LED Projects: A List of The Best DIY LED Project Ideas

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

Nevertheless, LEDs have come a long way. Nick Holonyak was the first to invent a light-emitting diode that discharged visible light in 1962. Previously, Jame R. Biard and Gary Pittman developed infrared LED Projects in 1961. 

You can consider them one of the most revolutionary and accessible technology pieces of the 20th century. They are so accessible that they are a staple of most beginner electronic kits.

You need not be an electrician or engineer to work with LEDs. This guide highlights this fact by presenting a list of a few of the most straightforward LED-based projects. An LED PCB assembly may encounter problems. However, the projects in this guide are easy enough to execute at home. 

The Best LED Project Ideas

Expected and Cool LED Craft Project Ideas in Life

LED projects need not only be educational. It is possible to make sound day-to-day crafts that serve valuable but straightforward purposes. The guide section explores how you can spruce up your house or everyday life using LEDs.

LED Centrepieces

If you are trying to create a romantic setting for Valentine’s Valentine’s anniversary, nothing gets the mood going like a well-lit dinner table. Furthermore, centerpieces can also work for other special occasions such as family meals, get-togethers, and work functions.

There is no need to light a candle. Creating a centerpiece could be as easy as using a glass cylinder with a modified LED light strip. 

LED Flower Bouquet

Typical plants wither away and die, while artificial plants are boring. Why not integrate LED lighting into your plastic or paper plants? This is what this project entails.

Magnetic LED Refrigerator Lights

You can use LED dots or light strips to decal your fridge. This project will make it easier for you to find your fridge in the dark while also giving it a distinct look. 

LED Decorated Fishbowl

Not everyone can afford large lighted aquariums for their aquatic pets. For people working with a limited budget, it is still possible to keep fish as pets. You can use a small fishbowl. However, more specifically, you can make the entire setup yourself using a plastic flower pot, a glass vase, clear glass rocks, and a car LED dome light.

Simple LED Paper Circuits

This project is so simple that a child can do it. You can create all types of paper circuit projects using LEDs. For instance, you can make unique postcards, birthday cards, mini-cardboard windmills, and stickers. 

In addition to all the stationery you will require to make the paper portion of the project, you will also need a coin-cell battery, surface mount LEDs, copper tape, and brass brads.

Arduino LED Projects

For those looking for more challenging projects, this section is for you. This section will explore how you can add Arduino products to your projects. For instance, to add a bit of automation and make your projects more enjoyable, including an FPGA or microcontroller might help. In turn, this will allow you to make them more advanced. Additionally, we will also explore a few Arduino project ideas.

Best Arduino LEDs for DIY Projects

This section will cover which LED types you need to execute successful lighting projects. 

  • Digital RGB LED Light Strip:

A light strip is one of the best lighting tools you can combine with your Arduino microcontroller. You can execute many great projects using a strip with an Arduino board. Arguably, the best option to match with your Arduino microcontroller is the Adafruit NeoPixel Digital LED Strip. If you combine it with suitable materials, you can submerge it in water. Furthermore, you get 60 LEDs per meter of strip. Generally, we make LED light strips from the same material we use to make PCBs. This makes the LED strip robust but flexible.

LED projects
RGB LED Ring:

These days, LED rings are pretty popular among social media influencers. If you are making Tik Tok or Instagram videos, using an RGB LED ring can give your videos an unmatched vibrancy. Generally, the best-LED rings to use with your Arduino microcontroller are WS2812 5050 RGB LED rings. They commonly have an outer diameter that measures 86mm. Furthermore, they are chainable. All you need is a single microcontroller connected to a single pin to manipulate the entire chain. Once again, Adafruit sells exclusive 24 RGB LED Neopixel rings. These are arguably the best match for Arduino microcontrollers.

RGB LED Ring
  • RGB LED Dot Matrix:

RGB LED matrix panels are appealing because you can display all types of images with them. This allows you to create a batch of exciting projects. The wiring is surprisingly uncomplicated. Of course, this depends on which brand you decide to purchase. Adafruit provides you with quite a few options. For instance, you can get a 512 light 16×32 grid or a 1024 light 32×32. Furthermore, there are no wires to solder, and you can chain the panels together using the IDC connectors.

RGB LED Dot Matrix

You can also integrate other great tools into your microcontroller LED lighting project: chainable RGB LEDs, LED modules, mini-LED sticks, LED bars, and 0.8-inch 16-segment LEDs. 

Best Arduino LED Drivers

If you intend on doing power-efficient projects, you will need LED drivers. Additionally, drivers also protect your LEDs from thermal runaway. 

LED Project Ideas with Arduino

This section lists five of what we deem as the best Arduino and LED-related projects. Whether you’re a hardened veteran, at least one of these projects should inspire you. 

  • Dynamic Christmas Tree Lighting:

You can execute this project using a simple LED light strip. It might sound a little over-simplistic, but it is not. In addition to the LED light strip and Arduino microcontroller, you will combine an adjustable PIR motion sensor and a loudness sensor.
The final product will have movement-based animation and loudness-based color and frequency changes.

