How to Build a Canopy for a Wooden Bed

A canopy over a bed gives a regal feeling. The canopy also makes the bed a private cocoon. Here's how to make a cheap, simple canopy for your wooden bed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 5 pine dowels 2 ½-inches diameter and approximately 96 inches in length 7 pine dowels for cross bars 10 Angle Brackets 4-inch stove bolts ¼-inch in diameter. Measuring tape Fabric for canopy Sewing machine Drill

1. Measure the height of the ceiling and the height for the four posts of your canopy. To measure the height of the canopy, measure from the ground up. Some people like a high canopy, while others prefer a low canopy. Measure the length of the cross bar dowels. You will need two dowels along the length of the bed and 4 along the width. Measure the fabric length and width.

2. Remove all the sheets and the mattress from the bed. Attach the dowels that make the posts to the four corners of the bed. To attach the posts, stand them on the ground, drill holes and fasten them with the stove bolts to each leg of the bed or each corner of the bed. Repeat the process for all four corner posts.

3. Attach one dowel along the width of the bed I inch below the top of the post, between the two posts at the head of the bed. To attach the cross bar dowels, use the angled brackets. Attach a second dowel 2 ½-inches below the first cross bar dowel using angle brackets. Repeat the process with two dowels at the foot of the bed. Attach the longer cross bar dowel along the length of the bed between the two posts with angle brackets. Repeat the process on the other side.

4. Choose the fabric according to the purpose or the effect that you want to give the canopy. Mosquito netting is a light weight insect proof canopy material. Velvet or satin give a regal look to the canopy. You can also choose the same design of the bed cover for the canopy so that it blends in with the decor.

5. Cut the fabric to measure the entire area between the posts above the bed, leaving enough around the sides for a hem. Cut fabric to the desired length to hang on the sides of the canopy. If it is a full-length canopy, the fabric that makes up the side curtaining should be cut into two pieces on either side of the bed before you stitch the fabric with the canopy ceiling fabric. Stitch the canopy covers and the side curtains.

Tips & Warnings

• The side posts will be firm if you fasten them to the corners of the bed from the ground.