Pros and cons of a canopy on a crib
Modern pediatricians and mothers have different opinions regarding the use of a canopy over the bed. Some consider this an excess, others say that the child is calmer and more comfortable in an enclosed space.
The advantages and disadvantages are presented in the table.
Advantages | Flaws |
Protects the interior of the bed from dust and drafts | Collects dust on its surface |
Prevents exposure to bright light during sleep | Limits visibility of the baby in the crib |
Creates the possibility of shelter from mosquitoes without the use of fumigators | Makes it difficult to approach the bed from any side |
Bright colors attract baby's attention | Impairs circulation and creates air stagnation |
Helps keep baby's restful sleep | Makes it difficult to take your baby out of the crib |
Protects against curious pets | There is a possibility that the child will become entangled and suffocate |
Provides aesthetic pleasure for parents | Needs frequent washing |
After analyzing the positive and negative aspects, parents can determine for themselves whether such an accessory is needed in the children's room or not.
Grown-up children begin to use the canopy for games, which can be dangerous for them - it is better to abandon the canopy if the baby is too active. Important! To avoid injuries and accidents, small children should not be left unattended.
Choice of style
There are a large number of canopy styles. Very often, the color scheme of the material is chosen in accordance with the interior of the children's room or the room where the crib is installed. Therefore, the question of how to assemble a canopy holder for a crib should be decided in conjunction with the peculiarities of the furniture style.
If the child’s room is located on the sunny side of the apartment or house, then creating comfortable living conditions for the baby will depend on protecting direct exposure to bright light. For these purposes, the use of medium-density fabrics is very effective. In dimmer lighting, it is better to use fabrics made of lightweight material or mesh.
Also, when choosing a style, you need to pay special attention to the length of the shelter. The material should hang down to the legs of the crib to prevent dust and insects from getting into the sleeping area.
Particular attention should be paid to the ease of use of the canopy. It is necessary to use fabrics that do not curl and allow the baby to be easily taken out of the crib and then put back in.
Ways to place a canopy on a crib
Depending on how the crib is installed in relation to the wall, choose the method of arranging the decorative canopy.
If the bed is located along the wall, the mount is installed in the center of the long side of the crib on the wall side. This canopy has the appearance of a spacious flowing canopy. If necessary, they can completely cover the sleeping area.
Here are some more ways to place a crib:
- when placing the bed longitudinally, it is convenient to use a structure fixed around the perimeter in the form of walls and ceiling;
- when the children's bed is facing the wall, it would be logical to install a canopy at the head.
It happens that the cradle of a newborn is in the middle of the room. In this case, it is possible to strengthen the canopy on the ceiling in the form of a tent.
Advice! The canopy holder is used as a basis for attaching hanging toys.
Features of fastening the canopy
A canopy can be attached in a variety of ways. Everyone has the right to determine what is most convenient for themselves by presenting the final result. The choice is made with an emphasis on where the crib is located, what function the product performs, its size, the need to move it and how to implement this, and so on. Those. There are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account. Below we will consider which mounting options are the most popular.
There are several options for attaching a canopy.
At the head of the bed
A popular method because it takes into account the ability to move the child's bed. The holder is attached to a special bracket at the headboard. The body of the crib acts as a place for fixing the base of the holder. During sleep, the curtains can be moved, let them run along the opposite side (towards the feet). While awake, do the opposite - push it apart.
Mounting at the head allows you to vary the location of the canopy.
Centered
This method assumes the presence of a holder and the ability to fix it to the cornice. Allows you to place the canopy in the shape of a dome, enveloping the entire crib gracefully. Holders can vary, as can the methods for attaching the edges of the canopy (for example, clothespins, rings, loops, hooks, etc.).
In the center of the bed, the canopy is attached using various devices.
All around the perimeter
An equally popular method, sometimes more practical, but to implement it you will need to bother with the placement of the holder. Let's look at the two options that are available when choosing this method:
Fixing the supports to the crib body
Externally it looks like 4 slats placed in the corners. At the top, 4 more horizontal slats are attached between them, forming a rectangular holder frame.
Slats are attached to the bed frame, forming a rectangle.
To the ceiling
The scheme is similar to the previous one, but this fastening does not require the presence of supports. Those. The holder frame is suspended from the ceiling above the crib. On the one hand, it looks more elegant, on the other hand, it complicates the process of moving the bed.
A canopy attached to the ceiling looks elegant.
Support rails are rectangular, square, round. And the jumpers are even curly.
On a stand
This is a popular way to hang a canopy. It consists in the fact that the support of the holder is not attached to the bed, but is held in place by a footrest. This simplifies the installation process, minimizing any time wasted. If necessary, the stand can be moved freely to wherever it is needed.
The canopy is mounted on a stand, which is located next to the bed.
To the ceiling
Ceiling canopies can be held in place by a cornice or by screwing fasteners into the ceiling. Despite the fact that this method is not very common, it allows you to achieve the most positive aesthetic appearance. You can form frames, start edges from a round holder, and so on.
