Add Lights to Your Curtains, You Won’t Regret It – Here’s How

By Sandy Saintilus

Curtains add instant coziness to any space but layering in lighting is that extra razzle dazzle you didn’t know you needed. The added lighting not only gives you an excuse to never use the dreaded "big light” (unless you’re cleaning or looking for something) but it adds a chic hotel vibe for less than $50.

Here’s how I achieved this look in my own home.

Double Layer Curtain Setup

The LED light strip works best with curtain tracks and even better with double layered curtain tracks. For my bedroom, I bought two separate ceiling curtain tracks. The first curtain (the one closest to the window) has sheer curtains for privacy but still allows light to flood the room. The second curtain track has blackout curtains, perfect for when I’m going to bed and want the room completely dark. The ceiling tracks should be at least four inches apart so the curtains can glide back and forth without rubbing up against the other set of curtains. I hired a tasker via Taskrabbit to install my tracks but if you’re handy this is easy enough to do on your own.

Adding Accent Lighting

You’ll want to add the LED light strip BEFORE you hang the blackout curtains because it’s hard to access the track once the curtains are up. The strip has an adhesive backing, I adhered it to the back side of the curtain track. This creates a soft glow behind the curtains without visible wires. Once you hang the blackout curtains it’ll hide the plug-in cord of the light strip.

The light strip dims and comes with a remote so you don’t have to get up from your bed to control it. On the brightest setting it can almost replace the big light and on the lowest setting it’s the cozy reading light, similar to hotel night lights.

The Final Look

The lights transformed the curtains from functional window coverings to a fabulous feature wall. In addition to being able to dim the lights, opening and closing the blackout curtains adds an extra layer of control. I personally like the blackout curtains closed with the lights on for the softest glow. 

Wanna give this a try? Below are the exact curtains I used and their dimensions. I also have a video tutorial here.

SHEERS

Fabric Type: Scandina Solid Voile Sheer Curtain Pleated

Color: White

Hanging Header Style: Triple Pleat

Single Panel Width: 94”

Single Panel Length (Height): 107”

Number of panels: 1

BLACKOUT CURTAINS

Fabric Type: Liz Linen Drapes

Color: Snow White

Hanging Header Style: Triple Pleat

Single Panel Width: 73”

Single Panel Length (Height): 107”

Lining Type: Blackout 100%

Body Memory Shaped: No memory shaping

Number of panels: 2

This DIY may not be right for you if:

• Your curtains are hung on a curtain rod with curtain rings

• The rings will rub against the light strip and could damage it

• There’s not a plug on the same wall as your curtains

• You’d have to use an extension cord to plug in the lights which would make the wires visible

*All photographs credit: Sandy Saintilus

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