Decorative Ways to Drape Bed Curtains

Against the Wall

• Hang curtains behind a bed, even if there aren’t any windows. Use a curtain rod that is at least as wide as the bed. Hang the curtain rod as high as possible so it looks like the curtains are hanging from the ceiling. Use a floor length, heavy curtain, not a sheer curtain, as you will essentially be creating a curtained wall. Hang the curtain panels from the rod, and pull the curtains closed so they are spread evenly along the wall.

From the Ceiling

• Hanging curtains from the ceiling makes the ceilings appear higher. Ceiling-mounted rods will help create a canopy bed look. Place the rods in a rectangle on the ceiling directly even with the sides of the bed. Measure and mark where to place the mounting brackets so the curtains will just touch the outside edge of the bed. Install the brackets, and slide the curtains four panels of silky, flowing curtains onto the rods. Insert the rods into the mounting brackets. Pull the curtains so there is one panel at each corner of the bed. Let the curtains slightly pool on the floor around the bed.

Crown Canopies

• While traditional canopies have curtains draped around all sides of the bed, a crown canopy has the curtains coming from the wall above the headboard. Attach a wooden box or cornice board to the wall with brackets. Hang large gathers of fabric down from the board and drape them around both sides of the bed. This treatment is used for regal looking bedrooms or a little girl’s room with a princess theme.

Rounded Canopies

• For a beach cottage or Mediterranean feel, drape sheer curtains or netting around the bed from a rounded canopy. Create a rounded canopy from a hanging basket. Spray paint the basket white then hang it from the ceiling above the head of the bed. Attach the curtains to the basket with wire, and drape the curtains around the head of the bed. This conjures images of breezes blowing through a beach cottage and provides an airy feel.