Five Brilliant LED Inventions for Everyday Use

Energy efficient and long lived, LEDs can be used for hundreds, if not thousands, of important purposes. On the lighter side, these convenient little lights have been the center of many illuminated projects, from glow-in-the-dark umbrellas to color-changing, temperature-controlled shower heads. Browse through the list below to learn about some of the most dazzling LED ideas that can brighten up your day.

Electric umbrella

Glowing with many pinpoints of light, this magical umbrella is perfect for clearing up the stormy skies, or for a pleasant nighttime stroll. Because it's dimmer-adjustable, you can set how bright you want it to shine. You can create this whimsical umbrella yourself, and the best part is, the items needed might already be tucked away in your closet or garage. These include an umbrella with a hollow shaft (so that you can easily pass wires through it), 64 SMD LEDs, a spool of thin single-strand copper wire, three AA batteries, and a drill.

The LEDs shine from both the inside and outside of the umbrella. Image via instructables.com.

Learn how to create your own electric umbrella.

LED walkway

Walk the runway every time you leave the house with the Minimis Outdoor LED Walkway System. Designed with elegance, safety, and durability in mind, this rectangular walkway is made of modular steel and illuminated white panels, lit from the inside by small points of LED lights. This walkway doesn't just come to life during the evening. During the day, it resembles stepping stones over water, and as nighttime settles in, it becomes a self-illuminated ribbon of power.

The Outdoor LED Walkway System is modern and durable. Image via minim.is.

LED shower light

Brighten up your mornings with an LED shower light. You'll never step into a cold shower again with this sparkling invention. When you turn the shower on, the water powers a turbine and the LED shower light is activated. If the water is blue, that means it's chilly, and red means it's at a comfortable 89ºF. With this colorful splash of light, your whole shower will be glowing!

The LED shower light lets you know if the water is hot or cold, and lights up your entire shower. Image via woohome.com.

Kitchen faucet with LED accent

The Blanco Master Ilux faucet by Blanco presents a fun yet practical way to interact with water. Much like the LED shower light, it's powered by a turbine dose and doesn't require an electrical connection to work. The faucet displays red light when the faucet is hot, blue for cold, and purple for a temperature in between. This ingenious use of technology will fascinate family and guests, and it will also add excitement to your home. 

The Blanco Master Ilux faucet creates a fun and practical way to interact with water. Image via woohome.com.

Bike wheel lights

Jazz up your bike with Monkey Light 8-Bit Bike Wheel Lights. These flashy LEDs will turn your ordinary tires into a spectacular light show. With 20 different patterns and plenty of different color combinations to choose from, your bike is sure to delight everyone you glide by. The lights are waterproof, so they'll be safe in most weather conditions, and installation is quick and easy. Just strap the lights to your bike's wheel hubs and be the star of the show.

Create a light show on the go. Image via thinkgeek.com.

What do you think? Have you ever used any of these bright inventions? Have an idea of your own? Leave a comment in the comments section below!

By Nicole DiGiose