Canopies are elegant structures that perform not only aesthetic, but also practical functions. Since ancient times, a child's crib has been covered with curtains or curtains to give him a feeling of comfort and security.
Lace, linen, pastel and bright shades - they come in different colors. They protect from bright light, noise and dust. But in order for them to hold securely over the baby while he sleeps, you need to purchase special holders.
Advantages and disadvantages
A simple design will protect the child from the negative effects of the environment.
Among the advantages of such decor it is customary to highlight the following:
- protects from dust and drafts;
- softens different types of lighting;
- helps protect against insects without the use of chemicals;
- improves sleep quality;
- attracts attention due to bright fabric;
- serves as a barrier for pets;
- complements the interior of the children's room.
The disadvantages of the canvas over the crib are as follows:
- collects dust easily and requires regular washing;
- the air within the crib may stagnate;
- approaching from any side will become problematic;
- The child may be injured by becoming entangled in the fabric.
Design option
A canopy is a design that harmoniously combines functional and aesthetic qualities. It is especially relevant for a one-room apartment or bedroom.
- In a small apartment, a canopy made of very dense, but natural, environmentally friendly fabric can partially muffle the sounds coming from neighboring rooms.
- In a studio room, with the help of a canopy it is easy to create a relaxation area and hide your personal space from prying eyes. It can actually play the role of an interior partition, while remaining lighter and more aesthetically pleasing.
- In a bedroom with very high ceilings, many people feel discomfort: the large “open” space makes it difficult to feel comfortable. Using a canopy, you can “lower” the ceiling, creating a “protection zone” for a restful sleep.
- In any room, you can use a canopy to protect yourself from insects so you can sleep comfortably with the windows open.
- The canopy hides the sleeper from the bright morning light.
- Draperies made of translucent airy fabric visually lighten and expand the room, giving the interior lightness.
- Heavy curtains over the bed made of expensive fabric, suspended on exquisite frames, can give the room the luxury of a royal apartment.
- A curtained canopy relieves owners from the obligation to make the bed every day: this is a godsend for the lazy.
Canopy location
There are 3 main types of structure installation.
Around the entire perimeter of the crib
The most effective mounting option. It is usually called royal. The canopy fixed in this way looks lush and covers the crib completely. A significant drawback of this arrangement is the abundance of fasteners. Older children develop an interest in everything that surrounds them. There is a risk that a child may accidentally drop the structure while reaching for the holder.
At the head of the bed
A universal solution not only for the first months of life, but also later. With this arrangement, the fabric does not cover the entire cradle, so enough air flows to the baby. In addition, he can freely explore the world around him while lying in his crib.
In the middle
This option is well suited for parents whose child sleeps a lot. It creates the most complete protection against external factors. Sleep becomes deep and comfortable. However, the room must be constantly ventilated to make it easier for the baby to breathe under the fabric cover.
How to sew a canopy yourself - options and cutting methods
A real original product can only be made with your own hands. Before choosing a pattern, you should decide on the mounting option for the structure and select the type of frame and fabric. You can work with simple rectangular patterns or complicate the task by sewing a canopy with beautiful rounded edges.
The size of the pattern will depend on the type of canopy itself. For standard products, patterns are used - 1.5 x 2.5 m. If it is necessary to make waves or folds, take fabric 2 x 3 m. Dimensions include seam allowances. For convenience, we make a pattern half the size of the finished product. There are two ways to cut the material:
- We attach the paper pattern to the fabric and trace it with chalk. We cut out the resulting silhouette along the line with scissors. This option is suitable for obedient straight materials (chintz, linen, velvet);
- We fix the diagram to the material with pins and remove the excess, cutting exactly along the contour of the paper. The method is used for cutting organza, chiffon, mesh.
If you plan to make a canopy with a “crown”, then you need to add 10 cm in the upper part of the pattern. First of all, all the edges of the material, the sides and the bottom are processed. Then they begin to sew on lace and ribbons, and assemble large parts.
Types of fasteners for canopies
Lightweight fabric is fixed using holders. The appropriate type of fastening depends on the future location of the crib.
