Canopy for a crib: types and main functions, features of assembly and fastening, care

Main functions of canopies

A useful product is attached above the child’s crib to protect him. The need for such an interior item is determined by special functions:

Protects the baby from external noise and prying eyes.
Protects the baby from drafts and bright light.
Transforms a child's room beyond recognition.
Insects and mosquitoes will not bother your newborn.
If a child is afraid to fall asleep on his own, the canopy creates a special atmosphere around him that calms him down. He will feel safe and fall asleep soundly.
Thanks to special devices, you can hang the net without any problems.

Kinds

Protective canopies for newborn cribs are divided according to several principles.

By type of fastening:

over the entire crib - the product is called a tent, and is used to protect newborns. You can pull it over the sleeping bed or in the center.
above the headboard - this option is suitable for beds of children over three years old. This approach allows the child to more easily contact the outside world.
“royal” - this option covers the entire perimeter of the crib.

By speciation:

Classic - used for furniture with a high back and having special supports for which the material must be secured. The optimal solution is if the bed is in the center of the children's room or under the wall.
Dome-shaped is a difficult model to make.
Semicircular - this type of frame is mounted when the bed needs to be placed in a corner.

By lenght:

to the floor - protects the baby from drafts, but you need to be careful not to get tangled under the wheels of the crib.
to the edge or middle is the optimal length. To prevent the canvas from dangling, it should be hooked to the side slats.
short - perfectly breathable and protects from bright light.

The style of the canopies is determined by the location and design of the crib:

Protective material with stands is a model that attracts the attention of teenage girls. The canvas is mounted on crossbars and racks crossed under the ceiling at right angles.
Mini canopy - decorates a children's room. As a rule, these are ordinary curtains at the headboard, located on the wall.
A canopy made on the ledges of the wall - they will cover the head of the bed.
The protective canopy-sail is an attractive model that completely covers the wall. It is used for rooms of non-standard dimensions.

How to choose a canopy for a children's bed

Of course, a children's bed with a canopy is beautiful, gentle and quite practical. Provided that the fabric, decor, and mounting option for the canopy are chosen correctly. There are several design options, different types of textiles are used, and all the characteristics of the canopy largely depend on this.

Methods for attaching a canopy over a bed

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the method of attaching the canopy. If we talk about children's options, the following methods are offered:

Fastening the fabric at one point. In this case, the crib is completely covered, a “tent” is created from the fabric, the edges of which meet in the middle of the side of the crib. Most often, the edges are picked up with ribbons, forming beautiful folds. To make such a canopy, you need a stand - it is usually attached to the crib. Or, a hoop is hung from the ceiling, onto which the canopy is attached.
Fastening the canopy at one point with a partial covering of the crib - the headboard is protected, and the rest of the bed remains open. To create such a canopy, a stand attached to the headboard is used.
Mounting on a rectangular or round or oval frame with posts. This is a classic European version, which is also called royal - this is how the beds of noble people were decorated. With this design, a “room” is created with a ceiling and walls made of fabric. This is a good option for an older child’s bed, but for a cradle the frame with stands will be too bulky and uncomfortable.

Each of these methods has its advantages; it is important to choose the one that best suits a particular bed. If we are talking about newborns, then the canopy should not make it difficult to care for them or complicate access to the bed. Therefore, the most often used method of fastening is at one point, with a stand on the back of the crib.

Materials for making canopies

In order for a children's canopy bed to be comfortable, and the canopy itself to improve sleep and not harm it, you need to choose the right textiles. The main requirement for it is the ability to pass air well. Therefore, the canopy is mainly sewn from natural fabrics - cotton, linen, silk.

If curtains are needed for decoration and protection from mosquitoes, you should choose thin transparent fabrics - tulle, natural gas, soft mesh, gauze, and so on.

In cases where the crib receives a lot of sunlight and it is necessary to create shade, denser types of textiles are used - satin, thin linen, chintz, soft calico. Silk, including viscose, works well. This canopy is also relevant in winter, as it allows you to keep warm near the bed.

But you can also make a double canopy - the first layer, thin, is used in the warm season, and the denser one is used in winter.

But in any case, the fabrics must be natural. Viscose is quite applicable, as it is made from natural raw materials.

