How to Install LED Strip Lights

Contents:

• Supplies needed 
• Choosing the right LED strip lights
• Power supply
• How to install LED strip lights
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

A modern and chic lighting option, LED strip lights are popular for use in homes and cars. These lights come in strip form and are a great way to create distinctive accent lighting. 

There are a number of reasons why LED strip lights are so in demand to light up homes and vehicles. Many people like the fact that LEDs are relatively inexpensive to buy, easy to install, and transform the look of a space.

Full of impact, LED strip lights take lighting to a whole new level as under-cabinet lighting, wall lights or edge lighting. Elegant in appearance, LED strip lights have multiple benefits such as helping reduce energy use in homes and support cost efficiencies. 

LED lights are also extremely adaptable as they can be customised. This is done by cutting with scissors and connecting strips together to create unique and attractive designs. 

Here we take a look at how to install LED strip lights in different areas of your home, such as on ceilings and walls, under counters, and in cars. Plus, we explore how to select the right type of LED strip lights to suit your needs.

Learning how to fit LED strip lights is easy if you have the right equipment. With a little research and some essential supplies, your eye-catching LED strip lights will quickly be in place to create the perfect look for your home. 

Pick up these essential supplies for simple LED strip light installation:

• LED strip lights

• Scissors

• Light strip connector kit

• Tape measure 

• Cleaning cloth and cleaning solution

• Step ladder (optional)

• Extension lead if required

When it comes to getting to grips with how to put up LED strip lights, choosing the right product is key to success. With a wide variety of LED strip lights on offer, it makes sense to do your research and select the most suitable lighting for your home or car. 

LED strip brightness

LED brightness is measured using lumens. Cool colour temperature LEDs have more lumens per watt at around 4000K and are useful for places that need more light. Warmer colour temperature LED strip lights have approximately 2700-3000K, making them more appropriate for domestic settings. 

LED colour

There are lots of colour options to choose from, including white, warm white, and single colour lights. You can also go for RGB LED strip lights. These are a combination of red, green and blue lights that colour change. 

Colour temperature

Colour temperature helps to separate the white LED strip light options. These range from ‘warm’ to ‘cool’ white, with higher temperatures linked to cool hues and lower temperatures representing warmer colours.

Voltage

LEDs commonly come in 5v, 12v or 24v. Many LED strip lights run on 12v, with 24v used for strips that are longer than 10 metres in length. 

Smart strip lights

Ideal for more permanent installations, smart LED strip lights are flexible with embedded LED lights that can be trimmed or extended. Smart strip lights can also connect to your smartphone so that you can control the lights. They can also connect through a smart home system, such as Google Home or Apple Home as examples.

One of the trickier elements in learning how to put up LED strip lights is working out the best power supply.  

The power supply for LED strip lights converts the higher AC voltage to a lower DC voltage. LED strip lights generally work at a lower voltage of 5v, 12v or 24v, compared to a typical home supplying 120v AC.

When you’re choosing a power supply, it helps to find out:

1. The power consumption in watts per foot of your LED strip light

2. The length of strip light you need

3. Your strip voltage

It’s important that you have a safety margin for your lights at least 20% higher than the total wattage of the light. 

Try working out a minimum power supply with this formula:

(Strip light length  x watts per foot)/0.8 = Minimum power supply wattage

Power supplies come in different wattages, so go for a close power supply that has a wattage higher than your minimum number. 

Here’s an example:

1. You want to install a strip of 10 feet.

2. The strip consumes 4.5 watts per foot.

3. Then multiply 10 by 4.5 to get 45. Your strip needs 45 watts of power. 

4. Apply the 20% rule to get your safety margin. Divide 45 by 0.8 to get 56.25 watts.

This means you need a power supply of at least 56.25 watts to power your LED strip lights safely. 

It also helps to make sure the output voltage of the power supply aligns with the LED light voltage. For example, if you have a LED strip light with 12v DC that you want to use with a 120v home power system, your power supply or LED driver should have 120v input with a 12v DC output range. 

Whether you want to know how to install LED strip lights to a ceiling or how to install LED strip lights on walls, it helps to stick to an easy guide. 

Gather all of your materials and make sure you have the right LED strip light to suit the positioning and use in your home or car.

Follow these simple steps detailing how to fit LED strip lights.

