- Tips & Ideas -
Bunk Bed Lighting Ideas
Bunk beds are a great solution for shared bedrooms or for a child who enjoys having their friends over for sleepovers. These beds work wonderfully in large or small spaces. And, kids love them! Bunk beds also provide an opportunity for you to get creative with room lighting. Check out this list of bunk bed lighting ideas to get started.
Bunk Bed Canopy
A canopy can add a whimsical touch to the entire bedroom when you include string lights. If you’re adding canopies to a bunk bed, you have the option to do the top, the bottom or both. If the kids sharing the bunk bed have different tastes, you can do two entirely different styled canopies. No matter what you choose, there are a few basic steps to get started on making your own canopy.
Start by choosing the fabric. Select a lightweight fabric like tulle or organza that matches or complements the decor of the room. Measure the dimensions of the bed itself. Depending on whether or not you want a fuller or lighter look, choose the amount of fabric accordingly.
For a light look, purchase a length of fabric that matches the bed’s perimeter measurements. For a fuller look, feel free to double the length.
After choosing the fabric, use adhesive hooks to create the canopy around the bed. Attach them evenly spaced around the underside of the bottom bunk and around the outer top railing of the upper bunk perimeters.
Then, simply hook through the light fabric. It’s okay if the hooks show through around the top bunk. Choose metallic-finish adhesive hooks for a finished look. Bunch the fabric to create volume on each hook.
Finally, string twinkle lights or any other kind of string lights on the hooks and through the material to add a warm, inviting glow to the bunk beds.
Star Lights on the Ceiling
For a softer glow in the room, add small fiber optic or LED star-shaped lights to the ceiling and the underside of the top bunk. Use individual lights rather than strings for an authentic starry-night feel. You can also make string lights work. Choose strings that are very small and light.
Keep in mind these won’t provide enough light to read or light up the room. They’ll mostly be about ambience and making the space cozy. If your child is reading in bed, they’ll still need a reading light nearby.
If you’re using tiny starry lights on the ceiling and bed, consider mounting small wall lights at the heads of the bottom and top bunks. This provides convenient, brighter light for evening reading. Your child can easily switch these lights on and off directly from their bed. This is especially important for bottom-bunk reading because it’s darker in the lower space.
Sparkling Picture Wall
This idea is fun to do with an older child. They can help choose and attach the pictures. What you’ll need are some strings of lights, pins or hooks to attach them to the wall, and clips or clothespins to attach the pictures to the string. Start by stretching the string lights across the length of the wall. You don’t have to limit yourself to one string!
These decorative walls can look especially nice when there are two or three rows of lights and pictures. Secure your lights to the wall at both ends or in a swag design. Then, attach the clips at intervals across the length of the lights. Finally, attach various photos or pieces of your child’s artwork to the strings to finish the sparkling picture wall.
Lighting Under the Bed
If you’re looking for a creative nightlight idea, light up the area underneath the bunk bed. You can do this with virtually any kind of light that will fit in the space. Think string lights or smaller tap lights that attach with adhesive strips.
Hidden lights under a bed can be both comforting and very practical. Your child will love how the light underneath makes the bed almost appear to be floating. The lights will brighten the floor without lighting up the room, too. This makes middle-of-the-night bathroom trips easy for your child.