How to install a canopy on a crib yourself

Pros and cons of a canopy on a crib

Modern pediatricians and mothers have different opinions regarding the use of a canopy over the bed. Some consider this an excess, others say that the child is calmer and more comfortable in an enclosed space.

The advantages and disadvantages are presented in the table.

After analyzing the positive and negative aspects, parents can determine for themselves whether such an accessory is needed in the children's room or not.

Grown-up children begin to use the canopy for games, which can be dangerous for them - it is better to abandon the canopy if the baby is too active. Important! To avoid injuries and accidents, small children should not be left unattended.

Advantages and disadvantages of a canopy bed

The canopy allows you to make the bed the accent of the bedroom, which attracts the eye. It can be installed in any room, and its price range is accessible to almost everyone. Having become interested in this decorative element, many are trying to find out more information about it and evaluate all the pros and cons. To make the task easier, let’s look at its main advantages:

• provides protection from insects;
• creates an atmosphere of comfort and security, helps fight insomnia;
• increases privacy, hides the sleeping area and the sleeping person from prying eyes, especially important for bedrooms without doors and studio apartments;
• a product made of dense fabric muffles sounds, protects against the penetration of sunlight, and allows you to enjoy daytime sleep;
• protects from drafts;
• traps dust and filters air;
• makes it possible to reduce the ceiling height;
• decorates the interior, giving it a refined, original look;
• Thanks to the large range of models, you can choose a design that matches any style.

Ways to place a canopy on a crib

Depending on how the crib is installed in relation to the wall, choose the method of arranging the decorative canopy.

If the bed is located along the wall, the mount is installed in the center of the long side of the crib on the wall side. This canopy has the appearance of a spacious flowing canopy. If necessary, they can completely cover the sleeping area.

Here are some more ways to place a crib:

• when placing the bed longitudinally, it is convenient to use a structure fixed around the perimeter in the form of walls and ceiling;
• when the children's bed is facing the wall, it would be logical to install a canopy at the head.

It happens that the cradle of a newborn is in the middle of the room. In this case, it is possible to strengthen the canopy on the ceiling in the form of a tent.

Advice! The canopy holder is used as a basis for attaching hanging toys.

Mobile canopies

Such holders are most popular among young parents, due to the ability to install the entire structure directly on the crib. In this case, the ceiling and walls are not used, which does not spoil their appearance after dismantling the device.

The main advantage of a mobile canopy is its lightness and ease of installation. But if there are pets in the apartment, then you need to try to prevent them from getting into the child’s room, since playful cats or puppies can knock over the entire structure.

The holders themselves do not add decorative decoration to the interior of the room, as they are completely hidden under the canopy of fabric.

Types of fasteners for a canopy on a crib

The children's canopies discussed above have different types of fastening. They can be mobile (attached directly to the wall of the crib and make it possible to change location and height) and stationary (fixed ceiling or wall holders).

The mobile holder is a main frame consisting of a tripod with a removable ring and mechanical fixation elements. There are models with single and double fastening.

The mount for the canopy can be bought in a store, or you can make it yourself using available materials in the form of wire and plastic pipes

Mobile holders are also of the floor type, consisting of a base and a tripod. They are placed on the floor near the crib and can be easily moved if necessary. Such tripods can later be used to organize the play space of an older child.

Mobile fastenings have universal properties; they are easy to install, move, and change the height of the floor holder. This canopy can be installed on a transformable crib. The canopy is initially used to protect the baby's sleep. Later, when the child grows up, the canopy becomes a decor for an open bed.

To create a tent-like canopy over the bed of an older child, you can use a canopy for babies or sew it yourself

The stationary method of fastening is to install the fastening element on the ceiling or on the wall near the crib. This is a safe option for the child since he will not have access to the structure. This canopy cannot be moved, which means the crib remains static in one place. The disadvantage of a stationary mount is that after removing the structure, traces remain that will have to be masked.

A canopy for a crib, fixed to the ceiling, will become a favorite place for babies to play.

The special fastening is made in the form of a frame, which is installed around the perimeter of the crib. Fabric is stretched between the tubular frame elements. These canopies look attractive, but are more difficult to maintain.

A variety of types of fasteners for decorative canopies makes it possible to choose an individual style for different interiors of children's rooms

It is quite possible to independently assemble a tripod stick for a canopy and install it on a crib. Simple instructions will help.

Advice! When choosing a bracket for a children's canopy, pay attention to the quality of the design and the absence of strong odors.

Purpose of the canopy

Adaptation of a child to new living conditions will be much easier if you hang light and beautiful material over a cozy crib. In the first months of life, a large space even frightens the child, which leads to his anxiety.

The main purpose of the canopy is to create a favorable microclimate that promotes the proper development of the baby in the first stage of life.

The use of a canopy is justified in the following situations:

1. In a brightly lit room, the use of dense material above the baby's crib allows you to create a pleasant shade from the sun's rays. In such conditions, the child's sleep will be calm and sound.
2. A beautiful canopy over your head can create a good mood for your baby.
3. Fine mesh or lightweight material effectively protects the baby's crib from dust and various insects, which also promotes good sleep.
4. An important factor is the reliable protection of the baby from moving people and a large number of different objects that quickly tire him.

Therefore, before deciding how to assemble a canopy holder, you need to consider its purpose for the child’s specific living conditions and the location of the 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:

1. Finish with an overlock stitch or overcast stitch on a sewing machine on the edges of the canopy panel and the ruffle tape.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

How to attach a canopy to a crib

A store-bought holder usually includes instructions on how to assemble the canopy for a crib. But even in the absence of assembly recommendations, strengthening this structure will not be difficult.

Steps to install a canopy on a crib:

1. Assemble the frame parts by inserting the tubes into each other.
2. Connect the structure with a fixing element, which consists of a bracket and a screw.
3. Attach the fixing element to the side of the crib.
4. Adjust the height of the canopy by raising or lowering the metal tubular frame.
5. Tighten the screw tightly.
6. Place a fabric canopy over the ring, which is called the “canopy holder”. Place the free ends of the ring on top into the tubular base.

The mechanical element for fixing the tripod consists of a bracket and a screw; it is easy to attach to the sides of the crib; it allows you to adjust the height of the canopy holder

How to assemble

The assembly principle depends on the holder configuration. If the bracket is attached to the crib, then you should first assemble all its component elements, and then, using fixing and fastening parts, screw it to the base of the crib. Assembly will not take much time, since usually all the holder tubes are simply mated to each other. You may need a screwdriver to attach the canopy base to the furniture. Floor-standing models are assembled by attaching a bracket to a leg that provides stability.

As a rule, instructions are always included.

Rules for caring for a canopy on a crib

Mothers who protect the health of their baby should know that the canopy, like the bedding of a newborn, must be constantly washed and ironed.

Manufacturers often sew curtains from translucent fabrics such as organza or tulle. This is due to the fact that such fabric is wear-resistant, it is easy to wash from stains, the material dries quickly and does not require ironing.

To preserve the baby’s health, all his things, including bed linen, canopy, toys, must be clean and free of dust

It is more difficult to care for chintz canopies with a lot of ruffles. With frequent washing, they quickly lose their original appearance. In addition, ironing ruffles takes a lot of time.