How to Make a 4 Post Bed Into a Canopy Bed
Four-post beds are similar to canopy beds. They both have posts or columns at their corners, however canopy beds have beams, or pieces of wood that connect the posts. There is often fabric used on the top of canopy beds. This offers some separation from light, as well as a décor that some people find pleasing. To make your 4-post bed look like it was intended to be a canopy bed, try to closely match the wood stain on your existing bed with the stain you use on the extra pieces you are adding to it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- 4 Pine boards, 2x6x84 inches
- Miter saw
- Hand saw
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Orbital sander
- Tack cloth
- Medium-grade sand paper
- Wood stain, matched to bed frame color
- Screw gun
- 4 wood screws, 3-inch
- Bed canopy fabric
Instructions
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1
Measure the distance between the posts at the front of the bed. Measure the thickness of one post, multiply it by two, and add it to the first measurement. Cut two pine boards at this length.
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2
Measure the distance between the front and back post along one side. Measure the thickness of the two posts, and add that to the measurement. Cut the last two boards at this measurement.
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3
Place one board on edge on your work table. Cut down the ¾-inch center of the board, until you have reached 5 ½ inches away from the end. Lay the board flat, and cut perpendicularly across the board 5 ½ inches from the end until you reach the first cut. You will have removed a piece of wood that is ¾ x 5 ½ x 5 ½ inches. Repeat this process on each piece of wood. The wood removed should all be on the same side of the board.
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4
Sand down all of the pieces of wood with your orbital sander. Wipe the boards with the tack cloth, and apply your wood stain. Let the stain dry according to instructions.
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5
Set the two short boards on top of the front and back pair of posts. The sides with the removed wood should be facing up. Lay the last two boards on top of the first pair so the sides with the removed wood are facing down and are on top of the corresponding sections of the other pair of boards. The corners of these boards should be flush. Drive a screw through each corner, and into your bed post.
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6
Drape your canopy fabric over the boards according to your liking.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
