Introduction: LED Cloudscape Bedroom Lighting/Lamp Effect

About: Though I'm a professional executive by day, I love projects, electronics, and everything hardware/tools related. Making projects and teaching others is a passion of mine. I'm also an author of a leadership b…

This is an easy DIY project I helped my teenage son with for a lighting effect in his bedroom. We've created this in a way that does NOT damage your ceiling or walls. It can be easily removed - making it a very parent-friendly addition to any child or teen's bedroom. Using styrofoam boards attached with command strips (so they can be easily removed later) you can glue fiber fill to the boards, giving it a cloud-like effect - especially since it will be back-lit by LED lights! We were able to complete this for under $100 and in less than 2 hours. Our son leaves this on 24/7 in sound-activated mode, so it's a night-light at night when he's sleeping, but when the music is blasting, it's a lighting/storm effect that illuminates his entire room! (see video at the end)

Supplies

  1. Styrofoam board or equivalent to secure to ceiling found here: https://amzn.to/3XH2iGy
  2. LED sound-activated lighting found here: https://amzn.to/3OOxtLR
  3. Hot Glue Gun kit found here: https://amzn.to/3AQwCEz
  4. Styrofoam glue found here: https://amzn.to/3ijsg2i
  5. Paint stir sticks found here: https://amzn.to/3VzNW94 or thin scrap wood lying around your workshop
  6. Craft Wire found here: https://amzn.to/3Vc8Efh or any thin wire
  7. Fiber fill found here: https://amzn.to/3gzGP1y
  8. Command Strips found here: https://amzn.to/3XDJ9VB

#ad

Step 1: Glue & Wire Painter's Sticks to the Foam Boards

First, you attach 2-3 wooden painter's sticks to the back of each styrofoam board using glue, and then also secure them with craft wire. You can simply push the craft wire through the styrofoam and lightly twist the wire around the paint sticks to help hold them in place while they dry. This also provides a backup strength in case the glue fails. The entire structure is very light, so even if it fails, nobody gets hurt if this breaks free from the ceiling.

Step 2: Use COMMAND STRIPS to Adhere Foam Boards to the Ceiling/walls

Once the glue is dry, you can use the COMMAND STRIPS to adhere the painter's sticks (Attached to the styrofoam boards) to the wall/ceiling as shown in the photo. You can use any arrangement you prefer. My son chose to use a corner of his bedroom, capturing parts of the walls and the ceiling as shown. You do not have to be too picky about the seams. The fiber fill will hide all of the imperfections in later steps.

Step 3: Hot-Glue LED Strip Lighting to the Foam Boards

In this step, you simply use a hot glue gun to secure the LED lighting strip to the foam boards in the fashion you choose. You can run straight lines, zig-zag, or wavy (as shown here) for whichever desired effect you're looking for. We chose to start in the corner where the power-wire would begin, and then used a wavy pattern capturing as much of the broader surface area as we could.

Step 4: Hot-Glue the Fiber-fill to the Foam Boards

BE CAREFUL!!! Hot glue can be VERY hot and burn your skin. My son learned the hard way! You should wear gloved (and a shirt) for this step. Taking handfulls of the foam fill, load up a bunch of hot glue onto the foam and then hold it to the foam boards for a few moments until the glue hardens. You really cannot make a mistake here. If you don't like it, pull it off. You can always add more. My son chose to turn the lights on so he could "see" how it was looking as we added more of the foam fill. Importantly, be sure to use enough foam around the edges to "hide" the edges and seams of the styrofoam boards. We didn't glue anything to the walls or ceiling. If we ever need to remove this, the COMMAND STRIPS are the only thing adhered to the walls/ceiling, so nothing is permanent and no damage is done!

Step 5: Enjoy the Final Product

The movie file (attached) gives you an idea of what the final outcome would look like. Enjoy this simple build for your own use in your home.


Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn small amounts from qualifying purchases.

Lamps Challenge

Participated in the
Lamps Challenge