LED Strip Lights Installation Sydney | Kitchen, Stair & Feature Lighting

Kitchen Under Cabinet LED Strips

The most popular LED strip application. Perfect task lighting for food preparation and cooking. Illuminates countertops without shadows, creating a modern kitchen look.

• Bright, shadow-free task lighting
• Hidden mounting under cabinets
• Dimmable for ambiance control
• Hardwired or plug-in options

Staircase LED Strip Lighting

Safety and style combined. LED strips along stair treads or risers provide safe navigation at night while creating a stunning architectural feature.

• Enhanced safety for night-time
• Motion sensor activation available
• Recessed into stair treads or risers
• Low-profile and durable

Cove & Cornice Lighting

Elegant indirect lighting that makes rooms feel larger and more luxurious. LED strips hidden in ceiling coves or cornices provide beautiful ambient wash lighting.

• Soft, indirect ambient lighting
• Highlights architectural details
• Makes ceilings appear higher
• Creates luxury hotel ambiance

Feature Wall & Accent Lighting

Highlight artwork, textured walls, stone features, or create dramatic TV backlighting. LED strips add depth and visual interest to any space.

• Highlights textures and features
• TV backlighting reduces eye strain
• Shelf and display case lighting
• RGB options for colour effects

Outdoor LED Strip Lighting

Weatherproof LED strips for decks, patios, pathways, and outdoor entertaining areas. Creates ambiance while providing safety lighting outdoors.

• IP65/IP67 waterproof rated
• Deck and patio lighting
• Garden path illumination
• Architectural accent lighting

Smart RGB LED Strip Systems

Advanced colour-changing LED strips with smart home integration. Control colours, brightness, effects, and schedules from your smartphone or voice assistants.

• Millions of colour options
• Voice control (Alexa/Google)
• Music sync and effects
• Scheduling and automation

💡 LED Density & Brightness

LEDs per meter:

• 30 LEDs/m: Basic ambient lighting, decorative
• 60 LEDs/m: Standard, good for most applications
• 120 LEDs/m: High density, smooth even lighting
• 240 LEDs/m: Ultra-dense, professional grade

Higher density = smoother light, less dotting, better for task lighting. We typically recommend 120 LEDs/m for kitchen under-cabinet installations.

🌡️ Colour Temperature

Choose the right warmth:

• 2700K-3000K (Warm White): Cozy, residential, living areas
• 4000K (Neutral White): Natural, workspaces, kitchens
• 5000K-6000K (Cool White): Bright, crisp, task lighting
• RGB: All colours, entertainment, effects

For kitchens, 4000K provides the best balance of warmth and visibility for food preparation.

⚡ Power & Voltage

Common configurations:

• 12V DC: Most common, safer, less voltage drop
• 24V DC: Longer runs possible, commercial grade
• 240V AC: Mains voltage (requires electrician)
• Power: Typically 5-20W per meter

We calculate exact power requirements and install appropriately sized power supplies for reliable operation.

🔆 IP Rating (Protection)

Water/dust resistance:

• IP20: Indoor dry areas only
• IP65: Splash-proof, bathrooms, kitchens
• IP67: Waterproof, outdoor covered areas
• IP68: Submersible, pools, water features

We always install the correct IP rating for the location to ensure longevity and safety.

📏 Strip Width & Flexibility

Physical specifications:

• Standard: 8-10mm wide, basic flexibility
• Narrow: 5-6mm wide, tight spaces
• Wide: 12-20mm wide, high-output strips
• Cut Points: Every 2.5-10cm (varies by voltage)

We cut strips to exact lengths at designated cut points to ensure proper operation.

✅ Quality Indicators

What to look for:

• CRI >80: Good colour rendering (90+ is excellent)
• Warranty: Minimum 2-3 years
• Australian Approved: RCM/SAA certified
• Quality Chips: Samsung, Epistar, Cree LEDs

We only install quality LED strips with proper certifications that will last for years.

Site Survey & Planning

Measure installation areas, assess power requirements, determine optimal mounting locations, and plan cable routing.

Power Supply Installation

Install appropriately sized power supply in accessible location. Run power cable from electrical source to power supply location.

Surface Preparation

Clean and prepare mounting surfaces. Install aluminum profiles or channels if required for a professional finish and heat dissipation.

LED Strip Installation

Cut strips to exact lengths, mount securely, make corner connections, and ensure proper adhesion or mounting in profiles.

Wiring & Connection

Connect strips to power supply, install dimmers or controllers, route cables neatly, and make all electrical connections.

Testing & Setup

Test all strips for proper operation, configure smart controls if applicable, demonstrate operation, and provide usage instructions.

💡 Professional Recommendation

For kitchen under-cabinet lighting and other visible applications, we strongly recommend aluminum profiles with frosted diffusers. They create a professional finish, hide individual LEDs, provide better heat dissipation, and protect the strips. While slightly more expensive, the result is dramatically better than exposed adhesive-mounted strips.

🏠 Kitchen Applications

• Under-cabinet task lighting
• Inside glass cabinets
• Toe-kick lighting
• Above-cabinet ambient glow
• Pantry shelves
• Kitchen island perimeter

🛏️ Bedroom Applications

• Under-bed lighting
• Wardrobe interior
• Behind headboard
• Vanity mirror lighting
• Ceiling cove lighting
• Floating shelf accent

🛁 Bathroom Applications

• Vanity mirror surround
• Under-vanity toe-kick
• Shower niches (IP67 rated)
• Bath surround accent
• Medicine cabinet interior
• Ceiling cove lighting

📺 Entertainment Areas

• TV backlighting (bias lighting)
• Media unit shelving
• Display cabinet lighting
• Bar area accent
• Gaming setup RGB effects
• Home theater cove lighting

🏡 Outdoor Applications

• Deck perimeter lighting
• Stair tread illumination
• Patio entertainment areas
• Garden path edging
• Pool surrounds
• Architectural feature lighting

🏢 Commercial Applications

• Shop display lighting
• Restaurant ambient lighting
• Hotel corridor lighting
• Office task lighting
• Signage backlighting
• Reception area features

How much does LED strip light installation cost?

