A beautifully adorned ceiling, with trendy LED lighting, will drive eyes upwards and breathe life even into the most uninspiring room. If you’re wanting to light up your space, our guide on the Best Rope Lights for Crown Molding, will help you out.
Rope lights are easy to install, colorful, and create excellent mood lighting. What’s even better is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them to get a truly awesome look. There are affordable LED light strips for rooms you can choose from. I often get asked how much is crown molding? And how do I cut crown molding flat and install it? And, Does Crown Molding Add Value to Your House?
Undoubtedly, if you are sprucing up your rooms with crown molding lighting, these questions will come up. Not to worry, our guide on the Best Rope Lights for Crown Molding will help you out.
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Best Rope Lights For Crown Molding Overall – GuoTonG Plug-In LED Rope Lights
What makes this GuoTonG 50ft/15m Plug in LED Rope Light stand out from the rest is its durability. This 50ft led strip has more than 500 LEDs making ideal for illuminating your doorway or any other room. The lights are bound in a thick, durable plastic tube that won’t fade or crack up even when exposed to the sun. The plastic coating also protects the lights from water and dust, meaning it can withstand leaky roofs. This set comes with a 50 foot LED rope light, two 110V 8A cable plugs, a user guide, and the accessories needed to install the lights.
The Good:
- Its heat and UV resistant, as well as water, and dustproof making it ideal for outdoor use too.
- It comes in 4 colors, namely blue, warm white, RGB, and daylight white.
- The tubing is soft and flexible, meaning you can fold it into any shape.
- It is connectable, meaning you can link up to three 50 ft cables and extend the length to 150 ft.
- It has cut markings every meter, so you know where to cut.
- It is easy to install and set up and has a plug and play feature meaning you just connect the lights to the plug.
The Bad:
- The lights are not dimmable
- The color selection doesn’t work for everybody.
To find more information about the GuoTonG 50ft/15m Plug in LED Rope Light click here.
Premium Rope Lights for Crown Molding – Philips Hue LightStrip Plus
It’s important to note that with these lights, you’ll need have a hub, like the Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 so you can control it. You’ll be able to do this wirelessly using the Philips Hue app on either your smart phone of tablet which is great.
This light strip by Philips is not your average smart bulb. Moreover it’s an extendable plastic strip of LED’s that is truly versatile. You can jazz up lighting beneath a cabinet or above a bookshelf and of course, your crown molding for an impressive look. You can also extend it’s length by buying extension strips (around $30 each) which you can cut at 12.9-inch intervals if it’s too long (note, you won’t be able to extend it once cut).
They are bright lights – range is from 2,000K to 6,500K (replacing the first-generation LightStrip) and easy to set up. They aren’t cheap and are really for those wanting to integrate a seamless Philip’s system in their home with compatibility and automation (It comes with the scheduling and automated control functionality synonymous with all Philips Hue products.)
t’s certainly a very cool product.
The Good:
- It is Bluetooth enabled so you can use the hue app on your phone to control it.
- You can also connect two snipped off ends using a small plastic bracket that comes included in the package.
- Very bright
- Easy set-up
The Bad:
- Requires the hub to work
- Pricy
- Since it is Bluetooth enabled, you need to be within range to control your lights.
- The app only lets you control ten hue lights.
- It also lacks the ability to group lights in the same room, put them in schedules or elaborate routines – not a problem for me, but could be for some.
To find more information about the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Light Strip Plus Dimmable LED Smart Light, 
Best Budget Option LED for Crown Molding – Bebrant Dimmable
If you are wanting to light up an area outside or far away from an outlet, then the Bebrant LED Rope Lights Battery Operated String Lights-40Ft 120 LEDs 8 Modes Outdoor Waterproof Fairy Lights Dimmable/Timer with Remote for Camping Party Garden Holiday Decoration(Multi-Color) strip set is for you. This battery-operated, multi-colored, water-resistant LED rope set is perfect for indoor and outdoor use and suitable for crown molding.
It’s quite a popular product. People who entertain love being able to pretty up their outdoor area with these durable lights that add fun and flair to an event. They’re not flimsy like christmas lights either – but are durable, waterproof and you can bend them into any shape. They’re battery powered too so you don’t need to worry about plugging them into a socket with an unwanted cord dangling in sight. This also makes it convenient if you want to take them camping on elsewhere where corded power is an issue.
It’s probably not as bright as plugin lights and the remote only works if you’re standing quite close (they say 16ft but I think it’s more like 12ft). Still, they are a low cost and convenient option (particularly for outdoor use).
