46 genius hacks for LED strip lights

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Creative ideas for LED lighting strips

Target

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have revolutionised the way we illuminate our abodes. In most cases a cost-effective and creative lighting solution for your home's interior and exterior, the possibilities are endless. While it's a bit more complicated than simply sticking the lights into place, you can buy kits that make installation a breeze. Click or scroll to check out these bright ideas to use LED strip lights in ways you've never thought of before...

Brighten dark corners

IKEA

LED strip lights can be easily cut to size or connected to fit perfectly under pieces of furniture, so it looks as though your accent lighting has been expensively custom-made. You don't need to keep bending down to switch them on either, as many come with handy remote controls. Placing LED light strips under cabinets and dressers will maximise the feeling of space.

Set up a cinema room

Lights.co.uk

Give your living room a cinema vibe by adding LED strip lighting to the back of the TV. Continue the movie night novelty by adding yet more lights under furniture, along coving and under floating shelves. Always make sure the surface you are applying your lighting to is clean and clear of debris otherwise the backing will not adhere.

Illuminate a wall-hung vanity

@hrtelecservices / Instagram

Think you can't have strip lights in bathrooms? Think again! An easy way to upgrade a tired-looking bathroom is to add waterpoof battery powered strip lighting underneath a wall-hung vanity to create a warm glow that's atmospheric and adds to the feeling of space. Secure the battery pack discreetly to the underside of the drawer with Velcro tape.

Bring in a night sky

Urban Outfitters

When teamed with other Illuminating accessories LED strip lights can help create an atmospheric scene with glowing character. This teenage bedroom brings the night sky indoors with purple LEDs, a cute crescent moon wall lamp and revolving starry projector light. LED strips are available in an array of colours, to suit any project.

Reflect light off a white kitchen

John Cullen Lighting

An all-white kitchen can seem stark when lit conventionally. LED strip lights positioned strategically under counters and above upper cabinetry will offer soft layers of light that will bounce and shine off glossy surfaces creating inviting and contemporary kitchen character. LED light strips can warm up slightly when they’re switched on so, if your LED strips won't be installed on a metal surface, they can be placed inside a metal profile.

Illuminate a paint effect

Sofology

Wall paint decorating effects are a hot trend right now. Why not make your feature wall stand from the rest by adding horizontal strip lights along the edges of changing colours? The soft glow against the green and cream tones of this living room creates a cosy winter vibe.

See clearly with a vanity mirror

Amazon

Make a play on glamorous Hollywood-style light bulb mirrors for a fraction of the price with an LED vanity mirror kit. Placing the LED light strip around the mirror will look more attractive, and most light strips have strong adhesive at the back so that you can directly attach them to the mirror. The daylight glow will make sure you always look your best.

Warm up the bedroom

Target

LED plug-in strip lights can make DIY projects look ultra-cosy. This bed has been turned amber and inviting with warm LED lights connected behind the headboard but kept completely hidden from view. Use strip connectors to go around corners, making sure you cut the strips in the correct area only. When backlit, the high gloss surfaces truly shine.

Create the ultimate gaming zone

Philips Hue

This is one for the gamers – fancy creating the ultimate atmospheric setup before immersing yourself in your next battle or quest? Colour-capable LED lights from Philips Hue are the ultimate way to take the gaming experience to the next level. These ingenious LED lights can be programmed to react to your on-screen actions, bringing the virtual world fully to life. Pair with matching plug-in LED strips for the ultimate in cool.

Light up the garage space

@hjem2019 / Instagram

Turn an everyday garage or carport into a sleek, modern and practical space with a customised strip of LED lighting. It's also a great way to highlight any architectural features, such as this viewing window. Get an electrician to install for a professional and safe finish, but bear in mind this will bring up the overall costs.

Make a statement ceiling

Circu

LED lighting need not just be reserved for the parameters of the ceiling. In fact, with a little know-how and imagination, you could create the ultimate statement ceiling that imparts real wow-factor. Here, 3D ceiling panels and strips of LED lights come together to form an illuminating feature on the fifth wall, combining playfulness and style for some serious impact. For this project, it's best to get a professional on board.

Accentuate the stairs

AO.com

Did someone say hallway goals? Get a look that's sleek, modern and practical for night-time wandering by adding LED strips along the length of tread down a modern staircase. The hallway is a great place to have fun, so why not make a statement by choosing a different colour such as this teal blue or even go for colour-changing LED strip lights? Make sure the strips and the power source is well concealed, to avoid any accidents, or get a professional to fit.

46 genius hacks for LED strip lights

Brighten up your terrace

@hjem2019 / Instagram

There's nothing better than entertaining on a terrace in the summer months, but as the night starts to draw in some solar powered LED strip lights are the perfect option to create an intimate space. As well as framing the door and highlighting the shapes of the home, this terrace design also uses spotlights above the social area, for layered lighting. This is another bigger project, which is best left to a professional electrican to do.