LED strip light installation costs from $250 for a basic 3-meter installation, $600+ for complete kitchen under-cabinet lighting (6-8 meters), $800+ for full staircase illumination, or $450+ for smart RGB colour-changing systems up to 5 meters. Prices include quality LED strips, power supplies, mounting accessories (profiles if needed), controllers or dimmers, and professional installation. Additional costs apply for longer runs, multiple zones, or complex routing through walls. All work includes testing and our lifetime workmanship warranty.

Can I install LED strip lights myself?

While plug-in LED strip kits can be DIY-installed, any installation requiring permanent electrical connections or hardwiring to mains power must be done by a licensed electrician in Australia. This is a legal requirement under Australian electrical regulations. DIY electrical work is illegal, dangerous, and voids insurance. Professional installation ensures proper power supply sizing, safe wiring, correct mounting, optimal placement, and compliance with AS/NZS 3000 standards. We also achieve much better results with professional mounting and concealed wiring.

What's the best LED strip for under-cabinet kitchen lighting?

For kitchen under-cabinet lighting, we recommend high-density LED strips (120 LEDs/m minimum) in 4000K neutral white colour temperature with minimum CRI 80+ for accurate food colour rendering. The strips should be installed in aluminum profiles with frosted diffusers to create smooth, even lighting without visible LED dots. Power should be 10-15W per meter for good brightness. We typically use 12V or 24V DC strips with dimmable drivers, allowing you to adjust brightness from bright task lighting for cooking to soft ambient lighting for entertaining.

Can LED strip lights be dimmed?

Yes, most LED strip lights can be dimmed when paired with a compatible dimmer or controller. You need a LED-compatible dimmer (not standard incandescent dimmers) matched to the strip's voltage and power requirements. For 12V/24V DC strips, we install in-line dimmers or wall-mounted LED dimmers. For smart RGB strips, dimming is built into the controller app. Dimming allows you to adjust brightness from 0-100%, create different moods, save energy, and extend LED lifespan. We always install dimmable systems for kitchen and living areas where lighting flexibility is important.

How long do LED strip lights last?

Quality LED strip lights typically last 30,000-50,000 hours (10-15 years at 8 hours/day use). However, lifespan depends heavily on quality, heat management, and power supply quality. Cheap LED strips may only last 1-2 years. We only install quality LED strips with proper heat dissipation (aluminum profiles for high-power strips), correctly sized power supplies, and appropriate IP ratings for the location. This ensures maximum lifespan. Higher-density strips (120-240 LEDs/m) driven at lower power per LED also last longer than low-density strips driven harder.

Can LED strips be cut to size?

Yes, LED strips have designated cut points every 2.5cm to 10cm (depending on voltage and configuration) where they can be safely cut without damaging the strip. We cut strips to your exact required lengths during installation. After cutting, the strips can be reconnected using soldering, LED strip connectors, or by running new power lines. We ensure all cuts are made at proper cut points and all connections are secure and waterproof where required. This allows us to fit LED strips perfectly into any space without wasted sections.

Do LED strip lights need ventilation or cooling?

LED strips generate heat and need some heat dissipation for optimal lifespan, especially high-power strips (15W+ per meter). For best results, we install strips in aluminum profiles which act as heat sinks, drawing heat away from the LEDs. This significantly extends lifespan and maintains brightness. Strips mounted directly to surfaces should have good thermal contact and some air circulation. We never install high-power strips in completely enclosed spaces without ventilation. For most residential applications with proper mounting, no special cooling is needed beyond aluminum profiles.

Can LED strips be used outdoors?

Yes, but you need LED strips with appropriate IP ratings. For covered outdoor areas (patios, eaves), use IP65-rated strips which are splash-proof. For exposed outdoor use, use IP67-rated waterproof strips. For underwater or in-ground applications, use IP68-rated submersible strips. We also use outdoor-rated power supplies and ensure all connections are properly waterproofed. Regular indoor IP20 strips will fail quickly outdoors from moisture damage. Outdoor LED installations must also use UV-resistant mounting and proper cable management to withstand Australian weather conditions.

What's the maximum length of LED strip on one power supply?

Maximum LED strip length depends on strip power consumption and power supply capacity. Typically, 12V strips can run 5-8 meters from one power point before voltage drop causes dimming. 24V strips can run 10-15 meters. For longer runs, we either use multiple power injection points along the strip, install amplifiers, or use separate power supplies for each section. We calculate the exact power requirements based on your strip specifications and design the system to ensure even brightness across the entire length with no voltage drop or overloading.

Can you install motion-sensor LED strips for stairs?

Yes, motion-sensor LED strip installation is perfect for staircases and provides both safety and convenience. The strips automatically illuminate when you approach the stairs and turn off after a preset time (typically 30-90 seconds). We install PIR motion sensors at the top and/or bottom of stairs that trigger the LED strips. This can be single-colour strips for simple illumination or RGB strips for colour effects. Motion sensor stair lighting is especially popular for preventing accidents during night-time bathroom trips, and adds a modern, high-end look to your home.