Why can’t you use synthetics, even thin ones - they don’t allow air to pass through, so heat will accumulate under the canopy, and there can be no talk of any comfort.

Gallery: canopies for cribs (25 photos)

Fabric selection

As a rule, synthetic fiber is not recommended for use because it accumulates static charges and sometimes provokes allergies. However, some types of fibers can be chosen for decorating your baby’s bedroom. Basically, products are made from the following types of fabrics:

Thin chintz. It does not protect from bright light, but it is environmentally friendly and protects against drafts.
Thick linen or cotton. They are not afraid of dust and sun rays.
Organza. Creates an incredibly beautiful look, but accumulates a static charge. It requires simple fasteners.
Velvet. Dense material, suitable for the cold season. It is able to retain the warmth of the room and protects the crib from drafts.
Net. Provides good air circulation, which is especially important in summer. This canopy does not protect against bright rays, drafts and small dust particles.

For reliable protection against insects, you should use a mosquito net.

Requirements for modern canopies

Choosing a suitable curtain for a baby's crib is not a tricky matter, but there are some nuances.

Choose only natural or mesh fabrics that can allow air to pass through.
The material should not be chemically impregnated; this is dangerous for the child’s health.
How to attach the canopy to a crib is indicated in the instructions included with the purchase. If the product is not secured correctly, the product may fall and cause injury to the child.
The canopy should not completely cover all sides of the crib while the child is in it. This is especially dangerous for older children who stand up in the crib and can become entangled in the fabrics.
The approach to the sleeping place should not be covered with canvas.

With a large abundance of goods in children's stores, you can easily purchase a ready-made model, otherwise it will not be difficult for you to sew a canopy yourself. Read about how to make a canopy for a crib with your own hands on our website.

The canopy should not interfere with a free approach to the crib, which means you should not hang the front wall

Color options

In this matter, parents usually listen to popular definitions, and for boys they choose blue shades, for girls - pink.

White color, combined with any shade of the gamut, can add variety. If you add a touch of white to the children's interior, the design will not be worse.

If desired, a photo print is applied to a plain material if the child reacts quite adequately to the image. However, the drawing should be in pastel colors.

Holder design

The design feature of the holder consists of a sealed or detachable aluminum or metal ring, mount and tripod. When the loop is solid, the curtain material will be covered with Velcro or tape. If there are no ties, you can sew them on yourself. The holder loop is easily decorated with stylish bows or lambrequins.

When the loop is easily removed from the tripod and its ends are separated, the top of the canopy is placed over the antennae of the loop. It is then attached to a tripod and the ends are covered. The structure is easy to assemble, and it is attached to the side of the arena with screws, and then these places are closed with plugs.

Assembly

The assembly kit usually includes:

holder (rounded or rectangular rod);
tripod (long straight tube);
rings that hold the material and help it slide along the holder;
screws for fastening.

The principle of assembly according to the instructions consists of the following steps:

Taking into account the location of the bed in the room, a place to mount the tripod is selected.
It is firmly screwed to the surface of the bed or the wall of the crib.
The holder rod is installed at the top of the tripod.
Hanging rings are threaded into curtain loops.
The fabric should be hung on the holder.
By pressing lightly with your hand, you need to check the reliability of the assembly.

The modern type of canopy design makes it easy to replace the material with a new one. This feature is quite useful considering the wide range of functions. It also simplifies the process of caring for the material.

Self-assembly

Textile masters are breaking the stereotypes that a canopy for a crib is something made of tulle with openwork lace and ruffles, hanging exclusively in children’s rooms for newborns. Of course, the most common models consist of a wire frame and airy tulle, as they fit perfectly into any interior. However, in a boy's room, the curtain over the bed can be designed in the form of sails on a pirate ship. For little girls, such a curtain in the bedroom can be designed like a princess.

When making a canopy yourself, you need to take into account its height, length, size of the bed and the material itself (its type - light or heavy).

As for the choice of fabric, it is better to choose a calm, soft shade in order to set the child in a peaceful mood.

A do-it-yourself canopy can be attached to the floor, to the ceiling, or to the headboard. In the latter case, the crib along with the canopy can be freely rearranged in the room wherever and however you want.

