To get this dreamy effect in your own bedroom, you simply need: - 3-4 curtain panels - a curtain rod a few inches wider than your bed (70" for a queen, 86" for a king) - 1-2 strings of white Christmas lights (80-100 lights total) - and several small nails or Command hooks. I also recommend using a remote switch, so you can turn the lights off from bed without having to unplug them.
Make Your Own Dreamy Lit Headboard - It's Easier Than You Think!
What do you do when space is at a premium in your bedroom? Get rid of your bulky bedframe! But you need something pretty in its place and I have the perfect solution...a lit headboard made out of simple string lights and curtains. Bonus: it does double duty as a reading light!
When searching for the perfect curtains, try to find something that's not totally opaque, but also not sheer. You should be able to see light shining through, without being able to actually see the lights behind the curtain.
First, measure and hang the curtain rod supports over where your bed will be. Set the rod aside for later. Then use the small nails (or Command hooks if you don't want holes all over your wall) to hang the lights in an even pattern on the wall under where the curtain will hang. Note: If your walls are light to medium colored, use lights on white cord, rather than the green that you would use on your Christmas tree. That will keep the cord from showing up through the curtains.
Plug your lights in to check your pattern. I used an old set of umbrella lights (the kind that are meant to be attached to the inside of a patio umbrella), so mine came out in a sort of shell pattern, but if you use regular string lights, your pattern will be more of a grid.
Thread your curtain panels on the rod. If you are using curtain clips, you can keep the panels from separating by clipping the edges together (ends facing the wall) on one clip.
On each side, hang the last clip on the outside of the support bracket. This will keep the curtains from moving around.
A little behind-the-scenes peek! Note: I've had several questions about the safety of putting lights so close to fabric. While I've never had a problem with mine even getting warm to the touch, I would suggest that you be sure to buy newer lights that are designed to stay cool, or even LED lights, which are widely available.
Plug your lights into the wall adapter for your remote switch, and set the clicker by your bed, so you can turn off the lights from your cozy spot once you're done reading.
Now you have a romantic and functional lit headboard. Enjoy! And be sure to check out the full tutorial on the blog fore more tips and details, as well as where to find these resources.
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Goldbeargirlon Jun 14, 2020Really like this idea
![Timbo062]()
Timbo062on Jul 17, 2020I ended up making a bed head out of pallets and using a black flat bed sheet covered over 2 x 300 string fairy lights at night it looks like I’m sleeping under the stars
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Meredith would this work to use a net light the kind you would put on shrubs? I was thinking the lights would be spaced out already in a grid. My daughter wants to do this in her bedroom...it's just so lovely! And lights are all on super clearance right now!!
@MN Mom that's a great idea! Just check and make sure the net covers the same width as your bed size. Let us know how it works out!
@MN Mom I think the net lights would be too uniform. Part of the appeal is the scattered look which looks more like stars behind the cloth.
@MN Mom I have seen where people put up a narrow shelf around the top of the room, run an extention cord (chose a route to run it down a corner and then to a plug or down to the top of a door and attach it to the facing) and string lights across the shelves. This is great in a nursery. Also keep in mind that these lights are great for lighting on a porch but do not attract bugs!
@MN Mom That is a great idea! The lights would be spaced evenly and they would be lots easier to hang too. I'm going to try your idea. Thanks!
What about the danger of fire...you show lights real near curtains....
@Suzanne Hall 90% of Stranded lights " single and garland" Are LEDs LED's are cool burned lights. So while it's light inside the outer bulb stays cool. you'll never catch anything, even TP on a strand of LEDs
@Suzanne Hall I've had these up for over a year, and never had any problem with them. They don't even feel warm to the touch after being on for hours. So I never thought about that, but I guess it would be a good idea to make sure you get LED's.
You just need to make sure your lights are LED which do not get hot, or "Cool" burning which also do not get hot........ I've had my "Cool" burning button lights behind my sheer curtain scarves for at least 10yrs. & no problem ever! These days it can actually be difficult to find sting lights that aren't LED, so there is little worry over a heat factor, but it's always a good ideal to check the box to see if they are "Cool" burning just in case. =)
@Katrina Warren
@Julie Spellman Do you have a question? :)
It looks beautiful!! How functional is it, however? How do you lean against it like a headboard?? The nails sticking out of the wall seem like they would hurt... Or if you bump your head on the wall in the night?
@Amy Gallegos Vanderkooy that's a good question about the nails. When you put them in the wall, you nail them in far enough that only about 1/4 to 1/2 inch sticks out, just enough to hang the cord. Then the curtain fabric sort of acts as a cushion for all the lights. I just prop my pillow up against the curtain and I've never had a problem. Also, I left a couple of inches between the wall and the mattress, so I've never bumped my head either.
