How to make a canopy bed

Dreaming about a comfortable refuge? Turn any bed into a cosy canopy bed using curtains and ceiling rails. Just follow our step-by-step guide below.

For bedroom ideas, how about creating privacy and controlling light with a cocoon around your bed? IKEA has lots of curtains like flowy, white VIVAN and a track rail system that can be mounted to the ceiling.

What you’ll need
8 x VIDGA ceiling fittings
2 x VIDGA corner piece single track
4 x VIDGA glider/hook, 24-pack
5 x VIDGA single track rail
VIDGA cutting box
4 x HILJA curtains, 1 pair
Measuring tape & pencil
Drill, screwdriver, hacksaw, ladder

Step 1

Decide where you want the canopy by placing the track rails and corner pieces on the floor around your bed. Leave space for the curtains between the bed and the rails. The track rails come in one length, so you will likely need more than one to cover the bed’s sides.

A white VIDGA corner piece, single track in the bedroom

Step 2

Cut the rails to size with VIDGA cutting box and a hacksaw. Slide the connectors into the rails. Place all the rails and pieces on the floor around your bed again to double-check your plans and determine/measure where you’ll need to drill. It helps to measure from your walls, not your bed.

A white VIDGA cutting box in the bedroom

Step 3

Mark your drill spots on the ceiling, drill the holes for the fittings and mount them. Be sure to use the appropriate screws/fasteners for your ceiling. Put the attachment piece into the fitting and click the rail into place. Repeat step three for all rail pieces, but do not attach the corner pieces yet.

A white VIDGA glider and hook in the bedroom

Step 4

Attach the hooks to the curtains and hang them on the gliders. The gliders/hooks are made for curtains with gathering tape, but you can add tape to curtains without it too. One 24-pack of gliders is enough for two curtains. Slide the gliders into the rails. (Do this as you put up each rail or wait until they’re all set.)

Step 5

When all the gliders are in, place each corner piece into the rails and click to secure. With the bed against the wall, only two corner pieces are needed. If the rails aren’t flush with the wall, use end caps.

A dark green GLADOM tray table in the bedroom

Helpful hints We recommend our guide along with the assembly instructions and the VIDGA installation video. If buying a set, consider what’s included. You may need to buy additional rails or fittings; connectors are not sold separately.

VIDGA installation video

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by

Interior designer: Britta Henley
Photographer: Tjitske van Leeuwen-Huisman
Writer: Marissa Frayer

How to make a canopy bed

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

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