Canopy bed: types, choice of fabric, design, styles, examples in the bedroom and nursery

The canopy began to be used to decorate a sleeping place several centuries ago. Previously, this was the first sign of great wealth and luxury in the family. Today it serves as an interesting room decor. You can create the original model with your own hands. You need to choose the material and method of fastening so that the room as a whole looks harmonious and natural.

Frame canopy in a white bedroom

Canopy with embroidery on the bed frame

Transparent canopy over a crib

Canopy over the bed grayCanopy over the bed gray

Pros and cons of using a canopy in the interior

To assess the need to install a canopy, you need to consider all the advantages and disadvantages of its use.

Advantages and disadvantages

Transparent, thin canopy in the bedroom of a country house

A canopy over a bed has a number of serious advantages:

• a luxurious addition to the bedroom interior;

• elegant design solution;

• visual reduction of excessively high bedroom ceilings;

• protection from drafts, dust, insects, sunlight;

• comfortable morning and afternoon sleep;

• increasing privacy, especially important if the bedroom does not have doors;

• feeling of peace, security.

Decorative canopy over the bed in a small bedroom

At the same time, the design has a number of specific disadvantages.

• A four-poster bed requires space. For bedrooms with low ceilings, options are very limited. You may have to abandon this design altogether so as not to clutter up the space.

• Folds of fabric accumulate dust. This is especially dangerous for children and people prone to allergies.

• Regular washing is required. To save time, it is better to choose fabric that does not require ironing.

• The bed with the canopy removed looks undecorated.

The solution to the problem of the lack of a canopy over the bed is easy: make two sets of canopies to use them in turn. Then, even if one canopy needs to be washed, your bed will not look ruined.

A massive bright scarlet canopy fits perfectly into the overall picture of the interior

What types of beds come with a canopy?

There are several types of canopy beds, all of them interesting in their own way.

A canopy is a very functional element of a crib for newborns. It creates a cozy space for the child, diffuses bright light and eliminates dust and insects. If the crib is located near a window, the thick fabric protects the baby from drafts. And, of course, the canopy in the nursery looks very attractive.

A canopy is an excellent addition to a transformable crib. It is useful when the structure is assembled into a round cradle - the baby feels safer in a confined space. A canopy will not be superfluous over an elongated crib for an older baby, because the child still needs a comfortable sleep. The canopy can also be used when the crib turns into a playpen.

A girl over two years old will appreciate an original carriage crib or car bed with a canopy. Here its role as decor is irreplaceable. Boys will prefer a house-style bed or a loft bed. In all of these cases, the canopy serves as an additional element for games.

In the photo there is a transformable bed in the shared bedroom. Thanks to the canopy, the child is in his own cozy zone, but is not hidden from parental eyes.

Almost any bed can be decorated with a canopy. A large double design with a canopy is the most common option for a bedroom.

The photo shows a marine-style bedroom with red accents. An unusual footboard and a canopy with a pattern in the form of rope knots make the interior unique.

An elegant round bed with a transparent canopy looks especially gentle in the interior.

The photo shows a bedroom in milky shades. A huge tent made of transparent material envelops the bed like a cloud and gives an incredible feeling of comfort.

Methods for attaching canopies

Each person, if desired, can make his own canopy to decorate the bed. This will not take much time, you just need to choose the right way to attach the decor and the material from which the canopy will be sewn. It is not necessary to do everything according to the latest fashion trends and trends. It is important to consider the size of the room and the style in which it is decorated.

French style canopy over bed

Canopy in a nursery with purple wallpaper

White canopy over the bed

Transparent canopy in a bedroom in Provence style

Attaching the canopy to vertical posts

Before you start making the canopy, you need to correctly calculate the amount of material. Mounting on 4 supports - this option is considered one of the most reliable and effective. It will help create a truly comfortable relaxation area in the bedroom, as can be seen in the photo.

Canopy fastening on 4 supports. Light transparent fabric was chosen as decor

Canopy over the Provence bed

Canopy over a wooden bed

Canopy over the bed in a cream bedroom

To make fasteners you will need:

• 4 supports, which should have a length equal to the height of the ceiling in the room;
• Ready-made frame for the frame or its blank;
• Fastening elements;
• Carpentry adhesive;
• The material chosen for the canopy;
• Additional elements for decoration.

