Decorating with Rope Lighting
Easy, Inexpensive Source of Lighting
I see many "lighting ideas" on the tv decorating shows and in decorating magazines, but many of them are "out of my league" when it comes to cost and doability. I found a way, however, to get a dramatic lighting effect with minimal cost and effort. (Don't you wish you could have Candice Olsen's crew from HGTV's Divine Design for projects in your home for just one day?!!)
When I moved to my present house, one of the first things I did was have an electrician add electrical outlets above my kitchen cabinets. I had to have three outlets added because my cabinets are in three different sections, broken by a doorway or a window, and I knew that I wanted light above each section. In each instance, the above-the-cabinet outlet was installed directly above an existing outlet that was above the countertop on the backsplash. I also had an on/off switch installed so I could turn the high-mounted lights on and off without climbing.
When I moved in, I had a little lamp above each section of cabinets, and each one burned a small bulb - like one you would use for a nightlight. (I use little nightlight-type lamps throughout my house so that I am never completely "in the dark,")
I then discovered a little, inexpensive option that adds a great deal of ambiance to the room. Rope lighting!
Clear rope lights can be placed anywhere, as long as you have an electrical outlet within reach of the end. You can use them to light your staircases or storage rooms so that you do not have to walk into these areas in the dark. You can also use clear rope lights to highlight a tray ceiling with a soft glow. I have tube lights above my cabinets, and I love the look!
I bought my rope lights at Lowes, and they were sold in specific-length packages. Even though these pre-determined lengths were not the exact length of my sections of cabinets, they work just fine. Since my novice tube-lighting-days, I have found that you can buy tube lighing on a bulk roll, and cut it into any desired lengh. Ahah! The options are now limitless!
Here are some additional ideas for using tube lighting in your home's decor.
Cornice Lighting
 | S P A C E R | You can add rope lighing to a cornice made out of crown moulding, or existing window conrnices. The result is a warm glowing light that draws the eye upward, giving a vertical lift to the room. This lighting is ideal for television viewing! |
Tray Ceiling Lighting
If you are fortunate enough to have the architectural feature of a tray ceiling, hidden rope lighting can add emphasis and dimension. | S P A C E R |  |
Use Rope Lighting Outdoors
| S P A C E R | During spring and summer months, you can move your social functions outdoors. Rather than huddling around a television or fireplace inside, you might want to cook over a barbeque or have friends over to use your pool. Instead of being limited by daylight hours, you can easily install outdoor tube lights so that you c an stay |
outside throughout the evening. Rope lights come in both 12v and 120v options, and in different sizes.
Rope Lighting and the Holidays
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The obvious use of rope lighting for holiday decorations is outdoor display. Another possibility, though, is decorating your tree. It can add a fun, contemporary flair to a "specialty" tree.
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