Canopy Bed Conversion: How To Convert Any Bed into a Canopy Bed
Canopy beds are often associated with grandeur because their imposing structure gives them a very royal feel. However, canopy beds are also sought after for the privacy they provide and the coziness they bring to a room. Whether you want a wooden canopy bed that reminds you of the medieval era or a modern metal canopy bed, the choices are endless. Make sure to also take a look at why you need these 10 canopy bed accessories. Canopy beds can be expensive, but the good news is that you can turn just about any bed into a canopy bed and there are many ways to do so. But how do you convert any bed into a canopy bed?
To convert any bed into a canopy bed, follow these steps: take measurements for your canopy structure, buy a ready-made canopy structure or the materials you will need to make one, and finally add drapes or curtains to complete the look.
Whether it's the style of canopy beds that attracts you or their practical value, all you have to do is follow a few steps to turn any bed into a canopy bed.
Below, we’ll discuss in more detail how to convert different types of beds into a canopy bed.
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Different Types of Canopy Beds
Canopy beds come in many different sizes and styles. Traditional canopy beds usually have a full-size frame above the bed and are covered from the top with either fabric or materials like wood or metal. Some canopy beds come with half canopies, and others come with a canopy in the center of the bed instead of extending the bed’s whole length and width. For more information, take a look at our comprehensive guide to canopy beds.
Different types of canopy beds include classic four-poster canopy beds, tester canopy beds, half tester canopy beds, and crown canopy beds.
Classic Four Poster Canopy Beds
Classic four-poster canopy beds are the most common type of canopy beds and are available in both modern and traditional styles. These types of beds have four elongated posts that are connected by a frame at the top. You can choose to hang curtains across the canopy frame or you can leave it as it is. Whether you want an elaborate, traditional look or a sleek and modern look, you will find many different options of classic four poster canopy beds. Here’s a great example from Amazon.
Tester Canopy Beds
Tester canopy beds are canopy beds where the canopy covers the whole bed but is not attached to the bed posts. Instead, the canopy is either suspended from the ceiling or the headboard of the bed. You may prefer this style of canopy if you do not like the idea of having elongated posts on all four sides of your bed or if you think the four posts make the canopy structure look too big. This style gives beds a feminine look and is a much more elegant option than regular four-poster canopy beds. Here’s a tester canopy bed with the curtains attached to the ceiling.
Half Tester Canopy Beds
Half tester canopy beds have a canopy that covers only a portion of the bed (and may cover less than half of the bed). In this style, the canopy is either suspended from the wall or the headboard. This is a good option if you want to get a sense of coziness without having your bed enclosed on all sides, so people who are not comfortable in enclosed spaces but have a fondness for canopy beds will love this idea. For more information about how claustrophobia and other anxiety disorders may affect sleep, see this study.
Crown Canopy Beds
Crown canopy beds have a canopy suspended above the head side of the bed and drapes that extend down to the corners of the headboard, giving the appearance of a crown. This style will be a good option if you want the royal look of a traditional canopy bed without fully covering your bed with a canopy.
How To Convert a Platform Bed into a Canopy Bed
As opposed to the elaborate design and intricacy of many canopy beds, platform beds are a very minimalist option. If you are considering switching from a platform bed to a canopy bed in order to make your room look more interesting or make your bed more private, you do not have to discard your old platform bed. There are several methods that you can use to convert your platform bed into a canopy bed.
To convert a platform bed into a canopy bed, buy a ready-made canopy structure made of PVC pipe and hang drapes to make a canopy, or install curtain rods to the ceiling and hang drapes off the rods.
As we mentioned, one of the simplest options is to buy a canopy structure made of PVC pipe that is slightly bigger than your bed and place it so that the bed sits in the middle. By simply hanging drapes or curtains on this structure, you can turn your platform bed into a canopy bed. You can also simply purchase a canopy structure that hangs to the ceiling like this one for ~$30.
There is another method that will give you the same effect but without having to buy a whole canopy structure; all you have to do is get some curtain rods and drapes. Below, we’ve divided this method into steps to give you a better understanding of how to follow this canopy bed conversion method.
To convert a platform bed into a canopy bed, follow these steps:
- Measure the length and width of your bed.
- Add 5” to both measurements and buy two curtain rods for each measurement (four in total).
- Buy four curtain rod holders or a single curtain rod track (here are some curtain rods from Amazon for ~$80), a drill machine, a ladder and some screws if you don’t already have them lying around.
- Using the ladder, mark four corners around the bed, adding a distance of about 2” to both the width and length of the bed.
- Using the drill machine and screws, attach the curtain rod holders to the ceiling at the marked points.
- Slide curtains onto the curtain rods and secure the curtain rods into the rod holders.
The great thing about this method is that you can always switch your bed back to a platform bed by simply removing the curtains.
How To Convert Bunk Beds into Canopy Beds
Converting bunk beds into canopy beds will make them all the more fun and will add a whimsical look to the room, especially a kid’s room. There are many ways to convert bunk beds into canopy beds.
To convert bunk beds into canopy beds, first determine if you want to convert the top bunk or the bottom bunk. To convert the bottom bunk bed into a canopy bed add curtain rods between the bedposts below the top bunk. To convert the top bunk into a canopy bed, buy a ready-made bunk bed canopy for the top bunk and add curtains to the sides of the bottom bunk to create a canopy.
There are two main methods for converting bunk beds into canopy beds. Below, we’ll share some ideas and the steps to follow for each idea.
