Introduction
Nanoleaf lighting panels have become incredibly popular in recent years. Their futuristic geometric shapes and ability to sync colors with music or games have made them a must-have smart lighting accessory. But with starter kits costing $200 or more, Nanoleaf lights can be quite expensive.
Fortunately, you can make your own DIY version using simple materials like cardboard and LED lights strips. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make your own DIY Nanoleaf Triangle wall panels on a budget.
Materials Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own DIY Nanoleaf Triangle Mini lights:
- Cardstock or cardboard – for the triangle panels
- LED light strips – preferably smart RGB strips that can change colors
- Craft glue or strong double-sided tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Power supply for LED lights
Optional:
- Acrylic sheets – for a sleeker look
- Wood strips – for added structure
- Diffuser material like vellum – to diffuse the LEDs
- Mini push pins or command strips – to mount the panels
Getting Started
Follow these steps to make your own DIY Nanoleaf Triangle lights:
Step 1: Cut Cardboard into Triangles
First, use a ruler and pencil to measure and cut out cardboard triangles. The Nanoleaf Mini Triangles have 6.6 inch long sides. But you can make your triangles any size you like.
Cut out at least 3 identical triangles, but feel free to make more. You’ll join them together to form the Nanoleaf shapes.
Step 2: Attach the LED Light Strips
Now it’s time to add LEDs. Measure and cut LED light strips to match the triangle sides. Strong craft glue or double-sided tape works best for adhering the lights.
Position the LED strip along one edge of the triangle. Press firmly to secure it in place.
Repeat this for the two other sides so each triangle now has LED lights attached. Make sure the lights face inwards towards the center. This ensures the illumination shines through the triangle.
Step 3: Connect and Install the Triangles
With the individual triangles completed, you can now connect them together. Use strong craft glue or more double-sided tape to join the triangles along their edges.
Create different geometric shapes like Hexagons. Connect extra triangles outward to make larger layouts.
Finally, use mini push pins, command strips or small nails to securely install your DIY Nanoleaf panels on the wall. Make sure they are connected to a power source and switch them on!
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips to make your DIY Nanoleaf Triangles look even more polished:
- For a professional look, use thin acrylic sheets instead of cardboard. Acrylic nicely diffuses the LEDs.
- Add wood strips along the edges for extra structure and durability.
- Use a vellum or other translucent material to soften and blend the LEDs.
- Paint the panels with color shifting or glow in the dark paint for cool effects.
- Connect the triangles to a WiFi-enabled LED controller to control colors and effects from your phone.
- Rearrange the panels into different layouts for a fresh look. Get creative with the geometry!
Programming Animations and Syncing to Music
One of the coolest features of the real Nanoleaf lights is how they can animate and sync to music. There are a couple ways to accomplish this with DIY Nanoleaf panels:
Option 1: Using a WiFi LED Controller
Many smart LED light strips and controllers can connect to your WiFi network. Look for ones that offer music synchronization and remote app control. Popular options include brands like Govee, Philips Hue, Lifx and more.
Simply connect your homemade Nanoleaf panels to the controller. Then use the app to program lighting animations and sound synchronization. This gives you full control right from your smartphone!
Option 2: Arduino and Addressable LEDs
For advanced makers, you can use an Arduino microcontroller and addressable LED strip lights. This gives you maximum flexibility to code your own custom programs and animations.
Addressable LEDs allow you to control each LED individually in the strip. With an Arduino board, you can write code to make elaborate color changing animations, music visualizers, touch-reactive effects and more.
While this requires some programming knowledge, the possibilities are endless for DIY lighting effects!
Decorating and Display Ideas
DIY Nanoleaf panels make awesome wall decorations for any room. Here are some ideas:
- Living Room Accent Wall – Install a cluster of triangles behind the TV or sofa for visual interest. Sync with music!
- Bedroom Mood Lighting – Relax and unwind with soothing animated colors.
- Gaming Room Lights – Sync to the colors on screen for immersive effects.
- Home Theater Lighting – Dim during movies for great ambiance.
- Kids Room Decor – Use the lights to make bedtime more fun for kids.
- Outdoor Patio Lighting – Add colorful illumination to outdoor spaces.
- Holiday Lights – Change colors for seasonal celebrations like Christmas, Halloween and more!
Let your creativity run wild and make your own unique Nanoleaf layouts. The triangles are modular so you can always rearrange them into different designs whenever you want a new look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions when making DIY Nanoleaf lights:
How do I make the triangles sturdy and durable?
Use very strong craft glue or industrial-strength double-sided tape when assembling the triangles. You can also glue thin wood strips along the edges to reinforce the shape. Acrylic panels are stronger and more rigid than cardboard as well.
What kind of LED lights should I use?
Look for flexible LED light strips that can easily bend around the triangles. Get RGB smart strips so you can control colors. Waterproof outdoor strips will hold up better over time. Go with addressable LEDs if animating with an Arduino.
How do I diffuse the lights for softer effects?
Try lining the inside edges with vellum, wax paper or other translucent materials. You can also use acrylic or polycarbonate panels which naturally diffuse LEDs. Spraying panels with translucent paint can help blend the lights too.
How many triangles do I need?
You can start small with just 3 panels. We recommend having at least 5-6 on hand to create nice geometric shapes. More triangles allow for larger installations and give you flexibility for rearranging designs.
Can I sync these to music without an Arduino?
Yes! Many WiFi-controllable LED controllers (like Philips Hue or Govee) have music sync features. Just connect your DIY triangles and use the app to sync animations and colors to your tunes. No coding required!
So there you have it – everything you need to make your own custom DIY Nanoleaf Triangle lights! With simple craft materials and LEDs, you can build an awesome wall decoration that looks beautiful and syncs up to music. Show off your maker skills and light up any room with programmable colors. Once you have the basics down, you can always expand and improve your design. Let your creativity shine bright with DIY Nanoleaf panels!