Most intend to create unique lighting environments using creative LED strip lights design ideas.
However, there’s a lot of information everywhere that finding the best can sometimes be hectic.
Given that you’ll spend on renovation and installation, you shouldn’t leave much to trial and error.
Therefore, here we have the best design ideas that you can easily implement even without needing professional assistance. Let’s get going.
Inspiring LED Strip Lights Design Ideas
(A kitchen cabinet LED lighting)
Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Ideas
If you like walking to your kitchen for a late-night snack, installing LED strips can suit you best.
And one good area to do so is under the cabinet so that you don’t injure your feet when walking around.
Additionally, it enhances overall visibility making it easier to make food and wash utensils.
Second, you can opt for glass cabinet LED lighting for those preferring open shelving.
In such a case, install LED strip lights at the top and bottom of the shelves to showcase your utensils.
Moreover, other popular kitchen LED installations include overhead-kitchen and motion-activated lighting.
Lighting Up Dark Areas
There are plenty of dark areas within our homes, including behind staircases, sofas, cabinets, and cupboards.
If you don’t like the darkness, your best option would be to install warm color LEDs.
They come in all configurations, meaning you can pick one to suit your space.
And for greater versatility, you can choose multi-color ones that allow color-changing using a remote.
Add a Night Sky to Your Bedroom
(A child projecting a night sky onto a ceiling)
If your bedroom leaves you bored and lonely, we recommend building a night sky using color-changing LEDs.
For the design, you can place the light sources on the corners of your bedroom.
Alternatively, you can run several low-lumen strips across the ceiling for better sky design. Moreover, you can include a Galaxy projector for a 3-D view.
Improve Your Bathroom Mood
A bathroom is a place to relax while we shower. Additionally, it’s a place that many often customize to suit their preferences.
No wonder there are LED strips that can instantly convert your bathroom into a luxurious spa.
In such a case, the best LED light design is accent lighting, whereby you install LED strips behind the mirror and even along the lower edge of the vanity.
Captivating LED Strip Lights for Exterior Design
(Illuminating a deck with green LED strip lights)
Gone are the days you had to install boring traditional fluorescent or incandescent lights to brighten your home.
Nowadays, you can use LED strip lights to create many outdoor lighting patterns.
Here are some ways you can use LED strip lights for exterior design.
Architectural Highlighting
If you have a fountain or a statue in your compound, installing multi-color LED strips will improve their aesthetic value.
Moreover, you can install the lights along the rooflines, eaves, or even garage doors.
In doing so, you’ll create a unique nighttime effect showcasing the unique aspects of your home.
Deck and Patio Lighting
The advantage of lighting up decks and patios is you can have a different mood in your garden at night.
For LED strip lighting, it’s best if you install them on higher ground so that the light focuses downwards and outwards.
However, some people prefer recessed lights to light footbaths around the deck. If you like minimal lighting, the second option suits you best.
Poolside Lighting
If you prefer swimming at night, consider installing waterproof LED strip lights underwater.
Alternatively, you can create a stunning lighting effect by running the LEDs along the pool’s edge.
Furthermore, opt for a multi-color strip to add vibrancy and sometimes to improve moods.
Tips for Selecting LED Strip Lights for Different Spaces
(A couple consulting a professional)
Generally, consider factors such as strip length, color, temperature, and water resistance when selecting an LED strip light.
They are not only light sources but also electronics that improve a space’s mood and vibrancy.
First, consider the energy consumption of your LED strip. As much as they are known for energy efficiency, LED strips have specific energy requirements to promote longevity.
Second, consider their reliability and durability given that the high-quality ones last longer than 50,000 hours.
And one way of ensuring you are buying an excellent product is by procuring from a reliable manufacturer.
Third, consider the Ingress Protection rating. For outdoor use, use LED strip lights with IP67 and IP68 ratings.
Fourth, select LED strips that offer color-changing options for indoor and outdoor use.
Generally, they are RGB or RGBW, which are RGB with additional white light LEDs.
Fifth, select LED strips with the right brightness levels and color temperature.
For illuminating smaller spaces, use accent or decorative lighting that offers lower brightness levels.
Additionally, use warm white light (2700 to 3000K) for indoor lighting applications.
FAQs
Can LED strip lights be cut to fit a specific length?
You can cut LED strip lights to fit specific lengths since manufacturers add cut lines every 1 or 2 inches.
The reason is to allow as much design flexibility as possible during installation.
However, the answer to such a question can sometimes be ambiguous as there are multiple LED brands.
For instance, some LED manufacturers produce custom light strips for certain lengths.
Therefore, their strips don’t have cut lines that are close together as those of the generic LED strips.
Suppose you want to cut your LED strip to suit your specific design; turn it on the underside while looking for any cut signs.
The signs may include a pair of copper dots or even a symbol of a pair of scissors.
Both signs indicate the exact position whereby the LED manufacturer linked two adjacent lights.
Remember, cutting elsewhere damages your light strip, and some LEDs may fail to function.
Can I use LED strip lights for accent lighting or task lighting?
LED strip lights are versatile, and you can use them for various lighting applications, including accent and task lighting.
Foremost, they find use in accent lighting applications for highlighting particular areas like furniture and artwork.
For instance, you can use them to improve the aesthetic appeal of a liquor shelf or even a pool table.
On the other hand, we use them for task lighting applications like in our offices, workshops, and warehouses.
In such environments, they illuminate the space offering a brighter light than what you get from ambient light sources.
What Color brightens a dark room?
Generally, a blend of pale shades of blue and grey provides the most outstanding brightness in a dark room.
Suppose you are in an underground space without windows to pass in natural sunlight. We recommend such a combination.
Additionally, the colors are known to make humans feel calm and rejuvenated.
Another option is white light (cool white of 4000 to 5000K), as it easily reflects off surfaces, increasing the brightness in your room.
Furthermore, they have a higher color temperature suitable for task-oriented applications, like in the kitchen.
A third option would be daylight white LEDs (5000 to 6500k).
The reason is that it stimulates the color of the natural sunlight by providing clear illumination.
Consequently, they are popular in makeup areas and art studios.
Conclusion
We can light many spaces in our homes, businesses, or recreational areas.
For instance, you can choose LED strip lights to illuminate dark corners or create accent lighting environments.
Additionally, you can use them for decorative lighting on your deck and patio.
Regardless, LED strip lights are more advantageous than traditional fluorescent lighting as they are more rugged and durable.