Do you think bed canopies are romantic or dust collectors?  Sweet or contrived?  A design statement or design disaster?

Terrie Gives Canopies a Thumbs Down

I’m in the camp of contrived dust collectors that make design disasters.

Photo via Style-Files.com

Too sweet by half (doves on the branch are a bit much), this canopy is a messy hunk of fabric that will undoubtedly lose it’s shape even more if someone were to ever sit or sleep on this daybed.

Photo from SouthernLiving.com

Photo from Architectural Digest.com

Photo from ivillage Creative Spaces book '02

 Home made versions like this always seem ill planned.  These sheers would get tangled up every time I rolled over or I’d end up tucking them behind the headboard to get them out of my way and then never move them back – defeating the whole purpose.

There isn’t anything appealing about bed canopies to me.  Like slipcovers, they never look tidy; they twist and wrinkle; they gather and hold dust; I can barely make my bed by tossing on a few pillows, I certainly don’t want to arrange the ‘curtains’.

Designed by Faudree

Photo from Country Living.com

Photo from Decorating Den via Freshome.com

Though I think the box holding the canopy is the wrong shape with all the curves going on elsewhere in the room, I do appreciate that tiebacks were provided for the drape part of the canopy…especially in a kid’s room. 

Photo from Canadian House & Home.com

No, putting a canopy over a bathtub doesn’t work for me either…….  Cindy, what’s your take?

Cindy Gives Canopies a Thumbs Up

What’s my take on canopies?  Well, considering I slept in a four poster bed for years and it now resides in the guest bedroom, I’m pro bed curtains and canopies.  Personally I prefer washable fabric, however, because I am allergic to dust and don’t like to spend my money on dry cleaning.  There’s no doubt if left untended a canopy can become a dust collector – but it can also be a beautiful addition to the room.

Canopies and bed curtains can be gauzy and romantic, formally dignified or childlike and frilly.  No matter the style they create a magical place to lay your head.  A canopied or curtained bed takes center stage so choose the fabric and usage carefully so it works with the rest of your room.

Photo from bhg.com

Photo from architecturaldigest.com.

Although the first photo is more my personal style, both of the canopy beds above are dressed in fabric that ties in with the rest of the room.

Photo from Architectural Digest.com

Photo from bhg.com

The pattern on the bed drapes in both of these photos are repeated elsewhere in the room.

Photo from Architectural Digest.com

Soft white gathers on the bed curtain softens the rattan bed without distracting from it.

Photo from bhg.com

A bit too formal for me but this beautiful canopy looks fit for a queen.

Photo from Martha Stewart.com

Photo from bhg.com

Photo from bhg.com

Photo from Martha Stewart.com

Photo amazon.com

 Sheer, simple, and ethereal – sweet dreams!

Canopy Conclusion

So there you have it, a couple of designer opinions and a wealth of canopy pictures to help you decide if it’s a look you want to use.  In the photos Cindy found there are some 4 poster beds with curtains and I don’t find those as unappealing as actual canopies – they can be a little more tailored looking – though I wonder if I’d feel claustrophobic.  What’s your style preference?  Do you like the cocoon of curtains surrounding your bed or do you prefer the unencumbered look?  Leave us a quick note and let us know what you think.  Click on the word “Comments” below and simply fill in the box.

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