Want to know how to install LED strip lights? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re keen to refresh your kitchen, add a welcoming glow to your hallway, highlight shelving in your living room, or create a striking effect in your home office, LED strips deliver results that are as practical as they are stylish.
LED strip lights offer the unique ability to tuck or hide lighting products away into places traditional fixtures simply can’t go. For example, under cabinets, along coving, behind TVs, or even in outdoor entertaining areas.
At Vision Lighting, we know that the right guidance can turn even the most hesitant DIYer into a confident lighting installer. This detailed guide will walk you through how to install LED strip lights, including how to choose the right type for your needs, how to fit LED strip lights in various locations, and how to connect and power them safely.
Finding the right LED strip lights
The first step on the journey of how to put up LED strip lights is to choose the right lights for your needs. This all depends on where you want to install your lights, the atmosphere you want to create, and the practical needs of the space.
At Vision Lighting, our extensive selection of LED strip lights caters for both domestic and commercial uses. Each product has a clear Ingress Protection (IP) rating, so you’ll always know whether it’s suitable for the area you’re working with, inside or outside. Our strips start from just £16.32 (including VAT), making this one of the most accessible and versatile ways to enhance your property’s lighting.
Cool white LED strip lights
- Best used in: Kitchens, bathrooms, and spaces with bright, clean colour schemes.
- Why choose them: Cool white LED strips cut through shadows and make a bold statement, especially when installed under cabinets or along shelves.
- DIY friendly: Many come with glue kits, making it easy to cut, resize, and re-install as your needs change.
Warm white LED strip lights
- Best used in: Living rooms, bedrooms, and anywhere you want a cosier feel.
- Atmosphere: The gentle tone creates a homely and inviting atmosphere, perfect for winding down in the evening time.
- Versatile: Easily fits around corners and tight spaces.
With our TradeLED 24W 3000K Warm White LED strip, you can achieve a classic warm ambience in any environment.
Red LED strip lights
- Best used in: Bedrooms, gaming rooms, or spaces needing a dramatic touch.
- Extra benefit: Some research suggests that red light can help stimulate melatonin, making it a potential sleep aid when used before bed.
For a relaxing ambience we suggest the 24W 12V Red LED Strip that can be placed under a bed frame or behind the bed’s headboard.
Green LED strip lights
Our RGBW (6000K) LED Strip is a 5-metre interchanging light strip that can be utilised in domestic and commercial spaces. For the colour green, simply connect the only power cable and the green cable together.
Blue LED strip lights
- Best used in: Study rooms, creative spaces, or modern bathrooms.
- Focus: Blue light is known to enhance alertness and can support concentration during the day.
- Practical: Like other colours, these strips are available in 5 metre reels, IP-rated for moisture resistance, and cuttable every 50mm.
RGBW LED strip lights
- Ultimate flexibility: RGBW means Red, Green, Blue, and White LEDs are built into a single strip.
- Perfect for: Mood lighting, accent walls, bars, and anywhere you want full control over your lighting colour and temperature.
- Options: Indoor (IP20) and outdoor (IP65) versions available.
- Customisation: Choose a single colour or blend for unique pastels, shades, and everything in between.
By now you should have an idea of which LED strip lighting is right for your project. Next, let’s talk about the power source.
How to power LED strip lights
LED strip lights are powered by your mains electricity. However, because LED strips operate on low voltage, you’ll need a driver to safely reduce the power from the mains to what your LEDs need. An LED driver is like a power supply gatekeeper between your home’s powerful 230V mains supply and the much lower voltage required by your strip lights (usually 12V or 24V). Without it, your LEDs will be damaged immediately.
The ideal power supply for your LED strip lighting installation depends on the total length of LED strips you use, as well as the voltage and wattage of your LED light strips.
How to install LED strip lights
There are several methods you can use to install LED strip lights, depending on your space and your preferred level of DIY involvement. It also depends on whether or not you need to connect multiple strips of LED lights together. Here, we’ll discuss the most popular options and answer all the common questions about how to put up LED strip lights.
Method one: How to put up LED strip lights with adhesive backing
1. Measure up
The first and perhaps most important step when thinking of how to install LED strip lights. Measure the length of each area where you want to install your LED strips. This will establish how much you need and allow for precise cutting and placement. Remember – measure twice, cut once! It may also be worth adding a little extra just in case there are some mistakes during installation or cutting the strips to size.
2. Prepare the surface
Cleanliness is key here to ensure the adhesive sticks properly. Wipe down the surface where you plan to attach the LED strip using a mild detergent and a cloth. Make sure there is no grease or dust that can stop the adhesive from sticking.
3. Plan your layout
Don’t remove the whole strip from its reel just yet. Start by peeling back a small section of the adhesive (around 15cm to 45cm) and press this gently onto the starting point. We recommend this is nearest to your power supply or plug. Start off small instead of trying to stick one big stretch in one go, working slowly and methodically.
4. Apply the strips carefully
Gradually unroll more of the strip and press it into place, making sure to follow the surface’s contours and avoid any sudden bends that might damage the circuit. Firm pressure helps the adhesive grip as best as possible.