Jazz up a tree trunk

Lights4fun

Give an outdoor gathering an extra layer of ambience by wrapping a waterproof solar powered LED strip rope light around a chunky tree. As the party rolls on into the night the tree will act as a simple yet funky back light.

Enhance a kitchen recess

leibal.com

Combine form and function by installing LED strip lights into the recess areas of kitchens. For a seamless look, get a professional electrician in to install them to the mains. When teamed with other kitchen lighting solutions, they act as purposeful and practical task lights for cooking and cleaning while also creating a charming atmosphere.

Try Philips Hue lightstrips for colour

Philips Hue

Colour therapy is proven to have a real effect on how our brains work and our natural biorhythms, and Phillips has developed their Hue lightstrips so you can customise your living space. Wind down for bed with soothing orange or perk up in the morning with a flash of blue. The versatile strips mean there are no rules when it comes to decorating!

Illuminate alcoves

Hera_Architonic

Use plug-in LED strip lights in your décor to really amp up the feel of your living room. It’s an attractive and original way of highlighting interesting architectural features. We love how this rounded alcove is brought to life but you could also try this trick on a key piece of furniture like a sideboard.

Brighten up a child's bedroom

@at_home_with_amy_and_h / Instagram

Creating the ultimate kid's room might not be as difficult as it sounds. Plain white walls lend themselves to a LED strip light, particularly in a fun Lego-themed bedroom like this one. Instagram user Amy ran some light around the top of her son's room that turns blue at the touch of a button.

Outline focal points

Brandt Design

Use mains powered LED strip lights to highlight more expensive features. A dropped ceiling marked out with a glowing edge of colour intensifies this contemporary crystal chandelier. The glass droplets will reflect the additional light and adds even more glamour to this modern kitchen space.

Stick behind seating

Finnmarksauna.com

If you are lucky enough to own a sauna in your home, LED strip lights will add just enough ambience to highlight seating and hotspots without compromising the atmospheric sizzling and serene space. It's important to use specialist strip lights in this instance, and these LEDIFY SaunaLED lights are sauna safe and designed to withstand harsh conditions.

Give the home office a glow-up

Amazon

Downlighting a desk with LED strip lights will add a practical finish to your home office. Mounted under cupboards or shelving they will create energy-saving task lighting while keeping your desk space clear from a conventional table lamp. Another idea is to use plug-in or battery operated ones around a noticeboard to highlight your schedule for the day.

Illuminate the garden shed

readersheds.co.uk / Cuprinol

This summerhouse was made from scaffold boards by shed enthusiast, Scott Stickland and was a finalist in the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2019. Clever walls with solar powered integrated LED strip lighting open out to double the space. Inserted between the joints, the horizontal strip lights look clean and modern while providing much-needed garden lighting.

Make outdoor steps visible

Birddog

Welcome guests up the garden path with inviting LED strips set under the stone treads of front doorsteps. The structured and luminous glow will light the way to the door and make your entrance look super stylish, creating instant kerb appeal. This is another project it's worth getting an electrician in to do right.

Light up dark drawers

IKEA

Make dark closets, cupboards and drawers easier to search through by applying a reel of battery operated LED strip lighting to the inside. Or you can avoid the hassle of turning the LED emitters on and off by choosing motion-activated designs so that the light is only turned on when you need it.

Make bunk beds fun

IKEA

Children and teenagers love to design their own spaces, and this colourful LED-lit space is sure to appeal. Combine a band of pink LED strip lighting, secured under a high-rise bed, with other lighting solutions such as a twinkling disco ball for an original and fun-filled vibe friends will be envious of.

Intensify artwork

IKEA

Adding battery operated or plug-in LED strips discreetly to the back of artwork as backlighting will make it even more striking. LED bulbs don’t emit harmful rays or excessive heat so are safe to attach to paintings. Or why not create DIY Plexiglass light-up photo frames to showcase treasured snaps of loved ones?

Shine on a desk area

Gera / Architonic

Attach strip lights to the underside of shelving in an open-plan living room to zone off a section of the space. Here, a home office area has been highlighted beautifully, with the gentle downlighting not only looking stylish but providing functional task lighting that won’t interfere with the rest of the room when you need to work.

Cast light from the bath

Ultra LED

Turn your bathroom into a spa-style sanctuary with waterproof LED strip lights. As well as underlighting a bathroom mirror or cabinet, add a relaxing glow to your bathtub by applying a length of waterproof LED tape just under the bath panel. Surrounded by a soft glow and warm bubbles, you won't want to leave. Again, this project is best left to the professionals.

Light up the flowerbeds

Amazon / Moonrays

Make flowerbeds look curvaceous and luminous by framing lawn edges with waterproof solar powered LED strips or rope lighting. Then, pop extra spotlights within the foliage for a winning show-garden look. LED lights also look delightful wrapped around tree trunks.

Deck out the decking

ecolocityled.com

Illuminated garden decking will make the patio area ambient and inviting at dusk. Look for specialised landscape versions that are easy to install and have a waterproof plug-and-play design to change the colour with the mood you want to create. A soft warm yellow glow will make the space feel intimate and relaxed or go for neon purples and pinks to evoke a pool party atmosphere.

