LED light strips have quickly become a popular accent and decorative lighting solution. LED strip lights are used in many facets of lighting design thanks to their compact size, high brightness, and low power consumption. LED light strips are also extremely versatile — used by professional installers, homeowners and DIY-ers alike. Not only are they easy to install, but they can also be customized to fit any space perfectly — whether that’s under your cabinets or kitchen counter, through the stairwell, behind the TV, or along an outdoor walkway. But not all tape light is created equal. With many lumen outputs, IP ratings, cut requirements, and voltages to consider, how does one know if they’re installing LED strip lights correctly? Here are five common installation mistakes that even lighting pros make and how to easily avoid them.