How to Design Crown Bed Canopies

Decide what you want to use as the crown, or the hardware for the canopy. For example, you can construct a crown out of plywood and decorate it with paint or fabric and use it as the crown, or you can use decorative molding. Alternatively, you can use a cornice board as the crown for your canopy.

Select a type of fabric to use as the canopy. Your options are virtually limitless, as there are so many different types of fabric available. To create a light, airy, whimsical look, choose a lightweight fabric, such as tulle, organza or lace. For a more regal canopy, select a heavier, more ornate fabric, such as velvet, satin or silk. Opt for a fabric that features a color and pattern that coordinates with the design of the room.

Determine the dimensions for both the crown and the fabric. Measure how wide you want the canopy and how far off the wall you want it to sit. Determine the amount of fabric you'll need by measuring from the ceiling to the floor behind the bed.

Determine how you're going to attach the crown to the wall. For example, you can drill cut pieces of 2-by-4 into the ceiling above the head of the bed, forming a frame and nail the cut pieces of molding or plywood to the frame. Alternatively, you can attach the crown to the wall with L brackets.

Decide how the fabric will attach to the crown. You can use a staple gun to attach the fabric to the inside edges of the crown. Once the material is attached to the crown, straighten it along the wall or fan it out around the sides of the bed.