  • Light Up Shoulder Bag:

You can create a small shoulder bag that lights up periodically or when you act. You will need to knit the pack or alter an existing bag.
It can be quite a complex project. Additionally, you will need an Arduino Uno Rev3, Base Shield, and other resources to execute the project. For further instructions and more details, you can visit Arduino’s ofArduino’soject hub.

  • Arduino Bluetooth LED Controller:

Some of the projects listed in this guide may seem a little challenging. Here is a simple educational one that can help you test your coding abilities. It should help you get acquainted with some of your microcontrolmicrocontroller’slities. Additionally, the components you will require to complete this project are affordable. All you will need is an Arduino Uno, a generic LED, a 221 Ohm resistor, an Android phone or tablet, and an HC-05 Bluetooth module. In this project, you will learn how to turn an LED on and off through your Android device’s Bludevice’sIt is an excellent project for beginners. You can visit the official project page on Arduino’s prArduino’s. 

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  • Hot Glue LED Matrix Lamp:

This is another practical project you can make using LEDs and sixty glue sticks. However, while this is an excellent project, you will require a 3D printer to execute it properly. You will also need an addressable LED strip, the Arduino Nano R3, a 10k Ohm resistor, a 330 Ohm resistor, and a small push button. You can visit the official Arduino hot glue LED Matrix Lamp project page for a more detailed component list and further details on the project.

  • Audio Spectrum Visualizer:

Most of us love music. Sometimes music is better when there are visuals to accompany it. That is the principle behind this project. It allows you to not only hear the beat but to see it too. You will be making a 32-band audio frequency spectrum visualizer. Our favorite aspect of this project is how low the cost it is. The components you’ll be you’ll to use include a soldering iron, 32×8 LED matrix display, two 100k Ohm resistors, two 100 nf capacitors, three 4.75k Ohm resistors, 10k Ohm resistors, a 12 mm pushbutton switch, and an Arduino Nano R3. Once again, you can visit Arduino’s ofArduino’soject hub page for more project details. It has everything you need to execute the project, including the source code.

Top 10 DIY LED Strip Projects for Beginners

Recessed, Surface Mounted, and Decorative Wall Lighting Using LEDs

Wall mounting strip ideas are not just for aesthetic appeal, but they can also provide you with some dim lighting. LEDs afford a great variety of bright decorative ideas. Furthermore, it can give your home a touch of modernness and class. 

You can control the intensity and color of your LEDs using an LED light controller. Alternatively, you can make your own DIY LED controller using a microcontroller or PCB.

Backlighting in LCD Screens with LED Light Strips

Backlighting in LCD Screens with LED Light Strips

The best way to play games or watch movies is in the dark. However, this is not necessarily good for your eyes. Adding a little backlighting may be healthier, and it also helps you create an atmosphere. Additionally, you don’t need adon’tof LEDs to execute this project successfully. Generally, what you will need is a single-color strip. You can add an RGB strip if you plan to change colors, but we believe a single color strip would be better.

Vehicle Lighting Using LED Strips

Vehicle Lighting Using LED Strips

We know that your car has its interior lighting. However, you can perform a minor light modification by adding neon LED light strips. The best way to execute this project is to use a silicone LED neon strip for the inside of your vehicle and a 3015 color strip for the outside and under lighting. Additionally, you can power these light strips using your car’s engine.

Holiday Lighting Using LED Strip Lights

LED Strip Lights

LED festive decorations to go well together, like shoes and socks. It only makes sense that your first foray into working with LED strip lights uses them for holiday decorations. 

Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Using LED Strip Lights

Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Using LED Strip Lights

The kitchen is one of the essential rooms in a home. In most cases, it is where we store and prepare our foods. According to the Independent UK, the average modern adult human spends at least an hour a day in the kitchen. So why not make your stay in the kitchen a lot more pleasant using LED strip lights to decorate the cabinets? 

Ceiling Lighting with LED Strip Lights

Ceiling Lighting with LED Strip Lights

There is no better way to modernize your flat, apartment, or home than using tasteful and classy ceiling lighting. You can give your home the theatre look by adding LED strip lighting to your ceiling.

Bicycle Design Lighting with LED Strip Lights

Bicycle Design Lighting with LED Strip Lights

You can add lights to your bike’s wheelbike’srame to show off your quirky personality or for more practical reasons such as night riding.

Party Lighting with LED Strip Lights

Using LED light strips for decoration can either be long-term, such as ceiling lighting, or transient. You can use LED strip lights to live to parties and get-togethers. 

Vanity Mirror Lighting with LED Strip Lights

You can create the Hollywood mirror effect by adding strip lights to your mirror. Likewise, you, too, can feel like a Hollywood star as you are applying your makeup. 

Camp and Boat Lighting with LED Strip Lights

You can use LED strip lights to decorate your tent and camp chairs. It is particularly great for creating a romantic outdoor experience. 

Conclusion

Whether they are in the form of strip lighting or bulbs, LEDs can offer you flexible lighting options. In this guide, we explored various projects that you can execute at home. If you need help or are interested in our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. As always, we hope you have found this guide to be helpful. Thank you for reading.

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