LED Strip lighting - nice quality / continuous strip appearance/ warm tone / dimmable / holy grail?

[bickering]

I want to make some long downlighters at cornice level using LED strip and a timber pelmet. The construction is all simple but unfortunately choosing a good LED specification is not….?

I bought some new GU10s for the kitchen and the light quality is horrible - and those bulbs weren’t too pricey. The LED lengths im using make the downlighters quite pricey so I don’t want to gamble or guess and make a mistake.

Anyone used LED strips like these and have any advice or things to avoid? Thanks

looking for: continuous strip appearance/ warm tone / dimmable

Placemaking!

Govee brand is really good. It all works and connects super well.
app to control colours and you can connect to Alexa.

ooh thanks - can I cheekily ask for any pics?!?

Im getting mine wired to a wall switch…

Apparently i need to look for COB strip - Thats the one with lots of small LEDs close together to make it seem continuous?

You need to put a light diffusing cover over the led strip. Something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/led-light-strip-cover-diffuser-flexible/s?k=led+light+strip+cover+diffuser+flexible

Can I ask where you want to put these lights and for what kind of lighting effect? I’m thinking about these in a laundry room with not much natural light. Would it work, or is it more decorative?

we have dimmable and can change the lights from warm white to cool with a remote control,cost about 15 quid for 4mtr length from a company called ledpro

Just found the link HTH

www.lepro.co.uk/products/5m-led-strip-lights-white-ambiance-dimmable-warm-white-to-cool-daylight

It’s for decorative lighting so I’d like a warm tone rather than the cold utility type you might be thinking of?

i wonder if ikea do them.

Good thought. They do but - they aren’t continuous - and I need one thats closer to 8m long… so I’ll need to keep looking

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/led-strip-lights-57542/

One issue might be length if life - it looks like some of these lamps only have a few years of guarantee…

Are you using an electrician to fit? I spec Ansell LED strip and its very good but not sure how the price compares to the other domestic options people have put forward.

Thanks! I’ll check them out - yes I’m using an electrician. I was recommended an option which turned out to be £££ so I’m looking for a mid price option… any specific product in that range that I should look at?

@LivingDeadGirlUK thanks for the tip - it looks like they have good products

i was told to get a frosted diffuser track as well as the COB continuous strip but given that it’s all going to be hidden behind a down stand im wondering if that’s overkill as the COB strip is pricey… the diffuser would help keep it in place and protect it….

I wonder if the dotty LED plus diffuser is the economic way to go?

what do you typically specify?

If its hidden by the downstand then just the tape should be fine, if you are putting it under the lip of the worktops etc then it will look neater in a channel with diffuser. Yes it is a bit more pricy, my projects are generally commercial fit outs hence me not being sure how they compare to the other suggestions on cost.

Thanks!

I think I need to find a supplier in London where I can visit a showroom and see the products working. Theres no substitute

im thinking I’ll go with a diffuser to protect the strip and make sure it stays in place - so I just need to work out which strip… so many to choose from!