Look, I’m just gonna say it—purple LED lights hit different. Whether you’re scrolling through Pinterest at 2 AM (we’ve all been there) or actually trying to give your bedroom a vibe upgrade, purple lighting does something magical that regular bulbs just… can’t.
I stumbled into the purple LED world by accident when my cousin installed strips behind her headboard, and honestly? Game changer. The room went from “meh” to “magazine-worthy” in like fifteen minutes. So yeah, I’m a believer now, and I’m about to share 18 ideas that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.
Why Purple LED Lights Are Having Their Moment
Purple is not a random color option, but it is literally the golden mean between the relaxing blue and the invigorating red. Science backs this up, FYI. Purple can be used to achieve that dreamy, homely feeling that is needed at the end of the day but at the same time it is not as shy as to make any statement.
Plus, let’s be real: everyone and their dog has those basic warm white bulbs. Purple? That’s personality. That’s saying “I put thought into this space,” without actually having to rearrange all your furniture.
Strip Lighting Behind Your Headboard
This one’s the classic for a reason. I mounted LED strips on the back of my headboard last year, and now I can’t sleep anywhere else without missing that soft purple glow.
The trick is positioning them just right—about 2-3 inches from the wall creates this gorgeous halo effect that makes your bed look like it’s floating. Seriously, it’s that dreamy.
Quick tips:
- Use adhesive-backed strips for easy installation
- Opt for dimmable options so you control the intensity
- Connect to a smart plug for voice control (total flex move)
Most people stick them on the back panel, but I’ve seen friends run them along the bottom edge too. Both work, just depends on whether you want that uplighting drama or a softer backlight situation.
Floating Shelves with Purple Underglow
Want to make your book collection look like it belongs in a boutique hotel? Purple LED strips under floating shelves are chef’s kiss.
I installed these in my reading nook, and suddenly my random paperback collection looks intentional. The purple underglow adds depth and makes everything on those shelves pop—plants, books, those decorative items you pretend have meaning 🙂
Mount the strips along the underside of each shelf, angling them slightly downward. This prevents that harsh direct-light look and creates a smooth, ambient wash instead.
Crown Molding Accent Lighting
Okay, this one requires a bit more commitment, but hear me out. Running purple LEDs along your crown molding creates this sophisticated, upscale vibe that screams “I have my life together” (even if you don’t).
The ceiling reflects the light and runs down the walls in the most flattering manner. It is not very obvious during the day but it is truly beautiful at night when it is your main source of light.
| Installation Spot | Difficulty | Impact Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Molding | Medium | High | Statement ceilings |
| Behind Headboard | Easy | Medium-High | Quick bedroom refresh |
| Under Shelves | Easy | Medium | Display areas |
| Mirror Frames | Easy | High | Vanity spaces |
Purple Neon Signs (But Make It Classy)
Real talk—neon signs can go either really right or really wrong. The key is choosing something meaningful rather than just slapping “Good Vibes Only” on your wall because Pinterest told you to.
I’ve seen gorgeous custom neon signs in purple that say actual poetry lines, coordinates of special places, or even just elegant line art. These become focal points that pull the whole room together.
Pro tip: Mount these on exposed brick or dark walls for maximum contrast. Light walls can wash out that purple glow you’re going for.
Canopy Bed Fairy Light Effect
Ever wondered why canopy beds feel so romantic? Now imagine that with purple LED fairy lights woven through sheer fabric. Yeah, exactly.
You don’t even need an actual canopy frame—I’ve seen people create this effect by mounting a curtain rod on the ceiling and draping fabric from there. String your purple lights through the material, and boom: instant fairytale bedroom.
This works especially well if you’ve got higher ceilings. The draped fabric with twinkling purple lights creates layers of light at different heights, making the space feel more dynamic.
Closet Interior Purple Lighting
Your closet called—it wants to stop being boring. IMO, closet lighting is criminally underrated, and purple LEDs make getting dressed way more fun than it should be.
Attach strips on the top rod or around the door frame. As you open the said doors in the morning, that purple light makes it seem like you are not picking outfits anymore but instead shopping in your own personal boutique.
Practical bonus: You can actually see your clothes better with proper lighting. The purple adds ambiance without sacrificing functionality.
Window Frame Outlining
This idea hits different depending on your curtain situation. Running purple LED strips around your window frames creates this stunning border effect that looks amazing from both inside and outside (hello, curb appeal).
I particularly love this for bedrooms facing the street. When you draw your curtains at night, that purple glow peeking around the edges? Gorgeous. Mysterious. A whole mood.
Use weatherproof strips if your windows get condensation, and consider programmable options so you can set them on timers.
Ceiling Grid Pattern
Feeling ambitious? Create a geometric pattern on your ceiling with purple LED strips. I’ve seen grids, spirals, and even constellation patterns that look absolutely incredible.
This takes planning—you’ll want to map it out on paper first—but the result is a completely unique ceiling design that becomes conversation-worthy. Nobody forgets the bedroom with the purple light galaxy on the ceiling.
The best part? Unlike paint or wallpaper, you can change this whenever you want. Commitment-phobes, this one’s for you.
