5 Ways to Hide Your LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights are a fantastic way to add versatile lighting to your space, but the trick is to keep them hidden. 

Seeing the strips themselves can take away from their effect. Whereas having the light seemingly ‘appear’ really elevates a space and has a much more stylish effect.

To help, we’ve outlined 5 examples of ways you can hide your LED Strip Lights. Knowing where you can hide them can be the difference on whether you install strip lights or not, so let’s dive in and transform your space.

#1 Under Kitchen Cabinets

Modern kitchens can seem so impressive, but often it just takes a few subtle changes to make any kitchen feel much more modern. One of these is some hidden LED lights under your cabinets.

Hiding LED strip lights under cabinets provides functional, yet discreet lighting that enhances both aesthetics and usability. In kitchens, this approach illuminates countertops, making it easier to perform tasks like chopping and mixing. 

Tip: Hide strips under bathroom cabinets too! They can offer soft, indirect lighting for a calming atmosphere, perfect for early mornings or late nights.

Tips for Best Results:

• Use Diffusers: Install diffusers over the LED strips to soften the light and reduce any harsh glare on your countertops.
• Place Strips Toward the Back: Position the LED strips closer to the wall or backsplash to avoid seeing the light source directly, creating a more uniform glow across the surface.
• Secure Properly: Ensure the LED strips are firmly attached to prevent sagging or uneven lighting, which can affect the overall appearance.

#2 Behind TV Units

Hiding LED strip lights behind TV units is a great choice that offers various aesthetic benefits. For starters, it creates an elegant backdrop that enhances the overall room ambiance without drawing attention to the light source itself. 

The soft, diffused lighting effect can reduce eye strain, making your TV-watching experience more comfortable and enjoyable. 

Additionally, placing LED strips behind the TV can complement other smart home features, especially with integrated smart television systems that synchronize with the lighting for an immersive experience. 

Not to mention it never fails to get guests going ‘wow!’.

Tips for Best Results:

• Use Diffusers: Consider using diffusers if the lighting appears harsh. These can be mounted alongside the strips to soften the light output.
• Smart Controls: Maximize effectiveness by using smart controls. Certain LED strips can pair with smart home systems, allowing you to adjust brightness and color settings via apps or voice commands.

#3 Embed into Bookshelves

Let’s face it, bookshelves always look great. They add a cosy-feel to a space that never gets old. However, LED Strip Lights can really add a pop of colour and style to your bookshelves – whether they hold books or not.

Whether you aim to highlight your favorite book collection or add an inviting glow to a reading nook, LED Strips can be a little complex to install but they look incredible. 

If you use some of our RGBW lighting you can also adjust to different modes and colors, further enhancing the look. For example, have a warm glow on a cosy reading night, or a fun blue/purple hue if you’re entertaining.

Tips for Best Results:

• Recess the Strips: Carve a shallow groove in the underside of the shelves to recess the LED strips, making them completely flush and hidden from view.
• Use Angled Channels: Install the LED strips in angled channels to direct light toward the front of the shelves, evenly illuminating the entire space without exposing the strips.
• Hide Wiring: Conceal the wiring behind the shelves or within the bookshelf structure to maintain a clean, uncluttered look.

#4 Install into Recessed Ceilings

Installing LED strips in recessed ceilings offers a sophisticated and upscale look. 

The strips remain hidden from view while casting an elegant glow that can transform an ordinary room into something elegant. This technique utilizes the ceiling’s architecture to create an illusion of depth and enhanced spatial aesthetics.

Benefits include:

• Achieving a floating ceiling effect, adding a touch of modern sophistication
• Providing soft lighting that improves ambiance and minimizes glare
• Transforming a room into a functional and inviting space

Tips for Best Results:

• Spacing
• Ensure uniform spacing between LED strips, especially if you are using more than one line of strips in the recess. This will help in achieving even illumination without visible dark patches.
• Use LED Diffusers
• Consider using LED diffusers over the strips to soften and distribute the light more evenly, enhancing the visual appeal.
• Dimmable Options
  • Install dimmable LED strips using our dimmer switches to change the brightness based on the room’s usage and mood.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate LED strips into your recessed ceiling, creating a visually striking and functional lighting solution.

#5 Use LED Channels or Diffusers

Stuck without a traditional place to hide your LED Strips? Using channels or diffusers can be a simple way to use strips almost anywhere, while keeping them hidden. 

Channels and diffusers offer a dual advantage: they not only house the LED strips neatly but also help to diffuse the light evenly, eliminating harsh shadows and hot spots.

The result is a smooth, continuous line of light that enhances the ambiance of any space. Additionally, this approach provides added protection to the LED strips, extending their lifespan and ensuring a more robust installation.

Tips for Best Results:

• Even Spacing: Maintain consistent spacing between the LED strips and the walls of the channel. This prevents uneven lighting and ensures a professional look.
• Heat Management: Opt for channels made of materials that offer good heat dissipation, such as aluminum, to prolong the lifespan of your LED strips.
• Diffuser Choice: Frosted diffusers are excellent for creating softer, more diffused light, while clear diffusers will give a sharper, more direct light. Choose according to the ambiance you wish to create.

By thoughtfully integrating LED channels or diffusers, you can achieve a polished, professional lighting design that not only highlights the beauty of your space but also stands the test of time.

Find The Ideal Lights with LEDSAVE

Whether you’re looking to text your decor to the next level with hidden LED strip lights, or provide bright and energy efficient lighting for a commercial property – we’ve got you covered.

From our range of LED Strips, with dimmer switches and accessories to match, to our large LED Panels or Low Bay Lights, we’ve tried to make sure every need is covered.

If you have any questions, please get in touch at enquiries@ledsave.co.uk or give us a call on 01652 638840. We’re open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm