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How To Install LED Strip Lights

LED Strip Lights can be installed pretty much anywhere nowadays, from kitchen cabinets and media walls to outdoor installations, retail displays, commercial spaces and more.

The number of ways they can be installed, along with the variety of strips available, can make the process feel quite intimidating.

Whether you’re fitting them for the first time or planning a larger installation, we’re here to show you how to install LED Strip Lights correctly.

Simply follow this guide to learn how to install LED Strip Lights for yourself.

Choose The Right LED Strip

LED Strip Lights are available in different colours, wattages, LED densities and colour temperatures, so it’s important to choose a strip that suits the space and the lighting effect you want to create.

Use The Correct Driver & Power Setup

LED Strip Lights require a compatible driver, the correct voltage and suitable wiring to perform safely and reliably.

Profiles Improve Installation Quality

Aluminium LED profiles improve heat dissipation, create a cleaner finish and provide a more secure mounting surface.

Installation Method Depends On The Space

Ceilings, walls, cabinets and outdoor areas all require different installation methods depending on where the strip will sit and how the finished lighting should look.

Choosing The Right LED Strip Lights

Before choosing brightness or colour temperature, it's worth deciding which type of LED Strip Light you actually need. Different strips are designed for different applications.

Some of the most common types include:

COB LED Strip Lights – A continuous, dot-free line of light. Popular for kitchens, shelving, media walls and joinery.
Single Colour LED Strip Lights – Available in white and coloured options for everyday lighting.
CCT LED Strip Lights – Adjustable between warm and cool white.
RGB, RGBW & RGBCCT LED Strip Lights – Designed for colour-changing installations.
Pixel LED Strip Lights – Each LED can be controlled individually to create animations and chasing effects.
IP Rated LED Strip Lights – Suitable for bathrooms, outdoor areas and other damp environments.
Cut to Length LED Strip Lights – Can be cut at much shorter intervals for a more accurate fit.

Once you've chosen the right type, look at the specification. Check the voltage, wattage, strip width and LEDs per metre, as these all affect how the strip performs and how it will look once installed.

Most LED Strip Lights come on 5-metre reels with an adhesive backing and can be cut at marked cut points.

For the best finish, we recommend installing LED Strip Lights inside an aluminium profile. It helps dissipate heat, protects the strip and creates a cleaner installation.

How Do You Power LED Strip Lights?

Most LED Strip Lights use constant voltage and cannot be connected directly to the mains supply.

UK mains electricity operates at a much higher voltage than LED Strip Lights require, so an LED driver is needed to convert the mains power into the correct low-voltage DC output. Take a look at our LED driver guide for more information on how drivers work and how to choose the right one.

Once you’ve chosen the correct LED driver, it will need to be connected between the mains supply and the LED strip.

LED drivers have an input side and an output side. The input side connects to the mains cable, while the output side connects to the LED Strip Lights.

To complete the installation, you’ll need:

A reel of LED Strip Light
A compatible LED driver
A suitable LED connector
Low-voltage LED cable

Alternatively, our Tagra Connect LED Strip Light kits, formerly known as Syndeo, offer a simpler way to connect compatible LED Strip Lights to the driver. The system uses pre-configured connections between compatible lighting, drivers and accessories, reducing the amount of soldering and wiring required during installation.

Follow these steps to connect your LED Strip Lights to the mains supply:

Connect the mains cable to the input side of the LED driver, ensuring the live, neutral and earth connections are wired correctly where required.
Connect the LED Strip Light to the corresponding positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the output side of the driver. Many of our LED strips come with pre-attached wires to make this easier.

If you’re installing Tagra Connect (previously known as Syndeo), compatible LED Strip Lights connect directly into the Tagra Connect driver instead, removing the need to manually wire the strip into the driver.

Before switching on the power, check that all terminals are wired correctly, the connections are secure and any terminal covers have been replaced.
Connect the system to the mains supply and switch it on. If everything has been wired correctly, the LED strip should illuminate.

All mains electrical work should be completed by a suitably qualified person.

How to Install Strip Lights

LED Strip Lights are straightforward to install. Most strips include an adhesive backing, making them quick to attach to a clean, smooth surface.

The adhesive backing works in a similar way to double-sided tape, but we still recommend using an aluminium LED profile where possible.

Profiles can be fixed securely to the surface before the strip is installed inside. This provides a more reliable fitting, creates a cleaner finish and helps conduct heat away from the LEDs.

Make sure the surface is clean and dry before fitting the strip. Dust, grease or moisture can prevent the adhesive from bonding properly.

How to Install LED Strip Lights on a Ceiling or Wall

LED Strip Lights work well on ceilings and walls, whether they’re being used as a visible feature or to create indirect lighting.

There are two main ways to install them:

Option 1: Fit the LED strip inside a profile. Profiles can be surface-mounted, recessed into the surface or plastered in to sit flush with the wall. Corner profiles can also be fitted where a wall meets the ceiling.

Option 2: Install the strip behind an existing lip, edge, dropped ceiling or section of coving. This keeps the strip out of direct view, reduces glare and creates a softer glow across the room.

Before installing the strip, plan where the driver and cabling will be positioned so they remain accessible without affecting the finished appearance.

How to Install LED Strip Lights Under Cabinets

LED Strip Lights are commonly installed under cabinets to provide task lighting across worktops and shelving.

We recommend using an LED profile mounted to the underside of the cabinet to house the strip. This gives the installation a cleaner finish and helps protect the tape.

If you aren’t using a profile, position the strip behind a front lip or towards the rear of the cabinet. This will help reduce glare, create a more even wash of light and make it easier to conceal the cabling.

The best position will depend on what you want to illuminate. A strip placed near the front will provide stronger task lighting, while one installed further back will create a softer effect.

For joinery and cabinet installations using Tagra Connect, compatible sensors and accessories can also be connected into the system, making it easier to add control without introducing additional wiring between each compatible component.

Installing LED Strip Lights Outdoors

For outdoor installations, you’ll need LED Strip Lights and an LED driver with an IP rating suitable for the location.

An IP67-rated strip is protected against dust and temporary immersion in water, making it suitable for many outdoor applications. The driver and any connectors must also have the correct level of protection.

Installation is much the same as standard LED Strip Lighting, but all connections must be properly sealed to prevent water ingress.

Even when using IP-rated products, we recommend installing them somewhere protected from constant direct exposure to rain or standing water wherever possible.

Always check the individual product specifications before installation, as cutting or reconnecting an IP-rated strip may affect its protection unless it is resealed correctly.

How to Connect Multiple LED Strips Together

If your installation requires more than five metres of LED Strip Light, or you need to split a five-metre reel into separate runs, the strips can be connected using suitable solder-free connectors or by soldering the connections.

Always make sure the connectors match the strip’s width and number of contacts.

If you’re using Tagra Connect, multiple compatible lighting runs can instead be connected through a compatible multi-port driver, providing a simpler option for installations with several separate runs.

LED Strip Lights also have a maximum recommended run length when powered from one end. As the run gets longer, voltage drop can cause the LEDs towards the end to appear dimmer.

The maximum run length depends on the voltage, wattage and specification of the strip, so always check the product datasheet rather than relying on one fixed length.

For longer installations, additional power feeds or separate drivers may be needed to maintain consistent brightness across the full run.