The Ultimate Guide to Choosing LED Strip Lights for Your Home
How to enhance ambiance, functionality and energy efficiency of your home.
Story by Elevïn Design Studio
Whether you're looking to add accent lighting, illuminate workspaces, or create mood lighting, LED strips offer a versatile solution for every room. However, choosing the right LED strip lights can be overwhelming with so many options available.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through key factors to consider when selecting LED strip lights for your home, helping you make an informed decision.
Before we begin, an experienced designer skilled in creating lighting schemes and working with LED strip lights can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetic of your space. Read Why You Should Hire a Designer for Your Interior LED Strip Lighting.
Determine Your Lighting Needs
Before purchasing LED strips, think about how you want to use them in your space. LED strip lights can serve various purposes:
Task Lighting: If you need bright, focused light for tasks like cooking or reading, choose high-lumen strips.
Accent Lighting: For softer lighting that highlights architectural features or adds ambiance, lower-lumen strips are perfect.
Mood Lighting: Use adjustable colour temperature LED strips to create a relaxing or energizing atmosphere.
Photo: Stairhaus
Choose the Right Brightness (Lumens)
Brightness is a crucial factor when selecting LED strips. Measured in lumens, brightness levels vary depending on your lighting needs:
High Lumens (400+ lumens per meter) are ideal for kitchens, workspaces, or under-cabinet lighting.
Low Lumens (100-200 lumens per meter) are great for creating a soft, ambient glow in living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways.
Make sure the lumens match the intended use of the space for optimal lighting effects.
Pick the Ideal Color Temperature
The colour temperature of your LED strip lights significantly impacts the atmosphere of a room. Measured in Kelvin (K), the colour temperature can range from warm to cool light:
Warm White (2200K-3000K) creates a cozy, inviting ambiance perfect for bedrooms or living rooms.
Cool White (4000K-6500K) offers bright, crisp light ideal for kitchens, offices, or bathrooms.
Some LED strips offer adjustable colour temperatures, giving you flexibility to change the light based on your needs.
LED strip lighting installed in contemporary kitchen design
Consider Waterproofing and IP Ratings
If you're planning to install LED strip lights in wet or outdoor areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or patios, you’ll need to choose waterproof options. Look for strips with an IP65 rating or higher for outdoor and moisture-prone areas. For indoor use, IP20 rated strips are sufficient. Waterproof LED strips are durable and safe, ensuring long-lasting performance in any environment.
Select the Right Voltage and Power Supply
Most LED strips operate on 12V or 24V low voltage, making them safe and energy-efficient for residential use. Make sure the voltage of the strips matches the power supply, and check the total wattage required to avoid overloading the system. Properly matching the voltage ensures consistent brightness and prevents issues like overheating.
LED Density and Strip Length
LED density refers to the number of LEDs per meter. Higher density strips (e.g., 120 LEDs per meter) provide brighter, more uniform light, while lower density strips (e.g., 60 LEDs per meter) offer a softer glow.
The length of the strip is also important. Measure the area where you plan to install the lights and choose strips that fit without needing excessive cutting or connecting. Many strips come in standard lengths of 5 meters or 10 meters, but some can be easily extended or connected for larger projects.
Budget and Cost Considerations
Your budget will help determine the quality and features of the LED strips you choose. While basic strips are affordable, advanced options like RGBW or addressable LEDs can be pricier. Keep in mind that high-quality, energy-efficient LED strips tend to last longer and use less power, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
Also, remember to account for any additional costs, such as power supplies, controllers, and mounting hardware.
Professional Installation vs. DIY
While LED strip lights are easy to install with adhesive backing, complex installations or intricate designs may benefit from professional help. If you’re not confident in your DIY skills or want a seamless, polished look, consider hiring a professional designer or installer to ensure your strips are placed correctly and the wiring is neatly hidden.
Why Hire a Designer?
At Elevïn Design Studio, we create lighting schemes that elevate both the look and functionality of your home. Our designs seamlessly integrate with your space, enhancing the atmosphere and meeting your practical needs. We also partner with trusted suppliers to ensure the highest-quality, long-lasting materials, providing the best value for your investment.
Have a question for us, or want to learn more about our Elevïn Design Studio? Send us a direct message.
About the Designers
We’re Canadian twin brothers, founders of Elevïn Design Group and Elevïn Hosted Stays - a portfolio of short-term rental properties. In this industry, we’re known as The Superhost Mentors.
Way before our journey began in delivering vacation rental experiences, we had a shared passion for real estate and residential design projects, and they served as the thread that always connected us to each other.
This led to the launch of Elevïn Design Studio - a full-service interior design firm that also specializes in Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development.
Our Studio’s signature aesthetic blends timeless design, soulful creativity and elevated comfort.
