Too often people just think in terms of one-for-one replacements of convential bulb when they think of indoor LED lights for their home. But fundamentally, the technology behind an LED provides much greater flexibility then we could ever realistically achieve with those old convential light bulbs. Let’s explore why we need to shake away from stubborn clinging to old and inefficient technology. Let’s embrace the new possibilities afforded by LED lighting fixtures.
What Are LED Lights?
LED stands for light emitting diode.
Put simply, LEDs are like tiny bulbs that easily fit into an electrical circuit. They offer light through the movement of electrons that are in a semiconductor material. Unlike regular incandescent light bulbs, LED lights do not have a filament to burn, and thus burn out. Instead they will last as long as your standard transistor.
Why Use LED Lighting?
Defining exactly what an LED light isn’t, well, very interesting to most people. The more important question is: why would you want to use LED lights instead of some other type of lighting?
The main reason to choose either LED indoor or outdoor lighting is because of efficiency. Not only are these types of lights energy efficient, they are more efficient in general. Because of the way incandescent bulbs are designed they use a lot of energy generating heat while they also produce light. LED lights provide more light per watt, and they don’t radiate heat.
This means they can be smaller than a convential bulb yet provide the light of a much larger bulb, and they can do so without generating dangerous heat. This combination allows for a wide range of uses and placements we could never accomplish with standard filament-based bulbs.
They can be dimmed, they light up quickly and they are more durable than other bulbs. But one of the other great advantages is that they have a long life; they are reported to last between 35,000 to 50,000 hours. Some reports say a well-made LED light can last over 25 years with regular, normal use.
Granted, they aren’t perfect. The biggest drawback is the initial price. They are more expensive to purchase than most other conventional lights, but LED home lighting will help you save a lot of money in electrical bills over the years. Plus LED bulbs rarely need to be replaced. Not all LED lights are equal though; to be sure you’ are’re buying a quality light make sure you choose one that is Energy Star qualified and exhibits the trusted blue label.
Indoor LED Step Lights
Indoor LED lighting provides an attractive way to illuminate your stairways for greater safety. Many of these lights are installed in the front, or face, of the step. Another popular way to add indoor stairway lighting is by installing low-profile, or recessed LED wall lights low on the wall, just above the stairs, to help provide light. These wall stair lights have a grate that points the light down towards the stairs to help focus the illumination where you want it. But if you are creative you may find something else that works better for you needs.
Battery powered LED lights can also be a great option for stairs. They are incredibly easy to install because they don’t require wiring and they can be used anywhere. You can also find motion sensor LED lights so they only turn on when someone is using the stairs. Because LED lights don’t require a lot of power batteries usually last pretty well in these lights, especially when they use the motion sensor function.
If you are worried about the indoor step lights being to bright you may want to look for LED lights that will work with a dimmer. This can be nice if the stairs are near a bedroom or if you simply want a softer look.
If you are looking for a very simple form of LED stairway lights consider using an LED night light or two. If you don’t have an outlet in the right place you can use battery powered LED night lights.
Using Indoor LED Accent Lights
Using LED lights to accent specific points in your home or yard allows you to create a beautiful, distinctive look that is also energy-efficient. While the market and technology is still relatively new for residential use it is growing and there are more options available all the time for both indoor and outdoor LED accent lights.
There are a few different ways to use LED accent lighting indoors. One way is with LED step lights. These stairway lights can add an accenting light to your stairs, which can be beautiful on stairways that have a large presence in a room, but they will also increase visibility making the stairs safer at night.
The most popular types of LED accent lighting, however, include LED picture lights or LED strip lights that are mounted on the wall and used to highlight artwork. LED track lights can also be used for this purpose, but they can also be used to highlight another specific item or section of your home. The advantage of using LEDs for this purpose is that they don’t produce heat like incandescent bulbs do so they shouldn’t damage your pictures or paintings over time, and they won’t cost a lot to use.
Other types of accent lights include LED wall lights like sconces. These wall sconces can be used for a variety of purposes from lighting a hallway to lighting an entryway. Some are even battery-powered so they can easily be used in a variety of places without needing to be wired to an electrical source.
LED Rope Lights Amplify Your Creativity
These flexible lights, sometimes known as LED strip lights, add a fun decorative touch to any environment while also creating a useful source of light. An LED rope light can be hung or mounted almost anywhere without any structural modifications to a home or place of business. They provide a practical and stylish way to brighten any space, either indoors or outdoors.
A light rope normally consists of a flexible transparent or translucent tube with light bulbs evenly spaced within. The tube is thus bendable and can be wrapped around objects or run around the edges of rooms or windows. Rope lighting often comes on spools, and in longer lengths is frequently supplied with connector kits so that the rope can be cut to the desired lengths and each strand equipped to be plugged in separately. You can also find battery operated LED light ropes that can be used anywhere.
LED Rope lighting can be used to provide subtle accent lighting, for example the rope of lights can be hung under cabinets or other overhanging places. They are a perfect form of light to use in tray ceilings where they create an even glow that emits from the ceiling without showing the actual source of light. This is perfect for back lighting or outlining a variety of items or structures.
In contrast, however, many users prefer to keep light ropes out in the open for a bold and bright look. The many colors of tubing and bulbs available can create a lot of different effects and moods.