How to make a ceiling with lighting. Do-it-yourself ceiling lighting with LED strip. Video: installing and connecting LED strip

Until recently, a chandelier was used to illuminate the room, proudly located in the center of the ceiling, a modest sconce and a majestically towering floor lamp near the chair. Today, people have appreciated the advantages of modern lighting fixtures. With their help, you can not only competently equip the lighting, emphasize the advantages and leave in the shadow some of the flaws in the geometry of the premises, but also set a certain mood for the space. The article will focus on the various installations of ceiling lighting.

Numerous varieties of mini-lamps, spots, ribbons provide an opportunity to design the original backlight in accordance with your wishes. The miracle of technology looks especially advantageous on stretch and plasterboard ceilings of complex shapes. By the way, there are practically no restrictions on the intricacy of design.

Ceiling lighting photo

ceiling requirement

The organization of ceiling lighting is carried out during the repair of the premises. This allows you to hide electrical wiring, aesthetically veil transformers, dimmers and other related devices.
Stretch, suspended (rack, panel) and plasterboard ceilings can be created in complex configurations. This is exactly the case when full freedom to realize the client's fantasies. What kind of material to choose for arranging the ceiling - the choice remains with the owner of the property.

Tip: grandiose designs will show themselves in all their glory in spacious rooms with high ceilings. In small areas, it is appropriate to use simpler solutions.

However important disadvantage tension structures is the limitation on the power of the installed lamps. Therefore, before giving preference to PVC films, it is necessary to consult with experts regarding lighting fixtures.

Tip: in any case, the placement of the backlight is negotiated already at the stage of developing a project for any ceiling. Since electrical wires, working holes, protrusions for lighting products are made before the installation of the ceiling structure.

It is worth saying that the owners of an unremarkable ceiling should not be upset. This is where simple ingenuity can help. To equip the lighting around the perimeter of the room, an ordinary ceiling plinth or polystyrene cornice, glue and LED strip are taken.
The plinth is glued to the ceiling (wall) along the perimeter of the room at a distance of 10-15 cm from the adjacent walls (or ceiling). To inside a strip of LEDs is attached to the fillet (the protective film is removed and the sticky side is applied to the installation site). In such an uncomplicated way, you can decorate a seemingly ordinary ceiling.

Types of ceiling lighting

Backlight is auxiliary lighting. Here, lighting technology serves more to decorate and create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation. In this connection, it is not necessary to assign full-fledged lighting functions to such equipment.

Today, a huge number of lighting fixtures are offered, which will radically change not only the appearance of the ceiling, but also affect the interior of the room. The list includes:

spotlights, including devices with rotary mechanisms (spotlights);
neon tubes;

LED strips;
duralight stripes.

Tips for arranging a two-level ceiling with lighting

When choosing fixtures, specify a number of parameters that must match the material of the ceiling (the presence of thermal rings, the weight of products, etc.).
Installation of fixtures is carried out before the installation of the structure. Therefore, the necessary expendable materials, markings are made, electrical wiring is carried out, etc.
The aesthetics of the ceiling will depend entirely on the purchased lighting fixtures and the method of their location. With the help of lighting, you can visually change the geometry of the room (narrow the long side of the room, expand a cramped room, raise or lower the ceiling).
Independent installation of lighting equipment is carried out with at least basic knowledge of electricity. It will not be superfluous to read Additional information or watch a video.
The choice of lighting products for the design of lighting for the ceiling should be based not only on personal preferences, but also taking into account the material of the suspended (tension) structure. Important parameters here are the weight of the product and the power of the lamps.

Spotlights and recessed ceiling lights

When designing, it should be taken into account that the space between the main and stretch ceilings can be at least 5 cm. At the same time, some spotlights have a base (seat) about 15-20 cm high.
Compact luminaires can act as both an auxiliary and a main source of light. It all depends on the proper location, selection of lamp power. Technological holes corresponding to the diameter of the fixtures are made in advance. According to the type of attachment, there are 2 types of point devices.
Embedded. Socles with lamps are hidden in the interceiling space by means of spring fasteners, only the decorative part of the device remains visible. They are perfect for organizing directional lighting of a certain area (dining, working, etc.). As a rule, 1 device is able to cover up to 2 m2 of area with bright light, which should be taken into account when calculating their number and location.

Models designed for installation in stretch ceilings are equipped with special thermal rings that prevent heating of the material, as well as protect it from deformation and fading. For such fixtures, incandescent, halogen, fluorescent or LED lamps are used.
For stretch ceilings with backlight, lamps with lower heat dissipation (energy-saving or LED) should be preferred. When using incandescent lamps, their power should not exceed 60 W; for halogen analogues, this figure is 35 W.
Outdoor. Here the lamp together with the ceiling are located directly on the ceiling. Thus, the outgoing heat cannot harm the ceiling structure. Particular attention is drawn to spots, their rotary mechanism allows you to adjust the direction of light.
Ceiling lamps with an overhead type of fastening, especially with several spot lamps, often have an impressive weight, so you should clarify before purchasing this moment from professionals. In any case, this will not become a “contraindication” for installing the model you like, but will serve as a reason for installing additional structural elements when installing the ceiling.

