Tulle and English netting come in a plethora of colors.
Ceiling draping is a popular way to add elegance to a boring or unattractive room. Attaching tulle and lights to a ceiling is a time consuming task that if done right gives a room a soft glow that exudes romance. Depending on the look you are going for you can use tulle or English netting for this project. Tulle is inexpensive but is also stiff while English netting is soft and more flowing. Either fabric choice will look nice with the white string lights. Ceiling draping can be used to decorate wedding venues, holiday parties, dances and bedrooms. Ask the venue manager about the rules on hanging things from the ceiling before starting this project.
Instructions
Preparing The Tulle And Lights
1. Find the center of the ceiling. Measure six equal points from the center of the ceiling to the walls. Mark the six points with a piece of painter's tape.
2. Cut six strands of tulle to 6 feet longer than the measurements. Lay the tulle stands out flat.
3. Lay a strand of white string lights in the center of each strand of tulle. Tie the lights to the tulle every 12 inches by threading twist ties or string through the holes in the tulle and up around the light cords.
Attaching To Drop Ceilings
4. Lay out the tulle with the connected lights from the center of the room out to the first point marked with painter's tape. Position the tulle so the ends of the lights that will be connected to extension cords are closest to the walls. Connect the lights to electrical cords if needed.
5. Set your ladder in the center of the room. Take one end of the tulle with you up the ladder. Wrap a twist tie or piece of string around the closest beam. Lift off the ceiling panels on both sides of the beam, slide them away from the beam. Hold the end of your tulle up to the beam. Wrap a twist tie around the tulle and up over the beam. Twist the ends of the twist tie so they hold the tulle securely. Repeat until all the ends of the tulle are connected in the center. Lift the ceiling panels up and slide them back into place.
6. Place your ladder under a point marked with painter's tape. Take the other end of the tulle with you up the ladder. Find the closest beam. Push the ceiling panels on the sides of the beam up and over to reveal the sides of the beam. Take the end of the tulle and press it against the beam. Wrap a twist tie around the tulle then up and over the beam. Twist the ends of the tie over the beam to secure the tulle. Lift the ceiling panels up and slide them back into place.
Attaching To Non-drop Ceilings
7. Ask the vender manager what type of fastener can be used on the ceiling. Hooks that are screwed into the ceiling or removable hooks can both be used for this project.
8. Attach a large hook to the center of the room by using a ladder. Place six removable hooks equally around a light fixture if there is one in the center of the room. Do not use screw-in hooks around electrical wires or ceiling fixtures because the screw could be anciently screwed into a wire causing electrocution.
9. Place hooks at each point marked with painter's tape.
10. Create a hanger by wrapping a string around each end of the tulle and lights then double knotting it. Tie the free ends of the string together to create a loop.
11. Attach the tulle and lights to the center of the ceiling. Set your ladder in the center of the room. Bring the ends of the tulle up to the large center hook(s.) Loop the string hanger over the hook to secure the tulle to the ceiling. Repeat until all the tulle ends are connected to the center hook.
12. Attach the tulle and lights to the hooks around the room. Place your ladder under a hook. Bring the end of the tulle up the ladder with you. Loop the string hanger around the hook to secure the tulle and lights to the ceiling. Repeat around the room until all the tulle and lights are attached to the ceiling.
Tags: center room, ceiling panels, , your ladder, , English netting, Lift ceiling