In Hollywood films, glossy magazines and advertising catalogues, images of the ideal nursery are usually accompanied by photographs of four-poster cribs. This interior attribute gives the room a special lightness, elegance and even festivity. Gradually, canopies moved from beautiful pictures into everyday life. Today, they are increasingly used to decorate baby cribs. What they are intended for, what they are and what they are made of - let's figure it out.
Canopy for a crib
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Functional purpose of canopies
At first glance, it may seem that the function of this interior element is purely decorative. Indeed, a children's canopy looks very beautiful and can elevate any crib. But its functional purpose is much broader:
- protects the baby from light during daytime sleep;
- protects against insect bites;
- serves as a filter from household dust;
- a canopy made of dense fabrics provides additional sound insulation;
- serves as an element of the regime - the baby gradually gets used to the fact that the closing canopy of the canopy means bedtime;
- canopy curtains protect the crib from drafts during ventilation;
- the canopy has a calming effect on babies, creating a feeling of additional protection;
- For older children, this is an opportunity to get personal territory and create their own corner.
Canopy for a crib
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Advantages and disadvantages
Based on the functional features of the canopy described above, it is not difficult to understand its undoubted advantages:
- the ability to delimit the baby’s sleep area;
- protection from light, noise, draft, dust and insects;
- an additional source of comfort in the room;
- factor of the child’s psychological comfort;
- elegant element of interior decor.
Canopy for a crib
A beautiful canopy for a crib
But, as with any other design solutions, there are also disadvantages to using a canopy.
- Incorrectly selected fabric can negatively affect air circulation over the crib.
- Protecting the crib from dust, the canopy gradually collects all of it. If you don't wash it regularly and in a timely manner, you will end up with an additional dust container right above your child's sleeping place.
- Massive canopies can “steal” space and are not suitable for small children’s rooms.
- This is quite a strong accent in the interior. If you choose colors and materials incorrectly, the canopy can greatly deviate from the overall style of the room.
Canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
Methods for attaching a canopy
A canopy can be attached to a crib in several ways. The most common option is to fasten all the fabric at one point and then cover the entire bed. In most cases, this is the way to protect the baby’s first cradle - a special mount with a metal ring is installed on the side of the crib (or next to it). The canopy fabric is secured to this ring.
The second option is to mount a special frame above the bed, equal around the perimeter of the bed. The frame can be attached either directly to the ceiling or to special supports installed on the floor. In the second case, in addition to the canopy around the bed, we also get unique columns. The fabric is attached directly to the frame, completely covering the entire bed. This option is not always suitable for a cradle, which is why more often than not older beds are decorated this way. This option for using a canopy is called royal.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
Option three is a partial cover, when the canopy is attached to the headboard and covers only it. It can be done by attaching a metal hoop above the bed or by attaching a special holder directly to the headboard. Most often used above standard beds, but can also be used as a cradle decoration.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
How to make a canopy for a crib with your own hands
Any mother can easily sew a light canopy made of translucent or colored fabrics, decorated with ruffles, pom-poms, bows, iron-on stickers and other decorative elements.
It’s easy to sew such a canopy for a baby crib yourself - for this you will need a rectangular piece of fabric and decorative ties
Advice! If the child's room is on the sunny side, when making a canopy it is better to give preference to dense fabrics.
For production you need the following materials:
- a piece of natural breathable fabric of the desired color, 1.5 m wide and 2.5 m long;
- ribbon or fabric for frill along the falling edges of the canopy, 7-10 cm wide and about 5.2 m long;
- ribbon for fastening the upper part of the canopy, 2.5 m long;
- decorative elements (optional);
- tripod – canopy mount (master class is presented below).
You can make decorations for the crib with your own hands - it is important that they are not only attractive, but also safe for the child to play.
You also need the following tools for work:
- scissors;
- sewing machine (or thread and needle).
Work progress:
- Finish with an overlock stitch or overcast stitch on a sewing machine on the edges of the canopy panel and the ruffle tape.
- Gather the ruffle strips and stitch along the long bottom edge of the rectangle. You can also decorate the front edges of the canopy with flounces. To do this, sew ruffles on 2 short and 1 long sides.
- Along the upper edge, retreating a distance of 7 cm from the inside, sew a strong tape in two identical pieces, leaving a distance of 5-6 cm in the middle. A flat holder is threaded into it.
- At the level of the tape for the canopy holder, sew decorative tapes, with the help of which you can tie the canopy onto the crib.
- Decorate the top using flowers, appliqués, lace, guipure, bows.
By following simple instructions and using your imagination, you can easily decorate your baby's crib at no extra cost.
Advice! The lower corners of the canopy pattern can be rounded by making the same smooth cut.
Fabric selection
When choosing material for a canopy in a crib, you should take into account the features of its location. If the baby sleeps in his own children's room, where it is quiet outside the window, there are no drafts and direct sunlight does not fall on the crib, you can simply choose airy tulle trimmed in the color of the rest of the interior. It looks great, allows air to pass through perfectly, and at the same time reliably protects from dust.
It is better to protect a crib in “sunny” or “noisy” rooms with thicker fabrics. Linen, satin and cotton work well. They will better protect from direct sunlight, provide some sound insulation and help better separate the child's sleeping area in cases where parents share the same room with the baby.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
But it is better to immediately abandon the considered “royal” options made of velvet and velor, as well as synthetics in any of its forms. No matter how stylish such a canopy may seem to you, remember - we are talking about the quality of the air that the child will breathe while sleeping. It is better not to neglect the safety of his lungs and give preference only to natural fabrics.