Do-it-yourself illuminated ceiling

First of all, markings are made on the ceiling for the future location of lighting products. Wiring is skipped to the marked points, which is recommended to be insulated in corrugated tubes.
The ends of the wires for connection to the terminals of spotlights must be left with a margin (at least 20 cm). Use gloves when handling halogen lamps.
Next connects optional equipment: transformers, dimmers, switches, etc.
It is necessary to check the operability (serviceability) of each electrical link.
Racks, brackets, thermal insulation rings are pre-installed for luminaires under a stretch ceiling.
All elements of the system are connected and once again checked for serviceability. If the result is positive, the wires are isolated, the area is de-energized, and the ceiling is installed.

neon tubes

Lamps of this kind are used only as ceiling decorations due to their low brightness and high energy consumption. They perfectly complement the design of the room due to the wide range of shades. The backlight can be plain, rainbow or contrast.
The service life of quality products is 10-15 years. Basically, lamps are produced with a length of 1.5 m and a diameter of up to 1.5 cm. The maximum temperature during operation of the lamps does not exceed 40º, during operation they practically do not emit any noise.
Dark spots are not formed at the junction of the lamps, thus, a uniform and continuous glow is obtained. On request, pipes of various diameters and configurations can be ordered.
Great alternative to products individual sizes serve as a neon cord. Thanks to its flexibility, installation is easy and simple. Its glow is similar to the radiation of lamps, but the intensity is noticeably lower. As for the cost, the cord will cost a little more than the tubes.

To create a backlit drywall ceiling, you will need separate niches in the structure. For neon products to work, a converter is needed that increases the frequency of the electric current. You should know that one transformer serves up to 7 m of tubes.

Installation of neon ceiling lighting

Installation of lighting equipment is carried out on any base. So for plastered surfaces, a polystyrene plinth is used, niches are equipped in plasterboard, suspended and tension bases, the optimal size of which is: 20x50x70 mm. When calculating, it is important to take into account the dimensions of the voltage converter.
Depending on taste preferences, the luminous stream can be directed to the walls or to the center of the ceiling. The intensity of the glow is regulated by the side of the structure, and the higher the side, the brighter and clearer the strip of light is. The absence of a rim provides a diffused glow. The diameter of the tube is also responsible for the brightness - by installing lighting products of large diameter, you can get diffused lighting. And vice versa - small diameter allows you to get sharper boundaries of the flow of light.

The calculation of the connection points of the transformers, and hence their number, is based on the power of 1 meter of the lamp (about 10 W). Transducers are installed every 6-7 m of pipes.
The stores offer neon lamps in the package, which includes everything you need (fasteners, cords, wiring diagram), so there will be no difficulties during the installation process.

How to make LED ceiling lighting

Excellent operational characteristics are flexible strips with diode bulbs. Serious manufacturers guarantee their flawless operation for 70 thousand hours.
Usually the tape is produced in a length of 5 m, it can be extended or cut into smaller pieces. Such free use makes it possible to equip the illumination of structures of any geometric shapes. LEDs can be monochrome or multi-color.

The intensity of the glow of the LED ceiling lighting depends on the number of located diodes per meter of tape. As a rule, this indicator for lighting equipment at 12 V is in the range of 30-120 pieces, at 24 V - up to 240 pieces, where the lamps are placed in 2 rows. The more diode lamps on a piece of tape, the more powerful the power supply should be. The power of the transformer must be calculated with a 20% margin.
The hue and brightness of the glow is regulated by remote control or a special switch via a dimmer. Thus, the owner has the opportunity to create an atmosphere according to his mood.
Ready-made kits greatly facilitate the installation of LED lighting. Before you make a plasterboard ceiling with lighting, you need to prepare everything necessary elements, and these are: power supply, controller and control panel. The installation process consists in the serial connection of all elements of the system.

Installation

If the backlight is assembled from separately purchased parts, then the installation process will consist of the following steps:

It is not recommended to connect the tape in more than 3 meter sections, the tracks may not withstand the passing current. The cut is carried out along the cut line, indicated by the manufacturer with sharp scissors in one motion. It should be noted that moisture-resistant tapes cannot be cut to avoid product sealing.
The wires are soldered carefully at a melting temperature not exceeding 160º, observing the polarity. The contacts at the points of attachment to the board are protected by heat shrink tubes and special tips. Special clips allow you to connect contacts without soldering.
When connecting single-color products, 2 cores are soldered, multi-colored tapes - 4, where the core in a black sheath corresponds to the “+” terminal.
The whole circuit is assembled without installation in place, this will make it possible to check working condition and replace (correct system shortcomings) in convenient conditions without dismantling.
A large backlight area implies the use of a powerful unit with considerable dimensions. In this case, it makes sense to replace one powerful unit with several devices with indicators similar to the total power.

