How to: Dreamy faux bed canopy

Make this easy canopy for a dreamy, elegant bed without splurging on a new bed frame. We love this for a teen room or dorm. Or channel your inner Anne Shirley and try it over your favorite reading chair for a romantic escape!

I put this together in less than a day for my teen when she was on her way back from a holiday visit to her grandma. I had given her this hat as a hand-me-down, and I found these net curtain panels in her closet...

I repositioned her string lights and garlands to create the illusion of an enchanted forest canopy a la Anne of Green Gables. And without even realizing, manifested a look from her Pinterest board! Stepmom win.

PS We are trying out affiliate links here on the Green Doors blog! This means, if you click on a link to a brand we like, we may earn a few pennies, at no additional cost to you. xo

Materials and tools you need:

All you'll need is:

• a straw hat

• a pair of long lace or net curtains, or sheer fabric cut to measure

• embroidery needle or curved upholstery needle

• strong thread like quilting thread, or use standard thread and double it (dental floss also works!)

• hanging hardware of your choice

Choose vintage or secondhand materials to repurpose or upcycle

• Seek out a vintage straw hat with lots of character - creases and fraying edges add to the charm! Add your own ribbon for extra loveliness.

• Look for large, lacy pieces like tablecloths, bed spreads, or long curtains.

• Add trim to the edges of the fabric for a rich layered look. Ruffled ribbon, lace, fringe, or make your own with narrow strips of fabric.

• Vintage curtain tiebacks might complete the old world look.

Measuring

First, decide where you will hang the hat. Get someone to help you measure and mark the spot, so you can look from a distance.

• Center the spot over the bed or chair, and decide how high you would like it.

• We recommend seven or eight feet at least, so don't be afraid to put it close to the ceiling.

• Make a mark where the outer edge of the hat brim will go.

• Then measure the width of the brim, and use that measurement to make another mark below the first. This is where you will line up your hanging hardware later.

Estimate the length of fabric you need by using a long length of string, let it pool a bit on the floor, and stand on the bed (or use a step stool) to stretch it loosely to your hat markings.

• Measure the string, and now you have an approximate measurement.

• It's better to purchase a bit extra and trim it to length - this is definitely a look that should be floor length, at least.

How to make the faux bed canopy

Start by looking inside the hat - if it has a fabric lining around the edge, you'll use this to attach the fabric. If not, no worries - you can still stitch through the straw itself.

Still looking inside the hat, use tailors chalk or a light paint pen to mark the center front and back, and the center point of each side. We will use the center back point as our starting point.

To prepare the curtain panels, decide if you'd like to hem the sides and bottom - We like a more organic look with raw edges for cotton gauze, but it will depend on the fabric you're using.

Next, you'll want to use gathering stitches along one short end of each panel, to reduce the width to fit it between the center back and center side markings inside the hat brim. Unless you are using a very thin, light fabric, it is probably better to do this by hand vs. machine, using a long running stitch.

You can do multiple rows of gathering stitches to help control the gathers, but there's no need to be precise here. Tie it off or do several back stitches once you've "shrunk" the panel to the correct size to fit along the hat lining band. Do this for both panels.

Now you will work inside the hat brim again, and stitch each panel into the hat through the lining band, staying close to the brim (or through the straw, staying close to the crease). Start stitching at the center back mark, and work up along the side. Do this for both sides.

Non-sew options

For short-term decor (or if you just don't have the supplies or know-how to stitch), you can do this entire project with a stapler. (I actually stapled this right to the beadboard because we rent and I couldn't be bothered with Command hooks.)

You could (sigh) also do this with a glue gun, but that's really overkill. Plus, with stitches or staples, you can take it all apart and reuse the hat and fabric for other projects when you're ready for a change.

How to hang the bed canopy

If you can, use a couple of light duty, flat head nails right through the brim to keep the hat secure.

For a removable option, carefully measure and place several Command wire hooks where they will be hidden under the hat, but still catch and hold it flush to the wall. Refer back to those placement marks you made when we started.

Drape each fabric panel to either side of the headboard and let the bottom edge drape on the floor. Voila! Romance!

Styling your very own romantic bed or reading nook

This DIY faux bed canopy of course gets extra charm when paired with tiny string lights, ribbons, or botanical garlands.

For a more mature, old-world look, use vintage curtain tiebacks or similar hardware.

Hang artwork or a curio shelf between the draped panels.

Are you ready to create your own magical bed canopy or enchanted reading nook?

Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Instagram (@greendoorshome) so we can admire your version!