Do you want to take your TV or desk set up to the next level? Maybe you’ve seen those awesome multicolored battle stations on sites like Reddit or Pinterest, and you’ve decided it’s time to customize your own space.
We’ll show you how easy it is to install LED strip lighting to accent the favorite area of your home.
What You’ll Need
- Strip lights (We used this Govee model, but most other lights are similar)
- Access to a power outlet
- Alcohol prep pads (included)
- Small mounting brackets (optional)
Measure Your Space
The minimum length for the Govee strip lights is 16.4 feet. This means if your space is longer or shorter than that, you’ll need to increase the number of strip light sets, or you’ll need to cut the Govee lights to fit. To increase the distance for your strip lights, just buy another set. They’re not expensive, which is one of the reasons Govee lights are so great.
The best way to roughly measure your final product is to find the closest outlet to the place where you’d like to put the strip. Then lay the strip out along your space. This doesn’t have to be exact, it just has to be close. You’ll remove any excess lighting at the end of the installation anyway, but if you’d like to use a tape measure for a bit more precision then feel free.
Next, plug in your lights to make sure everything is working. If it is, unplug the lights and move on to the next step.
Clean Your Space
The adhesive for these Govee strip lights does not adhere to spots that are overly dusty or dirty. That’s why you need to clean the installation area before you start sticking the strip down. If the spot is not cleaned properly, then the weight of the lights will cause them to fall off the space.
To do this, tear open the included alcohol prep pad and gently wipe down any areas where you intend to place your lights. It doesn’t matter if your space already looks clean. Wipe it down anyway.
If your alcohol prep pad goes dry or starts looking particularly dirty, then use another one. Once this task is complete, allow the spot to dry for a few minutes. It shouldn’t take long.
Stick the Lights in Place
Now, starting at the end where the light strip connects to the AC adapter, remove the paper backing for the adhesive. If this backing is difficult to remove, use a hairdryer to warm the adhesive up a bit. It should remove easily.
Tip: do not remove too much of the backing at once. Only remove this backing a section at a time so that the lights don’t stick somewhere you don’t want them.
The adhesive on these strips is very sticky, and in some cases, it can remove paint from the wall. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re only putting these strips exactly where you want them.
Now, stick the lights in place, moving in sections, until the entire space you’re working with is covered. It helps to install a section and press the strip down for about 15 seconds before moving on to the next area.
Additionally, if you need to shorten your Govee strip lights, then you can cut them at the copper-colored contacts. Once you’ve done this, you can throw away the additional lights that you don’t use, or you can save them and use them to solder onto another project.
When this process is complete, you should install the included clips for extra support. We recommend placing one at each end and a few evenly spaced across the length of the light strip.
Enjoy Your New Strip Lighting
Now it’s time for the fun part. Turn on the lights, and admire your new colorful space. With multi-colored LED strip lighting, you can turn a boring room into a personalized paradise.
By following the tips in this guide, you’ll create a space that adjusts to fit your individual mood or lighting style.
And if you’re looking to add more unique lighting to your home, there are a number of great options available to select from.