@Amy Gallegos Vanderkooy Hi Amy not sure if this will work but instead of nails the Command Hooks have a small clear hook that may work well. I would think one of the wires would just snap behind the small hook. I use them if I want to hang something light from the ceiling or on the wall. but don't want to make holes for a hook. I love this product and I basically use the different size hooks for everything. No I am not being paid to say this :)
Command makes hooks especially for hanging lights.
@Amy Gallegos Vanderkooy You would be leaning against your pillow(s) not the wall directly and unless you sit up in your sleep and throw yourself against the wall I don't see how they would be a bother.
@Marlene Bent Haha! I laughed out loud at the image of someone sitting up in their sleep, then throwing themselves against the wall. :)
@Meredith, thank you.
If that is a concern for you, you could use a low headboard and hang the curtain behind it. When the bed is made with all the pillows in place the headboard wouldn't be seen? just a thought
LOVE THE IDEA AND THE SHELL PATTERN! HANG HIGHER THAN TOP OF HEADBOARD WOULD BE IF YOU LEAN AGAINST WALL! I WOULD USE NEW LIGHTS BOUGHT ON SALE AFTER CHRISTMAS! DIFFERENT!
I really like this idea. Thanks. Is this safe and not a fire hazard? I want to do this.
@Dee B View the above comments.
@Dee B Yes, the lights don't get warm, and if you're concerned you could buy the LED type, just to be safe.
Thank you for taking the time to give me an answer. Thanks again for a great idea.
I am doing this! I am going to use a set of ice cycle lights instead. ill let you know how it works out!
Would love to see how the icicle lights worked. Please post a picture.
If you are concerned about a fire hazard, extend the curtain rod out about another inch.
I've don't this and it was like a magical fairy tale.. I've also done this around a canopy I made into a reading nook with big pillows on the floor. My granddaughter loved it.
I was going to purchase a headboard but wow this is cute. Could also use seed lights I like the way they fan up the wall but can i do that with regular lights? Also what is the fire hazard risk are there lights that are cooler than others to keep hazard down?
Three letters when choosing your lighting....LED. They are cool to the touch even when lit for hours. I was able to keep my Christmas tree lit 24-7 this past season, and I LOVE them :)
Thanks!
Do umbrella lights make that fan look? Are they cool to the touch. I want to try this but concerned about the fire hazard?
@Creativity is Great yes, the fan shape is caused by the umbrella lights all radiating out from a center circle. But when the curtain is in front, you can't tell what shape they are in, so you could use any kind of string lights. I suggest LED lights because they stay cool.
I have been doing this for years. My youngest son started doing it with colored lights. The lights are on the wall and the curtain is a small distance from the lights. I use plastics loop pin tacks to secure the lights. It keeps them off the wall itself. I've not had any problem with a fire hazard. On a Christmas tree, the light actually TOUCH the green. This isn't any less risky, in my opinion.
My husband and I hung lights from our ceiling in fish nets back in the e 70's. My the view from the street at night come to when she would ce to visit.
If you have access to a Military Surplus store, you can buy old parachutes. Strip the cords and hang from curtain rods, or cup hooks from ceiling. Beautiful results. On the ceiling, multicolored lights are gorgeous. If you have a kid who is Star Wars crazy, this gives a "Galaxy" look for not much money. Great idea! I may put these behind my brass headboard, or rehang the old mosquito netting (the ones with the bamboo circle)!
How many lights (approximate) fit well on a single window.
I think that would depend on how wide and tall your window is. This is done on a wall, not a window, so I don't have a very good answer for you.
I love your idea and the lamp is very pretty! In your first photo the candle holder appears to be wider at the top than the bottom. It then appears that you may have made an adjustment to it and made the sides straight. Is there a reason for that? How tall is your new "lamp shade", and do you use the smaller light bulb that is for a ceiling fan?
Hi Sandra, I'm not sure I understand your question. Were you perhaps referring to a different post?
Remote controls are bought where? Cost?
I got mine at Home Depot for about $10. They might be a little harder to find when it's not Christmas season (since they were originally intended for Christmas lights) but I've seen them at Lowes as well. Good luck!
You can also find the remotes for the lights at Big Lots. They come 2 in the package for about $12. They are by the light bulbs and extension cords.
Don’t know if I trust Big Lots! Most of their stuff comes from China, Vietnam, Mexico etc. Maybe if it is LED lights only.
I wouldn't trust Wal-Mart either, since most of their stuff comes from those countries also.
This is gorgeous and something I never would've thought of on my own. I imagine the bed needs to be slightly away from the wall so the curtain appears to hang, but what do you have in place to stop the pillows from sliding off the top end of the bed? I'd like to try this idea in my own room and wonder how I could prevent that. Did you make your bookshelves as well? I love it all!
Thanks Sandra! You're right, you'll need to leave a couple of inches between your bed and the wall so the lights aren't touching the curtains too much. I've never had a problem with pillows sliding off, but I also don't sit up against them to read or watch TV. If you do, that might be a problem. You could solve that with a simple metal headboard or low-framed headboard. I found my bookshelves at Target, and simply painted them. Thanks so much!