Highlight your garden furniture

John Cullen Lighting

Thinking of a garden revamp? Lighting up your garden furniture will bring a cosy and warm vibe to your patio area as the night draws in. Concealed under the seating area, LED strip lights wash light across the patio in this garden.

Upgrade your tech

IKEA

Adding LED strips to the back of screens such as your television not only looks cool but also helps to relieve eye strain by offsetting the screen brightness. Known as 'bias lighting', you may find that using LEDs around computer screens and TVs mean you have a greater intensity of colour and contrast, which will improve picture quality.

Add ambience in the kitchen

VVVproduct / Shutterstock

LED strip lights attached under kitchen cabinets are probably the most common and practical position for these useful little light circuits as they create an extra layer of illumination, especially in small or dark kitchens. The light will highlight feature splashbacks and can be installed at a fraction of the price of standard fitted versions.

Streamline kitchen design

Paul Vinten / Shutterstock

While LED strip lights attached to kitchen cabinets and plinths are a fairly common sight, why not up the luxury by adding additional LED strips into the curve of J-pull drawers and cupboards? This looks especially effective combined with gloss surfaces because the reflective finish bounces the light and creates a sleek and contemporary shine.

Bring about a banister glow

My Mindful Home

Installing an LED strip light to the underside of a stair banister can create a floating effect that’s impressive but simple to achieve. My Mindful Home created this handy DIY light feature by integrating the cables into the wall so they’re not visible. The blogger also attached a Philips Smart Home Lighting Motion Sensor, so the lights automatically turned on or off when someone entered or left the house – clever!

Switch on a reading light

@the.hectic.eclectic / Instagram

Attach strip lights to a bed’s headboard to provide an ambient reading light that’s softer than bedside table lamps. Secure to the top edge for a discreet and more aesthetically pleasing glow. Your partner will thank you if they want to go to sleep while you read plus they’ll gently highlight and make a feature of the headboard, too.

Energise a plain scheme

AO.com

LED lights make fun features in rooms that perhaps lack character or work well in rental properties that can't be altered too much. This colourful blue strip attached to the bottom of a modular bookcase adds modern mood lighting to this small living room space. Best of all, it can then be removed without a trace.

Impress with a rosy glow

Colombo and Serboli Architecture (CaSA)

LED strip lighting can achieve striking results in small spaces. Attached to the shelving recess, a simple band of battery operated LED strip lighting enhances the blush tones of this iridescent pink tiled powder room. We’re sure that once the door is closed, you’ll be transported into a soothing space that’s colourful, relaxing and atmospheric.

Showcase display cabinets

Second Nature

Turn everyday cabinets into softly lit displays by adding strips of LED lights to the top or bottom. Install glazed doors to keep your favourite pieces fully protected and dust-free.

Highlight kitchen features

Second Nature

Getting a new kitchen? LED strip lights used as down lighting on kitchen kickboards and plinths create a stylish ambience once the main light goes off. If you've recently laid an on-trend statement floor then they’re an economical must-have addition to show off your new look.

Make wardrobes glamorous

Kindred Bedrooms

Add some sparkle to fitted furniture by framing bedroom closets with LED lighting. The warm glow gives the space some glamour and creates gentle inviting elegance. Be sure to secure wires discreetly for a sleeker look.

Let the shower shine

Caesarstone

Wanting to create a beautiful bathroom on a budget? Lighting a shower cubical with LED strip lights will add a hotel-style finish to your bathroom. Stay on the safe side and opt for waterproof battery operated LED strip lighting instead – then use them to highlight tiled alcove shelving or create a futuristic look by framing the edge of the shower screen or shower tray.

Floodlight a wine cellar

@derekbarrettdesign / nstagram

Give a bespoke piece of storage the stage presence it deserves. This stylish wine store would otherwise look dark and nondescript built under the stairs but LED light strips inside the door frame definitely add some wow-factor.

Make a statement wall

Designer Walls

LED lighting can be used almost anywhere to create a real statement. This fluted panel design by Designer Walls helps you make the walls of any room the main focal feature. Blending a 3D design with an integrated, hidden LED lighting system, you can make your space feel cool and contemporary at the flick of a switch. Plus, it's easy to assemble and disassemble yourself, thanks to its inventive click system.

Light up shelving

IKEA

LED strip lights added to shelves above or beneath is probably the easiest hack to do and can be used to highlight family photos, accessories and books with an ambient glow. The LEDs generally operate on a low wattage so make a soothing nightlight when used on shelving in children's bedrooms, too.

Rainbow your bedroom

Target

An easy way to brighten your bedroom is to pop some LED strip lights behind your headboard. Create a rainbow look by adding a long continuous strip of lights mounted to the back of the headboard, or for a super streamlined look, conceal in a bendable profile, then carry the look around the ceiling and wall corners in different colours, using corner connectors to join strips as necessary.