From artistic accents to tasteful task lighting, flexible LED strips have become an increasingly mainstream feature in homes and businesses across the U.S. No matter the room or the style of décor, there are countless ways which these handy little lights can be used to enhance the design and functionality of your space.
Inspired LED’s flexible strip systems are simple to understand, easy to install, and are available in a variety of colors and brightness levels. But with so many great options to choose from, it can be a challenge to decide for yourself which products work best in which locations. While color temperature is typically a personal preference influenced by surrounding décor, when it comes to selecting the right level of brightness for each particular area in a room, things can quickly become overwhelming.
But, never fear, Inspired LED is here to help! We’ve consulted our expert Design Team to put together their suggestions for which brightness level looks best in which locations. Check out our quick tips below, and download our Which Brightness Where Infographic for more on how to make your home look its best with the help of LEDs…
First thing’s first, know your lumens. Light decorating is a process of balancing brightness levels in different locations throughout a room. At Inspired LED, we classify our flexible light strips into categories based upon lumen output, or brightness level. Normal bright registers around 65 lumens per foot, super bright registers around 125 lumens per foot, ultra bright registers around 215 lumens per foot, and mega bright reaches above 250 lumens per foot. You can use this chart at the top of our infographic to determine how many lumens are recommended for each location in your home.
Kitchen Tips: Kitchens tend to look best with the brightest lights underneath the primary cabinets where task lighting is needed most. While it may be a bit counter-intuitive, a varying degree of brightness from upper and lower cabinets looks more natural than a single continuous brightness throughout the room. Glass cabinets especially should be kept at a lower brightness level to help reduce eye-catching glare. Read more information on how to best position LED strips underneath your cabinets by clicking here.
Living Room Tips: When it comes to accent lighting art, televisions, or coves in your living room, it is important to recognize the relationship between light and its projected distance to a reflective surface. A cove, for example, which is located only a few inches from the ceiling will be sufficiently lit with normal bright LEDs, while a cove which is located a foot away from the ceiling will require something brighter to create the same affect. Similarly, a piece of art mounted an inch off the wall will require a less intense backlight than one which is mounted a few inches off the wall. Keep in mind that brighter is not always better, especially in a living room subtlety is key to prevent glare and to preserve a cozy, inviting feel.
Bathroom tips: Unlike back-lighting for art or televisions, back-lighting for a mirror serves both an aesthetic and a functional purpose, so our designers recommend using ultra bright LEDs for this location. Other areas in the bathroom where LEDs may come into contact with splashes of water of heavy levels of steam may require the additional protection of a silicone sleeve. Inspired LED’s weather resistant flex is specially encased to help protect it from moisture, increasing the lifespan of the product.
Garage Lighting Tips: Workbenches and other task-oriented locations in the garage typically require the brightest lights in the home, and because reflective surfaces are rare in this area, there is little need to worry about glare. However, since the garage tends to act as a transitional location between the home and the outdoors, it tends to undergo a bit more wear and tear than other rooms, so lighting may require some extra protection. Inspired LED’s angle adjust tubes are perfect for garage and workbench task lighting, a cylindrical shape allows the light to be rotated 360° for optimal viewing, while a sturdy acrylic lens protects from dust and debris. For toe kicks and shelves, try Inspired LED’s patented Infinity Duraflex, a long lasting, weatherproof flexible LED strip which is designed to stand up to the elements all year round.
See the infographic below for more details, or download the Which Brightness Where Infographic here.
Remember, the information provided in this blog is meant as a general guideline only. We understand that every home, and every home owner is different. If you have questions about your specific LED layout, our Design Team will be happy to offer more personalized guidance and advice! You can fill out a design request form here, contact us directly via email at design@inspiredled.com, or give us a call at 480-941-4286.