The chosen mounting method is not one of the simplest, so it is very important to follow these steps step by step:

• You need to connect 4 supports to the frame of the future canopy. For this purpose, the principle of tenons entering grooves is used. If wood is used as a basis, then it must be covered with special protective materials. This guarantees a long service life of the finished product.
• The structural supports should be installed near the corners of the bed. To securely fix the canopy, they must be in contact with each other. If desired, you can make a two-tier frame. It will look very stylish and unusual.
• A sewn canopy from the fabric you like needs to be thrown over the upper crossbars of the structure. The finished product will look better if the material is beautifully draped and complemented with decorative elements in the form of clips, ribbons or other similar items.

The canopy can be sewn separately for each side of the structure. In the end, all the parts just need to be carefully placed in their places. If desired and have sufficient experience, the canopy can be made in the form of a single piece covering the entire structure.

Brown canopy in a classic bedroom

Blue transparent canopy over a crib

Mirrored canopy over the bed

Bright canopy in a children's room

How to attach a canopy to a cantilever structure

The canopy is used not only to create a cozy atmosphere in the room. It will add a touch of mystery and mystery to the room. A person, lying in a four-poster bed, can be mentally transported to an ancient castle or an oriental fairy tale. A design in the form of a dome ring will help you plunge into such an unusual atmosphere. To do this, you need to prepare:

• Hoop. It is advisable to take a sports attribute made of metal.
• A metal pipe that is bent in a circle.

If the canopy is intended for a newborn baby, then you need to know how to make a canopy over the bed yourself. For attaching the fabric, ordinary hoops that are used for embroidering pictures are suitable.

Every person can create such a canopy. To do this, you simply need to secure the pre-sewn canopy with loops over the metal circle. In order for the fabric to easily flow over the sleeping area, the structure must be fixed with small supports.

For this option for attaching the canopy, you need to take light translucent fabrics. They do not weigh down the bed.

A canopy can add a touch of mystery and fabulousness to the interior of a room.

Thick canopy with a pattern on the bed frame

Canopy over bamboo bed

Carved canopy over the bed

Fixing the canopy with a ceiling cornice

Plastic curtain rods are best suited for canopies. They have flexibility, which helps to give the desired shape to the finished product. Also here special loops are hidden from prying eyes. You can carefully hang a canopy on them, which will then be easy to open and close.

The design is made in stages:

• The ceiling cornice must be fixed to the wall.
• A pre-sewn canopy is attached to the internal rails.
• To prevent the product from jumping out of the hidden rails, special feet must be installed on the side parts.

The canopy will look advantageous if it is beautifully draped or decorated with additional elements.

Canopy over the bed in a neoclassical bedroom

Steel canopy over the bed

Metal canopy over the bed

A small transparent canopy in the bedroom interior

How to install a canopy on horizontal rods

This is the simplest and most affordable method used to attach a canopy in the bedroom. The base used here is a piece of pipe equal to the width of the bed. It is best to take a piece of metal. The canopy is made step by step:

• Fixing a metal rod to the wall at a height of two meters from the bed.
• The free edges are decorated with decorative tips so that the finished structure looks aesthetically pleasing. These elements will also help to further hold the fabric inside, which will prevent it from slipping out of the pipe.
• A wide piece of fabric is pulled through a metal rod. It should be 2 times wider than the pipe. This will help create beautiful draperies on the material.

Such a canopy promotes quality sleep and complete relaxation of a person after a hard day.

Light flowing fabric guarantees quality rest after a hard day. The canopy is easy to make yourself

Canopy over a bed made of branches

Canopy over the crib

Luxurious golden canopy over the bed

Types of canopy designs

There are several traditional ways to place a canopy. To make the canopy look harmonious, the holder for it is selected taking into account the dimensions of the bedroom and bed.

Crown

This is a suspended hoop-shaped structure that is attached to the ceiling. A popular option available for sale in a wide selection of materials and colors. The most inexpensive is a plastic hoop. It weighs little, so the fabric chosen for it is light and airy.

Racks

This is usually a structural part of the bed, but can also be purchased separately. Racks can be metal or wooden, representing massive columns or carved balusters. They look good only in spacious apartments.

Barbell

Fixed on the wall at the head of the bed. The fabric is thrown over the bar, turning into a minimalist canopy. Can be used in small spaces.

Frame construction

If there are no racks, then a frame placed under the ceiling can be used as a canopy.

The photo shows an unusual solid ceiling structure that ties together the ceiling and the bedroom decor.

Hanging canopy

A canopy looks simple and elegant, the curtain of which is thrown over two or three crossbars: they are fixed to the wall and ceiling. A hanging bracket is suitable for a baby crib.

Cornice

This wall canopy is a semicircular arc near the head of the bed. Attached to the ceiling and decorated with fabric.

How to wear it correctly?

After purchasing or making your own crib canopy, an important issue is how to secure the product.

Manufacturers provide several options for placing canopies:

fixation to the floor; fastening to the bedside headboard, however, it is important to take into account its width; ceiling mounting; installation of the frame to the wall.

Long canopies, as well as products made from heavy fabrics, require reliable and durable fastening. Such models are usually mounted on a special holder to the ceiling. Lighter fabrics are placed on the bar next to the crib. Those products that are installed using additional elements to the ceiling or wall will be stationary, therefore they will not be suitable for mobile cradles.

Recommendations for choosing fabric for a canopy

When choosing fabric for a canopy, you need to take into account both the taste preferences of the bedroom owner and the style of the interior.

• Thick fabrics (velvet, tapestry, jacquard) are suitable for a spacious bedroom in a classic or oriental style. They will turn an ordinary bed into a royal one and help make the sleeping area truly private.
• Translucent fabrics (linen, silk, cotton) are universal for any interior. Such canvases are distinguished by their tenderness, diffuse light well, but at the same time give a feeling of privacy. They are easier to care for.
• Light transparent fabrics (organza, tulle, chiffon) are suitable even for small rooms. A canopy made of an airy veil will decorate the bedroom, but will not protect from sunlight.

The photo shows a luxurious classic canopy on carved stands, decorated with fringe.

Bed design photos

A correctly selected canopy decorates the bedroom and draws the eye to its central element - the bed. A canopy can be used to decorate a sofa bed, a single bed or a bunk bed.

The photo shows a bright wrought-iron sofa bed with a peculiar canopy of multi-colored ribbons. A great idea for a cheerful children's room.

The loft bed and “podium” can also be fenced off with a canopy. A four-poster bed on sloping posts looks original and modern.

The photo shows a loft bed, fenced off with a functional canopy that gives a feeling of privacy.

Examples in the adult bedroom

A canopy in a room for adults helps create a special mood of relaxation after a hard day. For a romantic person or a married couple, sleeping under the canopy will be comfortable for everyone.

The photo shows a blue single bed for a young girl. The canopy has a decorative function, softly decorating the headboard.

In a small studio or in a room at the dacha, a canopy will help zone the space. A small niche with a bed will become more comfortable if you frame it with a light canopy and decorate it with a garland.

Modern fashion dictates its own rules. In Art Nouveau style interiors there are square structures that only vaguely resemble a canopy and yet still perform their decorative function perfectly. This decoration with built-in lighting looks especially unusual.

Varieties

There are several types of canopies. They are equipped with different designs and are made in different styles:

• The most common options are in the form of textiles mounted on supports. With the help of such varieties, you can emphasize the beautiful contour of the sleeping place and highlight the free space located above it.
• Canopies with hanging structures are no less attractive in appearance. They can be simple and console-based. The main decorative element of such models is their canopy.
• You can purchase textiles for canopies in various arbitrary compositions. With the help of such details you can create a suitable room design.

The designs of canopies are different:

Products on a frame are simple and common. The space above the berth, from the very ceiling, is decorated with a special frame structure. Racks (wooden or metal) are installed on the sides. The main design details can be located both in the inside of the canopy and in the area of ​​the racks. Most often, beds with frame structures are decorated with spectacular ornate forging elements or elegant carvings. If you do not want to make such additions to the bedroom interior, then you can turn to expensive luxurious fabric.

What does a canopy look like in the interior of a children's room?

The picturesque canopy fits perfectly into the interior of the children's room. For a girl, a canopy that supports a fairy-tale theme is suitable: a light veil and pastel (pink, light yellow, pale green) colors.

The photo shows a white iron bed under a gentle canopy. The dome made of double-sided fabric is additionally decorated with tassels.

In a boy's room, a canopy made of fabric in neutral colors would be appropriate. For a teenage girl, the canopy will still be relevant, but an older boy is unlikely to agree to such a romantic element. However, transparent canopies will fit into almost any style: they are minimalist and do not attract much attention, are mobile and protect against mosquitoes in the summer.

Style and design for children's canopy

Whatever the style of the canopy, its lower edge should at least cover the base of the crib. For older children, they try to make the length of the fabric to the floor. It is better to choose a canopy for a crib for newborns with a length that covers the backrest by three quarters. Very often the baby has to be taken out of the crib and picked up. If the canopy is too long, it will interfere with these actions and you will quickly get bored. Short versions of canopies are also found on sale, but such canopies serve only a decorative function.

The upper part of the canopy is most often made in the form of a wide strip of fabric, gathered into lush voluminous folds, and in any of the above ways. For decoration, curtain accessories, appliques, ribbons, lace, and fringe are used. The side and bottom edges are usually trimmed with a narrow flounce, decorative braid or fringe. As a result, the entire structure looks very elegant and airy.

In order for the canopy to fit into the interior, it is advisable to combine the rest of the textiles in the nursery: curtains, bedspreads, covers for the sofa and armchairs with it in color and style. It is not necessary to completely copy the colors and decorations. It is enough to use tones from the same range, but darker and add the same accessories. For example, trim the bedside canopy and window curtains with the same fringe.

Looking at the photos below, you can see how such a seemingly insignificant detail, like a canopy, can transform the interior and create a special atmosphere in it.

As the child grows up, the practical significance of the canopy fades into the background.

But it continues to be an important decorative part of the interior and turns the girl’s room into real chambers for a princess.

If your child has grown up and sleeps on the sofa, this is not a reason to refuse a canopy, since in a children's room it is appropriate not only above the bed. The main thing is to choose the right color, style and accessories.

Often, children do not feel very comfortable on the top tier of a bunk bed and are afraid to fall asleep. The canopy will give them a feeling of security and will be a great way out of the situation.

Decorations in the form of artificial flowers and butterflies on children's canopies always look appropriate. Even a novice seamstress who has only recently learned to thread a needle can use them.

The lights give the canopy a truly fabulous look.

Fabrics with patterns do not require additional accessories or complex patterns. A delicate colored print on transparent fabric is a decoration in itself and looks better on a canopy of a simple style.

Canopy design ideas in various styles

The canopy can be called a universal bedroom decor, suitable for any style - from Gothic to Provence. The main thing is to choose the appropriate design and fabric.

• The shabby chic trend implies emphasized antiquity and sophistication. A translucent canopy flowing in careless waves fits perfectly into such an interior.
• Loft-style room decoration is characterized by untreated surfaces, metal and concrete. At the same time, the “industrial” interior emphasizes space and light. Multilayer canopies will not work here, but black corner posts with transparent drapery will be appropriate.
• Provence, or “French country,” consists of pastel colors, light furniture and textures of natural materials. The rustic component here is intertwined with luxury, so an ornate canopy with floral patterns will highlight this style.

The photo shows a spacious attic in blue tones. An elegant canopy visually softens the rough beamed ceiling.

The canopy over the bed is simply irreplaceable in the Baroque style. Its main feature is pomp. A gold design would be appropriate here, and a royal bed should be decorated with thick drapery made of expensive luxury fabric.

The combination of white and blue shades and natural wood is characteristic of a charming marine style. A light, light canopy will come in handy here, adding airiness to the atmosphere.

DIY canopy

Buying a four-poster bed today is not difficult. But it happens that the cost of the product turns out to be too burdensome. Or the store simply doesn’t have a model that matches the overall style of the house and your aesthetic aspirations.

The best way out of this situation is to make a canopy with your own hands. Such a product has important advantages: it is completely unique, meets all your requirements and will cost much less.

Canopy-sail attached to wooden beams

Every home craftsman can assemble a canopy support. Simply lengthen the furniture legs to the desired height. A suspended round frame can be easily constructed from a regular hoop for gymnastic exercises. A square hanging frame can be assembled from thin wooden slats or more creative materials - branches, bamboo sticks.

Eco-design of a bedroom with branches serving as a mount for a canopy

Ordinary curtains open up wide scope for imagination. They can be mounted on the ceiling to hang a canopy from. An option is hooks in the ceiling - an excellent solution for a bed with a translucent canopy made of light fabric.

Canopy on ropes that hang on hooks attached to the ceiling

An original design solution would be a beam (one or several) fixed above the bed. The fabric thrown over it will act as a canopy. The material of the beam depends on your imagination: wooden beams, painted or untreated, metal pipes, natural branches. A rope stretched through rings on the ceiling will also work. Several beams can be fixed at different heights by placing fabric on them in a spectacular cascade.

An original base for a homemade canopy from an old bed frame

When choosing the design and fabric for the canopy, remember the main thing: the canopy bed should fit perfectly with the overall style of the bedroom. Otherwise, your imagination is free. You can try to copy canopy samples based on photos on the Internet. Rich collections of photographs can be easily found by thematic queries. Don't be afraid to combine elements of different styles and experiment with finishes and decorations. The result is a spectacular and original design - the best decoration for the bedroom.

Happy creativity!