Canopy Bed Scarf Guide: What Are They and How Do You Use Them?

Many canopy beds have four posts that extend above the bed and are connected by sturdy rails, forming a square frame above the bed; this canopy frame can be left exposed, or it can be covered by long curtains or drapes. Curtains or drapes can hang from the canopy and provide warmth, privacy, and even protection from mosquitoes or other insects (for more information about how temperature and other factors can affect sleep, see this study). One popular way to decorate canopy beds is to drape a canopy bed scarf over the top of the canopy. But what are canopy bed scarves and how do you use them?

Canopy bed scarves are throw-like pieces of fabric that can be hung over the posts of a canopy bed as a stylish alternative to traditional canopy bed curtains. You can use canopy bed scarves by simply hanging them over your bed’s canopy, or you can spread them out at the foot of the bed for decoration and a bit of practicality.

Canopy bed scarves are mainly used for decoration because they add an elegant and sumptuous touch to any bedroom. However, if a canopy bed scarf is draped across the foot of the bed, it can also protect your bedding from being damaged by acting as a protective covering when you lie in bed with your shoes on or when you unpack your luggage on the bed.

What Is a Canopy Bed Scarf?

Canopy bed scarves can add visual interest to any canopy bed. Image from Wayfair.

Canopy bed scarves are pieces of fabric that are wispy, delicate, and versatile and can be used as an alternative to traditional canopy bed curtains. To use a canopy bed scarf, drape it over the frame of your canopy bed or place it at the foot of the mattress. Using a canopy bed scarf can easily give your bedroom the look of a stylish cottage, a beach house, or a countryside retreat.

Using a canopy bed scarf is very simple: just hang the scarf widthwise or lengthwise over the rails of your canopy bed in a way that accentuates the rest of your bedroom decor. You can also place a canopy bed scarf at the foot of the bed for some additional decoration or protection for your bedding. Alternatively, they can be used to warm you up if you feel cold at night instead of using a blanket or a quilt.

Canopy bed scarves are available in lots of different fabrics, including cotton, polyester (or a mix of cotton and polyester), lace, and chenille. High-quality fabric, like this one, will increase the durability of the scarf and protect it from snagging or ripping prematurely. There are also many different styles of canopy bed scarves; they come in solid colors, stripes, and prints to match whatever your desired bedroom style may be. They also come in many different sizes to fit your bed’s dimensions and create your desired canopy look. 

Overall, scarves for canopy beds provide a great minimalist decor option and they can help make your bedroom more relaxing. For example, they can flow slowly with a gentle breeze coming from an open window and help set your day off on a positive note. For more information about how a room’s environment can affect sleep, see this study.

How To Drape Scarves over a Canopy Bed

There are a few different ways to drape scarves over a canopy bed. Image from Pottery Barn.

As we mentioned above, soft, lightweight bed scarves can be loosely draped over a canopy bed to give it a little more glamour and sophistication. However, you may be wondering how to drape scarves over a canopy bed.

To drape scarves over a canopy bed, choose the right material for your bed scarf, decide how many scarves you need, decide how big you want the scarves to be, and arrange the scarves on the bed in a way that’s appealing to you.

Bed scarves are very simple to install because you don’t need any tools to do so. This makes adding scarves to your bed an extremely quick and easy decor option if you don’t want to spend lots of time and effort decorating your canopy bed. Below, we’ll go into more detail about how to drape scarves over your canopy bed. Additionally, make sure to take a look at how to drape canopy beds and how to hang sheers on a canopy bed for more ideas.

To drape scarves over a canopy bed, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose the right material for your canopy bed scarf

Bed scarves come in a variety of colors and fabrics. You may want to select fabric that is light and flimsy (like this one), such as cotton or a sheer material, or something darker and thicker (like this one) if your bedroom is dusty or if you prefer a heavier material. In most cases, 100% polyester fabric is the best material to use in terms of quality and durability, but this is completely up to you and depends on your style preferences.

Step 2: Pick the number of canopy bed scarves that you need

Depending on the style that you want to create, you can drape one scarf or multiple scarves on your bed frame. For a simple look, drape one scarf end to end or diagonally over the frame of the canopy bed. Another option is to use four scarves to decorate your bed frame: simply hang one over each corner of the bed to give it an open curtain look.

Step 3: Decide on the dimensions of the bed scarves

Most bed scarves are sold according to bed sizes, so make sure to select the size that matches your bed. However, you can use any type of fabric you find to make your own scarf. If you choose to make your own scarf, select the fabric length based on how much you want to puddle it on the floor or have it hover above the floor. You can easily determine the correct dimensions by using a flexible tape measure to trace the preferred placement of your scarves.

Step 4: Set the scarves up in various ways

If you’re using only one scarf to decorate your bed, simply drape it widthwise across either the head or the foot of the bed’s canopy rails. Pull the scarf inward to shorten the length on either side of the bed, or stretch both sides of the scarf downwards to make it drape more on the floor. You can even choose to drape the scarf lengthwise on the bed if you prefer. 

If you’re using two scarves, simply drape each scarf widthwise, one across the head of the bed and another one across the foot of the bed. To add more ambiance and luxury to your room, drape the two scarves diagonally to imitate the look of open bed curtains. If you prefer to use four or more scarves to decorate your bed, arrange them in a combination of these ways or create your own custom canopy bed design. If you want to use a scarf as a throw blanket, simply spread it out at the foot of the bed.  

This two-scarf canopy bed design looks very elegant. Image from Amazon.

Best Canopy Bed Scarves on Amazon

As we mentioned above, a scarf can be the final decorative touch to a canopy bed, and it can give your bed some extra style, elegance, and sophistication. There are many great canopy bed scarves on the market, but we’ve highlighted a few below. 

All three of these scarves are made of high-quality fabric, which makes them durable. These scarves are great choices to drape gracefully on top of a square canopy frame or even to use as decorative pieces for windows and other parts of your home.

Product Name	Description of Canopy Bed Scarf	Price
Royale Linens White Sheer Canopy Scarf	This simple canopy bed scarf is made of durable polyester. Suitable for all bed sizes. Machine washable and a luxurious option for your canopy bed.	~$90
Decotex Premium Quality Sheer Voile Scarf	This scarf can be used for multiple purposes, including decorating canopy beds and windows. Lightweight, durable, and inexpensive. Can add some style and romance to your room.	~$10
WPM Beautiful Sheer Voile Scarves for Bedroom and Kitchen	Multi-purpose scarf that can be used for canopy beds, windows, wedding decorations, and more. Made from high-quality materials. Lightweight, durable and affordable. Machine washable.	~$12

Also, have you ever noticed the difference when comparing a sleigh bed vs a canopy bed? Take a look at our related articles to find out. Also, you might be interested in these 7 sleigh bed ideas to enhance your bedroom too.

Related Articles:

• How to convert any bed into a canopy bed
• 10 canopy bed accessories and why you need them
• Tips to using a canopy bed on the floor
• Do you have bunk beds? Take a look at how to hang curtains on a bunk bed instead.