In other words, it's a lot simpler than you think to put up your own curtain lights.

We have a few suggestions if you aren't already imagining a million different places and occasions where you could hang your own glimmering wall of string lights.

Placement Options for Do-It-Yourself Curtain Lights

Your adventure in installing DIY curtain lights is ready to begin. The first step in our journey is to master the art of symmetrical curtain lighting. In order to maintain order and harmony, we will install a single power source along which all of the lights can be plugged.

Inexpensive and Easy DIY Curtain Lights

*SPT1 and SPT2 indicate insulation rating In order to prevent fires, always use zip plugs that are compatible with the wire insulation. For instance, if your wire is SPT2 rated, you'll want SPT2 rated zip plugs. In order to learn more about wire insulation, please visit this page.

You can use a Zip cord wire and Zip inline plugs to create a power source for your curtain lights.

Get Your Energy Supply Setup

1. Fasten the power source to the surface from which it will hang. We used zip ties to attach our wire to the metal support bar that ran the length of the awning we set up. Cutting a piece of wood to the right length or finding a metal bar to support the weight of your wire, plugs, and hanging string lights is an option if there is no existing support for your wire in the area where you plan to hang your DIY curtain lights.

2. Do not forget to plug in your light strands To embark upon an exciting new journey, decide whether you will use conventional string lights or create your own. We used 8-foot-long LED light strings in one iteration of our project. But if you want to use bigger bulbs or change the color of your curtain lights, you can make your own light strings by chopping off the excess length of preexisting strings and plugging in the ends. To learn more about how we constructed our very own string lights using globe patio bulbs, please click here or continue reading below.

Low-Voltage LED Light Panels for Use as Miniature Curtains

Made-at-Home Drapes with String Lights

DIY Drapes with String Lights

You Can Make Your Own Light Strings

You've decided to keep going because you've got this great idea for a bespoke lamp, right? Welcome Let's get the basics of light strings and zip plugs out of the way first.

Light strings and spools are available in lengths between 15 feet and one thousand feet, and can be cut to any desired length. Seven 8-foot-long strands of lights were required for our undertaking. Two 50-foot SPT2 light strings were chosen, with six-inch gaps between each bulb. Each 50-foot light string could be divided into six 8-foot pieces, so there was plenty of material, but it was smart to have some spares on hand. Since we wanted to use smaller G30 globe lights, we went with 6 inch socket spacing; however, if you're using larger bulbs like G50s or C9s, 12 inch spacing might be better.

Light strings can be identified by a number and letter combination, such as SPT1 or SPT2. An essential factor to keep in mind when arranging permanent lighting is the insulation of the wires. When it comes to light usage, SPT1 wire is the norm, but in more extreme climates or when using bulbs with higher wattages, the thicker insulation of SPT2 wire is the way to go.

As with the zip plugs, the insulation of the wires used in this project must match the insulation of the wires used in the zip plugs. Our light strands are made with SPT2 wire, so we made sure to use male and female zip plugs that are rated for SPT2 as well. If you don't use a female zip plug at the end of your wire, make sure no wires are showing by wrapping the end tightly with electrical tape.

We found that wire cutters were the most effective tool for making clean cuts in the wire when used in conjunction with light strings, bulbs, zip plugs, and electrical tape.

Instructable on Making Your Own Christmas Lights for the Yard

Reference Material for Putting in a Zipper Plug

Instructions for Connecting Male and Female Plugs

1. Just one way to get the cover off your zip plug.
2. To find the two "vampire teeth" that are recessed into the channel that runs the length of your zip plug, look inside the plug. When the plug is assembled, these teeth stab the cord to make a connection to the electrical outlet. Observe how misaligned these teeth are. Each one has a connection to either the wide prong or receptacle, or both.
3. Next, inspect the plug and cord carefully. Some of you may have noticed that there are actually two wires running parallel to one another You might have to "feel" around for it, but one wire has a raised "rib" along one of its edges. Keeping the electrical current's polarity in check is the neutral wire. The wide prong or receptacle we noted in the previous step is where the ribbed-edged wire, also known as the neutral, will plug in.
4. Split the end of your zip cord with wire cutters or a sharp knife, and gently pull apart the two wires until they are about a quarter to a half an inch long.
5. Just press the plug's end into the well along the closed end, making sure the ribbed wire is aligned with the vampire tooth connected to the wide blade or receptacle. Keep in mind that the plastic divider at the bottom of the well needs to be used to isolate the two ends of your power cord.
6. Next, flip over the plug and insert the electrical cord into the corresponding channel. It may be necessary to gently press the electrical cord into the channel after it has been laid across the vampire teeth.
7. Return the plug's cover by squeezing it together. You might need to apply some force or use pliers to get it to shut all the way. The power cord is securely connected to the vampire teeth as the backing is slid on.

If you want to go back to setting up a power supply for your Curtain Lights, click here.

To return to making your own string lights, click here.

In-Line Zipper Plug Installation

1. Remove the protective covering from your in-line plug.
2. It has two metal prongs, also known as "vampire teeth," on the inside of the plug. Be sure to keep in mind how they should be inserted into the polarized plug receptacles. Similarly to male and female plugs, inline zip plugs require correct polarization to function.
3. Lay the electrical cord into the plug so that the ribbed wire is aligned with the vampire tooth connected to the plug's wide receptacle.
4. Pull the cover back over the plug. The inline zip plug has a unique shape that allows the power cord to enter from the back and exit from either side.

To return to establishing a supply for Curtain Lights, click here.

Now that you've made it to the end of the story and seen how far you've come, you should feel proud of everything you've learned and created. Now that we've gone through the process of making DIY curtain lights together, we'd love to see the results! Post pictures of your curtain lights below or tag us in them on Instagram or Facebook, and if you liked this post, please consider sharing it with your friends.