A well-thought-out interior is one that combines comfort and functionality, but at the same time has a beautiful appearance. For example, modern lamps not only provide light and save electricity, but also often become decorative elements, giving a completely unusual look to ordinary things. All kinds of lighting today can be directed to the functional decoration of curtains, one of the popular options is a night light on curtains.

curtain lighting design ideas
Curtain lighting is an indispensable part of the interior of modern apartments.
backlight curtains ideas decoration
This is one of the best, non-trivial and bright ways to improve the design of an apartment or private house.

An option to suit your taste

There are indeed quite a few ways to “light up” curtains and make an original night light. Among the most popular are:

  • garlands,
  • LED curtains,
  • lighting built into the cornice,
  • curtains that themselves are LED “waves” (they are also called “waterfalls”).
curtain lighting decor ideas
Often the curtain lighting method is used in administrative centers, sports or shopping areas.

But first things first.

Types of garlands

You will definitely not encounter a lack of choice in this matter, there are many, many varieties of garlands and light structures with which curtain lighting can be implemented. Let's list some of them.

curtain lighting decor photo
An additional light source that consumes minimal electricity visually enlarges the room.
  • universal linear garland (lamps arranged in series on a long wire)
  • curtain garland (long wires not connected to each other)
  • fringe garland (branches of different lengths from the main wire)
  • net (looks almost like a fishing net, only with little lamps)
  • duralight (flexible cord with LEDs, especially suitable if you need to give the light picture a certain shape)
curtain lighting on suspended ceiling
Cozy and comfortable rooms in small spaces will become much more spacious and brighter thanks to LED lighting.

Garland for curtains

How much the garland will fill the area of ​​the curtains is up to you. Some people prefer that the curtains are illuminated entirely and look like brightly glowing curtains, for some a couple of single garlands are enough, and some get creative by laying out a light pattern on the curtains.

curtain lighting design photo
Such systems are classified according to two criteria: direction of illumination and location of the backlight.

What to attach it to?

The method of attaching the garland to the curtains depends on its weight and your idea.

curtain lighting design photo
There are different installation methods used, and they are all correct in their own way: the consumer has the right to decide which tape to use and how to install it.
  • If the garland is not very large and light in weight, then you can attach it trivially - with double-sided tape. At the same time, if you decide to make the window the basis for fastening - first wipe the desired place with alcohol. You can install lighting on the curtain itself, both in front and behind it on the window.
  • A more reliable option is to fix it with a hot glue gun.
  • If the basis of the fastening is a cornice, hooks for tulle or threads can be used.
  • Are you attaching it to a wooden window frame? Hammer a small nail into it, but not all the way in.
  • If you want the curtain to have lighting, you can attach it directly to it.
curtain lighting ideas interior
As for the location, the curtain lighting can be either bottom or top.

Connection

There are also differences in connection types. If there is a free outlet near the window, choose a garland that runs on electricity. If there is none, it is better to choose a garland with batteries. By the way, it is better to stock up on the latter in advance, so as not to be left without a magical mood at the most inopportune moment.

curtain lighting photo ideas
The top mounting method is most preferable, since on a subconscious level a person always pays attention to the upper half of the room.
LED strip curtain lighting
The effect of dynamic lighting is possible when using RGB tape, which has several hundred shades.

LED strip

Backlighting curtains with LED strip creates a different visual effect. If the garland fills the area of ​​the curtains, then the strip fills the space at the cornice, spreading its light in a gradient: bright at the top and calmer towards the bottom.

curtain lighting in the nursery
By switching from one shade to another, you can change the perception of the fabric.

Types of tape

There are several models of LED strips. They differ in the types of LEDs and the frequency of their installation. Do not choose a strip with too high light intensity, it will blind your eyes and “eat” an unreasonably large amount of electricity.

curtain lighting decor photo
For thin and transparent curtains, low-power LEDs are used, turning them into a light haze - it looks simply magnificent!

For ceiling lighting, experts recommend installing SMD 5050 strip (30 warm white LEDs per 1 meter).

Color of mood

The advantage of LED strips is that they can emit light of any color, you can choose the one you need to suit your mood. Warm home gatherings? - use soft white or yellow. A small party? Neon blue or purple will create the atmosphere.

filament curtains with backlight
This method will allow you to implement any design ideas.

LED curtains "Waterfall"

LED garland that creates the effect of “falling” waves due to the play of light from top to bottom. Each wire looks like a separate stream of water.

curtain lighting interior photo
During long-term use, the product practically does not heat up.

