in your home was once considered to be rather bohemian (unconventional and eccentric), but today it is considered quite chic. Some of the finest stores and most popular outlets offer a variety of styles and designs. Hammocks and swings are so popular that they even make pet hammocks!

Before you go shopping, though, let's review some of the styles you will be choosing from:

Rope: exactly what it sounds like, with knotted "ropes" made of cotton or polyester. Cool and airy and often attached to spreader bars for support and easy access.

Camping: portable beds made of a thin, lightweight and yet strong material. These hammocks fold and fit comfortably in a backpack. They are strung between trees to keep the camper off the ground.

Mayan: pliable like rope hammocks but made from a very fine woven (strong) thread, often very colorful. Suited for outdoor use but shouldn't be left out all year.

Poolside: made from materials that stand up well to water and are less likely to fade or develop mold and mildew.

Quilted: made from multiple layers of fabric with padding in between the layers. They aren't as pliable or lightweight as sling type hammocks but provide more warmth and protection from the cold.

Nicaraguan: similar to Mayan except with a double weave of threads and smaller thread holes. The hammock is less prone to damage and still allows air to keep the occupant cool.

Brazilian: made of a solid material made from closely woven cotton and is very durable, however it is less cooling and not recommended for very hot climates.

Hanging chairs, sometimes called swings, are a more recent and very popular creation. The chairs can either be supple fabric slings or made with straw or other light material. They are suspended from ceilings (inside or out) or on specially designed stands. Depending on the design and way they are suspended, the chairs will either swing to and fro or can gently spin around. Most hanging chairs are made for one person, but there are variations such as porch swings for two or three, and gliders where the bench rocks from a stand beneath it. With less footprint than a full-size hammock, the hanging chairs still provide the relaxation that comes from gentle swaying.

Hanging Egg Basket: the basket is often made from wicker or straw and shaped like an open eggshell. Used indoor or outdoor, it can be suspended from a special frame or a strong ceiling hook. Since there is little back support, they suggest lining the seat with plump pillow cushions.

Hanging Hammock Swing: made of netted fabric and supported at each end on a rod to help hold its shape. The rod is fixed to a special C-stand or the ceiling. The swing literally conforms to the shape of its occupant.

Porch Swings: these will be made with a rigid frame made of wood or metal with cushions; sometimes fabric is stretched along the frame. Porch swings are commonly attached to the porch ceiling or an independent A-frame, which allows the swinging motion.

Aerial Hammocks: these are lengths of strong silk fabric that are hung in loops from the ceiling above and used frequently in yoga studios for quiet meditation and other aerial yoga exercises.