For a standard do-it-yourself installation of curtains on a newborn’s crib, a ready-made kit is most often purchased in stores. It usually includes holders, rings (like an embroidery hoop), elastic loops, and fabric. When assembling the structure, you simply need to thread the fabric through 2 “sleeves” at the top of the holders and decorate it with or without a frill. Next, the loop is tightened all the way, and the free edges of the light fabric are straightened around the perimeter of the crib.

More complex designs require a little more time to assemble and model. In general, the step-by-step assembly of a complex design is similar to the installation of a light openwork canopy.

Beauty and originality are usually added to the product with the help of bows, lace ribbons and other accessories, which are widely available on the shelves of specialized stores. Use your imagination, good mood and a little finance for such a noble idea. Good luck!

Principles for choosing a canopy for a nursery

One of the features that require attention when choosing is the combination of the canopy with the overall interior. Here it is better to follow the advice of experts:

The most popular materials for canopies are tapestry, velvet and jacquard. They can make your bedroom look luxurious.
For the oriental style of the children's room, it is worth installing a canvas with tassels and flounces.
High-tech involves adding light curtains to the canopy on the eaves.
The design of the canvas should be duplicated in bed linen, curtains, bedspreads and capes. This will add sophistication to the interior.
If you want to adhere to restraint when choosing a material, you should pay attention to cold colors. A pink, scarlet or purple tint can add romance.
A light, airy canopy will help to visually increase the space of a children's room.
In small apartments, canopies muffle sounds from neighboring rooms. In this case, the canvas should be natural.
When deciding on the fabric component, it is worth remembering that the length of the product is increased by 15 - 20 cm in order to beautifully secure the material.

Making a canopy over a crib

The second step is to choose and make your own mount for the canopy on the crib. There are several practical and convenient options.

Regardless of the mounting method, to make a canopy you will need:

screwdriver and drill;
fastening fittings;
roulette;
pencil.

For manufacturing you will need fabric, fastening fittings and tools.
The canopy can be made from a single piece of fabric: in this case, you just need to process it along the edges (overlock or sew on ribbon), and sew on loops if necessary. Another option is a canopy made of several wedges. It is suitable for attaching a hoop.

Arched canopy

This type of canopy is used on cradles and cribs for babies.

An arc (metal or wood) is attached to the wall at the head of the crib. The fabric is thrown over it and secured. The lower part of the canopy can be attached to the bottom of the crib with loops or fall freely onto it.

The fabric is hung on an arc that is attached to the wall above the bed.

Canopy on frame

Traditionally, the canopy is attached to a rigid frame, which is an extension of the bed itself. You can make it yourself from metal pipes or wooden beams. The structure is attached to the base of the bed with self-tapping screws.

The classic way to attach a canopy is to a frame.

How to make a canopy:

take 4 identical pieces of fabric (75-100 cm wide), the length of which will be equal to the distance from the top rod to the floor;
process the cuts, sew loops to the upper edges;
fasten with loops to the crossbar.

Cuts of fabric are fixed to the crossbars of the frame.

Canopy on a horizontal rod

To make such a canopy, you will need to make a rod from a metal pipe. Its size should match the width of the bed or be slightly larger. Suspended mounts are made on the ceiling, and a crossbar is mounted to them.

A rod is made from a metal pipe onto which the canopy is attached.

For the canopy, use the longest piece of fabric (can be sewn from 2 parts). Its size will be equal to the distance from the bottom of the end of the bed to the crossbar on the ceiling, multiplied by 2.

The lower ends can be taped to the corners of the bed or left free.

Hoop canopy

An easy way to make a canopy is to use a hoop. You need to select the center of the fabric cut, secure it in a hoop that can be separated. Two pieces of fabric with a drawstring are strung on the outer circle.

A canopy can even be made using a hoop.

The upper edge of the material is turned up 15 cm and hemmed so that the “crown” remains protruding.

A crown is formed on the upper edge of the canopy.

The base can be decorated with ribbons, artificial flowers, and flounces made of the same material.

The base can be masked in any way.

Several strong ropes (thin ropes or twine braided in three) are tied to the free areas of the base; the ends are tied and suspended from a ceiling hook.

A piece of fabric is attached to a circle and the entire structure is suspended from the ceiling.