Could that be dangerous and cause a fire touching the curtains
I would definitely use LED lights ONLY! I used regular Christmas lights under my white tree skirt (just for a pretty glow) that was made from a white sheet. After a few days, my husband and I thought we smelled something burning. Lo and behold, the sheet was turning black in spots where it actually touched the lights. Now, I use LED lights (still get that glow), but, because they don't get hot or even warm to the touch, there is no danger of scorching the fabric or inadvertently burning my house down.
Where did you find a remote for the string of lights?
I found a remote control receptacle at Lowe's. The one I bought had three receptacles (just plug them into an existing receptacle and plug in whatever you want to turn off remotely). It came with one remote which had 3 buttons to turn off and on the receptacle. I used all three with different Christmas trees and loved the convenience!
Walmart carries them. Also probably Amazon. Search for "Christmas light remote".
The string of lights could be plugged into a light bar with an on/off switch that is placed on the bedside table within reach of the bed. No problem with a lost remote to cause frustration when you are sleepy.
both remotes that I have came on short "bead" key rings. I put cup hooks in handy places near where I would be deciding to turn my fans or reading light on and off and they are always just where I left them. The remotes are only about two inches by 1 1/2 inches, and my smallest power bar is about 6 inches long and has a very stiff wire so it is hard to position out of the way.
I think this would also be very welcome/inviting in a young childs (especially girls) room. Much better than a plain old night light.
Totally off topic, but where did you get the painting on the wall. Would love to have a close up. Love the lights too.
Hi Gloria, thank you! I made the painting. You can see the tutorial here: http://thepalettemuse.com/woven-painting/
Cute I did almost the same thing but also hung a rod from the ceiling & the wall n made like a canopy. Also used hooks n remote ..lol my daughter loves it ❤she has all her robins n sashes from her horse shows hanging all of over it a big dream catcher in the center ...i used shimmery sheet swags❤
As soon as I saw this I thought o my 9 year old granddaughter she would love it
Hi. I have medium size room with a king sized bed that's takes up most of the wall. I've been looking for some type of idea like yours. I totally love it a want that warm glow, especially since it is the Beaudoir and is a more private and personal space. The sanctuary if you will. My problem is a have an off-set window behind my bed covered now with mini blinds and curtains over it. Any suggestions for pulling this off without any effects of the window inside or the lights outside. Thanks for this clever idea. Jeff
Where do you find the remote? I love this idea by the way!
wall mart has them
thank you!
Bought mine at Home Depot for $9- .
Bought mine at Home Depot for $9- .
The lights come with remote, or bought separate?
can i use netlights instead of string lights.
I was thinking the same thing but mine are colored lights. But I have iclcie lights too
are the christmas light dangerus! And with the curtain fabric near, even worse!!!
Not dangerous if they are led lights which the New ones are. I love this idea and will do this soon!
The fairy lights don't get hot, but, None of the small lights I use get hot , just check whatever small lights you're using! Better to be safe than sorry, right? This is so pretty! I love it!
I have had this set-up in my room for a couple of years. It has never been hot and never been a safety issue. I did purchase new lights and use a remote. Perfect for a bedroom !
Led lights don't get hot👍🏼
LEDs in my living room (in a fake Ficus) have been plugged in non-stop for over two years, not a single issue.
Never heard of "fairy lights" would love to have these for a project I have in mind. Where did you buy them?
My daughter purchased Fairy Lights at either Target or Walmart. Her three year old daughter loves her “princess” bed.
I hv found a lot of different pretty lights on strings in the wedding decor area of Walmart...hv fun!
Thanks to you both.
Love these. My beds full size tho so what. Inch rods for full size and maybe 50 lights?
Hi
I bought some at Dollar Tree
Also some at Hobby Lobby
Menards also has them. Really easy to find this time of year
Where do you find lights that have a remote? I don't think I have ever seen those?
Thanks
Check Walmart. I have several strings that are remote and the candles also.
QVC also has mini lights with a remote.
Thanks everyone.
Alot of battery operated lights have remote controls
Buy a light cord-plug-in dimmer at Home Depot. You can connect the lights to the cord, has dimmer built in. Can also be used to connect lamps, other light fixtures. ENJOY!
Pier 1 has all colors.
Amazon
I just decided to plug into a power strip because I didn't fine lights with a remote. The power strip works well. I hung it on the wall next to my bed and I just use the on and off switch that way. Just an additional suggestion!
What do you use to support your back when you sit up and read in bed? Do you put the pillows against the light? I do like the idea and the look
I put mine on my headboard for that dreamy look. You can't lean against the lights so unless they have a adjustable bed this would be hard to do without a headboard
No sitting in bed! Lol
Anyway to print this so I can take to the store to get the items as well as have on have on hand for project?
Do a screen shot of it. You can save it as a note on your phone so you don’t have to look through all your pictures to find it at the store., or you can print the screen shot 🤷🏼♀️