The trick is definitely in placement and layering, not just relying on one strip.
Totally agree—placement makes all the difference. I once tried running a single LED strip behind a bookshelf thinking it’d be enough… let’s just say it looked more like a haunted house than mood lighting. Perimeter ceiling channels sound way smarter. And yeah, command hooks are traitors.
Honestly, I’ve seen way too many rooms where someone just slaps a single LED strip behind the TV or under a shelf and calls it a day. Nine times out of ten, it ends up looking patchy or gives off this weird, uneven glow that’s more distracting than anything. I’m with you—perimeter ceiling channels are a game changer. I did a client’s living room with strips tucked into a cove around the ceiling, and the whole space felt bigger and softer, not like you’re sitting in a nightclub.
And don’t get me started on command hooks. They always seem like a great idea until gravity wins. For layering, I actually like mixing smart bulbs in lamps with strips for accent lighting. It’s less about picking one over the other and more about how they work together. Sometimes you want that subtle glow, sometimes you need all-out brightness. Just depends on the vibe you’re after...
