Picking up LED strips or LED-loaded tape has never been easier or cheaper. These days you can get multi-coloured RGB, RGBW, RGBWW or standard warm white LED strips, and everything from the colour to the light intensity can be controlled via purpose-designed consoles or even your smartphone or tablet. LED strips come in various different sizes, commonly 2, 5, 10, 15 or 30 metres long. Another bonus of using LED strips is that they last so long; sometimes up to 50,000 hours! This is because LEDs produce very little heat so they have a longer lifespan. They're also 50 to 90% more energy efficient than standard lighting, so they even save you money.
RGB LED Strips
Multi-coloured RGB strips can even be music-controlled so the colours change or the lights blink in time to music, setting up the living room with a dance-floor-style vibe. With RGB lighting, you can actually mix colours yourself to create a fully customised colour scheme to match the decor or conjure a specific atmosphere - and if you fit a strip in each room, you can set a different tone in each different space.
LED Strip Profiles
If you're completing a neat and professional installation, then you'll be using LED strip profiles. These are lengths of metal or plastic with a trench down the middle for the LED strip. Mount them in more visible spots like the walls or ceiling to give your LED strip setup a cleaner look.
LED Lighting Applications
Because of the warm white of LEDs, they're ideal for cosy, atmospheric lighting. LED strips are often fitted with multi-coloured LEDs and since they're so flexible, they can be installed anywhere from the kitchen, bedroom, the kid's bedroom or even your gaming den or entertainment room. They're also really effective when set up to serve as hidden cove lighting when hidden beneath kitchen cabinets or in the nooks of a bedroom. LED strips also deliver a soft, diffused light and when you install them using LED strip profiles, they can be neatly installed in plain sight. You can find LED profiles in our range of LED strip accessories.
Dimmable LED Strips
Almost any LED strip you can get will feature a dimming function, which is useful, because you don't always want blindingly fierce, bright light, especially at home. Instead, you want a comfy and cosy feel and, if you need things a touch brighter or darker, you can simply adjust the dim setting via your smartphone or tablet.
Water-Resistant LED Strips
You can even deck out the garden with waterproof LED strips. These will have an IP65 rating, which indicates that they've been tested for water-resistance. Some are even equipped with a sensor. Indoor LED strips are usually dust-proof but aren't finished with a layer of silicon to keep moisture out, giving them an average IP20 rating. As well as the garden, IP-65-rated LED strips can be installed in the bathroom or kitchen.
Different Atmospheric Lighting
If you just want something that'll set the mood for a specific event, maybe for Christmas, then you could opt for a rope light instead. Rather than messing with sticking strips in place and figuring out special power systems, rope lights are simply plugged into the wall, rolled out and draped wherever they're needed. You can find more lighting options and inspiration in our light and special effects section.
Frequently Asked Questions About LED Strips
How do LED strips work?
An LED strip is really easy to use. Simply install it where it's needed via the adhesive back, then control it using the included remote control, which is usually fitted via a cable. You can change the colours, dim the light and trigger other modes and functions. Some strips can even be controlled via a smartphone or tablet. Using these systems, you have total remote control over your lighting via Bluetooth.
How do you install LED strips?
LED strips are stuck in place via the adhesive backside, so they can be installed wherever you need them.
Can you cut an LED strip to size?
Some LED strips can be cut to a preferred length, but this doesn't apply to every model! Always check the specifications and user manual before picking out the LED strip you need. LED strips that can be cut to size usually feature markings, maybe at 50cm intervals, indicating where it can be cut and where a silver welding point has been placed. You can cut the strip with a normal pair of scissors and the length that remains can be reused.
What's the best LED strip?
A good LED strip can be securely stuck in place, has a nice light output, is easy to control and delivers stable light - so without dropping out or getting to hot. Basically, a good LED strip will do exactly what you bought it for. Better models are usually more pricey, but the investment is worth it because they will last you longer.
