How to Make an Upholstered Bed Canopy

Measure the bed to find the positions of the corners. Transfer these measurements to the ceiling by making a dot in each corner to identify where the corners of the bed are.

Measure two 2-by-6 boards to the length of the bed and mark a line at the measurement. Measure two 2-by-6 inch boards to the width of the bed and make a mark at the measurement. Cut the four boards at the measurements.

Sand the boards on the cut ends to remove any splintered wood.

Set the boards on their 2-inch edge on the work surface. Set the boards to make a rectangular box, with the longer boards on the left and right and the shorter ones at the top and bottom. The shorter boards should pull inward so the very ends of the shorter boards are resting against the longer boards.

Drill through the outside of the longer boards into the ends of the shorter boards with a ¼-inch drill bit to make pilot holes for the screws. Space the pilot holes every 2 inches. Repeat for each corner.

Install screws into the pilot holes to finish constructing the frame.

Cut lengths of batting 2 feet long and 14 inches wide.

Measure the fabric you will use to upholster out to two pieces the length of the bed plus 4 inches by 14 inches, and one piece the width of the bed plus 4 inches by 14 inches. Cut these lengths with scissors.

Place the shorter length of fabric on the work surface, with the pattern side of the fabric facing up. Line the ends of the longer pieces with each end of the shorter piece, creating a large “U” shape. Pin the ends together with straight pins.

Sew the two longer pieces to the shorter piece with a 2-inch seam. Remove the pins as you sew.

Staple the batting to the frame on the inside of the top edge. Secure with staples spaced every 2 inches. Continue adding batting to the frame all the way around, except for the top edge that will go against the wall (the edge with the headboard).

Flip the frame over and wrap the batting around the outside of the frame and around to the inside. Secure with staples along the inside edge.

Repeat to attach the fabric the same way.

Attach L-brackets to the upholstered frame level with the top 2-inch edge. Install four L-brackets on each edge spaced at least 1 foot apart.

Lift the canopy above the bed and have a partner help hold it in place as you install the canopy to the ceiling with 3-inch wood screws into the L-brackets.