The canopy fasteners are screwed into the ceiling.
Types of fasteners for a canopy on a crib
The children's canopies discussed above have different types of fastening. They can be mobile (attached directly to the wall of the crib and make it possible to change location and height) and stationary (fixed ceiling or wall holders).
The mobile holder is a main frame consisting of a tripod with a removable ring and mechanical fixation elements. There are models with single and double fastening.
The mount for the canopy can be bought in a store, or you can make it yourself using available materials in the form of wire and plastic pipes
Mobile holders are also of the floor type, consisting of a base and a tripod. They are placed on the floor near the crib and can be easily moved if necessary. Such tripods can later be used to organize the play space of an older child.
Mobile fastenings have universal properties; they are easy to install, move, and change the height of the floor holder. This canopy can be installed on a transformable crib. The canopy is initially used to protect the baby's sleep. Later, when the child grows up, the canopy becomes a decor for an open bed.
To create a tent-like canopy over the bed of an older child, you can use a canopy for babies or sew it yourself
The stationary method of fastening is to install the fastening element on the ceiling or on the wall near the crib. This is a safe option for the child since he will not have access to the structure. This canopy cannot be moved, which means the crib remains static in one place. The disadvantage of a stationary mount is that after removing the structure, traces remain that will have to be masked.
A canopy for a crib, fixed to the ceiling, will become a favorite place for babies to play.
The special fastening is made in the form of a frame, which is installed around the perimeter of the crib. Fabric is stretched between the tubular frame elements. These canopies look attractive, but are more difficult to maintain.
A variety of types of fasteners for decorative canopies makes it possible to choose an individual style for different interiors of children's rooms
It is quite possible to independently assemble a tripod stick for a canopy and install it on a crib. Simple instructions will help.
Advice! When choosing a bracket for a children's canopy, pay attention to the quality of the design and the absence of strong odors.
How to wear it correctly?
Before proceeding with assembling the canopy, you need to prepare the tripod mount in the desired location. Typically, a tripod is a straight aluminum tube with a curved section at the top. At the end, this part is equipped with the previously mentioned loop, which will be needed to secure the edge sections of the canopy.
First, you should select the specific side of the crib on which the holder fasteners will be located. As mentioned earlier, if the canopy frame is placed on the head of children's furniture, the protection will be weak and the legs will remain open. It is advisable to place these structures on the side of the arena - this way, the textiles will be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the berth.
Next, you can proceed to putting the canopy on the holder. The sewn product must be equipped with special pockets designed for aluminum loop antennae. As a rule, there are two such parts, and between them there remains a small open gap
By carefully pulling the canopy material over the looped mustache, you will form neat waves
After this, the structure is fixed to the holder using a screw. It will need to be tightened. If everything is done according to the instructions, the curtains will look beautiful in the arena and perform all their functions.
Ceiling mount
There is another method of fixation - to the ceiling. This solution will be relevant if you are sure that the crib will be located in its place and will not move for at least a year. This fastening option is recognized as the most reliable and wear-resistant, since the bolts will not be subject to regular external influences, which cannot be avoided if the fasteners are located in the interior of the furniture.
First you will need to decide on the specific place in which the canopy will be fixed.
Try to provide yourself with unhindered access to this area:
- make marks on the ceiling to indicate the intended place where a kind of cornice (a strip of metal) will be located;
- attach the holder to the ceiling base using self-tapping screws;
- tie the curtains to the curtain rod using ribbons or Velcro;
- after this, the metal cornice will be possible to decorate with a variety of decorations, for example, spectacular bows.
Of course, such a version of the canopy should be much longer than the standard product, which is attached to the crib itself. Curtains installed in accordance with the instructions will perfectly protect the baby from various types of external irritants. However, we must not forget that this type of installation will take up quite a lot of free time.
How to make a canopy for a crib with your own hands
Any mother can easily sew a light canopy made of translucent or colored fabrics, decorated with ruffles, pom-poms, bows, iron-on stickers and other decorative elements.
It’s easy to sew such a canopy for a baby crib yourself - for this you will need a rectangular piece of fabric and decorative ties
Advice! If the child's room is on the sunny side, when making a canopy it is better to give preference to dense fabrics.
For production you need the following materials:
- a piece of natural breathable fabric of the desired color, 1.5 m wide and 2.5 m long;
- ribbon or fabric for frill along the falling edges of the canopy, 7-10 cm wide and about 5.2 m long;
- ribbon for fastening the upper part of the canopy, 2.5 m long;
- decorative elements (optional);
- tripod – canopy mount (master class is presented below).
You can make decorations for the crib with your own hands - it is important that they are not only attractive, but also safe for the child to play.
You also need the following tools for work:
- scissors;
- sewing machine (or thread and needle).
Work progress:
- Finish with an overlock stitch or overcast stitch on a sewing machine on the edges of the canopy panel and the ruffle tape.
- Gather the ruffle strips and stitch along the long bottom edge of the rectangle. You can also decorate the front edges of the canopy with flounces. To do this, sew ruffles on 2 short and 1 long sides.
- Along the upper edge, retreating a distance of 7 cm from the inside, sew a strong tape in two identical pieces, leaving a distance of 5-6 cm in the middle. A flat holder is threaded into it.
- At the level of the tape for the canopy holder, sew decorative tapes, with the help of which you can tie the canopy onto the crib.
- Decorate the top using flowers, appliqués, lace, guipure, bows.
By following simple instructions and using your imagination, you can easily decorate your baby's crib at no extra cost.
Advice! The lower corners of the canopy pattern can be rounded by making the same smooth cut.
Colors and decor of a children's canopy
A small child spends most of his time in his crib, so it is so important that he is surrounded by harmony, beauty and comfort there. If there is a canopy, it is this object that the baby will most often observe, and children react very sensitively to any visual stimuli
A cape in soft pastel shades will help ensure your baby has a restful sleep and a good mood during the day. Traditionally, for girls they choose a veil in soft pink, peach, and lilac tones, for boys - blue and cool green tones. White, light yellow, light green, orange are universal.
You can add a variety of colors by using fabric with an ombre effect, a rainbow, smoothly grading colors as a canopy, as well as combining plain and printed elements.
To decorate the flowing canopy, you can use all kinds of bows, frills, lace, and ribbons. Artificial flowers, butterflies, soft hearts, stars or felt figures will add exclusivity to the canopy. A tasteful lambrequin would also be an interesting addition.
To entertain the baby, hang a musical carousel with toys (mobile) above the crib inside the canopy, and on the outside of the veil, an LED garland in the warm white spectrum would not hurt - scattering through the fabric, the flickering point light will look very cozy and soft.
How to assemble a canopy holder for a crib
You can buy a holder for a fabric canopy in specialized children's stores, or assemble it yourself, following the tips:
- The tripod is made of a wooden or plastic stick.
- The canopy ring is twisted from thick wire, the free ends are bent at an angle of 90 degrees and secured to the tripod with an elastic band.
- The structure is attached to the crib using clamps, which are sold in hardware stores.
Structural details of the canopy
The “Karapuz” canopy holder is very popular. Assembling it will not be difficult; just look at the device carefully to understand the entire design of the equipment.
Structurally, the holder consists of the following parts:
- main metal stand (straight and curved), which is adjustable in height due to telescopic extension;
- on the stand there are two special brackets that secure the entire structure to the crib using two screws;
- a metal hoop that makes it possible to increase the area the fabric can grip the space above the crib.
Depending on the location of the crib, the holder can be fixed at the head of the bed or on the side wall.
How to attach a canopy to a crib
A store-bought holder usually includes instructions on how to assemble the canopy for a crib. But even in the absence of assembly recommendations, strengthening this structure will not be difficult.
Steps to install a canopy on a crib:
- Assemble the frame parts by inserting the tubes into each other.
- Connect the structure with a fixing element, which consists of a bracket and a screw.
- Attach the fixing element to the side of the crib.
- Adjust the height of the canopy by raising or lowering the metal tubular frame.
- Tighten the screw tightly.
- Place a fabric canopy over the ring, which is called the “canopy holder”. Place the free ends of the ring on top into the tubular base.
The mechanical element for fixing the tripod consists of a bracket and a screw; it is easy to attach to the sides of the crib; it allows you to adjust the height of the canopy holder
Instructions for assembling the canopy holder
When purchasing a canopy, carefully check that the equipment is included according to the attached product specification.
The instructions to help you assemble the “Karapuz” canopy holder are as follows:
- Taking into account the location of the crib, select the location for installing the holder (end or side walls).
- Clarify the method of attaching the material to the tripod. Typically, the fabric hanging ring can be a split type or a continuous one. The material is attached to the solid ring using Velcro or specially made ribbons. To attach it to the release ring, you need to first make a special sleeve on the fabric.
- Next, you need to attach the tripod holder to the back of the crib using special brackets and screws.
- Decorative plugs must be placed on all connections, which also serve as a protective function against the possibility of injury.
- Then you should adjust the structure in height.
After completing all assembly work, it is necessary to check the strength and reliability of all connections to avoid accidental falling of the holder.
As you can see, both dad and mom can assemble the canopy holder. And it’s not difficult to make such a device with your own hands, the main thing is that the holder is made of material that is safe for the health of the child
Rules for caring for a canopy on a crib
Mothers who protect the health of their baby should know that the canopy, like the bedding of a newborn, must be constantly washed and ironed.
Manufacturers often sew curtains from translucent fabrics such as organza or tulle. This is due to the fact that such fabric is wear-resistant, it is easy to wash from stains, the material dries quickly and does not require ironing.
To preserve the baby’s health, all his things, including bed linen, canopy, toys, must be clean and free of dust
It is more difficult to care for chintz canopies with a lot of ruffles. With frequent washing, they quickly lose their original appearance. In addition, ironing ruffles takes a lot of time.