LED Strip Lights: Transform Your Spaces

Why Use LED Strip Lights?

Energy Efficiency: LED strip lights offer significant benefits, including lower electricity bills and reduced carbon emissions. They’re also highly energy-efficient compared to traditional lighting options, as LEDs can produce the same or even higher brightness levels using significantly less power.

Versatility: LED strip lights offer a flexible lighting solution. They can be installed virtually anywhere: ceilings, walls, under cabinets, in the garden, behind the TV, or along the staircase. They’re also used in either residential or commercial spaces.

Flexibility and Ease of Use: Many LED light strips come with an adhesive backing (a pre-applied double-sided tape), making them easy to install. It's perfect for DIY lighting projects since there’s usually no need for a certified electrician’s help. You can mount the strips in any way you like, even around curves, corners, and uneven surfaces.

Customisation: It can be cut into different lengths at designated cutting points, making it possible to fit them into any space, big or small. You can then combine two separate strips using connectors or soldering to create your desired design.

Cost-Effective Solution: Aside from being an aesthetically pleasing lighting solution, LED strip lights are durable and have a long lifespan, thanks to LED technology that could last from 20,000 to 50,000 hours on average. They also need minimal maintenance, meaning fewer replacements and upkeep costs.

Types of LED Strip Lights

Not all LED strip lights are made the same. Various types of LED strips are suited for different needs and budgets. The most common types are:

1. Single-Colour: This type emits a single, fixed colour, perfect for basic, cost-effective lighting needs. The colours can vary from white to blue, green, red, yellow, etc.
2. RGB LED: Unlike the single-colour type, these produce a range of colours by mixing the primary red, green, and blue (RGB) colours.
3. RGBW: These have dedicated white LEDs that combine with the RGB to provide a broader spectrum of colours. They also have a true white option.
4. COB: Provides a more efficient and uniform light output than your standard LED strip. LEDs are usually packed very densely on these strips.
5. Addressable RGB: This allows for the individual control of each LED or groups of LEDs, popular for creative lighting displays.
6. Flexible LED Strips: Mounted on a flexible circuit board, these strips can be easily bent and shaped around various surfaces. These are the most common LED strips you’ll find.
7. Rigid LED Strips: Contrary to the flexible strips, the LED nodes are mounted on a rigid backing, sacrificing flexibility for stability. These are best suited for backlighting and under-cabinet lighting.

How Do You Choose the Right Strips?

Picking the right LED strip light can be overwhelming, especially with the number of options available, even with Simple Lighting’s collection alone. But in reality, it doesn’t have to be. You just need to remember to consider some important things when looking for the perfect LED strip light:

Strip Length

You always start by correctly measuring the area you want to illuminate. LED strip lights come in different lengths, including reels of 1m, 5m, 10m, etc. But remember that you can cut them to your desired size!

Remember to always plan for corners and turns. Flexible strips can bend, but sharp corners may require connectors, so always have those handy. It’s also a good habit to always check the strip's maximum run length, or else your setup will have some dimming or flickering if you go beyond that length.

Brightness

Brightness is measured in lumens per metre (lm/m) for LED strip lights. Brighter strips are great for task lighting, while softer options are perfect for ambient effects. But higher brightness often means higher power usage, so make sure your power supply can handle it.

Colour Temperature

White LED strip lights come in various tones or colours, each suited for a different mood or purpose:

• Warm white: Perfect for creating a cosy and relaxing atmosphere.
• Natural white: Balanced and clean lighting that is great for kitchens and bathrooms
• Cool white: Crisp, bright light ideal for work areas and garages.

Waterproofing (IP Rating)

The Ingress Protection (IP) rating tells you how resistant the strip is to dust and moisture. For indoor lighting, you’ll never go wrong with IP20-rated LED strips. For bathrooms (zone 2 or 3) or sinks, you want strips that are water/splash-resistant, so go for IP44 ones. And lastly, for outdoor use, IP65 LED strip lights or higher are your best bets.

Voltage & Power Requirements

LED strip lights are low-voltage and usually run on 12V or 24V DC. The general rule is to always match the voltage of the LED strip with the driver/power supply.

Power supplies also have a maximum load. Calculate total wattage so you do not overload them. How can you do that? Simple: multiply watts per metre by the total length of your strip. (5w x 5 metre = 25w total). Always allow a 10–20% safety margin.

Control Options

Modern LED strips offer smart and customisable lighting with various control methods:

• Standard on/off switches.
• Remote controls for brightness and colour settings (or dimmer switches).
• Smart home integration for voice control using Alexa, Google Assistant, etc.
• App control over WiFi or Bluetooth for a more personalised lighting.

Accessories & Installation Aids

Do you want a clean and professional-looking finish? Then consider getting these:

• Aluminium profiles with diffusers: Enhance appearance and evenly distribute light.
• Connectors: For joining strips around corners or between sections.
• Mounting clips: This is for a more robust mount than the adhesive backing.

Whether upgrading your kitchen, setting a cosy mood in the living room, or lighting up your garden, as long as you consider these things, you should eventually have the perfect LED strip light for your lighting project.

Why Choose Simple Lighting?

Simple Lighting is a trusted LED lighting partner for many UK homeowners, electricians, and designers. We make it easy and affordable to brighten your space confidently with a wide product selection and a team of lighting experts who are always ready to help. Just send us a message for your inquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are LED strip lights easy to install?

Yes! Most come with adhesive backing for quick peel-and-stick installation. You can also use mounting clips or LED profiles for a more robust and professional-looking installation.

Can I use LED strip lights outdoors?

Absolutely! Just ensure you get LED strips with a high IP rating, preferably IP65 or higher (max is IP68).

Do I need a transformer or power supply?

Yes. All LED strip lights need a compatible LED driver or power supply. We recommend matching the voltage and wattage to your strip for safe operation.

How long do LED strip lights last?

LED strip lights can last up to 20,000 hours, with some reaching 50,000 hours before needing replacement. They also don’t need much maintenance; just dust them regularly.

Can I control the brightness or change colours?

Yes! Many of our strips are dimmable and compatible with smart or remote controllers. Our kits also have dimming capabilities, so check those out!

Ready to Light Up Your Space?

Find the perfect LED strip lights for your project today.

Whether adding a finishing touch or planning a complete renovation, Simple Lighting has the right solution for you!