Suspended ceilings, sometimes called suspended ceilings – where you have an extra “false” ceiling hanging below the main one – are ideal for LED strips.
- How to Install an LED Light Strip in Your Home
- What You’ll Need
- Part 1. How to Install LED Strip Lights?
- Step 1. Dry and clean the surface
- Step 2. Unroll the light strip, stick to the surface
- Step 3. Connect LED light strip and turn on the light
- Part 2. How to Cut LED Lights Strip
- Under cabinets
- Along toe kicks
- How to Install Under Counter LED Lighting Video
- 1. Determine which brand of lights you will need:
- 2. Choose one your preferred strip above or choose one of our LED lighting kits
- Any Questions?
- LED Light Strips: What Makes them so Special?
- 7 Things to Know Before Installing LED Strip Lights
- LED Strip Density = Brightness
- Color: RGB Multicolor, UV, Colors, White CCT Range
- Where Should LED Strips Be Placed On Ceiling?
- How To Install LED Strips On Ceiling: Step By Step Guide
- How To Install LED Strip Lights In False Ceiling?
- Additional reading
- Your comments are welcome!
- Leave a Comment Cancel reply
- About Me
How to Install an LED Light Strip in Your Home
Lighting your home is easy with the LED light strip. We’ll show you how to install it in no time.
Do you want to take your TV or desk to the next level? Maybe you’ve seen these amazing multicolored battle stations on sites like Reddit or Pinterest and decided it’s time to customize your own space.
We will show you how to easily install LED strip lighting to accentuate your favorite part of your home.
What You’ll Need
- strip lights (We used this Govee model but most other lights are similar)
- Access to an electrical outlet
- Alcohol swabs (included)
- Small Mounting Brackets (Optional)
The minimum length of Govee strip lights is 16.4 feet. This means if your space is longer or shorter you’ll need to increase the number of light sets or trim the Govee lamps to fit. To increase the distance for your strip lights, just buy another set. They’re not expensive, which is one of the reasons Govee lights are so great.
The best way to roughly measure your finished product is to find the nearest outlet where you want to put the strip. Then spread the strip along your space. It doesn’t have to be exact, it just has to be close. You’ll remove the excess lighting at the end of the installation anyway, but if you want to use a tape measure for a bit more precision, feel free to do so.
Then plug in the lights to make sure everything is working. If so, disconnect the lights and go to the next step.
The LED driver enables this in more advanced light strips, using very fast on / off with separate wiring for each individual RGB color.
Part 1. How to Install LED Strip Lights?
Step 1. Dry and clean the surface
Before sticking any strip lights, clean the surface of the area where the lights will be placed. This is necessary to keep it mounted for a long time. It is recommended to place strip lights on smooth, stable surfaces. Do not place it on rough or textured surfaces, or any surfaces that may bend or move.
Step 2. Unroll the light strip, stick to the surface
The LED strip lighting is wound on a spool. Just extend the length of the lighting you will work with, remove the layer of glue and stick to the desired surface. Press down on each part of the strip so that it is firmly against the surface and free from air bubbles.
You can use mounting clips to strengthen the tape installation and ensure they stay in place. Peel off the adhesive tape and apply it to the surface with the non-stick area above the light strip. If you want, you can additionally secure the clip by screwing it to the surface.
Note: Not all LED strips on lepro.com are equipped with mounting clips, check new models if necessary.
Step 3. Connect LED light strip and turn on the light
After securing the light strip, you can connect it to the controller and power supply, and then plug it into an electrical outlet. Using the remote control, remove the insulation sheet first, press any color on the remote control to change the lighting color.
Part 2. How to Cut LED Lights Strip
Each lighting strip has specially designated sections in which you can cut the strip. Remember to make a clean straight cut only in designated areas. Cutting it in an unspecified place will damage the strip lights.
Outline ™ Series Specifications Class-led LED strip light – 1.5 w / ft – Subtle power output for accent and ambient lighting. – 125 Lumen / ft – CRI above 95 for excellent color rendering – 15-year warranty
Under cabinets
As the name suggests, under-cabinet lighting illuminates the areas under the cupboards. It is most often used under overhead kitchen cabinets and is partly responsible for making you pass out over the living room kitchens.
Lighting the underside of a cupboard can create a better lit workplace, whether it’s a cutting board on the kitchen counter or a notebook on a desk in a recess that you use for working at home.
This task lighting will prevent eye fatigue, and these accent lights can also illuminate a space without having to turn on brighter bulbs overhead when it’s time to wind down. Good for your sleep and energy-saving at the same time.
Along toe kicks
We’d all be hunched over the floor-mounted cabinets were it not for that ample digging space to provide room for our fingers.
The use of LED strips under the lower cabinets will illuminate the foot-friendly place and give the kitchen a nice glow. Additionally, these lights will help you avoid stinging your toes when traveling to the refrigerator at midnight.
Try to use RGB LED lights for kicks that glow with vivid colors. Set the light to a red hue and hop around the bathroom, eyes closed, mom’s arms outstretched, trying to keep from waking up completely.