A few words about the style and design When choosing a decorative style for a baby crib, remember: short options are purely decorative. They cannot protect from anything, because they simply do not reach the sleeping place. But they serve as a spectacular accent in the interior, turning an ordinary children's room into a real princess bedroom.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
The canopy for an infant's crib should be of medium length. Sufficient to hide the baby from drafts and insects during sleep, but not interfering with taking him in your arms, as will be the case with floor-length canopies.
Long options are optimal for older children. They ideally contribute to the creation of “your own” corner, maintain a special atmosphere in the room and, due to the child’s age, no longer interfere with anything.
When it comes to design, a canopy will suit almost any style. Difficulties may arise only with trends like high-tech, but children’s rooms are usually not decorated in such a style.
In order for the canopy to fit perfectly into the interior, it is worth keeping it in the same color scheme as other children’s textiles. For example, carpet and curtains. You can also add accessories in the same style to the room - for example, decorate both the canopy and room curtains with identical fringe.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
Canopy fabric. How to choose from the variety?
You need to choose a canopy fabric based on what main functions it will perform. Currently, tulle, organza, linen or cotton are mainly used to sew canopies for children's beds. Other fabrics are used much less frequently in practice, so below we will consider the characteristics of the main fabrics used in the manufacture of canopies.
When choosing fabric for a canopy, you need to take into account the practicality, safety and aesthetic properties of the material
Tulle
The mesh texture of the tulle allows for easy air circulation. At the same time, mosquitoes and flies will not be able to disturb the baby. Canopies made from tulle look very gentle, airy and transparent. It creates the feeling of a cloud enveloping the baby’s crib.
The tulle canopy is lightweight, breathes well, is easy to care for, but does not protect well from sunlight
However, if the children's windows face the sunny side, then it is better not to opt for a tulle canopy, but to give preference to denser fabrics, because bright daylight will disturb the child's sleep. Or in this case, it is necessary to provide protective curtains on the windows. Tulle is relatively inexpensive, which is also sometimes a decisive factor when buying a canopy.
Organza
The structure of organza is denser, but this fabric, like tulle, transmits light very well. Another advantage of organza is that it easily combines with other textiles in the room. The color of the canopy fabric is very easy to match to the color of the children's curtains.
An organza canopy protects the child from the sun's rays, but does not create excessive shading
Organza is also a more practical fabric because... It is easy to care for, can withstand repeated machine and hand washes, and dirt can be washed off quite easily. In addition, this fabric is quite light-resistant and does not fade in the sun. However, unlike tulle, organza is much less breathable. Another disadvantage of organza is that it easily leaves marks from snags. Due to its dense texture, organza is much more difficult to drape with small folds; this should also be taken into account when choosing fabric.
Natural fiber fabrics
Currently, the light industry produces a huge range of natural fabrics with beautiful colors and fashionable textures. Fabrics such as linen, cotton, viscose and others are also very often used for sewing canopies.
A canopy made of natural fabric can serve as an effective decoration for a child’s room.
Any of these fabrics will do an excellent job of protecting against drafts and dust, and at the same time allow air to pass through perfectly. Linen will give the interior a noble “expensive” style, cotton, in children’s colors, can set a playful tone for the room. All the advantages of natural fabrics are undeniable, but it should be taken into account that the price of such a canopy will be higher.
DIY children's canopy
If the assortment of stores does not please you, and you were unable to find the ideal option, you can always make a canopy for a crib with your own hands. To do this you will need very few materials:
- tulle or fabric suitable for a canopy;
- ring (you can use a small extendable hoop or embroidery hoop for maximum diameter embroidery;
- ceiling hook (for example, the one used for a chandelier);
- braid for attaching the canopy;
- ribbon for decoration;
- scissors;
- needle;
- sewing threads;
- decorative elements.
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
The sewing technology is as follows.
- Measure the required length and width of the fabric (depending on the size of the bed and the desired style).
- Fold and hem the upper edge that will be attached to the ring, forming a so-called drawstring (through pocket).
- Thread the hoop into the resulting drawstring.
- Decorate the hoop with ribbon.
- Secure the hook to the ceiling.
- Use tape to attach the fabric-covered hoop to the hook.
- Decorate the canopy and edges with ribbon, add other decor at your discretion. And your DIY children's canopy is ready!
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
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
Examples of canopies in the interior
- An ideal option for baby cradles is a light and floating canopy made of tulle.
- If your baby is uncomfortable sleeping on the second floor of a bunk bed, secure a children's canopy. It will create a feeling of safety and security and make it easier for the baby to fall asleep.
- If the nursery has a sofa instead of a crib, you can decorate it with this interior element. This option will also look stylish.
- An original interior solution - a do-it-yourself canopy decorated with garlands. Who said that the time for such illumination is only for the New Year? Let the fairy tale accompany the baby all the time!
Beautiful canopy for a crib
Canopy for a crib
A beautiful canopy for a crib
No matter how old your child is, no matter what interior you choose for his room - try decorating a crib with a canopy. This simple-to-make, but so festive-looking interior element can become a real decoration of the room and give a good mood and faith in miracles.
