Canopies

Even if you don't have a canopy bed, there are many ways to get the luxurious look of a canopy over your bed.  Whether you are after a ring canopy, bed curtains or a full overhead canopy, it can all be done with a few simple tricks.  The best part is, because you make it yourself, it is a custom piece and point of pride.

For a ring canopy, first find a piece of sheer fabric or mosquito netting, and cut it vertically into four equal sections, leaving the very last inch or two uncut.    Fold the edges around a plastic hoop, and stitch along the edges below the hoop.  Tie one end of fish string to a hoop, and the other end directly across on the hoop, with enough slack in between the knots to hang the canopy at the desire height.  Do the same at a right angle to the first string.  Then simply hang the fish strings on a garden hook in the ceiling, and adjust the leaves of the netting to drape around the bed.

Instead of a headboard, you can frame a bed with a European bed canopy.  Start with three wooden dowels or curtain pullbacks attached to the wall in a triangle pointing up, with the top point about 6 inches below the ceiling, and the corners a little bit wider than the bed.  Thread your choice of fabric through the dowels or pullbacks, leaving a little slack to for a swoop between dowels or pullbacks.  Alternatively, use only two dowels or curtain pullbacks, closer to the ceiling, and let the fabric swoop down in the center.

For dramatic overhead canopy, use about 10 to 12 yards of fabric and two curtain rods.  Attach one curtain rod just above the head of the bed, and the other curtain rod about towards the end of the bed (use ceiling fixtures for one or both curtain rods).  Drape the fabric over both rods, leaving enough fabric against the wall to reach just below the bed (you can tuck it behind the mattress to give the appearance that it goes all the way down and is part of the bed) and some slack in between the rods to creating a swoop over the bed.

To add a sense of privacy, use bed curtains instead of a canopy.  Using ceiling fixtures and corner segments, you can make a U shape around your bed with curtain rods.  Put fabric on each corner of the bed, and tie it a few inches above the bed to give the appearance of a canopy bed.

Canopies and bed curtains are an easy and fun way to make a dramatic improvement on your bedroom decor.  You can use bold colors to really make a big visual impact, and live in luxury for close to nothing!  My last piece of advice: don't be afraid to try something.  Once you have the design down and the hardware in place, it is easy to change the fabric, and fabric is relatively inexpensive, so be experimental and stretch your comfort limits.






For more craft and design hacks, check out my book, Design Hacks for Disney Themed Rooms!

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