 

Step 1. Confirm the power supply for you strip lights

Go over your power supply requirements one more time, using the power supply formula to make sure you have the correct energy supply for your LED strip lights. Remember to check the 20% safety margin and factor this in to ensure you have a safe power supply for your lights. 

 

Step 2. Measure the area

Carefully measure the area where you want to install LED strip lights. If you’re fitting them in more than one area, add together the measurements to get a total. Make sure to buy slightly more than you need to be safe. 

 

Step 3. Prepare the surface

For a smooth and even fit, thoroughly prepare the surface where the LED strip light will be located. Firstly, use a cleaning product to wash off any dirt or residue. Dry with a clean cloth so your light will stick properly to the surface. 

Tip: If you want to know how to put up LED strip lights that will last, fit them to smooth surfaces like wood, vinyl or metal. Textured surfaces may result in lights peeling off over time. 

 

Step 4. Peel off LED strip backing

Almost like a sticker, the backing of your LED strip light will have an adhesive strip that means it can stick to the intended surface effectively. Fully unpack your strips and hold against the surface to double check the light is right for the space.

Don’t unravel your strip spool completely at this point. Just undo about 30-40cm at first as it’s difficult to fit a long strip all at once. When you’re ready, peel off the backing to this first section. 

 

Step 5. Apply strip to surface

Begin where you want to plug your strip in as you need this to be a snug fit. Line up the strip to this section carefully and press against the wall, ceiling or wherever you’re fitting the strip light. 

Firmly press your strip down and smooth it out for a well-positioned fit. This will help it to stay in position for the long term. 

Note: if you need an extension cord to plug in the LED strip light to the power supply, it’s a good idea to make sure this all fits together. 

 

Step 6. Complete strip application

Check to see that the first section looks good in place and suits your needs. If you’re happy, continue to fit the rest of the strip. To do this, unravel the rest of the light strip and unpeel the backing.

Slowly and carefully press small sections of the strip to the entire surface with your hands, smoothing out the strip as you go. Doing this in stages will ensure you install the LED strip light accurately to the surface. 

 

Hints:

• If you fall off track with the strip, try pressing it back to the centre of the surface. It should allow you to move it back into place. 

• Take it slowly if you’re fitting around a corner. Try to do one side first, then smooth the strip around the corner for a tidy fit. 

 

Step 7. Cut strip to size with scissors

Each LED light strip has designated cut lines where you can trim your strip to fit your area. If you don’t use these lines as a cutting guide, you may find you cut through a circuit. 

If you’re researching how to fit LED strip lights, consult your light’s manual so you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for a successful installation. 

 

Step 8. Check connecting cables

Want to know how to install LED strip lights on walls or other larger spaces? You might be connecting two or more LED strip lights together. To do this, use clip-on connectors that will join your lights effectively without an obvious visible gap. 

 

Step 9. Test your LED strip lights

Testing is the safest option before turning your lights on. Using a digital multimeter with a diode setting can help, as this will give you a reading of individual light strength. 

You can also visually check along the entire strip to make sure there are no gaps or poor connections that could stop your LED strip light from working. 

 

Step 10. Turn on your LED strip lights

With everything looking good and ready for use, plug your LED strip light into the power outlet. This should mean that your lights turn on and you’ve successfully fitted your LED strip. 

Place the strip controller out of sight to give the whole area a finished look. 

 

Connecting to smart LED strip lights

 

If you’ve installed smart strip lights then these will need to be connected to the relevant app or smart home system, such as Google Home or Apple Home,  you’re using.

 

Fitting LED strip lights to ceilings, under counters and in cars

 

If you’re installing LED strip lights under cabinets, counters or in your car, then buying flexible LED strips may be helpful. You can also use connectors to join shorter LED strip light pieces together to fit around corners or to create your desired look. 

With LED strip light installation inside your car, you need to find a power source, such as the fuse box. Double-sided adhesive tape will help you fix the LED strip lights into place. 

Learning how to fit LED strip lights is easier than you think, once you complete some simple steps and have the right equipment to hand. Understanding the correct processes and handling the LED strip lights with care will improve your ability to fit them successfully. 

If you’re researching how to install LED strip lights on ceiling areas, make sure to gather all of your equipment and prepare the surface area fully before you begin. A stable set of ladders will help you complete the installation. 

Thinking of installing smart strip lights at home? Discover more about our smart strip lights range.