To fix the tape on the surface, it is enough to remove the protective tape and attach the sticky side to the base. It is important to take into account here that it will stick “tightly” to the polystyrene cornice, but it will fall behind the plastered surfaces over time.

Ceiling lighting video

How to make a backlit ceiling from duralight

This type of backlight is a flexible plastic cord with a diameter of 10-16 mm, in which miniature incandescent lamps are connected in series. Unusual brightness, elasticity of the cord (freely accepts any shape) and low power consumption make the product in demand when organizing decorated lighting.

The cord is cut into pieces according to special risks. The connection of several parts is made by means of a coupling. No transformers or converters are used to connect to the mains.
The product is presented both in a single-color form (fixing) and a multi-color palette (chasing). The latter option, when connected to a dimmer, works in a different dynamic order, for example in the form of flickering or “running lights” of the same color. In the chameleon series, lamps of two shades alternate. Multi-chasing is a 4-color product. If desired, multi-colored cords can be combined according to design solutions.
One of the disadvantages of this lighting product is the high cost of repairs. So if one of the bulbs burns out, you will have to replace the whole length of the cord.

Installation

Installation work for a lamp tube is practically no different from installing an LED strip. The only difference is the lack of a transformer. The assembly of all elements is carried out first on the table or on the floor.
The cut of the cord is made according to the manufacturer's marks. So for fixing, the cut-off ratio is 1 m, for chasing and chameleon - 2 m, for multichasing - 4 m.
When joining segments different lengths adapter is used. The end of the cord should end with a special tip (cap).
The cable with a plug for connecting the product to the mains usually has a length of 1 m, so it is important to take this factor into account when installing both an additional outlet and the location of the luminous cord itself.
After assembly, the performance of the system is checked. With a positive result, the duralight cord is installed at the planned place. Clips, staples or rubber suction cups act as fasteners.

When arranging the backlight, it is important to remember that no one has canceled the main sources of light: chandeliers, pendant lamps, sconces, floor lamps. The backlight is only decorative.
Before creating "decorations", pay attention to the numerous photographs presented on the Internet. An illiterately selected contour can lead to bulkiness, weighting of any suspended (tension) structures, especially for multi-level ceilings.
In natural light with the backlight turned off, the design can look very depressing. Therefore, the organizational process should take into account this nuance.
The backlight should carry the target task: to emphasize the character and style direction interior or structural design.
With extreme caution, it should be used in rooms decorated in retro, empire style, etc. The modern solution does not harmonize with solid wood furniture; chandelier with candles and a table covered with a tablecloth.

Well, in order not to regret the money spent and the damaged interior, contact highly professional designers who will take into account all the wishes and offer best option creating and decorating ceiling structures.

Making the lighting of the ceiling space for any room is quite a responsible matter.

Therefore, before you start choosing options for lighting the ceiling, you should pay attention to a few important aspects associated with the design features of the ceiling surfaces.

When installing lighting equipment, the following requirements should be taken into account:

light fluxes should diverge evenly throughout the room;
all lighting fixtures should have the same following indicators: power, glow intensity, light spectrum;
light bulbs should be selected bright, durable and economical, for example, LED specimens;
the design of light fixtures and the entire interior with furniture items should be the same;
to create a soft, pleasant backlight, all the lamps are directed upwards, for brighter lighting - downwards;

The wires must be hidden - with hidden installation, the wiring is hidden under wall decoration, in the case of open laying, all wires are hidden in cable channels.

Types of lighting fixtures for the ceiling

You should think about how to organize ceiling lighting and what lamps will be used for this at the stage finishing works. There are several types of lamps.

The chandelier is an everyday classic. The main thing to pay attention to is the weight of the product, as some ceiling surfaces, such as drywall, may not withstand mounting.

Chandeliers have a diffused luminous flux, so it alone will be enough for the entire area of the room. This is a fairly versatile type of luminaire, so they are suitable for multi-level structures and for inclined surfaces.

Built-in or outdoor type spotlights - outdoor ones shine more brightly.

Such pointers have an undeniable plus - ease of installation. However, it is not uncommon for such light sources to damage ceiling surfaces, usually stretch ones.

Note! Lighting in the apartment - 75 photos original ideas interior lighting

Lamps with a directional luminous flux - illuminate a specific area with light. Often used to illuminate the working kitchen area, or to adjust the area of the room.

LED (neon) tape - used for hidden lighting of ceiling structures. This tape is placed inside the eaves. It is used in any room except the bathroom, as high moisture is contraindicated for this product.

Types of ceiling coverings and their lighting

What should be the lighting of the ceiling depends on the design features of the surface.

Suspended ceiling structures are created from sheets of drywall, which are mounted on frame profiles. For this type of surface, as a rule, spotlights are used.

You should think in advance about the location of the fixtures, since holes should be made in the drywall coating for them.

Also, with a plasterboard type of ceiling, chandeliers are used. It is only important to choose the right way to fix the lamp.

