When artificial intelligence accidentally invents an LED-lit carpet, the brainstorming on how to create it begins.

Through Copilot, I usually generate images related to interior design with Dall-E. I never would have thought to request designs for carpets combined or integrated with LED strips or optical cables.

Initially, I received this image of a carpet with edge lighting because we were discussing LED strip lighting.

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LED edge-lit carpet under a double bed – fantasy

I know there are light-up shoes and clothes with sewn-in LED strip lights. And of course, our web store also has walkable aluminum profiles to embed LED lighting in the floor.

The idea of integrating lighting into the carpet is not impossible, but I haven’t seen it yet. I asked where the idea came from. Well, they hadn’t seen it either, and in their response, they actually praised themselves. Here it is:

Indeed, an edge-lit carpet could be an exciting and creative idea in modern interior design. Although I haven’t come across it yet, who knows, maybe it could become a reality in the future!

We then discussed how to bring the idea to life. They got so into it that they created more images without me asking. I won’t show them all because some of the designs are quite over the top. The screen can handle a lot, but I’d rather skip the impossible visuals.

Some people talk to their cats, and some talk to AI. 🙂

A few Q&A snippets about illuminated carpets:

  • Me:
    Nice. Representing LED strip lighting running along the edge of the carpet exceeded my imagination as well. It’s thought-provoking how this could be technically implemented to be both durable and easy to execute. In any case, it’s creative. So, I haven’t seen an edge-lit carpet before, but you managed to do it.
  • Copilot:

    Thank you very much! I’m glad you liked the image and that it made you think. Indeed, an edge-lit carpet could be an exciting and creative idea in modern interior design. Although I haven’t come across it yet, who knows, maybe it could become a reality in the future!

  • Me:

    Do you have any tips on how this could be implemented to withstand being stepped on and remain reliable? // since they invented it, they might as well explain how?

  • Copilot:

    Implementing an edge-lit carpet is indeed an exciting and technically interesting task. While I’m not an expert on the subject, I can share some general guidelines that might help in creating a reliable and durable solution:

    • Choose quality LED strips: Start by selecting a high-quality RGB LED strip. Quality strips are more durable and better resist being stepped on and environmental factors.
    • Protective layer: Cover the strip with a protective layer (e.g., silicone). This protects the LEDs from physical damage and moisture.
    • Attachment and routing: Secure the strip to the underside of the carpet so it doesn’t shift when stepped on. Properly insulate the wires and ensure appropriate electrical routing.
    • Amplifiers and power supplies: If using a longer LED strip, use amplifiers and suitable power supplies. This is important for long strips due to voltage drop.
    • Controllability: Use a controller to adjust the strip’s colors and brightness. This allows you to easily set the colors to match the mood.
    • Testing: Before finalizing the strip installation, test everything to ensure it works. Check the colors, brightness, and stability.
    • Cleaning and maintenance: Occasionally clean the carpet and check the strips. If any LED is faulty, replace it in time.
    • Remember to always consult a professional if you are unsure about the implementation. An edge-lit carpet can be a unique and spectacular solution, but proper planning and execution are essential for durability and safety.

    //Nice general text, I could nitpick, but why bother. For instance, we don’t use amplifiers due to voltage drop, dear Copilot.

  • Me:
    I would think about placing an anti-slip material under the carpet so that the carpet does not move, and instead of attaching the LED strip to the carpet directly at the edge, I would stick it to the floor. Preferably, I would choose a low-brightness COB LED strip. It would also be particularly advantageous if a strong but transparent tape could be used to secure it, which would extend only slightly beyond the strip outward to avoid spoiling the appearance of the flooring. What do you think?
  • Copilot:
    • Your idea is very sensible and practical! The anti-slip material under the carpet ensures that the carpet stays stable in place, and sticking the LED strip directly to the floor is a good solution for durability and safety.
    • COB (Chip-on-Board) LED strips can be an excellent choice. These strips provide high brightness and even illumination. Due to COB technology, the LEDs are small and densely packed on the strip, resulting in homogeneous light distribution.
    • The transparent tape you mentioned is also a good idea. Such a tape allows the light to radiate outward while keeping the strip discreet. This way, the LED lighting running along the edge of the carpet will look nice and effective.
    • Overall, the combination of anti-slip material, COB LED strip, and transparent tape can be an excellent solution for creating an edge-lit carpet. However, it is essential to ensure proper electrical routing and precise strip attachment during implementation.

    //Basically, it reiterated what I said as confirmation, but detailed. Kind of them. 🙂

  • Me:
    Another thought is that if the carpet is like a floor carpet, i.e., the back is coated with some plastic and relatively smooth, then the LED strip could also be glued to the back at the edge of the carpet. At most, the 3M double-sided tape usually used on the back of LED strips would need to be reinforced with a thicker acrylic double-sided tape. I know that in this case, the strip’s light would be partially blocked by the floor, but due to the larger lighting angle of the COB LED strips, light will still reach the edge of the carpet. Obviously, a direct edge-lighting designed LED strip would be ideal for this purpose, but it is quite rare. Do you have any comments on this idea?
  • Copilot:
    • Your thought process is reasonable and well thought out. Securing the LED strip to the back of the carpet can prevent the strip from shifting when stepped on. The combination of 3M double-sided tape and acrylic double-sided tape ensures durability and stable attachment.
    • The larger lighting angle of COB LED strips is indeed advantageous, as it allows light to radiate towards the edge of the carpet. Although the strip’s light is partially blocked by the floor, it can still be effective, especially if the LED lighting running along the edge of the carpet provides discreet and ambient lighting.
    • Direct edge-lighting designed LED strips are rarer and more specific, but if they are found, they indeed offer the best solution. Nonetheless, your idea is also creative and practical, and I hope it will be successful during implementation.

