Are you looking for a way to spruce up the lighting in your home without losing the practicality of fluorescent lighting? With fluorescent lights being notoriously harsh and challenging to decorate around, this can be a tricky problem.
However, with some creativity and craftiness, you can accomplish just that! Through careful selection of fabric and available resources for fixtures and reflectors, there is an easy process for covering those bright bulbs with fabric and creating soft illumination.
In this blog post, we’ll walk through all the steps of how to cover fluorescent lights with fabric to create elegant lighting.
Why Cover Fluorescent Lights with Fabric?
Have you ever worked in an office with fluorescent lights and felt like the glare blinded you? Fluorescent lights can be harsh and often create flickering that can distract or irritate.
This is why covering fluorescent lights with fabric or fluorescent light covers can be a great way to soften the glare and add an extra layer of decoration to any room. Additionally, it helps in filtering light and reducing the amount of flicker that happens.
Visibly illuminating the room with a combination of wall lights, table lights, and ceiling light, covering fluorescent lighting can provide an even level of brightness throughout the room. It is often used in offices and schools, because of its energy efficiency and ability to emit a bright visible light that reduces eye strain.
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Aside from this, there are many other reasons why covering fluorescent lights with fabric can be a great idea. These reasons include the following:
- Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere
- Improving the look of any room
- Adding additional design elements to a room’s decor
- Reducing harsh light and glare
- Helping to reduce energy costs by trapping the heat from the bulbs inside the fabric
- Providing extra protection from the heat of the bulbs or a fluorescent lamp.
- Adding a unique and stylish look to any room.
What Type of Fabric to Use
When selecting the suitable fabric to cover fluorescent lights, one should consider texture and color. Choosing a material that will adequately diffuse the light while still providing enough coverage to prevent any glare or flicker from disrupting anyone in the room is essential.
Some popular fabrics that can be used when covering fluorescent lights include:
- Linen
Linen is an excellent choice for covering fluorescent lights because its texture will diffuse the light without too much glare. It also offers a classic, sophisticated look that can help to add an extra layer of decoration to any room.
- Velvet
Velvet is an excellent choice for covering fluorescent lights because it offers a warm, inviting atmosphere and helps to reduce glare. It also has a luxurious feel that can add a touch of glamour to any room.
- Organza
Organza is another excellent choice for covering fluorescent lights because it offers a lightweight, delicate texture that will diffuse the light while providing enough coverage to prevent any glare or flicker from disrupting anyone in the room.
- Cotton
Cotton is an excellent choice for covering fluorescent lights because it offers a lightweight, breathable fabric that won’t trap too much heat. It also has a soft, inviting texture that can help to add an extra layer of decoration to any room.
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How to Cover the light fixtures
Covering fluorescent lights with fabric can be a great way to soften the glare, add an extra layer of decoration to any room, and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. There are several ways to cover the fluorescent fixtures, depending on whether you have a recessed light or an exposed bulb.
The most popular method for recessed lights is a light diffuser panel.
This sheet of plastic, fabric or other material fits inside the housing and covers the fluorescent bulb. It helps diffuse the light evenly throughout the room while providing enough coverage to prevent any glare or flicker from disrupting anyone in the room.
For exposed bulbs, you can use a shade or cover. This cylinder-shaped fabric sleeve fits over the bulb and provides coverage to block out any glare or flicker. It also helps to add an extra layer of decoration to any room and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
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Steps for Covering Fluorescent Lights
To cover your fluorescent lights with fabric, here are the steps you should follow:
1. Choose the type of fabric that you want to use for covering the fluorescent lights.
Consider texture and color when selecting the suitable fabric to diffuse light and prevent glare. Popular materials include linen, velvet, organza, and cotton.
2. Measure the light fixture and cut the fabric to size. If you’re using a diffuser panel, trim it down to fit your light fixture.
3. Attach the fabric to the light fixture using either tape or glue, depending on the material you are using.
4. Place the diffuser panel, shade, or cover over the fluorescent bulb to complete the process. It is essential to ensure that the fabric is securely attached, so it does not become dislodged and cause a hazard. If you are using tape, it is best to use a double-sided adhesive to help hold the fabric in place.
Tips and Tricks for How to Do It Yourself
To make the job of covering fluorescent lights easier, here are a few tips and tricks to help you along:
1. Always ensure that the fabric you choose for covering fluorescent lights is of high quality and has a tight weave to prevent glare from disrupting anyone in the room.
Before hanging it on the light, check for any loose threads or tears, as this could lead to light leakage and cause your fabric to become damaged.
2. Use either tape or glue to securely attach the fabric to the fixture, depending on the material you are using.
3. It is also essential to clean the light fixtures before covering them with fabric to prevent any dust or dirt from getting trapped between the material and the frame of the institution.
4. If you want to add an extra layer of decoration, consider using a patterned or colored fabric such as velvet, organza, or cotton
this will help to create a more inviting atmosphere in any room.
5. Make sure you measure the light fixture before cutting the fabric to size, and double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy.
This will help prevent fabric wastage and reduce the chances of making mistakes while covering your fluorescent lights with fabric.
6. Finally, regularly inspect the fabric covering your fluorescent lights and replace it when needed. This will help ensure that you always have a safe environment with no glare or flicker from the sunlight.
FAQs
Where Can I Buy Fabric to Cover Fluorescent Lights?
If you’re looking for fabric to cover your fluorescent lights, many stores offer a wide selection of colors and textures. Popular places to buy fabric include Joann’s, Hobby Lobby, and Amazon.