15 Great Design-Minded Uses for LED Lighting
See how this energy-efficient light source can jazz up vanities, countertops, cabinets and more
LED technology has come a long way over the last few decades. Light-emitting diodes are small yet mighty, using minimal power and lasting a long time. They also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Here are some ways that LED lighting can be used in the home to do things incandescent bulbs never could.
LEDs are especially useful at the vanity because their light is even, which can help reduce or eliminate shadows on the face. That helps during shaving or applying makeup.
LED strips can be fit above or below a mirror or medicine cabinet to let the light bounce gently off the walls, or they can be integrated into a mirror to project directly onto the face.
Browse LED lighting for bathrooms
LED strips can be fit above or below a mirror or medicine cabinet to let the light bounce gently off the walls, or they can be integrated into a mirror to project directly onto the face.
Browse LED lighting for bathrooms
2. Wall washers. In a bathroom (or other rooms with tile or interesting wall finishes), the glow of an LED strip can be a practical and beautiful design element that accentuates texture and detail.
Notice how the pebbled surface of the backsplash pictured here pops because of the light washing upward and downward from behind the mirror.
Notice how the pebbled surface of the backsplash pictured here pops because of the light washing upward and downward from behind the mirror.
3. Circular fixtures. LED strips come in straight lines but they can also be flexible, which means they can be used to create shapes such as a circle.
If you’re looking for a light to top a round dining table (a popular shape these days), consider a minimalist LED fixture like the one seen here. It gives a sleek look with a slim profile that won’t visually intrude when you’re focusing on good conversation.
If you’re looking for a light to top a round dining table (a popular shape these days), consider a minimalist LED fixture like the one seen here. It gives a sleek look with a slim profile that won’t visually intrude when you’re focusing on good conversation.
4. Undercabinet lights. Probably the second-most popular place for LED lights is under a cabinet in the kitchen. This is another room where having bright, even light is essential because it helps with tasks such as chopping, recipe reading and testing the doneness of foods.
Using an LED strip under a cabinet provides more even lighting than widely spaced bulbs. And the ethereal glow will subtly help make the space feel bigger and airier.
Browse LED undercabinet lighting
Using an LED strip under a cabinet provides more even lighting than widely spaced bulbs. And the ethereal glow will subtly help make the space feel bigger and airier.
Browse LED undercabinet lighting
5. Undercounter lights. If you really want your kitchen to glow, add LED strips to other areas, such as below the counter of an island, under a toe kick or even within drawers and cabinets to brighten the interiors.
It’s worth noting that LED lights aren’t just for modern-style kitchens. They can be tucked under or behind various architectural features, letting you see the ambient glow but not the high-tech source, so they can suit traditional-, farmhouse- or cottage-style homes as well.
6. Mini bulb accents. So far we’ve talked only about strip lights, but LEDs come in many other forms as well. They can simulate traditional incandescent bulbs for use in most light fixtures and they can be used to create petite twinkling light strings like the one seen here (or even much smaller ones). Again, the advantage is that most LED bulbs last well beyond their incandescent cousins.
Tip: To make a quick and fun light fixture, wrap a string of bulbs around a simple household object such as a coat rack, bedpost, table base or curtain rod. You’ll need a string about three times as long as the object. Some even run off a battery pack so you won’t need to snake a cord back to an outlet.
Tip: To make a quick and fun light fixture, wrap a string of bulbs around a simple household object such as a coat rack, bedpost, table base or curtain rod. You’ll need a string about three times as long as the object. Some even run off a battery pack so you won’t need to snake a cord back to an outlet.
7. Slim pendants. The fact that LED bulbs can be so small allows lighting designers to create interesting modern pendants that are slim in shape yet powerful enough to illuminate the surface below. Modern, understated cylinders or cones add sophisticated appeal to a space, and a dramatic finish such as matte black makes a smart counterpoint to crisp white walls.
8. Simulated windows. Here’s a good solution if you’re dealing with a basement space or anywhere that feels too dark or cave-like. Rather than crowding the space with floor and table lamps, consider adding LED lighting tucked into nooks and crannies, such as a slight cove in the ceiling or niche in the wall. Having a glow come from such a recess can simulate the feeling of daylight pouring in from an unseen window, especially when it’s bouncing off a crisp white surface for maximum brightness.
You can also tuck lights into an existing skylight so it acts as a light source at all hours of the day and in all weather.
You can also tuck lights into an existing skylight so it acts as a light source at all hours of the day and in all weather.
9. Shower lights. When people light their bathroom, they often overlook the importance of having good lighting in the shower. A simple cove light, with an LED strip tucked into a niche in the ceiling, casts a glow down onto the wall, which bounces light into the shower, making the area feel bigger and highlighting a beautiful tile.
10. Headboard accents. To add a little personality to your bedroom, try tucking a soft light behind your headboard to cast a gentle glow.
Most LED fixtures have some level of control over the light, from dimming to changing the color or temperature of the light. This gives you the option of creating bright light during the waking hours and switching to a softer, warmer light when it’s time to wind down.
Most LED fixtures have some level of control over the light, from dimming to changing the color or temperature of the light. This gives you the option of creating bright light during the waking hours and switching to a softer, warmer light when it’s time to wind down.
11. Shelf lights. Adding lights below your shelves gives them a jewelry-case-like effect that makes even everyday pieces such as drinking glasses or barware look radiant. It also adds an interesting layer of light that can help diversify your lighting scheme — you don’t want light coming just from the ceiling — in a space where there’s no good spot for floor or table lights or pendants.
12. Stair lights. Design isn’t just about making things look stylish — safety can be a major factor as well. Well-lit stairs are less prone to accidents (or at the very least stubbed toes), and LED lights can provide just the targeted glow you need without taking up much space. Even better, they won’t overload your electric bill, so you can comfortably keep them on late into the night.
13. Island lights. Back to the kitchen with yet another bright idea. Long, minimalist LED features work well over an island for two reasons. First, they can be quite long without being big and bulky, so they visually follow the length of the island without intruding into your sight lines, for an open and airy look great in a modern space.
Second, they cast even light rather than the patchy or shadowy light of some pendants or ceiling fixtures, which makes for better task lighting at the island.
Second, they cast even light rather than the patchy or shadowy light of some pendants or ceiling fixtures, which makes for better task lighting at the island.
14. Closet lights. Whether or not you have the luxury of a walk-in closet, you can make your storage space feel high-end with the inclusion of interior lighting. It makes a closet feel like a boutique display, and it also helps you see what you’re reaching for, which can speed up the process of getting dressed on a busy day. At the very least, it can help you avoid grabbing mismatched socks.
15. Artistic lighting. Sometimes lighting is used to showcase a piece of art and sometimes (as in this hip example) the light is part of the art itself.
With all the shapes, sizes and colors available in LED fixtures and bulbs, it’s clear that lighting can provide endless creative possibilities for making a personal style statement.
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