How to : Using LED light strips for home decoration

What is an LED Light Strip?

Crafted from light-emitting diodes, LED lights are much more durable, maintainable and long-lasting than other forms of lighting. In fact, they can last up to 10 times longer than fluorescent or incandescent lights. An LED strip is made by attaching multiple LED bulbs, at uniform intervals onto a flexible backing strip – this can come with a self adhesive effect (essentially similar to sticky-tape), or might require a separate adhesive that is likely to be slightly more durable. Given the flexibility, thin profile and adaptable quality of an LED light strip, it’s easy to install anywhere and on any surface.

What’s more, they’re pretty affordable and easy to install. If you choose to go DIY and give yourself a simple project of adding in some LED strip lights, price is variable depending on quality and the length you require – a basic strip of around 5 metres can cost as low as ₹400 – just make sure you have the right adhesive and this is an extremely wallet friendly option. They also can be sourced in varying levels of lumens or brightness (from a soft glow to a high-degree of illumination) and in a wide range of colours, so it’s possible to perfectly customise them to suit a specific room, need or creative concept – the limit is truly your imagination!

• Living Rooms:

  Well placed lighting in the living room can create layers and focus in your space, lending your living room an extra luxe gloss. For structure or to spotlight, use an LED light strip inside bookshelves or glass-front display cases. This helps to draw attention to your décor as well as to add interest to what would otherwise be large blocks of shadow. On the other hand you can create a low-key ambient glow by installing LED strip lights for ceiling illumination. Lay strips along the upper beams or set into false ceilings for a soft background radiance that gives your room an airy appealing brightness – this lighting trick can also work in attic spaces, entrance halls or even bedrooms.

• Bedrooms:

  One of the key advantages of LED strip lights for bedroom interiors is the improved safety they can provide. Positioned along the borders and corners of doorways and furniture, they highlight edges and prevent accidental bumps and bruises at night. To replace the need for nightlights in a bedroom, LED light strips in room corners or behind the headboard of your bed can be just enough soft lighting for overall comfort. And for visual drama and impact, using LED strips along the lower edge of floating beds gives the impression of added height and can make your bed seem as if it’s set within a pillow of light.

• Bathrooms:

  LEDs are the perfect fit for bathrooms, especially those with a smaller footprint. Light your bathroom mirror with smart LED strip lights for an adjustable lighting solution that can double as both ambient light and as focused task lighting for shaving or makeup. Smart lighting options allow you to increase or decrease brightness and change the colour of the light (excellent for makeup application), giving you a grooming set-up more adaptable than that which a ring light can provide. In smaller bathrooms, using LED strips for room lighting by placing them along the edges of the tile or in the corners, will improve the safety and usability of your space without taking up precious square footage. The small profile of LED strips also makes them the ideal lighting for corner shelves and storage in tight spaces.

• Stairways and Outdoors:

  LED lights are an efficient and stylish solution to making stairs safer and better lit. Illuminate the surface of each stair by laying lighting strips along the step overhang, or highlight the edges of each stair for a clearer demarcation. Run them along the underneath of your staircase bannister or the wall-side of your stairway for a visually interesting yet functional way to add better lighting to an underlit staircase. As a safety solution, LED strips for room illumination can work as well in semi-outdoor spaces as indoors.