5 Easy DIY Lighting Projects to Refresh Your Home for Spring
04/08/25
Spring cleaning is refreshing and rejuvenating. Lighting up your home for spring? Now that’s next-level refreshing and rejuvenating. We’ve rounded up five ways to refresh your space with lighting projects you can totally LIY (Light It Yourself, in case you're new here).
Each one is designed to be simple enough to accomplish on your own. No professional needed—just a few tools, a little time, and the right lighting kit. Let’s get to it.
1. Light Up Your Patio Like You Actually Use It
If your outdoor space is more “afterthought” than “gathering spot,” this is the season to change that. Adding soft lighting to your deck, patio, or porch is one of the simplest ways to make it feel intentional and usable after dark.
Where to Use It
- Run weather-proof 24V LED FCOB Strip Lights under your deck railing for a warm, finished look.
- Mount lights along rooflines or overhangs—like covered patios, pergolas, or gazebos—to create a warm and inviting ambient glow from above.
- Add lighting along steps or walkways for better nighttime visibility.
- Wrap lights around tree trunks or branches to add subtle light enhancement to your yard.
How to Install
- Use mounting clips every 12–18 inches to keep lights secure and even.
- Plug into a weatherproof power supply, and connect to a dusk-to-dawn timer or remote switch for hands-free control.
- Use weatherproof connectors for any extensions or turns.
FCOB strip lights are designed to last outdoors and give you clean, even lighting without the harsh glare of floodlights. It’s an easy upgrade that turns “let’s go inside” into “let’s stay out a bit longer.”
Shop 24V LED FCOB Strip Lights
2. Brighten Up Your Kitchen with Under-Cabinet Lighting
Your kitchen works hard—and with under-cabinet lighting, it can work smarter. Adding strip lights beneath your upper cabinets creates task lighting that’s great for cooking, prepping, or just making your space feel more finished and warm.
First 120V or 12V?
- Use 120V strip lights for longer runs, easier plug-in setup, and more brightness. Available in from 65 to 148 ft spools or custom cut, to get the custom length you need.
- Go with 12V or 24V Strip Lights if you’re lighting a small area or prefer a low-voltage system with more flexibility in power supply options.
What You’ll Need
- LED strip lights (120V or 12V/24V)
- A compatible power supply for 12V/24Voptions.
- Industrial-strength mounting adhesive or aluminum channels for a more built-in look.
- Scissors or snips to trim your strips to size
How to Install
- Measure your cabinet lengths and note where outlets or power connections are.
- Clean the underside of the cabinets thoroughly for best adhesion.
- Cut your strips to length—always at the marked cut points.
- Mount the strips using adhesive tape. Use channels for a cleaner finish.
- Connect to power—either plug in or wire your driver for 12V.
- Test before finalizing, especially around corners and connectors.
Optional upgrades: add a dimmer, or smart plug to automate your configuration and adjust brightness as needed.
Browse LED Strip Lighting & Accessories
3. Add Personality with Custom Neon Wall Art
If your bedroom, home office, or entryway is feeling a little flat, custom LED neon is a smart way to add color and personality—without the weight (or risk) of glass neon.
We recommend our 12V LED Mini Neon Rope Lights, which can be cut to your exact length and shape, comes in a variety of colors—including 24V RGB color-changing and chasing options—and plugs directly into a standard outlet.
Where to Use It
- Above a bed or headboard for a personalized focal point
- On a gallery wall to add texture and dimension
- Mounted directly on the wall to elevate simple spaces like hallways or home gyms
What You’ll Need
- LED 12V Mini Neon Rope Lights
- Clear Mounting clips, aluminum mounting clips or mounting adhesive for a clean, secure installation
- 12V Power Supply for plug-and-play power
How to Install
- Plan your layout—sketch it out or tape the design shape to the wall.
- Mount the flexible mini neon strip light using clips or track, bending gently as needed.
- Plug it in and test the glow. Use a remote or dimmer for added convenience and control.
Mini LED Neon Strip Light brings in personality without being overwhelming. Choose RGB and you can change the color anytime the mood shifts.
Shop Mini LED Neon Strip
4. Outline Your Garden Path Like a Pro
Garden path lighting is a small project that quietly upgrades your entire yard. It helps guide guests, reduces tripping hazards, and makes your outdoor space feel more finished—without requiring a landscaping crew.
What You’ll Need
- 120V FCOB Strip Lights
- Weather Proofing Kit
- PVC Mounting Track
- Optional: dusk-to-dawn timer to automate on/off cycles
How to Install
- Lay out your path and mark where the lights will go.
- Run them along the edge and secure with ground clips or landscaping staples.
- Connect to power, using outdoor-safe cables and weatherproof connectors.
- Add automation (timers or smart plugs) so you never have to think about it again.
5. Light Up Your Trees for Instant Outdoor Ambiance
Trees are an underrated backdrop for outdoor lighting. Whether you're looking to highlight the landscaping you worked hard on or just want to add a warm, finished feel to your yard, lighting your trees does a lot with very little effort.
Two Simple Ways to Do It:
- Wrap trunks and lower branches with flexible 120V Rope Lights for a clean, even glow that works year-round.
- Drape Bistro String Lights through the canopy to create a soft, overhead sparkle—ideal for patios, pergolas, or backyard seating areas.
- Easily vertically embellish your tree trunks and branches with simple String Lights and our revolutionary No Wrap Straps.
What You’ll Need:
- Custom Cut 120V Rope Lights, Mini String Lights, Bistro Warm White String Lights, or Bistro Multi-Color String Lights
- Mounting clips or zip ties (for wrapping)
- A compatible controller
- Optional: dusk-to-dawn timer to automate on/off cycles
How to Install:
- For rope lights, start at the base and wrap upward, keeping spacing even as you go. Secure with clips or weatherproof zip ties.
- For string or bistro lights, anchor the cord to nearby structures (like a fence, post, or house) and gently weave through the branches. Or save time and create clean effortless lines with our No Wrap Straps.
- Plug into a GFCI outlet and use a timer or remote control for easy on/off.
- Stand back and admire your creation—lit trees bring depth and character to your yard, even when everything else is dark.
Whether you're spotlighting a single tree or creating a soft canopy of light, this project instantly elevates your outdoor space. And yes—you can absolutely Light It Yourself (LIY).
These five projects are simple, impactful, and surprisingly self-manageable—whether you’re new to lighting or just looking for your next weekend win. Want more step-by-step help? Head over to our Resources page for full guides, tips, and how-tos that make lighting like a pro easier than ever.