The Good:
- Battery-powered by 3AA batteries, so it is portable and can be mounted anywhere
- It has eight lighting modes and ten brightness levels with a scheduling feature
- Easy to use
The Bad:
- Distance range is limited
- Not as bright as plug in lights
- Cheap lights (so not sure how long they would last)
To find more information about the Bebrant LED Rope Lights Battery Operated String Lights-40Ft 120 LEDs 8 Modes Outdoor Waterproof Fairy Lights Dimmable/Timer with Remo
Best RGB Smart LED strip – Lumary Color Changing Rope Lights
This smart Smart WiFi LED Strip Lights – Lumary Color Changing Rope Lights Compatible with Alexa Google Home RGB Strip Light 16.4Ft Music Sync Phone Control for TV Bedroom Party Home Decoration works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It allows you to have hands free control with its smart functions. Really, the greatest advantage of these lights (over the premium Philips one mentioned above) is that they are WI-Fi controlled so it doesn’t have the same distance limitation that bluetooth or remotes have.
It’s pretty cool too the the LED strip can change color with the music beats. You can even clap your hands to change the light color! Note, this function only works in the APP as it doesn’t have a Built-in Mic or Speaker.
It looks awesome in crown molding or under beds and has a huge color range (something like 16 million options they claim – but not sure how accurate this really is – it does have a lot though) plus Alexa controls it wonderfully as well.
Definitely worth considering with a tonne of favourable reviews – although many note that it is not a high quality product (like the Philips one), but does work well with minimal refunds requested.
The Good:
- WiFi controlled to overcome the distance limitation
- The useful Lumary App has all the functionality you need
- 16 million colors to choose from, color adjustments, and eight different lighting modes
- Music and mic sync feature that changes color with the music beats (very cool)
The Bad:
- Indoor use only (it doesn’t like moisture so be careful where you place them indoors too)
- The cords don’t connect as easily compared to the Philips
To find out more information on the Smart WiFi LED Strip Lights – Lumary Color Changing Rope Lights Compat
Best Radio Frequency Color Changing LED strips For Crown Molding – Areful Color Changing LED Rope Lights
If you want color changing lights for your rooms, then the Areful 16.4ft Plugin LED Rope Lights, Flat Flexible Strip Lights, Color Changing with RF Remote Control, Waterproof and Connectable for Indoor Outdoor Decoration, 7 Colors and Multiple Modes is for you. These handy indoor and outdoor lights come with coaxial connectors so they can be easily connected up to 6 strands (98.4ft). The feature seven different colors (so not a huge range but enough choice for me) and 6 different color modes. Still very effective for decorative crown molding lighting or to use at Christmas time, Thanksgiving or even handrails and balconies, etc.
Interestingly this product is controlled by Radio Frequency with a longer range than Blue Tooth or IR capability. The Areful lights can be controlled up to 30Ft away and can penetrate walls. This is super handy as it means you can control the lights outside, while staying inside (you can’t do this with Blue Tooth).
These flat rope lights are waterproof property, are easy to install plus pack a thick PVC casing which ensures the lights still functions under harsh external condition. They’re not too expensive either, so are well worth considering.
The Good:
- Various color combinations and sequences.
- Measures 16 ft am (while it’s not the longest strip available it’s still a manageable and convenient length)
- The strips are connectable, (you can connect up to 4 strips together, for an overall length of 64 ft)
The Bad:
- While the strip is waterproof, the power adapter is not (make sure it is covered in case it is close to a damp area)
- Not many mounting clips are included in the pack so you’ll possibly need to buy more
- If two sets of lights are close to each other, the controller can conflict (but you can use an IR remote in this case and the support they offer is pretty great).
To find more information about the Areful 16.4ft Plugin LED Rope Lights, Flat Flexible Strip Lights, Color Changing with RF Remote Control, Waterproof and Connectable for Indoor Outdoor Decoration, 7 Colors and Multiple Modes click here.
How to Choose an LED Strip For Crown Molding
LED strips are a handy light source that can be installed anywhere – ceilings, railings, cabinetry, under beds etc. They are made of a flexible base with printed circuit boards, light-emitting diodes, and self-adhesive tape. Their narrow shape makes them great for installation in tight spaces such as on crown molding. Plus tucking LEDs into crown molding allows you to avoid obtrusive light fixtures without sacrificing light quality. Crown molding with lighting transforms an ordinary room into something special allowing you to create mood and atmosphere. The long lifespan of an LED light source makes for the best rope lights for crown molding, because once they’re installed, you’ll rarely if ever need to replace them. Linear LED rope lights and light bars, because of their low profile when installed properly, are exactly what you need for the ideal crown molding light fixture.
