LED Lighting in Flats: Installation Costs for Strips, Spotlights, and Chandeliers

What types of LED lighting are used in flats?

Modern interiors work with three layers of light — ambient (general room lighting), task (kitchen counters, desks), and accent (LED strips, decorative fixtures). Each layer has its typical solutions and installation costs.

LED Strips and Indirect Lighting

LED tape is the most popular feature in modern interiors — installed in plasterboard troughs, under kitchen units, behind TVs, or in furniture niches. Installation costs €7.70 to €11.50 per linear metre including the power supply and wiring. For bespoke plasterboard finishes with LED strips, we recommend reading our article on plasterboard and interior design, where we discuss structural preparation.

Recessed Spotlights

Recessed spotlights in a false ceiling are standard in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms. Installation, including cutting the hole, costs €18.30 to €27.50 per unit. When planning, allow for 1 fitting per 1 to 1.5 m² of floor space — in a typical kitchen, this means 6 to 10 spots. Selecting fittings with a sufficient CRI (Colour Rendering Index) of at least 80 is vital, ideally 90+ in kitchens.

Chandeliers and Wall Lights

A pendant chandelier remains the central feature of living and dining rooms — installation costs €41.90 to €62.90 depending on weight and wiring complexity. Wall lights (installation €13.40 to €20.20) serve as secondary lighting in bedrooms, hallways, and by mirrors. For heavier chandeliers over 5 kg, fixing into the structural ceiling joists is required, rather than just the plasterboard.

How much does a complete LED lighting fit-out cost?

For context: a complete lighting installation for a standard 2-bedroom flat (7 recessed spots, 3 pendants, 8m of LED strips, 4 wall lights) will cost €450 to €700 for labour plus the cost of the fittings themselves. Light point outlets are part of the electrical second-fix — final fitting of lights is done after painting as the final step of the renovation.

It is crucial to plan outlets and switches before chasing walls — adding a light point after walls are plastered means new chasing, patching, and painting, which can increase the cost of a single point by €150 to €250. You can find a complete price overview in our price list for construction work.

How to plan lighting during a renovation?

Start with the furniture layout, not the light fittings. The position of the dining table determines the pendant location, the kitchen layout determines the task lighting, and the bed position determines bedside lights and switches. Changing the layout after the electrical first-fix is expensive.

Choose the right colour temperature — for living rooms and bedrooms, use warm white 2700 to 3000 K; for kitchens and bathrooms, use neutral white 3500 to 4000 K. Cool white over 5000 K belongs in workshops and utility rooms; it feels unpleasant in living areas.

Think about dimming and scenes — dimmable circuits in the living room and bedroom significantly increase comfort. For LED lighting, you need both a dimmable driver and a compatible dimmer switch, which should be addressed during the electrical order, not as an afterthought.

What mistakes to avoid with LED lighting?

The most common mistake is an undersized LED driver (power supply). The driver should have a buffer of at least 20% over the strip's wattage — a driver running at its limit overheats and will fail within 1 to 2 years. For 10 metres of strip at 10 W/m, you need a driver of at least 120 W.

The second mistake is using cheap LED strips with a low CRI — interior colours look washed out and unnatural. Buy strips with CRI 90+ and a density of at least 120 LEDs per metre for even light without visible dots.

The third mistake is forgetting the dimming requirements and the fourth is incorrect switch placement — a switch should be at every entrance to a room (two-way switching), and in the bedroom by the bed as well. Retrofitting switches means new chasing and remedial plasterwork.

How to approach LED lighting correctly?

LED lighting is an investment with a payback period of 2 to 3 years through energy savings and a long lifespan without bulb changes. The key is thorough planning of outlets before electrical works begin, selecting high-quality fittings with CRI 90+, and professional installation — especially for recessed lights and LED strips in troughs where errors are immediately visible.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about LED Lighting

How much does LED strip installation cost?

LED strip installation in 2026 costs €7.70 to €11.50 per linear metre including driver connection. The price of the strip itself is added based on the client's choice.

How many spotlights do I need in a kitchen?

Allow for 1 fitting per 1 to 1.5 m² — in a standard kitchen, that's 6 to 10 spots. Supplement this with LED tape under the wall units for the worktop.

What is the lifespan of LED lights?

High-quality LED fittings last 25,000 to 50,000 hours — with average use of 4 hours a day, that is 17 to 34 years. Usually, the driver fails first, not the LEDs themselves.

What colour temperature should I choose for the living room?

For living rooms and bedrooms, choose warm white 2700 to 3000 K; for kitchens and work zones, use neutral white 3500 to 4000 K.

Can I install LED strips myself?

You can stick the tape down, but wiring into the mains must be done by an electrician — incorrect driver connection poses a fire risk and voids the warranty. For any new outlet, professional installation is always required.

Calculate the lighting cost for your flat

This overview gives you a ballpark range for LED lighting installation costs in 2026. The specific price depends on the number of fittings, ceiling types, and the extent of prep work. Before you contact an electrician, calculate an estimated price using the Numiq online calculator. You will get a real idea of market rates, a stronger negotiating position, and by logging in, you can return to your calculations at any time.

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