Innovation Alert: The Possibilities of LED Strip Lighting
Find out more about this flexible and long-lasting lighting solution for your home
Rebecca Gross
26 April 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor based in Sydney. Design historian, writer and researcher. I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York
Houzz Australia Contributor based in Sydney. Design historian, writer and researcher.... More
LED strip lighting has become increasingly popular in modern and contemporary architecture, because it is a flexible lighting system and provides a solution for ambient, accent and task lighting needs. Available in different lengths, outputs and colours, LED strip lighting is exceptionally versatile, not to mention long lasting. Here’s what you need to know.
What is LED Strip Lighting?
An LED strip light is a circuit board with surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LED) in a variety of colours and brightnesses. LED strip lighting can be flexible or rigid, and an adhesive backing allows the strip to be placed almost anywhere.
An LED strip light is a circuit board with surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LED) in a variety of colours and brightnesses. LED strip lighting can be flexible or rigid, and an adhesive backing allows the strip to be placed almost anywhere.
Pros of LED Strip Lighting
- LED strip lighting can be customised to fit the length of the space required.
- With a thickness of two millimetres, LED strip lights can be installed in tight spaces and hidden from view. The flexibility of strip lights (they can be bent around 90-degree corners) means they can be installed in places that might otherwise have been near impossible.
- The colour, shape, size and power level of the LEDs can be selected to suit the location, function and design concept. In addition to warm white and cool white light, they may also produce a broad spectrum of colours. They can be manufactured to emit single colours, or to have colour-changing options.
- LED strip lights are weather-resistant and can be installed in wet areas and outdoor spaces, providing the transformer is away from any water source or moisture.
- LED strip lighting is also an efficient consumer of power. They produce more light per watt than most lights, and use less electricity in the process.
- LEDs are typically robust, and have a long lifespan. However, like all light sources, the performance of LEDs degrades over time, influenced by variables such as temperature and working current.
Cons of LED Strip Lighting
- If an LED needs replacing, it may require the whole set to be replaced rather than only one light bulb.
- If one or two lights burn out before the others, the effect can be patchy. In addition, as the lights degrade over time, their brightness may become undependable and inconsistent.
- LED strip lighting may have a higher upfront cost, but due to energy efficiency there are savings over time.
- The life of the light strip is also dependent on the temperature of the operating area. Installing in places with high temperatures can reduce the working life of a light strip.
Installing LED Strip Lighting
To install LED lights with adhesive backing, it can be as simple as sticking the lights where you want them to go. In more complex installations, however, strips may need to be cut, programmed and wired into the house. It is always advisable to consult an electrician before installing LED strip lighting.
To install LED lights with adhesive backing, it can be as simple as sticking the lights where you want them to go. In more complex installations, however, strips may need to be cut, programmed and wired into the house. It is always advisable to consult an electrician before installing LED strip lighting.
Where to Use LED Strip Lighting
LED strip lighting is extremely versatile in both indoor and outdoor environments, and can be used for accent lighting, backlighting, task lighting and decorative lighting applications. Here is a selection of LED-lit interiors and features to inspire you.
LED strip lighting is extremely versatile in both indoor and outdoor environments, and can be used for accent lighting, backlighting, task lighting and decorative lighting applications. Here is a selection of LED-lit interiors and features to inspire you.
Bathroom mirror
LED strip lighting around the mirror can add accent lighting to the bathroom and make the mirror stand out from the wall. And as these images (here and above) demonstrate, it can also be used to add cool or warm light to the bathroom, depending on the desired atmosphere and aesthetic.
LED strip lighting around the mirror can add accent lighting to the bathroom and make the mirror stand out from the wall. And as these images (here and above) demonstrate, it can also be used to add cool or warm light to the bathroom, depending on the desired atmosphere and aesthetic.
Stair handrail
LED strip lighting on the underside of the handrail not only gives an otherwise commonplace feature some wow factor, it illuminates the floating stairs for safety.
LED strip lighting on the underside of the handrail not only gives an otherwise commonplace feature some wow factor, it illuminates the floating stairs for safety.
