How do you make hidden lights in Minecraft?
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Creating hidden lights in Minecraft is a great way to add subtle lighting to your builds while keeping the light sources out of sight. Hidden lighting can make your builds look more immersive and help avoid the clutter of visible light blocks like torches or glowstone.
In this guide, we will walk through various techniques for making hidden lights in Minecraft, perfect for use in secret rooms, castles, underground bases, and more.
Materials Needed:
- Sea Lanterns or Glowstone (Light sources)
- Redstone Torches (for hidden redstone mechanisms)
- Blocks for Concealment (Stone, Planks, Slabs, etc.)
- Trapdoors, Signs, or Carpet (for covering lights)
- Levers or Buttons (Optional for activation)
- Redstone (Optional for advanced setups)
Methods for Making Hidden Lights in Minecraft
1. Hidden Lights Using Carpet
One of the simplest ways to hide lights in Minecraft is by using carpet. Carpet can conceal light sources like Sea Lanterns and Glowstone, while still allowing the light to shine through.
Steps:
- Place a Light Source: Start by placing a light source such as a Sea Lantern or Glowstone on the floor.
- Cover with Carpet: Then, place carpet on top of the light source. The carpet will cover the light, hiding it from view, but the light will still be emitted around the carpet.
- Perfect for Floors: This method works especially well for floors or small areas where you want hidden lighting.
- Pro Tip: You can also use different carpet colors to match your floor design while hiding the lights.
2. Hidden Lights Behind Trapdoors or Signs
Another method of hiding lights is by using trapdoors or signs. These items are transparent and can cover light sources while still allowing the light to pass through.
Steps:
- Place a Light Source: Put your Glowstone or Sea Lantern on the ground or under a block.
- Place a Trapdoor or Sign: Place a trapdoor or sign above the light. These blocks can cover the light while still letting the light shine through.
- Activate the Trapdoor: If you’re using a trapdoor, it will hide the light as long as it’s in the closed position.
- Pro Tip: This method is great for ceilings or areas where you don’t want to see the light source, but you still want to illuminate the space.
3. Hidden Lights Using Slabs or Stairs
Using slabs or stairs is an excellent way to hide lights, especially in ceilings or walls. The light source can be placed underneath these blocks, and they’ll cast light through the cracks.
Steps:
- Place a Light Source: Place your Glowstone or Sea Lantern under a slab or stair block.
- Place the Slab or Stairs: Position the slab or stairs on top of the light source to hide it while allowing the light to filter through the gaps.
- Strategic Placement: This is perfect for creating atmospheric lighting in walls or ceilings without exposing the light blocks.
- Pro Tip: Use smooth stone slabs or wooden stairs for a seamless aesthetic in your build.
4. Hidden Lights with Redstone and Pistons (For Moving Light Sources)
For a more advanced setup, you can create a moving light source using redstone and pistons. This allows you to hide the lights behind walls and activate them with a lever or button.
Steps:
- Place a Light Source: Put Glowstone or Sea Lanterns in a hidden area.
- Set Up Pistons: Use sticky pistons to move blocks in front of the light source. For example, you could move a block of wool or stone to hide the light.
- Connect Redstone: Use redstone and a lever or button to activate the pistons. When you flip the lever, the blocks will move, revealing the light source.
- Build a Hidden Lighting System: You can use this method to create hidden lights that you can turn on or off whenever you need.
- Pro Tip: This is ideal for creating secret rooms or rooms that automatically light up when you enter.
5. Hidden Ceiling Lights Using Beacons and Glass
Another interesting way to hide light is by using beacons and glass. Beacons can provide a lot of light, and you can hide them within the ceiling and use glass to make them invisible from below.
Steps:
- Place a Beacon: Place a beacon on the ceiling where you want the light to be.
- Cover with Glass: Surround the beacon with glass blocks or panes. This will hide the beacon while still allowing it to emit light.
- Perfect for High Ceilings: This is great for high-ceiling rooms where you want a lot of light without visible sources.
- Pro Tip: You can combine beacons with light-blocking materials like dark glass or stained glass for different effects.
Advanced Hidden Lighting Ideas
1. Hidden Lights in Redstone Doors
You can create hidden lights as part of your redstone doors or hidden passages. By using redstone to open or close walls, you can incorporate hidden lighting that activates when the passage opens.
2. Hidden Lights for Outdoor Builds
You can hide lights around the perimeter of your outdoor builds, such as placing Sea Lanterns beneath stone slabs or around trees and bushes to subtly light up the area without obvious light sources.
Video Tutorials for Hidden Lights
If you're more of a visual learner, check out these YouTube channels for tutorials on hidden lights in Minecraft:
- Grian – Grian has great videos on building practical and aesthetic designs, including how to use hidden lighting effectively.
- Mumbo Jumbo – Known for his redstone expertise, Mumbo often creates tutorials on how to incorporate hidden lights into various builds.
- Wattles – Wattles provides easy-to-follow survival and building tutorials, including lighting solutions.
Conclusion
Hidden lights in Minecraft can add a whole new layer of realism and beauty to your builds. Whether you're designing a secret lair, a cozy home, or just want to improve the ambiance of a space, using hidden lighting techniques can elevate your design. With methods like carpet-covered lights, trapdoors, slabs, and redstone-powered pistons, you have a wide range of options to hide your light sources creatively.
So, next time you're building a space in Minecraft, try adding some hidden lights for a magical and well-lit atmosphere!
