This article examines in detail the main criteria for choosing a canopy for a bed: its advantages and disadvantages, its shape and design, and how to make such a canopy yourself
When a person is getting ready for bed, it is very important for him to feel in a protected place, and usually a canopy over the bed gives the person falling asleep such a cozy calmness.
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Ceiling canopy for bed
It protects from light and from extraneous sounds, and simply makes the space feel more intimate, and therefore more comfortable for sleeping. The canopy in the bedroom was used even before our era: not only in rich, but also in poor houses. The poor covered the baby's cradle with linen, and the rich decorated their sleeping place with expensive materials. Nowadays, such a canopy can be made for both adult beds and children's beds. This article explains how to make a canopy with your own hands, what types, fabrics and frames of canopies exist.
Such curtains in the bedroom above the bed protect against insects, bright light and noise. The canopy also retains heat: if you live in an unheated house, this can be a lifesaver on cold autumn nights. In addition to the practical function, the canopy also has an aesthetic one: a canopy made of beautiful fabric over the bed looks very elegant.
Interesting: the word “canopy” itself means “expensive silk fabric from Baghdad” (“Baghdad” is translated into Roman languages as Baldacco). In Russian, the word appeared in the time of Peter I and did not mean a canopy, but rather expensive oriental fabrics imported from the countries of the Middle East and Central Asia.
What types of canopies are there?
Before installing a canopy, it is worth finding out what types of such canopies exist. It is very important to choose exactly the variety that is suitable for your bedroom.
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Wall canopy for bed including curtain
If the bedroom is small, then it is better to choose an arched canopy. This is a semicircle of pipes, the ends of which rest against the wall. The fabric is hung on the pipes in the same way as curtains are usually hung on a cornice.
If there is a lot of space in the room for sleeping, then you can install a canopy around the perimeter of the bed. In this case, vertical posts are placed in each corner of the bed, and a horizontal structure is attached above the bed itself, on which the fabric is already hung. You can use ordinary window cornices rather than pipes as fasteners.
A “crown” canopy will also be conveniently located in a spacious bedroom. This is a round pipe fixed to the ceiling through which the fabric is pulled.
For a small room, a single pipe mount is suitable: it is fixed in the middle of the bedroom and the canopy fabric is thrown over it.
Interesting: originally a canopy was a canopy made of fabric on a wooden frame and poles. Such canopies appeared in the ancient East - they protected from the sun. They can be seen on ancient Persian reliefs: there they are always canopies over the throne or bed of the ruler. In ancient Rus', a canopy was called a canopy, and it was usually erected in churches. The inside of the entryway was painted with gold stars on a blue background and the symbol of the Holy Spirit, a white dove, was placed in the middle.
Arched canopy
Canopy around the perimeter of the bed
Canopy “crown”
Canopy on a straight pipe
How to choose fabric for a canopy
The fabric for the canopy is, in fact, what the canopy itself is made for over the bed. You will look at it every day before going to bed, so it is very important that you are completely satisfied with the choice.
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Canopy for children's Princess tent gray
Tip: a bedroom with a canopy will look especially harmonious if the fabric chosen for the canopy is repeated on other textiles, for example, on window curtains, pillows or bedspreads.
Lightweight fabrics are well ventilated and easy to wash. These include chintz, linen and even cotton. They will flutter beautifully in the wind and lull you to sleep with their shimmer before bed.
Heavy fabrics protect from bright light and noise, and they also retain heat (imagine autumn in an unheated country house). These are tapestry, jacquard and velvet, and washing these fabrics is usually a lot of hassle. Depending on the style of the bedroom, the material is decorated with tassels, flounces and fringe.
Interesting: In Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, canopies on four supports were made mainly for protection from the cold: heavy fabrics retained heat well, because bedrooms were not heated at that time. A little later, in the era of Louis XIV and Louis XV, fabrics for canopies were made of brocade and decorated with gold embroidery and lambrequins. At that time, canopies were also made from velvet, satin and damask. From the East Indies to Europe came the fashion for printed cotton canopies and slightly cheaper French toiles. Nowadays such canopies can be seen in the Chateau of Versailles.
Mounting options
Choosing a mounting method will allow you to properly organize the space and place accents in the children's room. The cut and method of sewing the cape will depend on this. Currently, the following fastening methods can be distinguished:
- on supports located at the corners of the crib, which should ensure the stability of the future structure;
- using a cornice attached to the ceiling or wall, requiring the use of special construction tools;
- using a metal or wooden structure of a rectangular shape, which can match the size of the bed;
- with a circular design that allows the cape to fall in perfect soft waves.
Depending on the method, the canopy can completely cover the sleeping area or cover only the part at the head of the crib.
Choosing a frame for a canopy over a bed
The canopy frame can be of three types:
- fabrics on supports;
- design with suspended consoles;
- arbitrary textile compositions.
The most popular design is the canopy on a frame. The frame is a wooden or metal structure, and it is usually not only a support for the canopy, but also a decorative element that emphasizes the height of the ceilings. The frame also emphasizes the bed itself: its size and finish. Lovers of luxury often decorate the frame with forged elements or carvings.
An arc-shaped frame is an option for those who avoid excesses. The arched frame with its shape provides the drapery with softness and smooth lines, and also simplifies installation: fastening does not require additional supports.
Canopy over the bed made of light fabric
A canopy can also be made using two crossbars: one secured at the head of the bed, and the second parallel to the first on the other side of the bed. These two crossbars perpendicular to the sleeping place form support points through which a piece of fabric is thrown.
