A small child, only when born, needs special care and protection. Most of the time the baby, especially in the first months of life, spends in a dream. Therefore, parents on the eve of birth are preparing everything necessary for the baby to be comfortable and safe during waking moments and during sleep, puzzled by the installation of a canopy on the crib.
What is a canopy?
The word canopy came to us from Italy, which literally means "silk fabric from Baghdad." Initially, they used it not in children's rooms, but decorated them with grand lodges, thrones, and church altars. At its core, this is a regular canopy for a bed, which was originally made of fabric, and later began to be made of stone, metal and wood. This element in some cultures acted as a symbol of power. Only the rich could afford such a luxury, since collecting a canopy in the past was considered an expensive job.
The first canopies appeared in the ancient East. This design accompanied the king in walks in the hot sun or protected him from the rain in the form of a large umbrella. Usually the canopy was worn by the king of his slaves. Later, the European nobility adopted oriental motifs in the interior styling, and the beds were decorated with canopies. This was in the era of Romanesque and Gothic art. In Ancient Russia canopies still had the name "canopy".
Canopy Benefits
The creation of the canopy at all times was purely practical. This device covered the body from heat when a person was resting on the street. It also protected from annoying mosquitoes, which in the southern regions are incredibly large. And also from insects that transmit the infection, for example, malaria mosquitoes. Dense cloth curtains were hidden from bright sunlight and increased sound insulation so that you could relax. In the end, it looks beautiful and spectacular.
The functions of the canopy have not lost their significance to this day. But if for an adult it is often an unprecedented luxury, then in a child’s room, such curtains on a crib look at least cute. And they also perform a number of useful functions, protecting the baby from external factors. Such an enclosed space soothes a child.
The choice in favor of which model to make?
In general, the canopy style is selected based on the shape of the cradle or crib. So, for round cribs it would be more appropriate to choose curtains on the rings, for square ones you can use the crossbar in the center. You can also install the frame around the perimeter, on which the curtains are attached. Despite the fact that the bed will be round or rectangular, the canopy will perfectly complement any interior of the children's room.
Material
It all depends on the importance of the canopy in the children's room. This affects the choice of material. Most likely, parents will prefer to install a canopy of fabric. But what it will be: transparent, dense, from natural fabrics or artificial, is determined by its purpose.
In any case, the fabric should be pleasant to the touch and breathable. Cotton or linen is suitable for a canopy above the bed. These are natural fabrics, and they will perfectly protect the child from sunlight during sleep, creating a pleasant shade. From transparent fabrics, you should choose among chiffon, tulle, organza or silk. It is advisable that the material for the curtain is not electrified, otherwise it will collect too much dust.
Color schemes
The color of the fabric should be calm. A bright canopy will irritate the baby or provoke activity, thereby distracting him.
Appropriate colors for the nursery are gentle pastel colors: beige, blue, pink, green and white. However, there is no limit to imagination. The canopy will look beautiful if you use fabrics with a multi-colored pattern.
For a room, you can either build a children's canopy yourself or purchase one already prepared, choosing from a huge assortment of manufacturers of goods for babies.
Popular Baby Crib Canopy Manufacturers
Now on the shelves there are a lot of domestic goods in various categories. This also applies to canopies. Today, Russian companies involved in the production of children's goods are trying to improve the quality of their products, and they succeed. Along with foreign suppliers, the level of quality of Russian goods is decent, while they have a more affordable price. Therefore, in order to buy a ready-made wrap for the crib, parents do not risk anything. Below are some of the most popular models of domestic and foreign companies:
- Toy Mart made in Russia. The canopy is sold in white and blue colors from a veil, attached to the crib on a pin from the set. The fabric has a pattern of seals or storks. The cost is about 2.5 thousand rubles.
- Espresso Shine from a Norwegian company, white or milky veil with edging. Such a curtain performs a decorative function. The price is about 5 thousand rubles.
- "Peanut" is a budget canopy of Russian production, the material is a veil of white and cream colors. Before you assemble the canopy "Peanut", you must first connect the holder to the ring. Then install the bracket at the head of the crib, securing it with latches to the transverse rails, and thread the ring into the fabric loops. The cost is from about 500 to 800 rubles, depending on the model.
- Baby Bjorn brand from Switzerland, it is a synthetic transparent fabric in white, worth about 5.3 thousand rubles.
- Roman Baby Italian factory. The canopy for the crib is made of transparent flowing fabric in light beige, dairy and white colors, and only natural hypoallergenic materials are used in its manufacture. The cost of 21.5 thousand rubles.
How to sew and collect the canopy with your own hands
Initially, all the necessary tools and materials should be prepared in order to sew the canopy onto the crib. This will require:
- tissue cut;
- scissors;
- pencil;
- tailor's chalk;
- sewing threads in fabric color and contrasting shade for basting;
- needles and pins.
You can sew the canopy manually or on a typewriter, which greatly simplifies the process. Also, for decoration, you can use lace, ribbons or embroidery as desired.
The most practical mount at the head of the crib, as it provides access to the child, and easily throws curtains on both sides. In order for the curtains to turn out with beautiful folds, you should take a piece of fabric measuring 2x3 meters. In fact, any canopy is a piece of fabric, consisting of two halves in the form of a rectangle, or a solid canvas. Since you can collect the canopy in two ways, with or without a crown, you should take this moment into account when patterning, and stock up with the required amount of fabric.
After the pattern is ready, it is necessary to process the edges of the material so that they do not sprinkle. Also at this stage it is necessary to sew decorative elements in the form of lace or ruffle, if they are, of course, planned in the product. Then it will be much more problematic. Hinges for attaching the canopy to the frame are also built here. If desired, a crown can be sewn. She will make a decorative element and hide the frame.
It is worthwhile to pre-purchase the frame of the desired shape in the store, so it is not difficult to put the canopy on the holder correctly later You just need to thread the hinges on the frame and fix it on the crib.
Photos of children's canopies
The article presents as an example photographs of homemade and purchased canopies for a crib.
Collecting a canopy yourself is not so difficult as it might seem at first glance. To do this, you do not need to be a jack of all trades, but you need to have imagination. After all, this decorative and practical element in the interior of a children's room will delight parents and the baby for a long time.