Materials for installation

To make installation as hassle-free as possible, stock up on everything you need in advance. Don't forget about measurements, you need to know the width of your window before you go to the store.

curtain lighting photo options
The lighting creates an original and unique effect of falling sun rays at any time of the day.
  1. Transformer. It is necessary for the LED device to function. The fact is that LEDs will not be able to work if the standard network values ​​are set. In our case, we need lower voltage and a different quality of current: voltage input is 220V with a frequency of 50 G, output is 12V and direct current.
  2. The waterfall itself. The length of the waterfall should match the length of the distance you want to illuminate, and the values ​​should match the parameters of the transformer.
  3. Wire. Also remember about timely measurements. The cross-section of the wire approaching the transformer should be at least 1.5 mm2, from the side of connection to the tape - 0.75 - 1 mm2. The wire should have 2 multi-colored cores.
  4. Single pole switch (standard one will do) and RCD (for extra safety).
  5. Plastic boxes for wires. This point and the following ones are for those who want to hide the place of fastening and install the waterfall under a suspended ceiling.
  6. Drywall. You can make a niche out of it to hide unnecessary wires.
  7. Heat shrink tubing or insulating tape.
curtain lighting interior photo

Let's start editing

Naturally, you need to start the work by disconnecting the voltage, otherwise the consequences may not be the most favorable. Well, and to do everything correctly, stick to a certain sequence.

curtain lighting design ideas
Backlighting the curtains gives a visual increase in living space.
  1. Install a plasterboard box as close to the curtains as possible. If you need it, of course. If you are installing lighting under a suspended ceiling, you can safely skip this step.
  2. We attach the transformer. It is better to install it where the LED waterfall will come from. You can attach it directly to the ceiling using standard dowels.
  3. installed a transformer - apply voltage. Here the nearest socket or distribution box will come to the rescue. Connection diagram: the wire with red insulation is connected to the phase, the wire with blue insulation - to zero. To determine the phase and zero, use an indicator screwdriver.
  4. Now you can start attaching our LED garland. You can use construction glue for this (we wrote about the attachment methods in more detail at the beginning of the article). The place where you will attach the waterfall must be cleared of debris and dust.
  5. Well, finally, we connect our curtain-waterfall through a transformer. There are 2 terminals on the transformer: V+ and V- from them to the corresponding terminals on the garland, connect a wire with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2.
  6. Well, to control all this beauty, install a switch. Make sure it is not set to zero, only to phase.
backlight curtains design photo
LED products consume a minimal amount of electricity, which cannot be said about conventional incandescent lamps.

Cornices with illumination

Another effective and at the same time practical lighting option is cornice lighting. In the previous part, we considered the option of attaching a waterfall curtain, including under the cornice, and other lighting options can also be attached to it.

curtain lighting interior ideas
LEDs are much more durable and fire-safe compared to all other lighting devices.

Any cornice can be illuminated:

  • ceiling,
  • wall-ceiling,
  • wall.
curtain lighting photo ideas
Since the backlight requires low voltage, it does not damage the fabric of the curtains or the material of the blinds.

It is better to choose those models in which the part that is glued to the wall will be much wider than the ceiling part. That is, classic and decorative baseboards will not work, it is better to choose a wide molding. But even in this case, there are some nuances: make sure that the upper part of the molding is not horizontal and is not beveled downwards from the wall, otherwise it will eat up the light.

curtain lighting in the interior
The most suitable option is a polyurethane cornice for lighting, it was originally designed for convenient placement of light inside.

Selecting a lighting fixture for cornice illumination

Traditional lamps are definitely not suitable right away. They can direct the light with a fairly powerful beam, and therefore it falls unevenly. It is better to use LED strip or various types of garlands with LED lamps. It does not heat up as much and is more economical.

curtain lighting photo decor
Lighting is selected in accordance with the curtains used.

Installation of cornice lighting

curtain lighting ideas interior
The person looking at the curtain should not see the tape. Ideally, it should be hidden inside the box.
  1. Glue the cornice to the prepared wall.
  2. The cornice should be installed at a distance of 5-10 cm from the ceiling.
  3. Glue the corners of the baguettes together (corner to corner).
  4. We glue the LED strip to the wall or install lamps. Or we “insert” it into the space behind the cornice.
  5. We attach the power supply unit next to the wall or below. It is better to place it where access to it will be as convenient as possible, in a place where the hand can reach.
  6. Ready!
curtain lighting photo design
It is advisable to direct the light along a tangent line relative to the curtain.

Once again about the main thing

In order for the light decoration to really please you not only with beautiful effects, but also with ease of use and safety of operation, be sure to think through all the details before going to the store and starting the installation.

LED strip curtain lighting
Try to create smooth lighting, and the light should not be obstructed by curtains or drapes.

VIDEO: Installing LED strip in a curtain niche.

50 modern options for curtains with lighting in the interior: