DIY Kids Awning

For my daughters room, out of necessity and because I wanted to, I did a really fun DIY kids awning for her window! She insisted we keep a very large IKEA cabinet (once a wall mounted changing table turned bench) in front of the window. Long curtains do not make sense and the window is too wide for a roman shade.

The rest of her room has the colors of the rainbow so I am splashing in some black and white throughout the room to give it some contrast…hence the black and white checkerboard. It is a little outside my comfort zone but hopefully once you see the entire room, you will understand my vision! Oh and do not worry, we already had a blackout curtain pull down shade thingy from Home Depot and that is staying!

Here is how I (with the help of my husband) made this DIY kids awning for my daughters room.

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Supplies

2x2x8 Douglas Fir (2 of them) (Wood type does not matter, this will depend on what is available in your region)
Miter saw
Wood clamps
3 1/2″ cabinet screws (14 total – 10 to build the frame, 4 to attach to the studs in the wall)
Electric Drill
Fabric (I ordered 2 yards)
Electric staple gun (Mine is similar but cordless)
Staples (T50, 3/8″)

Step 1

Here is how we made the two triangle end pieces.

Cut two 7″ pieces. On an end of each, cut a 45 degree angle. Then measure from the square sides, corner to corner, to determine the length of the longer piece. Cut those at 45 degrees so they will fit right into that nook.

Clamp them down and drill the three cabinet screws in.

Repeat for the other side.

Step 2

Cut two longer pieces to length. This will depend on the size of your window. We went about 2″ wider on each side of the window for our length. Screw the long pieces to the triangles, two cabinet screws on each side.

Step 3

Cut the fabric to width and length (read the next step to see how I stapled it before you cut so you ensure it is large enough). Leave enough room to fold the fabric under on the two exposed side edges so it looks more finished. I did not double up the fabric.

Step 4

Using your staple gun, staple the fabric across the entire top edge (I am referring to the edge that will touch the wall). Then, staple across the entire bottom. I stapled mine to the underside (to the edge that faces the floor, I hope that makes sense!). Note that you can see the staples if you are looking up at the awning. It doesn’t really bother me, but if that will bother you wrap it completely under and staple to the edge that is facing the wall. You will need to make a cut on each end where the triangles intersect.