Advice. Using two circles of hoops you can make a double canopy. Thread thin and transparent fabric into loops onto one circle, and the same thin fabric with a more fluffy gather or dense fabric onto the second circle. Both rings are also attached with ropes to the ceiling hook. It is important that it is designed for the weight of the structure.

Canopy with birds

The canopy over the crib can be secured with 4 invisible thread hangers. In this case, the lightest fabric possible is chosen for the product.

Four mounts need to be hung from the ceiling. It can be placed directly above the corners of the crib or at a short distance from them (20-40 cm).

The main charm of such a canopy is that the attachment points will be decorated with small toys, which come with 2 rings: a thread is attached to one, and the canopy is attached to the other.

To make the birds, you will need to download or draw a pattern yourself. The toy will consist of parts:

wing – 4 pcs., cardboard frame between parts;
back – 2 pcs. (sewn at the top);
belly – 1 pc.;
beak – 2 pcs.

All details of the bird must be applied to the pattern.
You will also need 2 beads to make the eyes. The parts of the bird are sewn together. First of all, the wings; a cardboard base is inserted into them. When stitching the back, the wings and beak are inserted and secured into the seam. The belly part is not sewn on completely: you need to leave a slit to turn it inside out and stuff the toy.

You can use beads for the bird's eyes.

After the body is sewn, you need to turn the bird inside out, stuff it, and sew up the slit. Send one ring to the back, next to the wings, and place another under the beak.

A ring is sewn to the body of the bird.

A canopy is attached to the ring, which is located under the beak, and then the birds are suspended with invisible threads from the ceiling mount.

You can use ready-made toys of birds or other animals.

Advice. Instead of birds, you can choose other ready-made toys or sew them yourself.

Competent care

Most parents refuse canopies only because they consider them “dust collectors.” Of course, there is some truth in this, however, with regular proper care, dust will not be scary for children.

Washing and cleaning the fabric from dirt will help keep the curtain in order and maintain hygiene. When using a canopy made of tulle or organza, care is noticeably simplified.

These materials wash and dry quickly and do not require ironing. Even after numerous washes, you can put the canopy back in place without fear of it becoming deformed.

A thick canopy can be washed from time to time, and in between times, you can take care of it using a vacuum cleaner.

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.

Advantages of children's canopies

Usually all parts are purchased in one set with the cradle. Modern bed models come in a variety of shapes.
The prefabricated structure is easy to install due to the small number of elements.
Thanks to the wide base of the holders, the attachment of the canopy to the crib is stable.
In addition to the wall-mounted one, they often offer a stationary canopy attached to the surface with screws.

It is unlikely that the modern generation of parents slept in a crib with a wonderful canopy. That is why it is easy to explain the desire today to give their child what they themselves did not have.

The place where the baby rests is the heart of the children's room . It must be safe, comfortable and beautiful, so that the whole room becomes cozier and warmer. All of the above tasks are easily performed by a canopy.

Originally posted 2017-12-21 07:17:51.

What is a canopy for and how is it constructed?

The choice of bedding for babies is very wide. It consists of both necessary things and those that you can do without. A canopy for a crib cannot be considered an essential item, but it can become one of the best decorations for the interior of a child’s room.

The first canopies - fabric sheets suspended above the bed - appeared a long time ago, hundreds of years ago. They were originally intended to protect against prying eyes and insect bites. In rich houses, such canopies were made of silk, velvet, and satin. In poorer houses, from not too expensive, but no less dense, cotton fabrics.

Today we all understand that an important condition for comfortable and healthy sleep is free air circulation. This means that the canopy above the crib should be well ventilated. Therefore, even with an unlimited budget, recently it has not been customary to cover a child’s bed with too thick woven materials.

A modern canopy for a crib consists of a light, elegant curtain and a structure on which it is attached. With its help you can solve the following problems:

protect the child from dust, mosquitoes, midges and small drafts;
dim and diffuse direct light;
create a cozy, but not enclosed space in the crib;
decorate the interior and give the crib an aesthetically complete look.

In addition, the canopy serves educational purposes. It helps the baby form an idea of the daily routine: if the curtain closes, it means it’s time for sleep.

It is believed that a canopy is primarily needed for newborns and infants, but it will not hurt older children either. This, in general, simple device develops independence in the child and helps him fight night fears.