LED Strip Lighting: Smarter, Sleeker & Built to Last

Sep 29, 2025

LED Strip Lighting: Smarter, Sleeker & Built to Last

LED strip lighting has changed the way Australians light their homes and commercial spaces. Flexible, compact and low-profile, it can tuck under cabinets, trace along ceilings, highlight joinery or run outdoors - places where traditional lighting doesn’t fit or can’t reach. But to get it right, there are a few key things to understand: 24V systems, proper mounting profiles, and choosing the right strip for your environment.

Always Use a Profile

A proper aluminium profile (also called a channel or extrusion) is not optional - it’s essential.

Profiles provide:

  • Heat dissipation - which keeps LEDs cooler and prolongs their life

  • Protection - from dust, bumps, movement or accidental damage

  • A clean finish - hiding strip tape, wires, and connectors

  • Smoother light - with a diffuser that softens and spreads the light evenly

LED tape stuck directly to cabinetry or walls won’t last as long, can overheat, and usually ends up looking untidy. Profiles turn strip lighting into a finished, durable part of the build. Use them every time.

Why 24V Is Now the Standard

While both 12V and 24V LED strips exist, 24V is quickly becoming the default - and for one simple reason: it lasts longer.

That’s because 24V systems:

  • Run cooler, which preserves the diodes and circuitry

  • Suffer less voltage drop over long runs

  • Require less current for the same brightness

  • Allow for longer continuous runs without dimming or needing to re-feed power

This means cleaner installations, better performance, and far fewer failures over time. While 12V strips can still be useful in short, low-power setups or where tight cut intervals are needed, 24V is the smart choice for most kitchens, living areas and commercial jobs.

Strip Types: From Task to Mood Lighting

Not all LED strips are built the same. Here are the most common types:

  • Single-colour: Warm, cool, or daylight white - ideal for kitchens, shelving, and under-bench lighting.

  • Tunable white (CCT adjustable): Shift from warm to cool tones using a controller.

  • RGB or RGBW: Add colour and mood lighting - great for media rooms, bedrooms, or commercial spaces.

  • COB (Chip-on-Board): A newer style with a continuous line of light - perfect where space is tight and you want zero spotting.

  • High-output / high-density: Packs in more diodes per metre - brighter for task areas or architectural highlights.

Each type suits a different use case. Single colour strips are great for clean, functional lighting. COB is excellent for detail work. RGB and RGBW add drama or colour effects. Match the strip to the job - and always pair it with a suitable profile and driver.

Choosing the Right IP Rating

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating tells you how resistant your strip light is to water and dust:

  • IP20: For dry indoor areas - shelves, wardrobes, hidden coves

  • IP44–54: Splash-resistant - fine for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry zones

  • IP65: For protected outdoor use - under eaves or verandas

  • IP67–68: Fully sealed - suitable for outdoor use in exposed or wet areas

Higher IP ratings aren’t always better. Use what’s needed for the space - no more, no less.

Where Strip Lighting Works Best

LED strip lighting shines in places that need low-profile, linear illumination:

  • Under kitchen cupboards

  • Shelf and wardrobe lighting

  • Bathroom mirrors and vanities

  • Ceiling coves and bulkheads

  • Media rooms and home theatres

  • Stair risers and floor edges

  • Outdoor entertaining areas

  • Feature walls and architectural details

It’s ideal when you want soft, indirect light, or to highlight surfaces and shapes rather than light an entire room with a single fixture.

Advantages Over Traditional Lighting

Compared to downlights or standard ceiling fittings, LED strip lighting offers:

  • More design flexibility

  • Cleaner, modern look

  • Lower energy use

  • Longer lifespan (especially with 24V systems)

  • Easier integration into furniture and joinery

  • Softer, more even lighting when used with diffusers

And with the right setup - profile, driver, and strip - it’s built to last for years.

Need Help Choosing Strip Lighting?

Whether you're fitting out a kitchen, upgrading a shopfront or adding atmosphere to a living room, contact Ozlighting. Our Australian-based call centre can guide you through the best strip lighting options for your project. We back it with the kind of service you won’t get from overseas sellers - friendly, expert advice, and the best customer service in Australia.
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