If the device is not too heavy, then it is possible to fix it on a dowel-hook to concrete surface. If the chandelier is heavy, then you should choose an anchor.

Choosing lighting for stretch ceiling surfaces is more difficult. Since the film has low mechanical strength, it is impossible to attach lighting fixtures to it.

The best option for such a coating are spotlights, which are mounted in prepared seats and practically do not emit heat.

If a chandelier is still needed, then you should make a hole in the material in advance, through which the wires will connect to the chandelier, and then they will be removed under the decor cover.

Also for stretch ceiling surfaces it is possible to use a hidden backlight LED tape.

For a concrete or wooden ceiling, any type of lighting fixture is suitable. However, it will be quite laborious to mount point devices in such surfaces.

Lighting for every room

A corridor is often an uncomfortable narrow elongated or small square room. To shorten a long corridor, you can place recessed lights along the entire ceiling and direct the light down. And to increase the area of \u200b\u200ba small room, you should direct the light up.

Kitchen room - here the best option there will be a combination of spotlights and LED strip.

Sleeping room - here you can pick up any device from a small wall sconce, to massive floor lamps.

For the living room, you can create a real unique design ceiling, which will become the "highlight" of the entire home. The photo of the lighting of the ceiling shows that the effect of the “starry night sky” can become such a ceiling.

The main condition for the type of lighting in the bathroom is a lot of bright high-quality light, thanks to which unwanted shadows from objects will not be cast.

Photo of ceiling lighting

When multi-level plasterboard and came into fashion, it became possible to zone the premises depending on their functional purpose. Even 20 years ago, it was possible to highlight a certain part of the room by painting the site false ceiling into a different color. Today, LED ceiling lighting is used for this.

This lighting option will make your room unique, add comfort and attractiveness to it. Do-it-yourself installation of LED ceiling lighting with your own hands is not at all difficult.

However, this will require you to gain basic knowledge that will help you choose the right lighting devices and install them without errors. Read this article to the end and you will learn how to make ceiling lighting in almost any room.

Backlight Options

There are two most common options for how to do-it-yourself ceiling lighting:

Contour LED ceiling lighting with LED strip
Illumination with built-in LEDs (imitation of the starry sky)

The second option is used when diode lighting of the ceiling (stretch) is performed. It is the most time-consuming and costly in terms of the financial component.

In such a ceiling with LED lighting, miniature LED lighting devices are used, often decorated with light diffusers from Swarovski and other famous manufacturers.

The most popular LED ceiling lighting according to the first option. It can be used to illuminate both plasterboard ceilings and stretch ceilings. ceiling systems. In addition, components for such lighting can be purchased at any store for chandeliers and lamps at an affordable price.

The principle of contour LED ceiling lighting

How is LED ceiling lighting made by hand? The basis of this method is the lighting of ceilings with LED strip laid in a plasterboard box. It is located in the second level of the grid and eliminates visual contact with the light source.

It looks like the lighting is coming from nowhere. It gently and limitedly extends to the contour of the ceiling. Alternatively, you can use an LED strip laid in a wide foam ceiling plinth that imitates hand-made stucco molding. In this case, the plinth is attached to the wall only along its lower part.

A gap of 5–7 cm is left between the plinth and the ceiling. An LED strip is placed in the formed pocket between the wall and the plinth. Such a ceiling with LED lighting is much more economical than installing a drywall box.

It is convenient to use it to illuminate stretch ceilings. Repairs in such premises may already be completed, and installing LED ceiling lighting and a ceiling plinth with your own hands is not a dusty and easy job.

LED lighting kit

For lighting, a special conductive tape with LEDs installed on it is used. There are waterproof tapes, ordinary (white light) and multi-colored (RGB light). The first are placed in a silicone, transparent tube. They cost a little more, but are protected from a possible flood from above.

A step-down transformer is used to supply voltage to the diode strip. It is installed in the circuit between the switch and the backlight source.

It's important to know! It is not recommended to install the backlight in the main ceiling lighting circuit controlled by a general switch. The main light will be scored by soft contour lighting. Ceiling LED lighting should be connected to a separate switch.

There are tapes that allow you to get multi-colored illumination (RGB tapes). They are more expensive and require the use of a transformer and a special controller. It programs the switching of ceiling lighting colors.

Also, the tapes differ among themselves in the density of the arrangement of LEDs and their power. The most common LED strip with a density of 30, 60 and 120 diodes per 1 meter. The higher the density, the higher the brightness of the backlight.

Calculation of contour diode illumination

Multiply the resulting footage by the power consumption of 1 meter of LED strip. Ask the seller for power before buying. Based on the data obtained, you need to select a transformer (power supply) and a controller of the required power. The voltage of the transformer and the controller can be 5, 12 and 24 V. Keep this in mind when choosing devices.

Important to remember! If you are at a loss with the calculation and selection of the transformer and controller, contact the seller in the store. It will surely help you make the right choice.

