Under bed lighting buildout
3@matthew's rope lighting in his basement bar build inspired me to tackle another project. Gonna show you how I installed LED light strips underneath my bed for a totally rad ground effects look.
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Step 1: Light Strips
I had four boxes of IKEA light strips left over from another project that I didn't end up using. Each box is $39.99 but it's the only thing I've purchased so far for this project. I have a king size bed and four boxes was enough, but I could have used another 1/2 box.
Total: $159.96
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50192365/
Step 2: Turn your bedroom apart
You could just use the double sided tape to stick the light strips to the bottom of the bed frame, but I've tried that on a different project and they just ended up falling off. For this project I'm going to use the small metal brackets that we'll screw into the bottom of the frame.
This means we're going to need access to the bottom of the bed frame. So I took all the bedding off the bed:
Then I took the mattress and box spring off and stood the bed frame upright:
Now we're ready to get started mounting the light strips... wait a minute... what the hell is this on the carpet?
Looks like the dog dragged a package of Fun Dip underneath the bed, chewed it open, then left it. Probably been there since Halloween.
At least you didn't find a fur monster like our Brown-Tabby cat left for us. I think it had been a few months. Gross.
Step 3: Dat stain
Guess we'll break out the Dyson and see what it can do. Not too bad:
We'll let SpotBot take care of the rest:
Ok, much better. Now we're ready for the lights.
Step 4: Light strips
Here's the light strips and the metal brackets unboxed:
The light strips can connect directly to one another or through a small, flexible extension. I used the extension because it make spacing out each of the strips a little more forgiving.
The metal brackets easily screwed into the bottom of the bed frame with the small screw that was included:
Then the light strips snap into place:
The flexible extensions are key for the corners:
After I outlined the bed frame, I plugged them in to the electrical outlet for a quick test:
Step 5: Profit
Your bed looks like a spaceship now
What no Hue ropes? I suppose it'd be about quadruple the cost (and I definitely would not want to hear what events would lead to what colors being displayed).
This is pretty rad.
When's the shag carpet coming?
One thing is certain: the monsters won't be able to hide under the bed anymore
I'm still trying to understand why step 5 is titled Profit. What's going on in that bedroom? Wait, don't answer that please.
Should have put them on a ceiling fan. Now that I think of it that's a terrible idea.
I would like those lights in red or purple.
People actually have empty space under their beds ? Fascinating. I never knew that before.
Maybe it will scare the dog and prevent further surprises under your bed.