Ceiling Mounted, Plumbing Pipe Canopy Bed

A simple canopy takes a bed from ordinary to stylish just like that. The trouble is, canopy beds are more expensive than standard designs. Instead of buying a whole new bedroom set, get some curtains and some plumbing pipe to create your own beautiful DIY canopy.

Canopy Material

Because you're creating an industrial look, don't limit yourself to traditional curtains. Other options include mosquito netting, parachutes or bamboo beads.

Step 1 - Measure Your Bed

Measure your bed frame. Remove the mattress and box springs, if necessary, to get an accurate measurement. Using these measurements, cut your pipe with a saw or have it cut for you to the right size.

Step 2 - Acquire Your Pipe

Based on your measurements get some plumbing pipe to match those dimensions. Copper, iron, and plastic PVC pipe will all be available at the home improvement store. Get 1-inch diameter pipe in the style you prefer. Copper and PVC are lighter and easier to cut - Iron and copper will give you an industrial look - PVC can be spray-painted any color you like, but don’t try to hide it. In order for this project to work, you want the pipe to be visible. It will create a stunning industrial contrast against the softness of the fabric.

You’ll also need 90-degree pipe elbow fittings, 4 of them, matching the diameter and material of your pipe.

If you're using iron pipe, you'll attach it to the ceiling with floor flanges rather than hooks. You need 8. And you need 8 T-fittings.

Step 3 - Mark the Ceiling and Install Hooks or Flanges

Mark the space for the canopy on the ceiling, directly above the bed. The canopy should line up precisely with the bed frame.

Use ceiling screws, mount hooks directly to the ceiling. You want 2 hooks on either side of each corner, and one hook in the center of each length of pipe. This is 12 hooks total.

Alternatively, if you're using iron pipe mark the ceiling but wait to install the flanges.

Step 4 - Hang Canopy Frame and Canopy

With Hooks - Once the hooks are mounted, slide the pipes into place but don't attach the elbows yet. Put the curtain rings on the pipes and hang your canopy.

Once the canopy is in place, place the fittings to secure the pipe. Since you're not running water through the pipes, you don't have to permanently attach them with solder or PVC glue.

With Flanges - Lay out the structure of the pipe frame on the floor or on the bed. Screw T-fittings evenly spaced near each corner and a floor flange to each T. Create the whole frame and then lift it to the ceiling and screw the floor flanges in place. The frame isn't heavy, but obviously, you need more than one person for this.

Tips and Variations

It’s your canopy and your DIY project, so get creative to tailor the design just to you.

Faux Headboard - Paint the wall behind the bed all the way up to the hanging canopy to create the illusion of a headboard.

Four-Poster Look - Hang short curtains all the way around the canopy, and long floor-length curtains at the four corners. The will create the illusion of a tester bed with four tall posts.

Just Over the Top - Instead of creating a full rectangular canopy, install two short rods just above the head of the bed. Hang a long curtain across the rods to create a romantic, half-canopy look.

Hoop It - Instead of a full rectangular canopy, hang a large circle above the bed instead. A circular shape isn't so hard to build with the right pipe fittings. Use extra-long curtains that can be pulled out and down the sides of the bed.

For much less than the cost of a new canopy bed, you can easily create your own DIY canopy and give your bed a more stylish, romantic look with just a few hours’ of work.

Photo by Home-Dzine