LED strips are an excellent lighting solution available in various sizes and specifications for homes and businesses. A key design consideration is colour, and LED strips offer hues from single whites to full RGB control.

A UK government study found that around 80% of energy from CFLs is emitted as heat (90% for incandescent bulbs). LEDs emit minimal heat and waste far less energy, helping both the environment and your energy bills.

This guide explores two popular shades of LED strip lighting—pure white and warm white—including their benefits, typical uses and product recommendations.

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Pure white

Pure white LED strips measure 5000–6500 K on the Kelvin scale, delivering a bright, clean light often called “cool white.”

Ideal for commercial settings—hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, offices and showrooms—pure white strips provide crisp illumination that highlights products and maintains a modern, minimalist look.

In 2014, Whitehall offices in London upgraded 1,300 light fittings to LEDs and cut electricity use by 30% on average. Pure white strips are equally suited to art galleries or retail spaces requiring constant, high-output illumination.

When choosing a pure white strip, remember that lower Kelvin values shift toward a slightly warmer appearance—select the exact shade to suit your space’s mood and function.

Warm white

Warm white LED strips measure 2700–3200 K, emitting a softer, yellow-tinted light that creates a cosy ambience.

Perfect for lounges, bedrooms, dining areas, spas and hospitality venues, warm white strips promote relaxation and a “home away from home” feel. For cafés or bookshops, warmer tones invite guests to linger and unwind.

Warm white LEDs are also ideal replacements for incandescent bulbs, offering similar cosy warmth with far greater efficiency and lifespan.

Products in the WeLoveLEDs range

WeLoveLEDs offers a range of pure and warm white LED strips, each with a 12-month warranty and IP20 rating for indoor use:

Choose the strip width and output that best fits your design and installation profile.

Frequently asked questions

Where should LED strips be placed in a room?

LED strips work well for accent or task lighting—under cabinets, along coves or behind displays. Always check the IP rating before installing near moisture.

How bright are LED strips?

Brightness varies by model: typical LED strips run 5–15 W/m, producing around 300–500 lm/m.

How long do LED strip lights last?

LED strip lights generally last around 50 000 hours (about 17 years), far exceeding traditional bulbs.

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