Shine Bright! Here Are 7 Ideas For What You Can Do with 5050 LED Strip Lights

Lighting is everything.

And if you’ve ever replaced an antiquated ceiling light fixture or added a nice accent lamp to your bedside table, you know firsthand how much lighting can change the mood of your home.

One of the best ways to do that is with 5050 LED strips. They can add a modern flourish to any home. And with a low price and easy installation, there’s no reason you shouldn’t start adding them to your home.

There are plenty of ways to use LED strips to give your home a unique ambiance. 

But first…

What Are 5050 LED Lights?

There are many different kinds of LEDs. They range from the small light at your TV’s power display to strip lights to lightbulbs and headlights.

5050 LEDs are a type of strip lights. They are so named because the chip that powers each light is 5.0mm by 5.0mm.

These are a bit larger than other LED strips, which creates more heat. But that heat is negligible compared to other types of lighting.

Those larger chips also mean brighter lights. If you’re using an LED strip to add accents in a room with other light sources, other sizes might not be powerful enough to be visible. 5050s shine three times brighter than 3528 LEDs.

The 5050 chips are also able to shine in millions of different colors, which can create endless moods.

Here are a few ideas of how you can use these lights yourself!

Under Lighting For Your Kitchen Cabinets

Many people say that the kitchen is the most important part of your house. Most of us spend several hours per week cooking or doing meal prep.

So why not make your kitchen a more enjoyable room?

Add strips of LEDs underneath your cabinets to add a color accent or just shine where the overhead lights can’t reach.

All you need is a strip of LEDs, some double-sided tape, a couple screws, and a 12v adapter to connect your LEDs to an outlet. Add wi-fi dimmer switches for maximum control.

Pimp Your Ride

You really just need a car that can get you from point A to point B. But why shouldn’t you do it in style?

LED strips can add that ultra-cool touch just about everywhere. Run a strip of lights across the ceiling of your car to turn it into an instant party wagon. 

You can also add LEDs on the underside of the car body to light up wherever you drive like a spaceship. 5050 strips might not be resilient enough to survive on the car’s exterior if you live in a harsh climate, though.

Light Up Your Library

If you’re a bookworm, you’ve already got shelves stuffed with books. So why not show it off?

Run strip lighting on the underside of your shelves to illuminate the books underneath. This makes it easier than ever to find what you’re looking for.

You could also put accent lights deep in the back of the shelf to make your library shine. 

Color Changing Aquarium Lights

Aquariums are a great way to reduce stress. And who doesn’t love watching those cute fishies darting around?

Chances are, your aquarium already emits a gentle glow. But if you add a strip of color-changing LEDs along the top, you can make it even more relaxing. You can adjust the color and light intensity at will.

And, LEDs use less power than the conventional fluorescent lights of aquariums.

But, if you have any plants in your aquarium, make sure you pay attention to their light needs before switching to LEDs.

A More Chic Man Cave

Everyone wants a great man cave. Sometimes, the quest for a better man cave can be a race between friends to see who can buy the biggest TV, the loudest speakers, or the most comfortable couches.

And a lot of times, lighting is completely ignored.

If you’re trying to build the best entertainment center on the block, 5050 LEDs are the way to go.

Put lighting on the back of your entertainment center to give it an other-worldly halo. Put lights underneath your coffee table or couches to add an unbeatable accent. 

If you don’t have a library of books, use that same advice for your movie or video game collection. If your man cave is stocked with a bar, light the underside of it. 

Suddenly, your basement will become the undisputed home for all things entertainment.

Make More Bedroom Moods

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. But we spend way more time than that in our bedrooms. So why not make it as enjoyable as possible?

Use color-changing LED strips to create ambiance and set the mood for those moments with your special someone. If you have a wi-fi dimmer switch, you can even set your lights on a timer to gradually light up your room in the morning.

High-Class Bathrooms

For some people, the bathroom is a purely utilitarian space. You go on to perform basic maintenance, then you leave.

But for others of us, the bathroom is a place of solace. Our own little day spa. 

5050 LEDs can take your bathroom to the next level. Backlight your mirror to give your daily routine a bit more pizzazz. Color changing lighting inside your shower can take a boring, everyday cleaning and turn it into a high-class experience. 

Just make sure you waterproof all of your connections!

Let There Be Light

These seven ideas are a great place to start, but 5050 LED strips are as versatile as you want to make them. Let your imagination run wild!

For more examples of great LED projects or to submit your own projects, visit this page!