Learn how I added light to the hidden fort underneath the DIY captain’s bed using Phillips Hue Smart Lighting and a little creativity.
*This post is sponsored by The Home Depot
A few weeks ago, I shared the tutorial and video to build this DIY captain’s bed with loads of storage, including a hidden storage space where my youngest could store his nerf guns and also have his own little fort. I knew that it needed to have some sort of lighting under there and, as part of the Smart Home Campaign I’m working with Home Depot on, I was provided the Phillips Hue White Ambiance Smart Wireless Lighting Kit. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect!
Today, I’m going to be showing you how I shed a little light on his secret space and how simple it was to do!
Phillips Hue Lighting Kit
What I love about the Phillips Hue Lighting Kit is that it’s sort of an all-in-one kit. It has it’s own dedicated switch, which is wireless, so it can be installed virtually anywhere and works right out of the box! It’s also an LED bulb, which means that it is low power usage and won’t put off any heat, which is a big thing considering that it is going in a small space.
To get the lighting to the back corner of the bed, I ordered a simple pendant lighting kit from Home Depot. It has a 12′ cord, which is plenty of length for me to get the light to hang where I needed it to be.
Accessing The Power Source
The bed covers up two outlets in my son’s room, so I needed to gain access to those, but also keep it concealed. I used a hole saw to drill a hole into the side panel of the bed, which would allow me to run a cord through.
The bed sits pretty close to the wall, and I didn’t want the plug wires to be pinched by the side of the bed and cause a safety hazard. I ordered a power strip that has a flat lay plug, which will allow it to be plugged into the wall without risk of pinching the cord when the bed is in place.
I installed the power strip to the inside panel of the bed with a few Command velcro strips. They’re pretty much my go to product for ANYTHING that has to be hung.
Installing the Pendant Light Kit
To install the pendant light to the inside of the bed, I secured the wire in place with coax cable staples. I know the word staples is in the name, but it’s actually a nail that you hammer in to the wood. I purchased a small pack of them at Home Depot and started working my way along the inside edges of the bed. The cord fit nicely into them without being pinched at all.
These coax cable staples allowed me to safely and securely hang the pendant light without worrying about there being too much slack in the cord in any places where it could be caught on anything and come unplugged or become a strangulation hazard.
Installing The Switch
Once the light was installed, it was time to install the switch. I peeled the adhesive backing off and stuck it to the inside panel of the bed, close to the door. This way the light can be turned on as soon as you open the doors.
I love that it’s not simply just an on/off switch, but you can also control the brightness of the light.
As an added bonus, the switch is magnetic! You can remove it from the plate and control it from wherever you are sitting!
My son absolutely loves having the light in his new little hiding space. Plus it tips me off when he’s in there and I can see the light coming through the doors. I think now I just need to install an intercom in there. Last week, I yelled across the house for him to get ready for his football game, not knowing he was under his bed. Needless to say, there was more yelling involved when it was time to go and he hadn’t gotten even remotely ready;)
If you’re interested in installing the Phillips Hue lighting in your home, be sure to stop by your local Home Depot, or visit HomeDepot.com. There’s a wide variety of different bulbs and kits to choose from. This one is definitely a favorite of mine for the ease of having switch controlled lighting without having to rewire anything.
DISCLOSURE: I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program described above (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
What a great little space. I’d love to see a couple more pillows there to make it super cozy, but if he likes it, it’s all good, right?
Yes, I think a few more in there would be perfect! I’m thinking of making him some sort of mat to lay on as well.