Once the lights are working properly and you are sure you have selected the correct color temperature and brightness for your project, go to step two. If they don’t work as expected, a simple connection error usually occurs. We are here every step of the way to answer any questions you may have.
How to Install Under Counter LED Lighting Video
1. Determine which brand of lights you will need:
Flexfire LEDs produces the highest quality LED strips in the world. We are known in the industry for our incredible support and having the brightest LED strips. There are many different types of straps that we wear, and each one has its own specific use. Before starting your project, you need to choose the brightness, color and style of your LEDs.
Below is a great guide on how to choose the right LED strip light for your application.
2. Choose one your preferred strip above or choose one of our LED lighting kits
Our lighting kits for LED strips have been created with many projects in mind. You can order our pre-made kits with our Lutron wall dimmer without a wall dimmer, or the Flexfire LED design experts can build a custom kit for free for your project!
Any Questions?
Do you need help with mounting LED lighting under countertops or cabinets? We love being able to provide customers with the LED solutions they are looking for. It is a great pleasure for us to see our lighting strips installed in the countless innovative and sustainable projects that are developed every day. Your vision inspires us to do what we do!
Do you need help deciding which LED strips fit your commercial, industrial or home lighting project? Call us at 1-844-FLEXFIRE (1-844-353-9347) or send us an email to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!
I am a car audio fanatic and a professional electrical engineer. In college, I was a professional installer, and even dealt with this side business. I still love speakers, home and car audio, and all kinds of projects related to enjoying the sound we love.
LED Light Strips: What Makes them so Special?
LED strip lights, also known as LED strips or LED strips, are known for their low profile and flexibility. The efficient LEDs are housed on a 10mm wide PCB offered in lengths from 3 feet to 16.4 feet. Flexible LED strips have many functions that facilitate their use in various situations:
Cutting to size – Cutting LED strips is very simple thanks to the lines cut along the strips. There is a black line at each cut point with copper solder points on each side. Copper pads make each piece of the strip addressable even when trimmed. This makes it possible to connect the LED strips to each other or to connect the strip in a different part of the house.
Flexible LED Strip with Adhesive – The LED strips feature a 3M adhesive backing for simple mounting options. The low-profile, flexible strap has a peelable bottom that exposes the 3M adhesive for easy peel-and-stick installation.
Waterproof or non-waterproof – LED strips are not limited to indoor projects. Waterproof LED strips have an IP65 protection rating and are made of silicone resin, which protects the strip elements from dust and moisture. Waterproof LED lights are a bit more expensive but are essential for any outdoor or near water project.
12 volt LEDs – LEDs need a 12VDC power supply to function. This will require an AC / DC transformer for domestic use, but makes wiring strips in the home much safer. Batteries output DC as well, so it’s easy to make battery-powered LED lighting with these flexible straps.
7 Things to Know Before Installing LED Strip Lights
LED flex strips are great for all kinds of projects, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Follow this 7-step guide if you get stuck not knowing where to start. The guide shows various options for LED strips and what needs to be planned for DIY LED strip lighting to be a complete success!
LED Strip Density = Brightness
The density of the LED light bar means how many LEDs are in a given area. For flexible LED strips, the density is measured in “LEDs per meter”. The standard density strip has 30 LEDs / m while the high density strip has 60 LEDs / m. A strip with a higher density means brighter light with a higher quality. The table below shows the differences between the standard stripes and the high-density stripes. Note the Lumen outputs as well as the differences in cut lengths and the maximum run length for each.
Density | number of LEDs | Lumens | Power (per roll) |
Suitable for cutting | Max. Run |
Stand. (SD) | 30 / meter | 540 / meter | 27 watts | Every 4 inches | 32.8 feet |
High (HD) | 60 / meter | 1080 / M | 40 watts | Every 2 inches | 16.4 feet |
Lumen is a measure of the brightness perceived by the human eye. With incandescent lighting, most of us use watts to measure the brightness of the light. In the case of LEDs, Lumens are the new standard for describing the luminous flux. Luminous flux is one of the most important considerations when choosing LED strips as it determines the type of light you will receive.
Be sure to pay attention to the way the lumens are tracked when comparing the brightness of the LED strips. In the table above, the bars are labeled lumens per meter. To find the total lumens output, just find how many meters you will run.
Luminous flux is one of the most important considerations when choosing LED strips as it determines the type of light you will receive.
Different designs require certain clarity to achieve their goal. I advise you to always choose the brighter option and add a dimmer. Below is a helpful guide on Lumen Requirements:
- Accent or mood lighting – 100-300 lumens / foot.
- Under-cabinet lighting – 175-360 lumens / foot.
- Task lighting at greater distance from the source – 300-450 lumens / foot.
- Bedroom, Cove Lighting – 180-500 lumens / ft.
Color: RGB Multicolor, UV, Colors, White CCT Range
The color of the LED strip depends on personal preferences. RGB LED strips are a good option for those who like variety and color effects. RGB strip lights are color-changing stripes that are great for accent lighting throughout your home. They use red, green and blue LEDs so you can mix them to create many different colors. If you’re using RGB strips, just make sure you’re using the 3-channel controller in the dimming section of this guide.