5. Trim to size
Once you reach the end, check your strip for marked cut points. These are usually indicated with an icon of scissors or copper pads every 5cm to 7cm along the strip. Only cut at these points to avoid damaging the strip.
6. Plug in and test
Connect your strip to the driver, plug into the mains, and switch on!
Method two: How to install LED strip lights with LED strip connectors or soldering
If you need your strips to run around corners, under furniture, or behind appliances, you may need to join multiple lengths together. There are two ways to do this.
LED strip connectors
These are plastic clip on connectors designed to join two strips together with no soldering required. You cut your strips at the appropriate marked points, open the connector and insert the ends of each strip, and then close it to make the connection. Always ensure your connector matches the type of LED strip you’re using with the right number of pins. LED strip connectors are not universal so you may need to go back to the manufacturer of the LED lights to get hold of the correct type.
Soldering
If you want a more permanent connection or are working in a professional setting, soldering may be the way to go. You’ll obviously need a soldering iron and solder, as well as a steady hand and experience with soldering electronics. After soldering the strips together, we recommend putting a heat shrink over any exposed wires to act as protection and minimise risks of electric shock.
LED diffuser covers
As part of your setup you can also install LED diffusers if you want a clean, softened light to reduce harsh shadows. They can also help to disguise individual LED bulbs if they are visible and off-putting.
For most LED diffusers, you install an adhesive track to put the lights inside. A cover can then be placed over the track to conceal the bulbs. Some options allow you to place an adhesive strip directly over the surface of the lights instead.
Method three: Hardwiring LED strips from scratch
For a more integrated, professional finish, you may want to hardwire your LED strip lighting. This is especially useful in kitchens or commercial spaces.
Check what voltage you require
Your strips will usually be either 12V or 24V. Always match your driver to the correct voltage. Look at the product label on the LED strips you purchase for the right information.
Determine the power consumption
This all depends on how long your strip is. To work out the power consumption, multiply the wattage per metre (W/m) by the total length of LED strips you’ll use. For example, a 5m strip using 10W/m equals 60 watts in total.
Some LEDs may use a bit more power than you expect, so adding 20% to the total will ensure you’re on the safe side. To do so, multiply the power consumption by 1.2 and you will have your minimum power rating. This will show how strong your power supply has to be to keep your LEDs ticking over nicely. So with the same example, 60 watts multiplied by 1.2 equals 72 watts.
If you then divide the power consumption by the voltage, you will work out what the minimum amps are. This tells you how fast an electrical current travels. If the current doesn’t travel fast enough, LED strips can dim or shut off entirely. You can test this with a multimeter or use a simple mathematical equation for an educated estimate. For example, if you have 12v LEDs that require 72 watts of power, the result is 6 amps.
Get a power supply to match
Once you know your voltage and wattage, select a driver that matches or slightly exceeds your requirement.
Wire it up
Connect the input side of the driver to your mains circuit and the output to your LED strip. Turn on and enjoy your new LED strip lights!
Expert tips for a professional finish
- Mind the corners: Using flexible connectors will help with tight inside corners. For sharp 90-degree turns, you may need special angled connectors or to carefully bend the strip.
- Remote controls and smart features: Many modern LED strips are compatible with remote controls or smart home systems, allowing you to change colours and brightness. You even set timers so your lights come on automatically.
- Synchronise multiple strips: If you’re lighting several areas, consider strips from the same brand and series, as many can be controlled together via an app or remote for a seamless look.
- Consider IP ratings: Higher IP-rated strips (like IP67) are best for outdoor use or kitchens and bathrooms where moisture is present.
Troubleshooting and common questions
Why won’t my LED strip lights turn on?
Double check your driver connections and ensure you have the correct voltage. You can also make sure you haven’t cut the strip in the wrong place.
My strips keep falling off. What can I do?
You should always make sure the surface was cleaned and dried before installation. If the problem persists, you can use extra strong double-sided tape or mounting clips on difficult surfaces.
Can I connect different coloured strips together?
Only if they’re from the same manufacturer and the connectors support all of the required pins.
Are LED strip lights safe for the UK mains?
Yes, if you use the correct driver and follow all instructions, LED strips are safe and efficient.
How do I hide the power supply?
Power supplies can be tucked behind cabinets, under beds, or in ceiling voids for a tidy finish.
Find out more information on how to fit LED strip lights with Vision Lighting
Here at Vision Lighting we are a leading supplier of high-quality LED strip lights. We believe great lighting makes all the difference. That’s why we offer a 14-day returns policy, next-day and weekend delivery, and friendly, expert support on the phone or by email. If you’re ever unsure about how to install LED strip lights, need help choosing the right kit, or have technical questions about how to fit LED strip lights for your home or workplace, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team.
If you would like more details on any of our products, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. You can give us a call on +44 (0) 1132 799745 or send an email to info@vision-lighting.co.uk. We endeavour to reply to your message or questions as soon as possible, and will do our best to support and accommodate any requests.