Bottom Bunk to Canopy Bed Conversion
This method will work for you if the top bunk of the bunk bed is not in use. If this is the case for you, follow the steps below.
- Remove the mattress from the top bunk of the bed.
- Add curtain rods between the bedposts below the top bunk.
- Add curtains to the curtain rods in accordance with the theme of your room.
- With the upper bunk serving as a canopy, your bunk bed has now turned into a canopy bed.
Top Bunk and Bottom Bunk to Canopy Bed Conversion
This method will allow you to use both bunks of the bunk bed.
- For the top bunk, use a ready-made bunk bed canopy and place it on top of the bed. This option is good if you want to have a canopy without putting in too much time and effort. This is also a very suitable option for students who share a dorm room and want more privacy. An alternate option is to attach curtain rods to the ceiling and hang curtains from them. Depending on the length of the curtains you choose, they can cover only the top bunk or the whole bed.
- For the bottom bunk, check if your bunk bed has rods that run along the length and width of the bunks. If your bed has these rods, you can simply use the rods near the top bunk to hang curtains to cover the bottom bunk. If you do not have any rods, you can attach some curtain rods between the posts of the bunk bed and hang curtains on them. Either way, the lower portion of your bunk bed will become a kind of canopy bed.
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How To Convert a Four Poster Bed into a Canopy Bed
Converting a four-poster bed to a canopy bed will not only create a beautiful look in your room but will also make your sleeping area more private and prevent your bed from being too bright at night (for more information on the effect of light on sleep, see this study). The method you choose for this conversion depends on the material of the bed you have and the kind of look you want to create. Four poster beds are the easiest type of bed to convert into a canopy bed.
To convert a four-poster bed into a canopy bed, make the bedposts into a canopy using hooks and wire or bars made of wood or metal. Then, simply hang drapes or curtains over the canopy structure you’ve created.
When making a four-poster bed into a canopy bed, the main thing you have to do is connect the four posts to make a frame above the bed. You can choose to join the posts using hooks and a high-strength wire, or you can choose to use wooden or metal bars to make the frame. Once the frame is made, you can choose to cover it with cloth or any other material, or you can leave the top open and hang curtains on the sides. You can also choose to drape a single piece of cloth over the frame so that the sides hang down like curtains. Here are some great canopy bed drapes for four-poster beds.
To convert a four-poster bed into a canopy bed using metal or wooden bars, follow these general steps. You can find detailed instructions on assembling canopy beds in user guides like this West Elm guide and this Lauren Canopy Bed guide.
- Mark one of the posts at the height that you want your frame to be.
- Measure the distance from the bottom or top of the post to that point and mark all other posts using that distance.
- Measure the distance from one post to the other along the length of the bed. You can measure this using the posts on the left side or the right side of the bed.
- Measure the distance from one post to the other along the width of the bed.
- For both the length and width measurements, choose two wooden or metal bars to match (you will have four bars in total, one for each side of the bed).
- Using a drill, furniture brackets, and screws, complete the frame by securing the longer bars to the posts along the length of the bed and the shorter bars to the posts along the width of the bed.
- Make sure to secure each bar at the same height you marked earlier.
- Now, you can choose to drape any type of fabric over the frame or hang curtains using the bars.
Canopy Bed Ideas for Inspiring Your Canopy Bed Conversion
When it comes to converting a simple bed into a canopy bed or creating the look of a canopy bed without altering your bed frame, there are many different ways that you can go about it.
Canopy bed ideas for inspiring your canopy bed conversion include creating an elegant half canopy or a slanted canopy, making a basic canopy out of curtain rods, and creating a sophisticated half tester canopy or a creative branch canopy.
Below, we have compiled a list of ideas to inspire your very own canopy bed conversion.
Elegant Half Canopy Bed
This is the easiest way to create a half canopy bed, and it doesn’t even require real drapes or curtains. All you have to do is to attach two small curtain rods to the ceiling as shown in the photo and slide a curtain or piece of fabric from one rod to the other, creating a pretty half canopy. These curtain rods should do the trick.
Innovative Slanted Canopy Bed
This idea will work well in attic rooms and in rooms with slanted walls. To achieve this look, attach a curtain rod to the ceiling, hang a curtain on it, and tuck the other end of the curtain behind the headboard of the bed. This style will look even better if the fabric you use for the curtain has a fun print on it, like the night sky, a galaxy, or another dreamy scene.
Classic Canopy Bed with Curtain Rods
This idea is great if you are looking to make your bed a private space. This method will work with just about any type of bed; all you have to do is attach curtain rods to the ceiling on either two or all four sides of the bed and hang curtains of your choice on the rods. You can choose to keep the curtains drawn open or close them according to your preference. Using curtains made of a light fabric can give the room a dreamy look. This canopy scarf from amazon is lightweight and beautiful! (~$30)
Sophisticated Half Tester Canopy Bed
A half tester canopy using curtain rods can give a room a very sophisticated look. The key to achieving the right look is to attach one rod to the ceiling and the other to the wall behind the bed. Then, hang any type of fabric that matches the theme of your room. You can always change the drapes to give your room a new look. If you want a classy look for this type of canopy, choose brass rods to hang the drapes on.
Creative Branch Canopy Bed
Using a branch as a rod for hanging drapes is not only a fun idea but it will also give you a very inexpensive canopy set up and make your room feel like a log cabin. To achieve this look, all you need to do is hang a stylish tree branch from the ceiling and hang some fabric off of it. You can tuck the other end of the fabric behind the headboard to complete the look.
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