Platform Bed Base Lighting
If your bed sits on a platform or raised frame, you’re sitting on untapped potential. Purple LEDs along the base create this levitating bed effect that looks way more expensive than it actually is.
I helped my roommate install these last month, and now guests legitimately think she spent thousands on her bed frame. Nope—just $30 in LED strips and twenty minutes of stick-and-peel action.
Mount them facing down toward the floor for maximum floating effect. Trust me on this—upward-facing strips just illuminate the underside of your mattress, which… isn’t the vibe.
Gallery Wall Backlighting
Got a wall full of photos, art prints, or posters? Purple backlighting turns that collection into an actual gallery display.
Run LED strips along the back edges of frames to create that separated-from-the-wall illusion. Each piece gets its own subtle halo, and the whole arrangement suddenly looks curated and intentional.
Spacing trick: Keep the strips about 1-2 inches from the frame edge for the most even glow distribution.
Vanity Mirror Surround
Your makeup game is about to level up. Purple LED strips around your vanity mirror create that ring-light effect everyone’s obsessed with, but with way more personality than plain white.
The cool thing about purple? It is even a compliment to look at your skin. It is the colour of the light that allows you to see the lack of balance in the tone without the ugly truth of the sunlight (you are welcome).
I mounted mine about half an inch behind my mirror frame, and it’s become my favorite spot in the entire apartment.
Dresser Drawer Interior Glow
This one’s extra, and I love it for exactly that reason. Putting purple LEDs inside your dresser drawers is peak “I care about details nobody else will notice.”
But also? It’s weirdly practical. Opening a drawer to a soft purple glow beats fumbling around in the dark trying to find socks at 6 AM.
Use battery-powered or motion-sensor strips for this—you don’t want wires running in and out of furniture.
Alcove and Niche Highlighting
If your bedroom has built-in alcoves, recessed areas, or architectural niches, congrats—you’ve got ready-made spotlight opportunities.
Line these spaces with purple LEDs to turn them into display areas for plants, sculptures, or whatever collection you’re currently obsessed with. The recessed lighting creates depth and draws the eye to these features.
I’ve seen this work beautifully in older homes with built-in bookshelves. That purple glow bouncing off book spines? Chef’s kiss material.
Behind TV or Monitor Bias Lighting
Okay, this isn’t just aesthetic—it’s actually better for your eyes. Purple bias lighting behind your TV or computer monitor reduces eye strain while creating an awesome ambient effect.
The contrast between your screen and the wall becomes less harsh, which means you can binge-watch or doom-scroll with less headache potential. Practical and pretty? Sign me up.
Tech note: Look for RGB strips so you can adjust the purple shade. Some purples lean too blue and create weird color distortion on screens.
Staircase or Loft Edge Lighting
The cool thing about purple? It is even a compliment to look at your skin. It is the colour of the light that allows you to see the lack of balance in the tone without the ugly truth of the sunlight (you are welcome).
I learned this the hard way after stubbing my toe one too many times on the way to my loft bed. The purple strips mark the edges clearly while creating this cool nightclub-meets-cozy-bedroom vibe.
Plus, it’s way more interesting than those boring stick-on stair treads everyone else uses :/
Textile Panel Backlighting
Here’s something different: stretch sheer fabric panels on frames and backlight them with purple LEDs. It’s like creating your own modern art installation.
I’ve seen people do this with tapestries, macramé, or even DIY painted fabrics. The LED backlighting makes the texture and patterns pop in ways regular lighting just can’t achieve.
Mount these panels about 2-3 inches from the wall so the light has space to diffuse. Too close, and you lose that dreamy glow effect.
Plant Shelf Purple Grow Lights
Who says grow lights have to look clinical? Purple LED grow lights actually double as amazing ambient lighting while keeping your plant babies thriving.
Position them above or under plant shelves, and you get that lush, jungle-meets-futuristic-lounge aesthetic. Your plants get their light spectrum needs met, and your bedroom looks like it belongs on a design blog.
Real talk: Check the light spectrum specs. Some “purple” LEDs are actually just colored and won’t help your plants at all.
Adjustable Color-Changing Smart Systems
Look, sometimes you want purple, sometimes you want teal, sometimes you want the whole rainbow situation. Smart RGB LED systems let you change the vibe whenever you feel like it.
I resisted these for ages because they seemed complicated, but modern systems are stupid-easy. Download an app, connect to WiFi, and suddenly you control your room’s entire atmosphere from your phone.
Set schedules, create scenes, sync with music—the options are honestly overwhelming in the best way. Start with purple, but know you’ve got infinite possibilities waiting.
Final Thoughts on Your Purple LED Journey
Here’s the thing about purple LED lights—they’re one of those rare upgrades that delivers way more impact than the effort (or money) you put in. You’re not renovating, you’re not painting, you’re literally just sticking some lights in strategic places.
But the transformation? Significant. You’ll walk into your bedroom and actually feel something, which is more than most design choices can claim.
Start with one idea from this list—maybe the headboard strips or mirror surround—and see how you vibe with it. Then expand from there. Before you know it, you’ll be that friend everyone asks for bedroom lighting advice, and honestly? Wear that badge proudly.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go adjust my LED settings because I’m feeling more lavender than violet tonight 🙂