Multicolored lights, when done right, can make your home look cool and futuristic. LED light strips have come a long way, meaning you can ditch the year-round Christmas lights for something cleaner looking. LED strips are thin and flexible, so you can put them in places where traditional bulbs can’t go, like under cabinets and inside drawers. That means they’re also functional — they can shed some light on what’s going on in the back of the fridge or under the bed. Some versions can even be cut to size.
Your options for where you want to place the LED strips are mostly limited by your imagination, where you have a socket and where you don’t mind a bit of tape or glue. We’ve rounded up some instructions and how-to videos to help you get started.
If you need help finding the right lights, check out our recommended LED light strips here, or check out our smart light bulb guide here if you think they’d be a better fit.
Stairs
Archello
Open stairs look especially cool with LED lights, and they’re also functional, because those gaps can be especially dangerous at night, but you might be too bleary-eyed to want a full-on assault on your retinas. As you can see in this Instructables tutorial, there are ways to automatically turn on the lights while you go downstairs for your midnight snack.
Mirrors or picture frames
Archiproducts
You know those mirrors surrounded by light bulbs that starlets always look into in old movies? You can achieve a more subtle effect and not remove anything from the reflected surface by covering it with bulbs.
This works well for picture frames too! If you’re looking for an easy way to give your family portraits a little extra flair, you can find simple light frames online. If you’re more of a DIY type, these instructions from Instructables will allow you to create a lighted ornament that’s just as cool — or you can simply surround an existing frame you already like with carefully selected ribbon.
Under the couch and bed
LED lighting under the couch: How to make your couch modern!
Sometimes modern living rooms have cool flashing lights under their couches. Sure, it looks fancy, but who needs prices? Create an effect by placing LED lights under your couch and enjoy the ambiance with much cheaper bottle service. And you’ll never lose a sneaker again if you add LEDs under the bed.
Like a night light
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
This takes a bit of work, but the result is like having your own bat signal. Instructions are on Instructables.
Shelves
Color changing box shelves with LED strips and arduino
Shelves are great for organization, but if you also want them to be displays for what they hold, adding LED lights is a great addition. Just plain white ones would do, or you could follow this Instructable and turn the box shelves into color-coded display cases.
Refrigerators
Instructables
If you’re worried about your peaches going moldy and have leftovers from three Thanksgivings ago somewhere in the recesses of your refrigerator, it might be time to add a little more lighting to your freezer. Higher-end models may already have additional bulbs, but for older and cheaper variants, you can make your own quickly and quite cheaply. Add a motion sensor and timer so the lights aren’t always on.
Under cabinets and counters
Installation of LED lighting strip under the cabinet – beautiful!
While adding a light strip under the cabinets might be purely functional and help you see your kitchen utensils a little better, getting a color changing strip for your bar will just make it look really cool. It will fit perfectly with your light sofa.
Decks
Super bright LEDs
As dusk turns to darkness, the terrace becomes a little less welcoming. Sure, it’s nice to look at the stars (or city lights, depending on your location), but it’s also nice to be able to see your drink or the person you’re talking to. Equipping your deck with tons of LED strips is definitely more time-consuming and expensive, but the effect is pretty spectacular.
Pianos
Ambilight RGB LED piano with sound response!
There are many LED bulbs that can be synced to your music, but this Instructables tutorial shows you how to make your lights match what you’re playing on the piano.
Underpants
Cool designs
If your junk drawer looks anything like ours, then it could definitely use a little extra shine. Ikea has some LED light strips, which they made specifically for places like cabinets and bookshelves, because they don’t heat up very well. As with the fridge, a motion sensor and timer would be great additions.
Christmas lights
For some people, the advantage of putting up LED light strips instead of Christmas lights is that they are easier to fit in, so you can leave them up all year round. Check out this Instructable, which shows how, since they’re up anyway, they can also become Halloween and Thanksgiving lights.
swimming pools
Cipriano Landscape design
There are waterproof LED lights that are suitable for outdoor areas and even swimming pools. Since it mixes electricity and water, you might want to hire a professional.
Over the bathtub
Water and electricity don’t mix, but if you want an ethereal glow while soaking up stress, you can always use LED light strips around your tub. The rest of the nature-inspired ambiance may be harder to come by. You can put some strips under the bath, but only if they have a waterproof rating of at least IP65 (they can also look great around some sinks).
Baby cots
mylight.me night lamp, wardrobe lamp – soft LED ambient lighting activated by motion.
Don’t turn on the lights. Do not step on a sharp toy. Don’t wake your child. Motion sensor bedside lights provide enough visibility, allowing you to move around the room without much disturbance. These LED strips from MyLights can also be placed on your own bed, in the bathroom or in the hallway, ensuring you always have light when you need it.
Coffee tables
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
One of the reasons people use LED strips is that they can provide light in places that are difficult to reach with traditional lighting methods, such as a swimming pool or a kitchen drawer. Sometimes, however, people use LED lights because they just look cool. With the right set of LED strips, an old coffee table, an infinity mirror, and these instructions from Instructables, you can make a futuristic coffee table for your living room. This also works great for gaming/poker tables etc.
Creating your own art
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
If you’re feeling creative and a little ambitious, consider making your own personalized wall art sign! The thin LED rope is ideal for bending into cursive words like “Love” or “Friends” or whatever you have in mind. You can even try to emulate the look of an old fashioned neon sign for a specific display. This Pinterest tutorial is a good place to start, while this blog goes into more detail on creating sharp looking artwork.
Behind the TV
LE LampUX WiFi Smart USB LED Strip Lights for TV Alexa Google Home compatible
LED strips around the TV background are one of the most common home applications. Although it may sound strange at first, the low brightness of the LED lights creates the perfect ambiance for an entertainment center, and the bold, central shape of the TV looks great with some DIY backlighting — especially for a playroom. Lepro has a pretty good beginner’s guide. In the same way, you can use the same lighting scheme to illuminate your gaming screens to enhance your gaming experience.
Work area lighting
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
If you’re an avid craftsman, hobbyist or indoor gamer, LED lights are the perfect accessory to illuminate your projects and activities. Placing a simple string of lights on top of your desk is great for inexpensive lighting and full visibility, but you should also consider surrounding the edges of the desk with strip lights to help illuminate every possible corner. Some people even like to put LED lights around equipment like sewing machines or vise grippers. It’s a fairly simple project, but this tutorial on turning sharp corners with less flexible LED strips might help.
There’s a huge variety of lights on the market, so if you’re interested in exploring what’s out there, you can start by checking out our list of these awesome star night projectors.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn