Hello friends! It’s that time again – time for our Monthly DIY Challenge! In case you’re new, here’s the scoop: On the 2nd Wednesday of every month, me and my bloggy friends get together and create something based on a common material or idea that everyone uses. The end results are so unique and fantastic! So far we’ve done Michaels crates, pumpkins, wood slices, clear ornaments and organizational solutions. Up for today is one of the biggest and most challenging materials yet – plumbing pieces! We didn’t set too many strict parameters for this challenge – we just had to use plumbing pieces some way in our challenge – this could be metal or copper pipe rods, PVC pipe, pipe connectors – basically anything that could be found in the plumbing aisle of our local hardware stores!
Check out my project below and then be sure to stick around for everyone else’s amazing creations that will be in a link-up at the bottom of this post!
For my plumbing piece project, I decided to make a fun and dreamy bedroom canopy for our master. We have ugly (and holey) popcorn ceilings but don’t have the time or money to remove them. So I came up with this pretty way to disguise the ceiling and make our bedroom more intimate and cozy!
Here’s where our bedroom started:
Someone who lived in the house before us was a builder/contractor of sorts, so that means we have lots of weird and/or incomplete features in our home. Take note of the off-center ceiling light, which was (and remains) a paper lantern from when we moved in, and the random square hole in the ceiling. Our inspector said that it was likely for a speaker system at one point. Whatevsies, previous home owners. As I mentioned before, we don’t really have the time or extra cash to strip the popcorn of the ceiling and repair the holes, so I came up with a clever idea to make the ceilings a little more livable – a dreamy bedroom canopy!
Bedroom Canopy Materials
– 1/2 inch x 60 inch galvanized pipes
– 1/2 inch 90 degree pipe connector elbows
– 1/2 inch x 2 1/2 inch galvanized nipples
– 1/2 inch galvanized floor flanges
– Set of curtain panels (I got the ‘Matilda’ style from Ikea!)
Since we decided to do 2 separate canopies, we picked up 2 of the pipes and the 4 each of everything else. Well, more like I only got 2 of everything the first time and then had to go back to Lowe’s the next morning to pick up the remaining pieces because I’m cool like that. D’oh.
Step 1
The galvanized pipes and pieces all come with a nice greasy layer all over them, so my first step was to take that off. I cleaned each piece with some Goo Gone on a paper towel, then wiped them down with a wet paper towel with dish soap, and then finally used a third paper towel to dry and get any remaining residue off.
Step 2
I screwed all of the elbows, nipples, and flanges together to make my 4 anchors for my 2 galvanized pipes. Use some muscle and screw them tightly to make sure they are all about the same height!
Step 3
Next I screwed one of the anchors onto one of my pipes. Make sure this too is nice and tight! I had my husband help me make sure they were on securely and as tight as they would go.
Step 4
I slid my curtain panel onto one of my pipes before adding the other connector to the end. Be sure to consider how you will be hanging your bedroom canopies so you can make sure that the seams are on the proper side and all that. Once you’ve added your curtain panel, add the other anchor. Repeat for the second canopy!
Step 5
Once the canopies were ready, I had my husband help me screw them into the ceiling – I held the pipe in place while my husband used an electric screwdriver with some drywall screws. These pipes are very small in diameter and since they aren’t holding anything up other than their own weight and the negligible weight of the curtain panel, they screwed in very easily and sturdily into the ceiling. So hopefully they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon! After that is finished you’ll have something like this:
Admittedly, it looks pretty cool as-is! I really love drapey, dreamy fabrics. If you wanted a canopy or floating curtain that hung down, you could totally stop at this step. However, we have two crazy cats who like to launch themselves at hanging things, so up on the ceiling the rest of the fabric had to go.
Step 6
Using some regular clear pushpins, I pinned the opposite end of the curtain into the ceiling, which left me with a drooping ‘U’ shape. I then found the middle of that ‘U’ and pinned it to the ceiling, using more pushpins. It would have been fun to use more galvanized pipe for draping the fabric over, rather than pinning, but that would have gotten expensive really quick. After thinking about it a bit more, I’ve decided that I like the pushpin effect over more pipes – it gives off a better ethereal and light quality – too many pipes would make the ceiling feel to busy or weighed down. But it’s up to personal preference!
And here are my finished plumbing piece bedroom canopies!
Eeeepp! I’m in love 🙂 These actually turned out quite well and overall didn’t take that long to make and install (aside from the double trip to the hardware store for forgotten pieces!). I put them off center from each other for visual interest and flow. We used the same style of galvanized pipe in our master closet makeover so I think it’s nice to have it repeat in our bedroom. It also echoes our metal bed frame, which I think is great for a pulled-together and modern look.
I think I can honestly say that our bedroom is my favorite room in our house right now. I’ve spent the most time in here, making it into a cozy and comfy dream retreat with modern touches. Now I’m one step closer to a completed master bedroom! I’ll hopefully be sharing a full bedroom tour soon once I finish a few more things 🙂
Now take a look at all of these FAB plumbing piece projects from my bloggy friends! Click each picture below to be magically transported to their awesome creations 🙂
I love your canopy, Erica! What a neat idea! 🙂 Love the wall in that bedroom as well…. Such a pretty room! Have a great day!!
Aw, thank you so much Kendra! It’s definitely the room I’ve worked the hardest on in our home… the rest of my house doesn’t look this nice haha.
@ Erica Sooter, What a beautiful transformation to the ceiling.( Enjoyed your fun sense of humour lol). I wanted to re paint my bedroom & as soon as I saw your fab black & white scheme I decided I want it also. Congrats.
Thank you so much for your kind comments! (I’m glad someone finds me amusing! haha 😉 ) Black and white is so classy and timeless – I know you’ll just love it in your home! I’d love to see what your transformation looks like!
Ok seriously, how did you come up with this? AMAZING! Your bedroom looks so dreamy!
When I lived in Ecuador for a summer one of my host families owned a restaurant that we spent a lot of time at and they had a similar set-up on the ceiling! I thought it was such a neat idea that I never forgot about it. I’m glad that I finally got to put it into play! 🙂
Shut up!!! This is amazing!!! Seriously gorgeous, Erica!!
Hahah, thanks Amy! It was surprisingly easy for something that makes a nice impact! 🙂
I am SO, SO in love with this Erica!!! BRILLIANT my friend!
Aww, thank you so much Kristi!!
I would just want to lay under these all.day.long! Y’all’s project are so so good!!
I seriously want to lay here all day long too! And thanks so much! Your pipe shelves would have been perfect for this challenge!! 🙂
Way to go! What a great idea for covering up the ceiling, which you wouldn’t even notice with these beauties. Bet it feels like you’re sleeping on a sail boat in the Caribbean 🙂 Great job!
It totally feels like sleeping on a dreamy sail boat in the Caribbean! If only it were really that way 😉
I love this so much! It totally transforms it into a dream space. Well done!
Thanks so much, Rena! It totally is a dream relaxation space now 🙂
This is SO beautiful!!! It totally changes the feel of your room, and totally makes it more romantic!! I’m totally jelly of your fireplace, too. You rocked it! 🙂
Aww, thank you Amanda! I totally agree – it feels so much more cozy and romantic now 🙂 And it’s so cool to have a fireplace in the bedroom – we are definitely spoiled! Hoping to re-tile it soon so that it’s not green 🙂
Oh my, Erica! Your canopy makes your bedroom look so soft and dreamy. I love the idea you came up with for this month’s DIY challenge. So creative and beautiful!
Thanks so much Carrie! It was definitely a fun challenge. I’ve been meaning to do this project for a while now, so I’m glad I finally got to make it a reality!
Holy crow, woman!!! This is amazing!! What a great idea! It looks gorgeous!!
Aw, thanks so much Christina! I’m really pleased with the end result 🙂
Okay, this is just fabuloso! It totally makes your space so cozy and relaxing, I love it! And that rug, where did you get it? I want one ASAP!
Thanks so much, Tara! It’s definitely my ultimate fave spot in the house now! And the rug is from Ikea – it’s pretty inexpensive, too! You should DEFINITELY get one!!
So pretty! My hubby has asked for a canopy (I know spastic) you make it look so effortless and beautiful! Great job!
Thanks so much, Betsy! And these canopies really are super easy to put up – it probably took less than a half hour total to have everything put together and up! You and your hubby should totally try these – they really do make the whole room feel different! 🙂
This is INCREDIBLE! I love the creativity you used to hide the popcorn ceilings. These canopies look gorgeous, Erica!
