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Are you looking for a way to add some extra pizzazz to your home décor? LED strip lights are a great way to do just that! These lights come in a variety of lengths, colors, and other cool features such as remote controls or dimming capabilities. Installing them on your ceiling is easy and only requires a few basic supplies to complete the job.
This blog post will guide you on how to install LED strip lights on ceiling in your home. Whether you’re looking for some subtle ambient lighting, or want to create a dynamic and eye-catching display, you can make these happen with a few common household items and this guide. We will also walk through the process of installing LED strip lights on a ceiling without crown molding.
Table of Contents
- Gather the Materials Needed:
- The Installation Process:
- How to Install LED Strip Lights on Ceiling Without Crown Molding
- Additional Tips and Tricks to Remember
Gather the Materials Needed:
LED Strip Lights
Choose any length of your choosing, enough to cover the designated area. We recommend buying extras in case of mistakes or accidents during the installation process.
Screwdriver
A standard flathead screwdriver will get the job done with ease. If a power drill is available, this will make the task even easier.
Electrical Tape
This is a crucial element of the LED strip light installation. Without it, they will not hold up or function properly. It’s important to have enough on hand for multiple strips of LED lights. Do not substitute electrical tape with any other adhesive product
Power Drill (optional)
If installing multiple LED strip lights at once, the task will be made much easier with a power drill. Of course, if one is available, it might be worth investing in this extra tool for future projects around the house.
Ladder or Stool
This is another vital element of the installation process. LED strip lights are quite thin but long, so it’s difficult to hold them up against the ceiling while making sure they are straight or level. This can be achieved by standing on a tall ladder or stool.
Electrical Box with Switch (Optional)
If the LED strip lights are to be connected to an outlet or power source, it is ideal to install an electrical box with a switch beforehand. This way, the installation process will be made much faster and cleaner looking. These boxes can be found at any local hardware store and come in various shapes and sizes.
The Installation Process:
1) Before starting, make sure the area you will be installing your LED strip lights on is free of debris and other items that could potentially get in the way.
2) Once this has been completed, begin laying out the strip lights to determine how long they need to be. Ensure there are no gaps or overlaps in any places. The strips should align perfectly with one another.
3) Carefully plan the route and layout that the LED strip lights will follow when installed. Also, take into account the electricity outlet, switch, or other power sources.
4) Take the screwdriver and connect all the positive (red) clips to one another and then do the same for all negative (black) clips. This helps to ensure that every LED strip light is properly connected to a continuous line. Doing this allows you to adjust your strip light’s brightness with ease.
5) Once you have created a continuous line of positive and negative clips, begin the installation process with the LED strip lights powered off.
6) Depending on what type of adhesive backing your LED strip lights came with, peel off half of the strip to expose the sticky side.
7) Press the LED strip light against the ceiling, ensuring it’s adhered correctly to prevent bunching up of the strip. Once the first strip is down, continue this process for all of your LED strip lights.
It’s important to be careful during this step. You do not want these strips to go anywhere once they are stuck down onto the ceiling. If you have a LED strip light with a weaker adhesive, take out your electrical tape and use this as an added adhesive to ensure that they will not fall.
8) Start on one side and work your way down each strip, one at a time. Use your power drill to install screws 1 inch apart from each other along the LED strip lights.
9) Turn on the LED strip lights and ensure they are all working properly. If they are not, take out your electrical tape and use this to reinforce any faulty connections between positive and negative clips.
10) If using an electrical box with a switch (optional), take the drill and screw in the necessary screws into the back of it. Depending on where the box is to be installed, there may or may not already be a hole in the wall.
If so, insert the screws and attach the box to the wall. In cases where there isn’t a pre-made hole in the wall, use a drill to make one.
11) From here on, any excess wiring can be tucked back into the ceiling to avoid turning it into an eyesore during permanent installation.
Once all of this has been completed, LED strip lights should be permanently installed and ready to go. You may want to take this time to ensure that all pieces are working properly.
How to Install LED Strip Lights on Ceiling Without Crown Molding
For homeowners with ceilings that don’t have crown molding, the process is slightly different. This is because people who want to install LED strip lights on their ceilings without the crown molding need an alternative way to hold up the strip lights.
The best solution for this is using a three-piece L bracket. This works almost the same as a crown molding would, except it is thinner and can hold up the LED strip lights. Other options may include using a keyhole slot or drilling directly into the ceiling/wall to create a screw hook.
Installing L Brackets (In Place of Crown Moldings)
1) First, attach the LED strip lights to the bracket. This can be done by simply sticking them on with tape or using the adhesive strips that came with your LED strip lights.
2) Once this is completed, begin installing each piece of the L bracket up against either side of the wall. These brackets need to be attached as close as possible to the LED strip lights, but also as high as possible.
3) Once placed correctly, use a hammer or nail gun to secure each L bracket into the walls above where your LED strip lights will be going.
4) Use a drill and screwdriver to tighten in all screws, ensuring that the L brackets are firmly fastened into place.
5) Follow all of the previous instructions above, except this time, you’ll be attaching the strip to your L brackets instead of the crown molding.
6) If there are any loose connections, use electrical tape to ensure that they will not fall. Don’t forget to test each strip to ensure they are working properly.
Additional Tips and Tricks to Remember
- Mounting your LED strip lights may seem like a complicated process at first, but once the initial trial run is done, it becomes easy to do without assistance. Be sure to keep the instructions handy for any future projects.
- Read the manufacturer’s manual before starting the project. While most LED strip lights have the same general instructions, there are still minor differences depending on how long your specific LED strip lights are and where you got them from.
- If you are working with an electrical box, make sure it is turned off before starting.
- When attaching LED strip lights to wall or ceiling brackets, mark the center of each piece, so they get installed properly each time.
- Always remember to practice safety precautions. Whether it be handling LED strip lights or going up and down the ladder. Have someone assist you or be sure that the ladder is placed against a wall if you are doing it yourself.
- When taping wires, always follow safe electrical guidelines. It is important to avoid potential hazards when handling light fixtures. Remember to overlap the tape on each connection by at least an inch or more to ensure there won’t be any electricity leakage.
- While the LED strip lighting is low voltage, you should never handle it without gloves. This can cause a shock if not handled correctly.
- Ensure that you purchase lights from a reliable retailer. While LED strip lights are becoming more popular, there are still retailers who sell products that don’t meet industry standards for quality.
- To prevent your LEDs from overheating while installing, turn them on while you’re working with them to check the temperature. You can also cover part of the strip or use additional insulation if necessary to keep it cool.
- Don’t skimp on quality. While it may seem like a good idea to buy the cheapest LED strip lighting, this often leads to short product life and higher energy costs. You shouldn’t avoid cheaper products completely but be sure to do your research and read reviews before shopping around for the best deals.
If a particular LED strip light runs into a corner or against a wall, tape it down using electrical tape. This ensures that it does not come off of the ceiling and allows you to continue running the additional lights along the way without interruption.
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