Stationary
In this case, the holder can be attached to a wall or ceiling. The downside is that you cannot change the location of the canopy if necessary. This means the crib will also be static. When such fastening is removed, traces will remain that will have to be masked.
Mobile
The most convenient holder option. It is a tall tripod with a ring and several support elements. You can change its position and height.
On a stand
A variation of the previous fastener. The kit includes a floor stand that can be easily removed and moved as needed. You can place it at a comfortable distance from the child.
Holder assembly
To fix the canopy above the crib, a special holder is used, which is a metal bracket. The stand consists of the following parts:
- straight tube with adjustable length;
- curved tube;
- canopy ring;
- bed clip;
- fastening for fixing the ring.
Before starting to assemble the structure, you should decide what height the holder will be. To do this, the bracket is assembled to its full length, fitted to children's furniture and adjusted to the most comfortable position. The shorter the bracket, the lower the canopy is to the crib. As the child gets older, it is recommended to gradually increase its length. The assembly process is simple and does not take much time.
- Assemble the holder to its full length by connecting the metal tube with the curved one.
- Thread the canopy into the open ring through the holes provided for this purpose (usually hidden behind a bow or lace) and straighten it out.
- Place the ring with the canopy so that the fabric covers the bracket.
- Insert the strung ring into the curved tube and secure with a special clamp.
When assembled correctly, the fabric will cover the holder and the walls of the children's furniture. The assembled stand is attached to the crib using a clamp. The bracket is located depending on the size of the canopy, the purpose of its installation and the location of the child’s sleeping place in the room.
How to install a canopy on a crib
Mobile clamps are portable, their installation does not require much effort and time. The tripod is attached using several brackets on the crib itself, and a ring is hung on top to which you need to attach the fabric. The installed stand should not rest on the floor. Otherwise, it will leave scratches when the baby rocks.
The ring has special drawstrings on which you need to put the fabric using loops. If you purchased a one-piece hoop, you can attach the canopy with Velcro, ribbons or sew-on loops.
Afterwards, make sure that the fabric fits nicely on the crib. Now you can install the ring on the tripod and the process is complete.
Features of fastening the cape to the bracket
There are two main ways to attach the cape to the bracket:
- With Velcro or ribbons.
- On the canvas curtains.
When fastened with Velcro or ribbons, the bracket ring does not separate and is solid. The cape is tied with ribbons or Velcro, and the fasteners are hidden with frills.
Option for attaching a canopy to ribbons
An example of attaching a canopy to a drawstring
When the curtain is attached to the canvas, a drawstring is sewn into it in advance, into which the bracket itself is inserted. Moreover, in the case of mounting on an oval or round bracket, its ring moves apart. This method of fastening is the most convenient, durable and neat.
Decoration ideas
The canopy itself will be a pleasant addition to the interior of a children's room, especially if it is decorated in the same style as the furniture and playpen. However, do not neglect decorations; they will attract the child’s attention. Unusual things increase children's interest in exploring the world around them.
Forged Products
Such decorations are, among other things, functional. They can replace the base holder. Most often, forged blanks are made to order.
Stripes or loops
Traditionally, parents who like to furnish rooms in one color resort to this design solution. The decor of wide stripes and loops looks advantageous and also acts as an accent addition to the overall color scheme.
Eyelets
They are chosen for attaching fabric to a holder primarily due to the material. Matte, glossy, interspersed with rhinestones eyelets perfectly diversify the pastel interior of the room.
Corrugated braid
You can choose for decoration if you want to partially or completely hide the holder. In addition, evenly distributed corrugated fabric will add fluffiness. It will help make the crib the compositional center of the room.
Ribbons
The most festive of all the options presented, but also suitable as a permanent decoration. Wide bands that are attached to the ring are often used. A large bow is tied at the end. It is better to hem the edges of the tape so that they keep their shape.