Thank you SO much Bre! It’s really nice to not be staring at a giant ceiling of popcorn while in bed anymore. Dreamy fabric is much better 🙂
Oh, this is so fantastic! I’d love to have you come link up with us at our new DIY and decor link party – The Creative Circle!! http://blueistyle.blogspot.com/2015/02/TheCreativeCircleWeek2.html
Thank you so much Angela! I’ll definitely stop by your awesome party ASAP! 🙂
It’s so dreamy, Erica!! So beautiful! Nice job.:)
Thank you so much, Shannon! I think I definitely have sweeter dreams how that I have them up 😉
So so soooo creative, Erica!!! I absolutely love it! I never would have thought to make canopies!!
Thanks so much, Nicole! I’m really loving having them up in my bedroom 🙂
Girl! You have knocked it out of the park! This is fabulous! And it suits the room really well too. Great job…
Aw thanks so much, Erin! My room is now my personal oasis and I’m loving it 🙂
Your knocked this out of the park, Erica!!! I love it! I don’t think I’d ever get out of bed if I were you; I’d just lie there and stare at it all day. 🙂 I’m featuring this at Your Turn To Shine this Thursday as one of my hostess picks. Great job girlie!
Thanks, Lauren! I think it definitely takes me longer to get out of bed now that I have those beauties up! haha 😉 Thanks so much for featuring me!!! 🙂
This looks beautiful! It completely transformed the room!
Thank you so much, Gilly! I agree – I think they totally transformed the space and now I’m just content to lay under them daydreaming all day 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
What a fun and whimsical way to make your bedroom even more relaxing.
Thanks so much, Amanda! It’s definitely my favorite room in the house now 🙂
What a really cool idea!! pinned!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and the pin! Have a great week 🙂
so i’ve been totally stalking your blog LOL … how can I get in on these monthly DIY challenges? can you email me some info? 🙂
Haha, I’m flattered, Angie! 🙂 And as far as the DIY challenges, I’m in a bloggy tribe with some blogger friends and we just decided to do this together. Unfortunately, our group is pretty set on keeping it at the number of people that it already is, but if you reach out to other bloggers, it is totally easy to put together something like this yourself! Try putting up an ad/request on blogging Facebook groups like “Bloggertunities” and “Blog it Forward” and see who else is interested! Best of luck! 🙂
These canopies look really cute! What a creative way to fix the strange holes in the ceiling. We, too, have crazy cats that launch themselves at hanging things. They can leap fairly high (joys of having bengal cats, they’re little acrobats!) and I don’t think I could even get away with how low those are. But they give the whole room a really comfy feel.
Thank you so much Veronika! They definitely make the room feel cozy and romantic 🙂 And bengal cats are so athletic! Such beautiful cats, too. Our kitties aren’t quite as acrobatic so so far the canopies have survived 🙂
Hey Erica,
This is fabulous! Suits the room very well.
Anyways, Quick Question: Where did you get that rug?
Keep up the good work!
Emily
Thanks so much, Emily! The rug is from Ikea and it’s seriously my favorite thing ever 🙂 It looks like they’ve discontinued the exact size I have, but here is one that has the same pattern with some additional color on the edges: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40227902/
Holy cow, woman!!! This is amazing!! What a great idea! It looks gorgeous!!
Thanks so much!
WoW, this is just fabulous, thanks for sharing such a beautiful creation !
So what would ou do for a front room? Not sure canopy for a living room area would work??
Thoughts?
Hi Suzatte – thanks so much for stopping by! Do you mean what would I do for covering up popcorn ceiling in a living room? I think you’re right – a canopy would be too much for a front room. However, I have seen bloggers cover up popcorn ceiling with planks, making sort of a shiplap ceiling, which looks beautiful. You can see an example of how to do that here: http://www.makingitinthemountains.com/the-easiest-and-cheapest-way-to-transform-a-popcorn-ceiling-a-farmhouse-style-planked-ceiling-tutorial/. Let me know if that helps! 🙂
I really love the idea & inspired that you made ‘U’ shape through pushpins to ceiling.
Thanks so much, Sara! I really love how airy they make the bedroom feel!
Wow, this is beautiful! My only concern is, it looks like it may take a lot of effort to clean this canopy. Otherwise a pretty awesome idea!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Mia! An easy way to clean the canopy would be to make sure all the loops around the poles could be removed by having them be velcroed on – then you just unvelcro, throw in the wash, then hang back up! 🙂 Hope to see you at Dwell Beautiful again soon!
It seems beautiful! I just enjoy it! Great work.:)
Wow, This is beautiful, I am very late here but….