Here are factors to think about when picking an LED strip
Length
LED light strips come in different lengths, depending on the manufacturer. Pricier rope lights are often available in shorter lengths such as 4 or 6 ft, while inexpensive ones come in longer lengths such as 16 to 32 ft. To help you in finding the best rope lights for crown molding, you will need to know how much rope is required to complete the job. This means measuring the molding, so you don’t buy LED strips that are longer. Have a look at our post on how to measure crown molding, to ensure you get the right fit for your space.
Multiple Strip Connection
LED brightness is measured in lumens, and for ambient lighting, you don’t want something too bright, as it will throw the mood off. For mood lighting, you may not want anything brighter than 200 lumens per length. It’s also important to look at the number of LEDs per length when getting electric LED light strips. This is because the more LEDs there are per length, the brighter the strip. If the lights are too far apart, they might produce spotty light instead of that clean, constant light that you are looking for. So make sure you factor in the lumens per length and LEDs per length to get the light quality you want.
Color Options
LED strips come in various single colors and multiple colors. Most basic LED strips emit one fixed color such as red, green, blue, yellow, and UV. Even white comes in different variations such as neutral white, warm white, or cool white. Color changing strips are known as RGB strips. They have red, green, and blue diodes and can thus display any red-green-blue color combination. However, these strips need a switch or controller to change colors, make them flash, or select one solid color.
Multiple Strip Connection
Sometimes you may need to cover an odd length that might be more than the sizes available. However, you might not find an LED strip that’s long enough. The solution is to connect two or more strips to get the right length. Adding the strip length might affect the adapter, especially if it’s not powerful enough to carry the extra power load. Check with the manufacturer whether its recommended to add more than one strip to the connection.
Understand Light Abbreviations
When picking LED strips, it’s important to understand the lingo. This way you are sure you re getting what you need. Various abbreviations are used to label these strips; for instance, RGB stands for red-green-blue, and RGBW stands for red-green-blue-warm white. These abbreviations can help you in finding the right colors for your rooms. RGB strips combine all three colors to create a harsh white light; however, the RGBW has a dedicated white light diode that reduces the harshness of the RGB white. This LED is turnable, meaning you can change its color temperature from warm to cool and back, making it easier on the eyes.
The controllers
When picking rope lights for your crown molding, it’s important to think about how the LED strip will be switched on and off. There is a wide selection of LED light controls to choose from. These include dimmers, color controllers, amplifiers, and controls to create unique lighting effects. Amplifiers are used to repeat and power the signal from a controller. They come in handy when creating long LED strips. These controllers can be a remote, knob, color wheel, or a WiFi controller that lets you use an app to control the lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do LED strip lights consume a lot of electricity?
In comparison to traditional incandescent lighting, LED light strips don’t consume a lot of electricity. However, their electricity consumption is directly proportional to the length of the light strip. LED light strips are also very durable and can last over 50 000 hours or 6 years of use, whereas incandescent lights last about 25, 000 hours.
- Do I need adhesive tape?
If you are putting your lights on a flat horizontal surface, then you don’t need to get more adhesive tape. However, if you want to stick them to the crown molding rather than placing them on top, you will need adhesive tape. You may also want to get this tape because, for inexpensive strips, the adhesive wears out quickly, and your beautiful lights may inevitably fall.
- Are LED rope lights waterproof?
IP rating or ingress protection ratings are industry standards that determine the level of waterproofing or dust resistance LED strips have. Standard indoor LED light strips are not waterproof and have a very low resistance to dust and small particles. They have an IP rating of 33 and are ideal for indoor use in dust-free areas such as crown moldings. There are other IP ratings, such as 65 and 67. IP65 strips are more water-resistant than IP33s, whereas the IP67s are completely water and dustproof.
- How do I measure the power supply required for my LED light strips?
Knowing how much power you need for your strip ensures you use the right power source. To much power and you could blow the LEDs too little, and they will be too dim. To calculate the energy needed, simply multiply the wattage needed per length with the LED strip’s overall length. For instance, for a 2-meter long strip with a 3W/m power draw, you will need a transformer with a capacity of about 6W to power it.
LED rope lights are a great way to add mood lighting to any room. They are easy to install and thanks to advancements in technology, you can use your phone to control them. With our guide on the best rope lights for crown molding, you are sure to get the best fit for your room.