Useful tips for choosing, assembling and installing a canopy
Proper installation of the canopy plays a huge role in its use. To avoid mistakes and simplify operation, when choosing a suitable design and installation option, you must take into account the recommendations of professionals:
- The fastening elements of the bracket on the wall must be at least 1 meter from the top bar of the headboard;
- Only reliable fastenings can be used;
- For a children's room it is better to choose a product of medium length. A canopy that is too long will get in the way underfoot, which will lead to contamination and deformation of the material;
- To more securely fix the structure to the ceiling or wall, dowels and screws must be used;
- The color of the canvas should be uniform and calm. Bright pictures will irritate and interfere with falling asleep;
- For ease of use, a special skewer is placed on the holder ring, which will allow you to correctly straighten the canopy without effort.
Principles and criteria for choosing fastenings
When looking for a suitable solution, it is better to be guided by what is your priority: the reliability of the structure or its mobility.
The canopy on a mobile mount can be moved along with the baby's crib. This is important in the first months of life because babies sleep more sensitively and they react more strongly to external stimuli.
In this case, it is worth monitoring the reliability of the fixations and constantly tightening the holders at the joints.
Fixed mounting does not require regular inspection. It better preserves its original appearance. The leading option in terms of reliability: if an older child pulls the fabric, the structure will not be damaged and the holder will not fall. More suitable for older children because the need to move the crib gradually decreases.
Design nuances for different types of furniture
Canopies are built over various pieces of furniture - single, single, double, bunk beds, sofa, house crib.
For a bunk bed
The canopy for a “two-story” structure, an attic, is usually attached to the sides of the upper tier. The drapery hides only the lower “floor”. Less common are canopies from the ceiling to the floor - then both the upper and lower bunks are covered with fabric.
Such canvases are distinguished by their tenderness, diffuse light well, but at the same time give a feeling of privacy.
For a double bed
For a double bed, a very voluminous canopy is made. Usually it is mounted on a frame that is integral with the bed. Options for a round or square ceiling cornice look good - the material seems to “flow” from the ceiling itself.
An elegant round bed with a transparent canopy looks especially gentle in the interior.
On a bed-house
A kind of “house” is obtained if you build a frame of the appropriate shape - when viewed from the end, it is pentagonal. Most often, the fabric is simply thrown over it or secured to the central crossbar. Less commonly, the upper part is sewn separately; four separate draperies are attached to its lower edge, tied with cords to the corner supports.
A canopy made of an airy veil will decorate the bedroom, but will not protect from sunlight.
The “tent” is different in that it is mounted on a round base located on top of the house. This is a solid frame, fixed to inclined posts leading to the corners of the bed, or the upper part is made suspended.
Above the sofa
The canopy, located above the sofa, is usually attached to the wall, along the long side of the folded structure. Ceiling options are used if the piece of furniture is folded forward. For modular sofas, which can be transformed in different ways, mobile mounts on folding ceiling hangers or narrow rails are suitable, where it is permissible not only to change the location of the canopy, but also the height relative to the floor level.
A well-chosen canopy decorates the bedroom and draws the eye to its central element.
DIY holder guide
The cost of a finished holder varies up to 500 rubles. They are mainly made of metal and plastic. However, you can always create your own alternative.
To assemble the structure, you will need a minimum of materials:
- pipe blank (plastic or metal will do);
- fastening ring;
- fabric for the canopy itself;
- decorative elements (optional).
The choice of fabric is an important point. It should not be too dense, but light cotton materials will not work here either.
They will not cope with protecting the child from external factors.
The length of the fabric should reach the end of the mattress. You should not buy a canvas that is too large, because in this case it will drag on the floor, collect excess dust, and interfere with the movement of the crib.
The metal base is pre-treated. It's worth using white metal or painting the finished stand to match the crib and its surroundings. The pipe must be shaped like the letter “G”. The mount should be at a height of about a meter, in the center. Fix the structure in at least 2 places to give it the necessary stability. The metal base can be replaced with a plastic one, then pre-processing of the workpiece will not be required.
To create a ring, you can use available tools. For example, a hoop of suitable diameter. The bigger, the better. The canopy will look more magnificent. The split design is a great option for fabric with drawstrings.
