Lights inserted in headboard

Comments (10)

annemullins
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you. I am going to hire electrician but how do I prepare headboard for insertion of lights? Do I need to buy any products to filter wiring through.
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Hey Tani. That's a shame you haven't found one yet. I finally found window shutters tall enough this week after month of searching ( and on the same day of emailing for a quote to have them made typically!) I do think the upholstered frame would be relatively quick and easy? In terms of the door, if you go for a single door, I would pop a bit of architrave on top. I Think the silver leaf could be very expensive and the delicacy of it may be at odds with the thickness of the door ( or there again that could actually make it work!). I quite like the idea of double doors but how tall is the ŵall? I think if you go for that option I would personally have a very distressed effect with white and grey paint, something like the attached ( hopefully less work). I would pile on the texture with the bed though https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/201767350/headboard-vintage-door-replica-by-foo?ref=market
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PRO
Clever And Simple
7 years ago
Hi Anne,

The electrician should be able to do that for you. Things you need to be careful of though are cutting into the fabric to allow the cables and screws through in case it tears. I wouldn't start any of it without speaking to the electrician first.

Peter
annemullins thanked Clever And Simple
PRO
User
7 years ago
The electrician is very unlikely to know about fitting non-standard lights to a headboard. I used to do this when I ran Bagupss Antiques furniture up-cylcing and restorations with my wife. Can you post a picture of the headboard and the lights and we'll come up with a cunning plan for you x
annemullins
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for any advice. I am sending photos of headboard - not upholstered in new fabric yet - and lights. I am very grateful for any advice as I have seen this done on headboards in various magazines.
PRO
Clever And Simple
7 years ago
Hi Anne,

1st stupid question, are you mounting the lights to the front or the back of the headboard?

Can you tell from the headboard itself how thick the panel is. I'd expect something around 18mm.

Thanks,

Peter
PRO
User
7 years ago
You need to poke a hole through the material with scissors, big enough for the wire to go through. Drill the back of the headboard, trying to avoid the material, ( don't drill through the material, the drill could twist and shred it ). Pass the wires through from the back to the front and wire the light in. Buy some extra long brass bolts, as the ones supplied with the lights will almost certainly be too short , but not definitely!
PRO
Clever And Simple
7 years ago
Hi Anne,

I think Man About The House has missed out a few important steps in the process here. This wall light was originally intended to be mounted on a wall where the cabling in the wall is protected from movement/damage. By mounting the same light on a bed, the cabling becomes exposed and is therefore more likely to get damaged. The fittings also look like they are metal so they will need to be earthed. It is important that the cabling used is suitable for the purpose. I would expect to use a three core flex for this. The cable will also need to be adequately supported/clamped on the rear of the bed frame. This is to stop damage to the cable and also the risk of the cable being pulled back through the hole in the bed and potentially exposing live connectors. I would look at using screw-in cable clips of a suitable size to clamp the cable to the bed frame. An electrician would know all of this. I am not quite sure why an "odd job Handyman" thinks that an electrician wouldn't be aware of this, it is after all what electricians do!

The cable can then be connected into a plug and the fuse changed to be suitable for the light fitting - 3 Amps would be suitable.

With reference to the screws supplied with the fitting. These are likely to be about 25mm long and come with rawlplugs. These are designed to be mounted into a brick wall. I suspect that the headboard will be about 18mm thick so you will need shorter 'self tapping' screws. If when using these screws, the fitting does not feel strongly attached enough, the alternative is to use a machine thread screw and nut. To fit these, you will need to drill through the headboard with a small drill bit (say 5mm diameter). You then fit the machine screw through the mounting plate on the light, through the hole in the bed and then fit a penny washer and nut on the other side. Be careful that the bolt isn't too long so that it doesn't prevent a sharp hazard on the rear of the bed.

It is easier than it sounds but there are a few things to watch out for. An electrician should be able to do all of this for you though : )

If anything's unclear, then just let me know.

Thanks,

Peter
Lauren
7 years ago
In my experience a decent electrician will definitely be able to help. If you're not already quite savvy electrically I wouldn't attempt it.
PRO
User
7 years ago
Yes, I did say that , however, only in the context that the electrician would not be aware of damaging the materials etc. All your points are valid Clever and Simple and the electrician would be aware of the need for earthing etc. Sorry if i wasn't clear!

United Kingdom

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Lights inserted in headboard

Brandi Nash Hicks

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Lights inserted in headboard

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annemullinsOriginal Author

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