The recent global health crisis kicked off the rise of remote and hybrid work trends, which are still rising even today, after industries have recovered. Home offices are not just for CEOs and lawyers anymore, but for everyone who can bring their work home.
Lighting can impact productivity, mood, and even ergonomics. That’s why achieving good lighting should always be a goal for every home office. LED strips and tape lights are versatile, efficient, and cost-effective solutions that help enhance a home office’s functionality through proper lighting.
Below are some “bright” ideas on transforming your ordinary home office into a more sophisticated, modern working space using only LED strips and tape lights.
Why LED Strip and Tape Lights Are Ideal for Home Offices
Energy Efficiency & Longevity
The maximum lifespan of LEDs is 50,000 hours of operating time. That’s a very long time if you put it into a perspective of how consistently you will have to make replacements. (Hint: you won’t often have to.) LEDs are also more energy-efficient lighting solutions than their traditional counterparts, such as halogens and CFLs.
What LEDs do better is convert electricity directly into light—there is no heating up filaments and no wasting energy. They produce more light by using less energy, making them a very cost-effective lighting solution.
Flexibility & Customisation
LED strips and tapes are very lightweight and flexible. They can fit and easily be installed in small or awkward spaces, making them perfect for creating intricate room decor or highlighting specific architectural or art features.
Modern Aesthetic Appeal
Using LED strips as accent or decor lighting can give your home office a clean, minimalist design since there’s no need for bulky fixtures. Proper lighting using strips or tapes can create depth in a space that would otherwise look bland without the lights.
Dimmability & Colour Options
The number one appeal of LED strip lights. If attached to controllers and using smart integrations, you have the option to adjust the lighting to your desired mood and vibe. Make sure you get compatible strips, though, since not all strips are dimming and colour-changing compatible.
Low Heat Output
Most home office setups are enclosed, and some setups are small, so using LEDs that generate minimal heat is a safe option that reduces the risk of electrical failures and fires.
Key Home Office Areas to Enhance with LED Strip Lighting
Under Desk Lighting
Install LED strips beneath your desk (or table) to create a soft, ambient glow that’s not painful to the eyes. Especially during evening hours, under-desk lighting can help reduce shadows, eye strain and fatigue. Unlike overhead lighting, under-desk lighting does not have glare and can make your workspace feel more modern and inviting.
Monitor Backlighting
Also called bias lighting, it is done more than just for aesthetics. Backlighting your monitor with LED strip lights helps ease eye fatigue, especially when working long hours. The light contrasts with the screen and the surrounding area, lessening the strain on the eyes. Bias lighting is usually done when your screen is close to the wall.
Shelving and Bookcases
Turn your shelves and bookcases from practical storage spaces into eye-catching design features. Install LED strip lights under the shelves or inside bookcases to create depth, highlight items, and make it easier to find documents and things (whatever you put in your bookcases/shelves).
Ceiling Cove or Cornice Lighting
Want to brighten the office without overpowering light? Install LED strips and tape lights in coves and ceiling cornices. This should offer soft, indirect light that is not painful to the eyes. Best used in small offices where overhead lights can be too intense.
Floor or Skirting Board Accents
This is ideal for late nights and early mornings, when low-level lighting is needed because bright lights are blinding. Installing LED tape along your skirting boards can add a subtle, elegant finish to your home office.
Lighting Ideas Based on Task Needs
Focused Task Lighting
Yes, strip lights can be used for task lighting. Use bright, cool white strips and mount them under the shelves or above your desk for improved visibility while working.
Ambient Lighting for Video Calls
Spice up your Zoom calls with flair using soft, warm LED tape lights to create even, flattering lighting. There’s no need for a greenscreen when you have a good background available right there in your home office.
Accent Lighting for Mood
Use RGB and tunable LED strips or tape to adjust the mood according to the time of day. Switch from alert to a relaxed mode easily with a flick of a remote, or voice and smart controls for the ones integrated into the home systems.
Smart Controls
You can tie your LED strip lights into smart home systems (if applicable). Examples are Alexa and Google Home. Use smart LEDs for automated lighting using scenes you can customise.
Tips for Choosing the Right LED Products for Your Space
There are a few things to consider before buying your LED strip lights. Here’s a summary of each one:
- Match brightness (Lumens) and colour temperature (Kelvin) to your working needs.
- If there’s concern for moisture or liquid, use strips with an IP rating of at least 65.
- Check the quality of the lights you’re getting. Only use lighting solutions from leading LED light suppliers like Simple Lighting.
- Get all your lighting solutions from Simple Lighting. We have many LED strips and tape light choices to fit all your home office lighting needs. Simple Lighting is becoming increasingly well-known for producing and providing high-quality lighting solutions at cost-effective prices.
Installation Tips and Considerations
Installing LED strip lights is relatively straightforward. But if you want to have a long-lasting, professional-looking setup, there are a few things you need to take into account before, during, and after installation:
Choose the correct power supply
LED strip lights are typically rated 12v or 24v, so always ensure you use the power supply with the same rating. Your power supply will also depend on the total watts of your LED run. The total wattage is usually found on the box or the data sheet provided for complete kits. Always get a power supply with a high watt rating to account for spikes. Using the wrong power supply can lead to flickering or irreparable damage.
Surface preparation
Always clean and dry the surface to which you apply the LED tape to ensure proper adhesion. Dust, oil, or uneven surfaces can compromise the tape’s adhesion and cause it to peel off over time. For a more secure installation, use screwable mounting clips. However, a more popular choice is the aluminium profile for a clean, sleek, and professional finish.
Cutting and connecting
Only cut your LED strips where indicated. You can easily find them along the strip, usually with a scissors icon. Only use compatible connectors (for solderless connections), especially when manoeuvring around corners and uneven surfaces. For those who prefer soldering the strips together, if unsure or inexperienced, get a qualified electrician to help you out.
Cable management + safety
Use cable clips or ties to keep wires clean and organised and avoid tripping hazards. Never overload your power supply, and ensure all exposed wires are covered and insulated with the proper materials.
Ready to Transform Your Home Office?
LED strips and tape lights are the best way to transform your ordinary home office and improve your remote work experience. Simple underlighting and accent lighting can give a space depth and positively impact productivity. The actionable ideas we listed here are only a fraction of all the things you can do to enhance your working space, so make sure you keep a lookout for more (and let us know, too)!
Head to Simple Lighting to transform your office with high-quality LED strip lights. If you have worries or questions, our lighting experts can help you and advise you. So, check out our website today!