In addition to the hoop, dense wire is used as the basis for fastening. You can create a ring of any diameter from it and adjust it in the future. The ends of the wire should be processed to avoid mechanical damage.
What textile to choose for making a canopy?
Regardless of what material the canopy is made of, it must be combined with the overall interior of the room. Therefore, the fabric must be selected taking into account the following criteria:
- heavy materials such as jacquard and tapestry are best suited for a classic bedroom interior, they look expensive, thanks to which you can create a real royal bed;
- silk and satin are perfect for decorating a baroque room;
- for an oriental interior, you can make various colored tassels on the canopy;
- for a room in a modern style, the frame should not be made heavier - it should be a weightless structure with transparent curtains.
Color palette in the interior
In addition, it is necessary to take into account other nuances when choosing textiles:
- The desired effect can be achieved not only due to the structure of the material, but also patterns. They can be combined with other textile interior elements.
- The color of the material is of no small importance. For a laconic interior, it is necessary to select discreet, plain fabrics. If you prefer a romantic style, then it is better to buy material in pink or red.
To make such an interior item, materials of different structures are used.
Recommendations for caring for canopies
This item needs constant care. It needs to be washed and ironed. The more often the better. This is especially important if parents are prone to allergies. In this case, the abundance of dust that the fabric collects can have a bad effect on the baby's health. When washing, avoid products with strong odors. The washed product must be thoroughly ventilated beforehand.
Please note that material with numerous ruffles and decorative inserts may lose its original appearance after frequent washing.
The canopy will help keep the child calm and create a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Tips for Beginners
- when choosing fabric for a canopy, make sure that it is 15-20 cm longer than the final length of the product: these centimeters will be needed for hemming and fastening;
- It is more convenient to attach the frame to the ceiling using special hangers. The mounting system is hung on the wall using dowels;
- When arranging a “pseudo-canopy”, you can attach guides or rods above the bed on which ordinary curtains are hung.
History has proven that interiors and furniture made in a classic style are always relevant. A four-poster bed, as the best example of a classic, will always serve as a functional and fashionable decoration of the room space.
You can also try scrubbing it off with white spirit.
It’s immediately obvious that the article was written by a professional, everything is described in detail, and most importantly, the idea itself is good, the crib turned out to be functional.
You can buy a special remover, sold there in construction stores.
This is very painstaking work, I thought everything would be much simpler, but, nevertheless, thanks for the article. Tell me how to wash it.
The most important thing is not written: to reupholster a sofa, not even a corner one (and in this or in the next article there was talk about a whole garni.
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Colors and decor of a children's canopy
A small child spends most of his time in his crib, so it is so important that he is surrounded by harmony, beauty and comfort there. If there is a canopy, it is this object that the baby will most often observe, and children react very sensitively to any visual stimuli
A cape in soft pastel shades will help ensure your baby has a restful sleep and a good mood during the day. Traditionally, for girls they choose a veil in soft pink, peach, and lilac tones, for boys - blue and cool green tones. White, light yellow, light green, orange are universal.
You can add a variety of colors by using fabric with an ombre effect, a rainbow, smoothly grading colors as a canopy, as well as combining plain and printed elements.
To decorate the flowing canopy, you can use all kinds of bows, frills, lace, and ribbons. Artificial flowers, butterflies, soft hearts, stars or felt figures will add exclusivity to the canopy. A tasteful lambrequin would also be an interesting addition.
To entertain the baby, hang a musical carousel with toys (mobile) above the crib inside the canopy, and on the outside of the veil, an LED garland in the warm white spectrum would not hurt - scattering through the fabric, the flickering point light will look very cozy and soft.
Color solutions
The most popular shade, of course, is white. It creates the effect of lightness and weightlessness, and also does not irritate visual perception. In addition, the classic white color is very versatile, so it will harmoniously fit into any interior. This shade is in harmony with all colors and it will not be difficult to choose the shade of additional accessories to match it.
Still, manufacturers provide a wide range of different shades, including everyone’s favorite pink and blue. There are also unusual variegated color combinations.
A canopy made of fabric with a print will add originality to the interior and will be no less interesting to the child than a mobile or ruffles.
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