Stair treads
LED strip lighting on the underside of these stair treads adds a light feature and casts interesting shadows on the walls. Here the electricity is run through a conduit in the concrete wall.
LED strip lighting on the underside of these stair treads adds a light feature and casts interesting shadows on the walls. Here the electricity is run through a conduit in the concrete wall.
Feature wall
A concealed lighting strip in this living room not only creates a feature wall, it gives the illusion of natural daylight. The lighting is installed in a recessed area and highlights the textures of the wallpaper.
Clever lighting ideas you may not have thought of yet
A concealed lighting strip in this living room not only creates a feature wall, it gives the illusion of natural daylight. The lighting is installed in a recessed area and highlights the textures of the wallpaper.
Clever lighting ideas you may not have thought of yet
Kitchen island
Strip lighting under the kitchen island illuminates the stools and the grain in the stone on the front of this island. The varied sources of light throughout this kitchen also highlight the architectural forms, shapes and layers.
Strip lighting under the kitchen island illuminates the stools and the grain in the stone on the front of this island. The varied sources of light throughout this kitchen also highlight the architectural forms, shapes and layers.
Kitchen cabinetry
Illuminating the underside of the kitchen cabinets not only adds decorative lighting to this kitchen, it expands the sense of space by brightening the edges of the room. And it improves the functionality of the kitchen with focused task lighting over work surfaces, which may otherwise be hindered by shadows from the cabinets.
How to get kitchen lighting right
Illuminating the underside of the kitchen cabinets not only adds decorative lighting to this kitchen, it expands the sense of space by brightening the edges of the room. And it improves the functionality of the kitchen with focused task lighting over work surfaces, which may otherwise be hindered by shadows from the cabinets.
How to get kitchen lighting right
Kitchen splashback
Choosing warm or cool light can transform the look and feel of a space, and in this case the lighting is less for function and more for colour and effect. Warm LED strip lighting under the cabinets highlights the decoratively tiled splashback in this kitchen.
Choosing warm or cool light can transform the look and feel of a space, and in this case the lighting is less for function and more for colour and effect. Warm LED strip lighting under the cabinets highlights the decoratively tiled splashback in this kitchen.
Walk-in robe
LED strip lighting enhances the sense of luxury in this walk-in robe. The soft glow outlines the architectural forms of the wardrobe and enriches the textures of the timber. It also brings additional light to a space that gets limited natural light otherwise.
LED strip lighting enhances the sense of luxury in this walk-in robe. The soft glow outlines the architectural forms of the wardrobe and enriches the textures of the timber. It also brings additional light to a space that gets limited natural light otherwise.
Living room
Concealed lighting strips on each wall of this living room highlight the lines and volumes of the space and add ambient light in the evenings.
Concealed lighting strips on each wall of this living room highlight the lines and volumes of the space and add ambient light in the evenings.
Bathroom cabinetry
Strip lighting above and below the cabinetry adds light and shadow to this cream-coloured bathroom, and highlights its various dimensions in doing so.
Strip lighting above and below the cabinetry adds light and shadow to this cream-coloured bathroom, and highlights its various dimensions in doing so.
Garden path
The entrance path to this home is illuminated with strip lighting. The glow of the concealed lights outlines the edge of the path and decking and provides atmospheric light in the evening and night.
The entrance path to this home is illuminated with strip lighting. The glow of the concealed lights outlines the edge of the path and decking and provides atmospheric light in the evening and night.
Exterior facade
This house is comprised of a series of strong geometric volumes that are stacked and cantilevered. Strips of LED lighting enhance these volumes and their configuration, and highlight the textures of the exterior cladding.
Tell us
Do you have LED strip lighting in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
More
Browse more exterior design ideas
This house is comprised of a series of strong geometric volumes that are stacked and cantilevered. Strips of LED lighting enhance these volumes and their configuration, and highlight the textures of the exterior cladding.
Tell us
Do you have LED strip lighting in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
More
Browse more exterior design ideas
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Would this be suitable for an elderly parent to find their way to the bathroom at night? Would I need to get an electrician or can I just plug it in? Attach movement sensor maybe?
We love LED strips. Absolutely clever, stylish, and practical.