Canopy over the bed with carvings
Canopy over the bed - two supports
How to hang a canopy over a bed: options for attaching to the frame
There are several fastening techniques:
- loops (wide strips with Velcro);
- eyelets (metal rings on fabric with a uniform indent from the edge);
- corrugated tape (ribbon with loops sewn to the edge of the fabric).
Loops can be used on any fabric. Don't forget to sew on Velcro, as this will make the fabric easy to remove for washing and ironing. Hinges are used on tubular and narrow beam structures.
Eyelets are usually used for thick fabric. They are suitable for narrow pipes on which rings are strung.
Corrugated braid also includes hooks onto which the braid loops are placed. This option is suitable for those who like to live and make everything themselves: you can easily create such a canopy with your own hands.
Canopy with braid
Interesting: The canopy represents temporal and spiritual power in many cultures. During the era of the Crusades, even stone canopies appeared over statues in cathedrals. In temples, stone or bronze canopies were made over altars and burials of important people of those times.
Bronze canopy
DIY children's canopy
If the assortment of stores does not please you, and you were unable to find the ideal option, you can always make a canopy for a crib with your own hands. To do this you will need very few materials:
- tulle or fabric suitable for a canopy;
- ring (you can use a small extendable hoop or embroidery hoop for maximum diameter embroidery;
- ceiling hook (for example, the one used for a chandelier);
- braid for attaching the canopy;
- ribbon for decoration;
- scissors;
- needle;
- sewing threads;
- decorative elements.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
The sewing technology is as follows.
- Measure the required length and width of the fabric (depending on the size of the bed and the desired style).
- Fold and hem the upper edge that will be attached to the ring, forming a so-called drawstring (through pocket).
- Thread the hoop into the resulting drawstring.
- Decorate the hoop with ribbon.
- Secure the hook to the ceiling.
- Use tape to attach the fabric-covered hoop to the hook.
- Decorate the canopy and edges with ribbon, add other decor at your discretion. And your DIY children's canopy is ready!
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
Canopies for a children's room
Canopies for a newborn's crib are often sold complete with the crib itself.
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Children's bed Yoyo up white
You can also purchase them separately. In this case, they are attached to the arena on a bracket with a ring on top. Unlike canopies for adult beds, the crown canopy is fixed not on the ceiling, but on the crib (or playpen) itself. Baby canopies are usually made from voile or fine mesh and can be attached to both girls' and boys' beds. A closed canopy gives the baby a sign that it is time to sleep, and thus he gets used to the correct daily routine.
Advice: if your child has allergies, then it is better not to buy a canopy for him, as it accumulates dust.
When the child grows up a little, you can make a cozy house out of a canopy. It is very important when a person has his own space, and children often create a small world for themselves in their corner.
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Canopy for children's Fairy dome
In this case, the canopy is attached to the ceiling, and comfortable pillows and blankets are placed below so that the child can sit comfortably and read, draw or just dream.
For preschool children, we can recommend a canopy for the bed. Still, it also has a practical function: it will protect the baby from insects, heat and drafts.
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Canopy for the children's Magic dome
The fasteners for the canopy will be the same as for an adult’s bed, only the structure will be smaller in size, since the bed is smaller.
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Canopy for children's Princess tent white
A beautiful canopy will also suit the interior of a teenage girl’s room: on a bed under a canopy you can hide from the adult world and keep secrets with your girlfriend. Such a canopy will add comfort, but will not contribute to the feeling of an enclosed space. It is better to choose dim colors so as not to cause anxiety in the child. Pastel shades will give the interior a fairytale-like quality that a child will most likely like.
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Canopy for children's Princess tent pink
By the way, the canopy can also be installed on a bunk bed: you just need to take the fabric a little longer than for a single-tier bed, and also make the mount for the canopy 5-10 cm larger.
Bed Pinokkio
Examples of canopies in the interior
- An ideal option for baby cradles is a light and floating canopy made of tulle.
- If your baby is uncomfortable sleeping on the second floor of a bunk bed, secure a children's canopy. It will create a feeling of safety and security and make it easier for the baby to fall asleep.
- If the nursery has a sofa instead of a crib, you can decorate it with this interior element. This option will also look stylish.
- An original interior solution - a do-it-yourself canopy decorated with garlands. Who said that the time for such illumination is only for the New Year? Let the fairy tale accompany the baby all the time!
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
A beautiful canopy for a crib
No matter how old your child is, no matter what interior you choose for his room - try decorating a crib with a canopy. This simple-to-make, but so festive-looking interior element can become a real decoration of the room and give a good mood and faith in miracles.
Table of advantages and disadvantages of canopy
| Flaws | Advantages |
| Another dust collector, and dust contains a lot of bacteria and even mites, which can cause allergic reactions | For summer time it is perfect as protection against mosquitoes (as well as flies, and indeed any insects). |
| The canopy fabric must be removed, washed and ironed at least once every two weeks. And the fastenings should be wiped once a week. Such cleaning of the structure takes a lot of time and effort. | The dense fabric of the canopy protects from the sun, noise and cold. If you sleep in an unheated room, then a canopy will save you on cool nights. |
| A canopy should not be constructed in small rooms, as it will visually reduce the space and clutter it up. | A convenient design solution for zoning space: for example, if the bed is in a room that is used as a living room during the day. |