The Ultra Violet (UV) tape version is available. This is a great option for UV applications or creating your own black light!
The strips are also available in single colors: red, green, blue, yellow and white (3000-6500K CCT).
Additionally, another option is to connect to a power source at the fuse box. They are usually located on the left side of the dashboard, near the lower left side of the interior, or under a panel in the dashboard itself.
Where Should LED Strips Be Placed On Ceiling?
The starting point of your stripes really matters as the electrical outlet will be around this area.
And if you’re an avid YouTuber or TikToker, you definitely don’t want unsavory wires to show up in your videos.
Otherwise, the cord that runs from the socket to the LED power supply should be unobtrusive, for example behind furniture or a door or near a corner of a wall.
After connecting the lighting strips, you need to decide where they are to be placed on the ceiling.
If you want the ceiling to be more lit, place the strips about 3-5 inches from the ceiling.
If you want more walls to be lit, place strips around your foot against the ceiling to provide enough space to shine upwards.
The most ideal way to install LEDs is when individual LEDs are not clearly visible and hidden while preventing the harsh glare from the light emitted from your eyes.
Some ceilings have a built-in recess and are called suspended ceilings, suspended ceilings, or suspended ceilings.
If necessary, there is a small area to insert lights, and in our case, the perfect place to hide exposed LED strips.
How To Install LED Strips On Ceiling: Step By Step Guide
Here is a step by step guide on how to install LED strip lights. However, before starting the process, connect the LEDs and check if they work, then continue with the project.
Step 1: Measure the perimeter of the room ceiling, including all corners and bends along the way. Make sure you have also measured the distance to the wall socket if the power supply has a short cord.
Since the LED strips have a specific length, you can now decide if you want one or more rolls of LED strips.
You can easily cut the strips to length as long as there are designated copper cut points on the spool.
Step # 2: For optimal visual appeal and minimal waste of extra spool or extra cabling, make sure the power outlet is as close as possible to the power source that came with the LED strip roll.
Step 3: Now, to make sure your LED strips will last as long as they’re designed for it, your setup should be well ventilated with room airflow and shouldn’t be placed behind bulky furniture or thick curtains.
Also, make sure you use a recess that allows good heat dissipation (like aluminum, don’t use wood) and is wide and deep enough for ventilation.
Step 4: Here comes the fun part. Put it all on! Some high-quality strips have a built-in adhesive on the back of the strips you peel and stick.
This is a better option as some manufacturers ensure that the built-in tape is also designed to dissipate excess heat.
Other skirting boards require external double-sided tape, which you must glue yourself, first to the skirting board, then to the wall, plinth or ceiling.
This can be a tedious process and it can happen sooner than expected.
But suppose the ceiling has a porous or textured structure. If this is the case, consider adding external double tape or wall glue to hold it better.
Be sure to peel off approximately 3-5 inches of tape at a time to facilitate handling.
Measurements may go wrong, but don’t worry. If you have measured the strip before sticking it with tape and find it short, leave extra space at the end of the entire length.
This way, you can add more light stripes with your next order, or you can combine the stripes you already have.
How To Install LED Strip Lights In False Ceiling?
Suspended ceilings, sometimes called suspended ceilings – where you have an extra “false” ceiling hanging below the main one – are ideal for LED strips.
You can have a clean, modern ceiling that looks like it’s floating, and LED lights provide the perfect modern touch – especially if you choose RGB lighting to illuminate your home with a cool color.
Here, there is no need for additional grooves or crown formation.
Installing strip lights in a false ceiling presents many of the same challenges as installing them on any other ceiling.
Two main specific challenges relate to power and positioning.
As for the power source, you have to remember that the floating ceiling is likely to be central.
This means that in order to reach the outlet, you need to route the cables of the LED strips out of the false ceiling, along the main surface, and then down the wall.
LED flex strips are great for all kinds of projects, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Follow this 7-step guide if you get stuck not knowing where to start. The guide shows various options for LED strips and what needs to be planned for DIY LED strip lighting to be a complete success!
Additional reading
Speaking of going to the next level .. already have an amplifier? If it’s time to update, take a look at my list of the best 4-channel amplifiers for sound quality.
Your comments are welcome!
Hi my name is Brian I brought myself MAODANER car moldings and it may be easy to assemble but I don’t feel comfortable doing it myself so if you can do it for me thanks a lot Brian 👍
Hi Brian, sorry I am unable to help with the actual installation work. But I am happy to answer questions etc if you need to. Yours faithfully.
Leave a Comment Cancel reply
About Me
Hi – I’m Marty.
I am a car audio fanatic and a professional electrical engineer. In college, I was a professional installer, and even dealt with this side business. I still love speakers, home and car audio, and all kinds of projects related to enjoying the sound we love.
Everyone is welcome and I am happy to help you too, my friend!
You can do it yourself!
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