Installation and connection

The tape is sold on reels (reels similar to tape recorders). 5 m is wound on the reel. If necessary, the tape can be cut and soldered, while obtaining the required size.

You can cut the LED strip with your own hands only in the places marked on it. The multiplicity of cutting for different tapes may vary. The cut tapes are soldered with their own hands according to the following scheme:

For single-color tapes, two contacts "+" and "-" are soldered
For RGB tapes, the contacts of the same name "V +", "R", "G", "B" are soldered

When soldering, do not overheat the tape, as the LEDs may fail.

It is also impossible to solder in series more than 15 m (3 coils). Conductive tracks will not withstand such power. In this case, it is necessary to connect the sections in parallel. In order not to damage the base of the tape and the conductive paths, it must not be bent at an angle of 90 degrees.

When the LED (light-emitting diode) strip is soldered to the desired length, the transformer and controller are connected. Often a transformer is sold without a power cord, so if you don't have one, buy a lighting cable and plug. Carry out the installation of the wire to the L and N terminals. When using the RGB tape, connect the controller to the transformer.

Note! When connecting, the polarity must be observed.

An LED strip is connected to the controller. If you use a single-color tape, then it is immediately connected to the transformer. The LED ceiling light is connected to a power source and has been tested for functionality. After that, the surface is thoroughly cleaned of dust, where the backlight will be laid.

FROM reverse side a protective film is pasted on the diode tape. It must be removed and glued to the box or plinth pocket. Installation of LED ceiling lighting is completed.

Lighting is an important part of any interior. Today there is a great variety of chandeliers, lamps, floor lamps and sconces, with which you can refresh and complete many environments. One of the most common and frequently encountered are ceiling lights. Let's talk about them in more detail.

Kinds

There are several types of ceiling lighting.

Today, overhead linear ceiling lighting is very popular. Luminaires with similar designs are simple continuous lines. They can be used as both primary and secondary lighting. With the help of such details, you can make a very interesting composition, since linear lighting fixtures can intersect with each other at any angle. Particularly interesting are the light compositions that pass from the ceiling to the wall.
For a multi-level ceiling, it is necessary to correctly select beautiful lighting. For example, for stylish two-level ceiling you can purchase a chandelier that matches the style, spotlights, special directional lighting bulbs, as well as economical LED or neon strips. A two-level ceiling with large lamps will look organic only in spacious rooms.
Ceiling spotlights can be used for interior lighting. Such lighting fixtures are more powerful. Most often they can be found in museums, exhibitions, gyms, shopping centers, etc. The most popular are LED specimens. They are distinguished by their economy and bright light.

Today, one of the most common are built-in spotlights. As a rule, they are compact in size. They can be installed in both hard and stretch ceilings. The main advantages of such lighting are its affordable cost and discreet design. Such specimens are used to decorate any room, whether it is a cozy living room or a small bathroom ceiling.
Suspended ceiling chandeliers look harmonious in many interiors. They can have a variety of shapes and sizes. The choice of these lighting fixtures largely depends on the layout of the room and the height of the ceiling. For example, for a room with low ceilings, you should not choose a chandelier that is too bulky. Visually, it will reduce the already modest space. A luxurious large chandelier can be hung in a spacious room. With the help of such a detail, you can complete the interior.
The most malleable are flexible lamps. These include bright neon tubes of different lengths, duralight cords and LED strips. Such elements can be installed under a stretch ceiling, between different levels of the ceiling and drywall constructions, as well as along ceiling plinths. Installation of these lighting fixtures can be done by hand. This will not take much time and effort. It is worth noting the durability of flexible systems. They do not consume a lot of electricity and do not require maintenance.
Not so long ago, track lighting designs began to be used to decorate home interiors. Initially they were supplemented shopping centers and office rooms, but today they are often found in home settings. Such structures consist of a system of lamps attached to a busbar - a rail no more than 3 m long. The rails are fastened in a certain combination using various connecting parts of different shapes.

The most popular are L-shaped, straight, cruciform and rectangular designs. They are attached directly to the ceiling and go down with the help of special cables. Several different lighting fixtures can be located on one base at once.
Modern design have track lights on the rods. Such options are used to decorate any room: from the kitchen to the bedroom. They are available in different shapes and sizes. Most often, these options are made of metal and are ceiling holders of various sizes with shades attached to them. Such lighting looks organic in modern interiors. Classical ensembles with such lamps should not be supplemented.

Lamps

The following types of lamps are suitable for indoor lighting:

ordinary incandescent lamps;
economical LED light bulbs;
flexible lighting systems;
neon lamps. Such devices are most often used for background lighting;
fluorescent lamps;
Spotlights;
halogen lamps. If there is hidden lighting in the ceiling, then it can be combined with both spot and halogen lamps.

Unusual lighting options

With the help of high-quality and beautiful ceiling lighting, you can transform the interior of the room and give it a special chic.

