Blacklight Ideas for a Bedroom

Blacklights can turn an ordinary bedroom into an artistic expression. Many older children, teens and some adults will enjoy having an eye-catching, glow-in-the-dark bedroom to show off to their friends. Pair the lighting with neon decorations to create an explosion of colors. Decorations make all the difference in a blacklight bedroom.

It is best not to use incandescent light bulbs as they give off little blacklight effect and extreme heat. Instead, use newer UV led blacklight bulbs, compact fluorescent blacklight bulbs or tube style florescent bulbs. One 48-inch tube style should light up a 12-by-12 room. To make sure you have enough light to illuminate the bedroom, mount a 48-inch tube blacklight at the top of two walls, adjacent to each other.

Black paint is ideal for a blacklight bedroom; however, painting each wall can make the room look smaller. Paint one wall or two adjacent walls with black paint. Hang posters with black backgrounds and fluorescent colors, as these types of posters are made for blacklights. Pour liquid laundry detergent in a bowl and allow the room owner to paint his name or own designs on the black walls. The detergent dries clear but glows in the light.

Make your own bedding by using paintbrushes and stencils to draw designs on black bedding with liquid laundry detergent. Use black bedding with neon throw pillows and blankets. Neon bedding also works. Alternatively, use white bedding and paint neon designs on the bedding. When using neon bedding, paint the bed's headboard and footboard with black paint. Stick glow-in-the-dark decals on the boards for added glow. Use glow-in-the-dark paint to draw designs on black curtains to hang on the windows.

Hang glow-in-the-dark items, such as leis, necklaces, bracelets, curtain beads and hats, around the bedroom. Stick glow-in-the-dark plastic pieces on trash cans, around door frames, on the ceiling, on furniture, to spell out a name and on dresser knobs, for added decoration. Make neon glowing bottles to use as centerpieces with empty bottles and highlighters. Empty and clean glass bottles, and fill with water. Take the inside pieces to several highlighters and drop one in each bottle. Allow the bottles to sit overnight then remove the stick. Shake the bottles and place on a shelf or use as a centerpiece on a dresser. Put a little alcohol in each bottle to prevent the water from molding.