Can You Make an Arched Canopy Bed Into a Flat?

Arched vs. Flat

• A canopy bed gets its name from the support piece at the top of the bed. Each corner has its own post and the posts rise several feet above the mattress. A flat canopy has four flat pieces of wood or metal that stretch between the posts. Most of these beds lack any additional supports. An arched canopy has the same posts, but also features risers or supports that stretch across the top of the bed. The side supports have a curved or arched design that gives it the arched shape.

Considerations

• Look at the top of the canopy carefully, focusing on the areas where the supports meet the sides of the canopy. If you have a metal bed, the design should either feature small screws holding the pieces together or show signs of welding. Beds that have a welded canopy cannot be changed because you risk weakening the bed when you remove the center pieces. If the bed uses center pieces screwed onto the sides, you can remove the screws and use the canopy as a flat model.

Take a Second Look

• Convertible canopy beds give you the option to add or remove the canopy as you like. The canopy is a separate piece that sits on top of the corner bedposts. Newel posts or other decorative elements screw through the top of the canopy and into the posts. For a bed of this type, unscrew the upper posts and remove the canopy. Buy a replacement flat canopy for the bed. Place the new canopy on top of the posts and screw the decorative posts back into place.

Warning

• The center beams on a canopy do more than just support the weight of the fabric; the pieces also add support for the bedposts. If you remove the center posts to achieve the flat look, you risk weakening the bed frame. You might notice that the canopy and bedposts shake or wobble when you move in the bed. The only way to stop that problem is by replacing the posts you removed.