Neon ceiling lighting looks very interesting and original. Light tubes can be installed in both open and closed niches. If you have chosen an open neon backlight, then the lighting in the room will be distributed evenly and smoothly. If the ceiling is equipped with neon lighting in a closed niche, then you can form a non-trivial flowing glow that will effectively emphasize the contours of the existing structure. With the help of such lighting, you can create a truly exclusive and fashionable image premises.

The plasterboard lighting on the ceiling looks unusual and attractive. This material is flexible. It is easily processed and lends itself to any finish. On the ceiling, you can make a variety of plasterboard figures: from large three-dimensional squares or rectangles to angular details and abstract patterns. As a rule, such interesting designs are decorated with flexible lighting systems of different tones.
Perhaps the most interesting way The transformation of the interior is a glass ceiling with lighting. Such structures consist of a reliable and dense frame and glasses connected to each other with a special film. Lamps or LED strips are installed in the internal niches of such original ceiling. Glasses in such designs can be both transparent and multi-colored. It all depends on the taste preferences of the owners.

How to arrange?

Ceiling lights can be located in the central part of the room, along the perimeter, in different corners, etc. However, before choosing a place to install lighting fixtures, you need to know about the requirements for their location.

The smallest distance from the edge of the wall to the spotlights on the ceiling should be 20 cm.
If you have chosen a pendant chandelier, then it should be hung in the central part of the ceiling. In a studio apartment, a similar lamp can be installed in the center of one of the functional areas.
If there is a stretch ceiling in the room, then the distance between the lamps and the seams of the PVC film must be at least 15 cm.
If you are planning to contact symmetrical arrangement ceiling lights, you should make sure that all fixtures are at the same distance from each other and from the walls.

Currently, there are several basic options for designing indoor lighting.

Lighting and interior solutions

The design of lighting fixtures should match the interior of the room.

The popular and modern loft trend is characterized by laconic and uncomplicated forms. Lamps made in this way do not have additional decorations and decorative elements. Aged lamps are suitable for such an interior. For loft-style ensembles, you should choose ceiling lighting made of plastic, glass or metal.
High-tech and minimalist ceiling lights should have the most simple and clear lines. They can be made from inexpensive industrial materials and have a discreet appearance. Also in these modern settings, a luminous ceiling can be used as the main lighting.

Today, at the peak of popularity is such air style like Provence. In such interiors, ceilings complemented by beams look harmonious. You can complete such environments with beautiful and elegant lamps with light shades of medium size.
Art Nouveau room lighting should have correct forms and cunning, bold and original configurations. In such interiors, devices in which elegant forged metal or non-standard lampshades are present will look harmonious.
Large chandeliers with wrought iron and glass compositions organically look in classical ensembles. They can be elegant and luxurious forms. However, such lighting fixtures are not suitable for low ceilings.

photos

How to choose?

The choice of high-quality and suitable ceiling lighting largely depends on the height and type of ceiling. So, in a room with low ceiling hanging chandeliers with too long bases will not look. A room with a large area can be supplemented with massive and large chandeliers, in which there are more than 3 lamps. In addition, the design of the appliances should match the interior of the room. Choose quality and reliable lighting from well-known manufacturers. It is recommended to refer to models made of environmentally friendly and durable materials. Such varieties will serve you for a very long time and will not lose their attractive appearance. appearance even after many years.

photos

Before buying, be sure to check all fasteners and component parts lamp. They must be in perfect condition: hold firmly and do not creak.

Modern ceiling design ideas

In a studio apartment with white walls and a floor finished with a milky laminate, it will look spectacular plasterboard ceiling with a round insert of glossy black film in the center. Simple recessed lamps should be placed around the dark insert, and a hinged metal chandelier with round shades should be hung in the center. Such an ensemble will be organically combined with the kitchen and living area.

In the attic most often there are sloping ceilings. They can be supplemented with both built-in and hanging chandeliers small sizes. For example, against the background of a white ceiling and accent brick wall the ceiling lamp will look harmonious in vintage style. Complement such a room with a rattan chair, as well as a light table and chairs.

Every year, new elements enter the interior design of residential and special premises. LED strip for lighting ceilings has become one of them.

This functional decorative detail can transform even the most boring interior. Often she can shine different colors, from which you can choose the appropriate one for the current mood or current situation.

What is LED strip?

The LED strip is a flexible strip that can have a width of 5 to 50 mm. On one side of the tape there are LEDs and resistors, combined by electrical conductors into a single circuit. On the other hand, a double-sided adhesive tape is usually glued on it, on which the strip is fixed in the place chosen for it.

On LED strips different models located and different quantity LEDs, and they can also differ in size. If it is necessary to achieve greater illumination brightness, sometimes additional LEDs are soldered in the second or even third row.

Benefits of LED strip lighting for ceilings

The advantages of this lighting decorative device quite a lot, and they include the following indicators:

Affordable kit price and significant energy savings with a sufficiently high brightness of lighting.
Ease of installation of such lighting equipment, which is quite possible to produce independently, following the attached instructions.
Wide selection colors. LED strips can be composed of LEDs of the same color, for example, white - to enhance lighting or accentuate lines, or elements of different glow to create special moods in the room.

