How to Install Rope Lighting to Crown Molding

Rope lighting in crown molding is low-key but effective in setting mood.

LED rope lighting is a flexible, thin strip of LED lights that can be installed just about anywhere. They are essentially an updated year-round version of traditional holiday lights. One of the advantages of this type of lighting is the energy savings: They consume about half of the electricity of traditional lights and last much longer. One ideal location for rope lighting is along crown molding. They allow for excellent mood lighting without being obtrusive. With some simple tools and an hour of time, any do-it-yourselfer can install these lights.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Nail-in cable clips
• Ball-peen hammer

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the crown molding to be covered. If possible, purchase a rope that will cover the entire distance without needing to link two ropes together.

2. Use a ball-peen hammer to nail in the cable clips. Only hammer them in halfway, so space is available to slide in the LED rope. For a draped look, space them about 16 inches apart. For a tighter look against the molding, space them about eighth inches apart.

3. Slide the rope light into the clips and hammer the clips the rest of the way into the crown molding.

4. Plug the light into an extension cord that matches the wall color and then plug the cord into a standard outlet. Turn on lights to test.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the clips are large enough for the LED rope light before installation. Rope widths will vary by manufacturer.

References

• LED - green lighting