    // In the end, we had a pleasant conversation, agreed on everything – what more could you want – all is well!

Let’s review the LED carpet lighting ideas

  • I won’t elaborate on each picture, but it goes without saying that only silicone-covered LED strips should be considered for waterproofing and greater mechanical protection. I’ll leave the corner designs to the reader’s imagination.
  • The most reliable solution would be to rout around the edge of the carpet, embed an aluminum profile into the parquet, and place the strip in it. A perfect solution until I replace the carpet or rearrange the room, because then I would also have to replace the parquet.
  • If I’m being so extreme, I would rather use a 4mm wide COB LED strip (4mm warm white COB LED4mm neutral white COB LED4mm cool white COB LED). I would rout around the carpet in the parquet with the width of a grout line, pour resin over the top after installing the COB LED, providing adequate protection. There’s probably no 4mm-diameter stiletto in circulation.

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4mm wide COB LED strips

The following brainstorms are not about routing the parquet but about DIY carpet modifications!

The Dall-E and Copilot duo got creative – I’m trying to figure out how to make it happen:

Extra warm white LED strip lighting everywhere, even as edge lighting for a shaggy carpet in the living room

A shaggy carpet is good because it’s high, visible, and guests won’t dare step on it, thus not kicking the LED strip apart. It even forces the host to lift their feet higher because of the thicker carpet. So, the LED is better protected. Since it’s thick, it might be best to stick the LED strip to the back edge of the carpet, as the raised carpet edge will remain almost unnoticeable.

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Built-in LED lighting in a carpet around a double bed

This is certainly spectacular, but how? Shave off the plush part of the carpet in the width of the LED strip and stick the LED strip to the backing fabric. It is advantageous if the shavable plush part is at least as high as the silicone LED strip. The power connection should be routed underneath by piercing the carpet.

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DRGB LED edge-lit carpet in the living room

Since the picture shows a gradient from pink to blue, I assume this effect could be achieved with a DRGB COB LED strip. Since the carpet is not shaggy, it’s better to stick the LED strip around the carpet on the parquet. It would look like a transition strip with an LED strip.

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Colorful LED lighting in and along the edge of a carpet

Unlike the previous picture, the edge of the carpet is entirely pink. For this reason, it is sufficient to stick either a single-color pink COB LED strip or an analog RGB LED strip around the carpet, as in the previous case. The meandering patterns on the carpet’s surface are more thought-provoking.

  • Either stick a thin COB LED strip into a shaved groove in the carpet – because a narrow COB LED better tolerates slight bending.
  • Or glue in an optical cable (matte poly-methyl-methacrylate) that emits light from the side rather than the end. Unfortunately, this requires hiding a light source somewhere on the edge of the carpet that can illuminate the entire winding length.

I think the narrow COB LED is the better solution. I know, I know, the so-called LED neon can also bend sideways, but that’s not an option because it’s too thick.

The AI should have considered what it really wanted because the light only spreads in one direction on the carpet. It’s a nice idea, but it requires a side-emitting LED strip. I think it’s unnecessary hassle for such a concept, especially considering how uncomfortable it would be to step on it with socks.

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One more solution proposal as a closing note, which is a good variation for any carpet edge lighting.

If it bothers you to stick the LED strip under the edge of the carpet, resulting in the main light illuminating the floor and only a small amount of light filtering out to the side, or if it bothers you to stick the LED strip around the carpet on the parquet and the upward light is distracting, and you only want the light to shine sideways from under the carpet edge, then do this:

  • Say:
    • Get 4mm thick plexiglass sheets.
    • Cut them into 5-10cm wide strips. Make the strips as wide as necessary to ensure the edge of the carpet is not too noticeable, being 4mm higher than the middle.
    • Use double-sided adhesive tape to stick them to the parquet, creating a frame so that the outer edge is 5mm smaller than the carpet edge.
  • Option instead of plexiglass:
    • Use L-shaped aluminum edging with a shorter side of only 4mm, or flat 4mm tile trim.
    • Cut it to size, so the edge of the carpet is also 4mm higher than the middle, and even sharper.
    • Use double-sided adhesive tape to stick it to the parquet, creating a frame so that the outer edge is 5mm smaller than the carpet edge.
  • You can round the corners of the plexiglass at the 4 corners with a 1-2cm radius curve.
  • Stick the 4mm wide COB LED strip around the outer edge of the frame.
  • Here’s the bonus! Since you’re sticking the strip perpendicular to the surface of the carpet, you don’t need to bend the strip on its edge, which usually requires corner elements. Instead, simply bend it flat at the corners. That’s why the 1-2cm radius curve at the corners is needed to avoid breaking the strip with a sharp corner.
  • Yes, you will need to run a thin 2-core wire under the carpet somewhere unobtrusive.
  • Once done, all that’s left is to hide the controller and power supply, possibly under a cabinet.
  • If it bothers you (and it probably will!) that the edge of the carpet is 4mm higher than the middle, you can place a piece of old carpet, fiberboard, or even a 4mm thick air-chambered polycarbonate sheet under the frame to elevate it.
  • To prevent the carpet from moving off the light frame, you can use double-sided adhesive tape on the back of the carpet along the edge.

Important! I don’t sell carpets, nor do I sell illuminated carpets.
This is a DIY game.
The artificial intelligence came up with the idea, and I tried to explain how it could be implemented.

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