Long service life, as high-quality LEDs can last 10 years or more.

Criteria for choosing LED strip for ceilings

LEDs used in tapes

When purchasing an LED strip for lighting ceilings, you need to know what types of LEDs are used for this purpose.

The main types that are currently used for the production of luminous ceiling tapes are SMD 5050 and SMD 3028 LEDs.

SMD - these letters in the marking are an abbreviation for the name “Surface Mounted Device”, in translation it means “surface-mounted device”, since the LED is securely soldered to the surface of the tape.

The numbers following the letters in the marking indicate the size of the LED in millimeters. For example, SMD 3028 is an element with dimensions of 3 × 2.8 mm, and, accordingly, SMD 5050 is 5 × 5 mm.

The LED with this marking has six "legs" coming out of the case, with which it is soldered into the tape. The element itself is equipped with three light-emitting crystals. Such an LED will emit light approximately three times more intense than a single-chip SMD 3028 connected to the tape with only one pair of contacts.

The term luminous flux, which is measured in lumens, is used to define the characteristics of the radiation intensity of an LED. So, the officially defined values of this parameter for SMD 5050 LEDs are 12 lumens, and for SMD 3028 - only 4 lumens. One LED from the SMD 5050 brand shines as intensely as three SMD 3028 placed side by side.

The color of the glow of the LED strip will depend on the LEDs that are installed in it. In the case when the tape contains SMD 5050 LEDs, then three crystals can be installed in each of their cases different color- red (Red), green (Green), and blue (Blue). Exactly these English names colors gave the so commonly used abbreviation RGB.

Using the electronic control circuit, you can turn on any of the colors at will. Moreover, it is possible to obtain countless different beautiful shades by changing the brightness of the glow of red, green and blue crystals. By mixing in this way, a new rich light background is obtained - it's hard to believe, but the "game" of only three colors, when mixed, can eventually give up to sixteen million different shades.

The intensity and brightness of the LEDs are usually controlled through the remote control using special device- controller.

Highly interesting shades can be obtained by adding white light to an existing background. It dilutes the brightness of red, blue and green, and as a result, gentle, pleasing to the eye shades are formed, for example, pale blue or soft pink.

These shades can also be obtained by turning on the white color at full brightness with the addition of other colors to it, turned on with less intensity. It must also be taken into account that different lighting the look at interior design changes almost completely, as it can appear in different colors every time.

Experts recommend using LED strips with white light to illuminate the ceiling or combined option consisting of white and tricolor elements. These tapes will allow you to change color solutions in the room according to the mood. And the intensity of the white color can be so high that it can be compared to natural daylight on a fine day.

Getting white

Since LEDs with "pure" white light do not exist, it can be obtained in two ways.

One of them is that they use crystals with a blue glow, which are covered with a phosphor on top.

A phosphor is a light yellow substance deposited on the surface of an LED chip. This composition is able to convert the absorbed energy into white light radiation. By the presence of a light yellow substance on the LEDs, you can clearly determine that these are elements that will emit white light.

It should be noted that the phosphor gradually loses its converter qualities over time, and Blue colour begins to break through the white, and the radiation takes on a bluish tint.

If the LED strip is used continuously for a year, then its brightness may decrease by 25-30%. Therefore, when purchasing this lighting device» you need to familiarize yourself with it technical specifications and instructions for use, where the manufacturer must indicate the warranty period.

When the intensity of white light decreases or a blue tint appears in it, you can use the second method to obtain it.

The second method is based on the laws of optics, from which it is known that white can be obtained by mixing all the available colors (in this case, green, red and blue) by turning them on at full power at the same time. Thus, it is possible to “create” white light, and the problem with the influence of a “sunk down” phosphor on it will not matter.

The best choice for installing lighting on the ceiling can be an RGB LED strip, as it is equipped with tri-color LEDs that will help you get white light if necessary, as well as other shades.

This variety of LED strips will last a long time. They are quite convenient to use - they have the ability to turn on white light if you only need intense lighting, or color range corresponding to the mood. The color adjustment process is done from the remote control and will not take much time.

Varieties of LED strips

1 - strip with SMD 3028 LEDs with a density of 60 pcs/rm.

2 - the same, but with a placement density of 120 pcs / linear meter.

3 - double-row strip with SMD 3028 LEDs, with an installation density of 240 pcs/rm.

4 - a strip with a rare placement of SMD 5050 LEDs - a density of only 30 pcs/m.

5 - the same, but with a density of 60 pieces / linear meter.

6 - two-row LED strip with SMD 5050 elements and placement density of 120 pcs/rm.

If you plan to install decorative lighting for ceiling niches, furniture or a desktop in the kitchen, then it is better to use SMD 3028 tape, which has 60 LEDs per meter. It will be enough for her to cope with her task. An LED strip with too high a light intensity will be overkill as it can dazzle your eyes, especially since the higher brightness will require a higher power supply and larger in size, so it is more difficult to find a secluded place for it.

The Importance of LED Strip Quality

Having decided to make additional lighting in the apartment or decorate the interior with an LED strip, it is not recommended to buy its cheapest options. Such products will not last a long time in their original state - as a rule, their color balance is quickly disturbed, or even diodes can completely burn out. In cheap lighting tapes, elements of not very high quality are usually installed, which determines the low price.

Design and self-assembly of LED strip

An LED strip lighting system is often sold as a kit. You can, of course, purchase all of its elements separately, but it will be more difficult to choose them correctly in terms of parameters.

The LED backlight kit includes several electronic devices:

power supply, which is necessary to convert the mains alternating current into the constant voltage required for the diodes;
a controller with a sensor that allows you to change the color of the lighting using the remote control;
remote control panel that regulates changes in the intensity and shades of the light flux;

LED strip of the desired length.

The scheme of installation of the system is approximately as follows.

This diagram shows a system with RGB -amplifier, which is necessary to maintain a stable control signal in cases where it is necessary to lengthen the tape or it initially has a large length. In this drawing, the connection points are clearly visible, so relying on it, it will be easy to figure out the sequence of work.

The first step to the power supply is switched network cable with a plug to connect it to the network, that is, the N and L contacts are connected.
Next, the two contacts of the controller are connected to the same power supply, provided that an RGB LED strip is used for the backlight.
After that, contact cables are attached to the controller, attaching a tape to it.

In high-quality kits, the color marking of the wires corresponds to "reality". yellow wire- plus nutrition.

If the controller is designed for a certain length of the tape, and it is necessary to use more LEDs, then an amplifier must be used to extend or wire the elements, which is connected to the power supply and the other end of the tape. Then another piece of LED strip is fixed to the amplifier on its other side.

The fact is that it is dangerous to connect more than 1500 mm of tape in series to one power line, since the current-conducting tracks may not withstand the load. But the control signals - they go exactly sequentially, from segment to segment, gradually fading. In these cases, for parallel connection to a power source of several segments, a control signal amplifier is used.

After everything is assembled, you can check by plugging the plug into the outlet.
When making connections, it is imperative to ensure that the polarity and voltage of the controller, power supply and tape match.
If it is necessary to build up the tape, if other devices allow it in terms of their power, this process is carried out using connectors specially designed for this.
If the tape needs to be shortened, then the cut is made exclusively in the place indicated by the manufacturer in a certain place -0, usually it is indicated on it with a dashed line. The incision is made with ordinary scissors.

A few words must be said about the correct installation of the tape in the place intended for it.

The tape is fixed on double-sided tape, which is released from the protective film just before gluing.
If the ceiling is illuminated, then usually the tape is fixed under its surface into a small niche made of drywall. This method of installation is effective in that the light is directed to the bright plane of the ceiling, which, illuminated by LEDs, contributes to a more uniform illumination of the room.

Is it difficult to mount a suspended ceiling yourself?

Installation of such a design solves at once a lot of problems of repair and improvement of the premises. There are no problems with materials and components in our time, and doing it yourself is quite a feasible task. detailed instructions- in a special publication of our portal.

Another option to increase the efficiency of the backlight is to attach the tape to the cornice (for curtains or specially installed around the perimeter of the entire room just for lighting purposes).

The tape in this case is fixed in such a way that it directs the luminous flux to the wall and to a certain section of the ceiling, on which the light will scatter, increasing the illuminated area. A well-lit ceiling will not only make the room brighter, but also help.

In order for the tape to be fixed on the surface without problems, the place of its gluing should be cleaned of dust and preferably degreased, and then dried well.

financial question

A few words can be said about the financial side of the issue. It should be remembered that when inviting a master to install LED lighting, he will have to pay an amount that will be from 50 to 150% of the cost of the devices themselves. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase ready-made kits of the system, to which the installation diagram of all components is always attached. Each of the compiled kits is designed for a certain number of LEDs and the length of the tape, so you can not be afraid that an extra number of them will be connected. , you can save quite a decent amount on this process.

Some systems are sold already assembled and connected, so they can be tested immediately upon purchase. All that remains is to bring the kit home and install it in a place determined for the backlight, and then plug the plug into the outlet.

Those who purchase this backlight option will not particularly need electrician skills. The most difficult moment in installation will be choosing a place for the power supply and controller, and then securely fixing them correctly and securely.

If funds are limited, and the backlight is already planned for installation, then you can choose a kit with a ribbon of the same color - SMD 3528 LEDs, the installation density of elements on which is 60 pieces per running meter. However, similar option should not be placed in the bathroom, as such tapes are not equipped with moisture protection.

When setting the backlight to wet rooms or in other places where there is a possibility that neighbors from above can flood, it is worth choosing a tape equipped with silicone external insulation.

At the end of the publication - a video that shows the process correct installation strip LED lighting.