For a low voltage plug and play system, hexagon lights are not hard to install at all. You assemble the panels by hand, mount them to the ceiling or wall, and plug into a standard 3-pin power point. A hardwired mains system is more involved and should be connected by a licensed electrician. This guide walks through the difficulty by type, the tools you need, the steps, and the mistakes to avoid so it goes smoothly.
The short answer
The word install covers two very different jobs, which is why people get different answers. Assembling and mounting a plug and play system is a straightforward DIY task. Wiring a mains system into your ceiling is electrical work for a licensed electrician. Once you know which one you are dealing with, the difficulty is clear.
It also helps to know that the panels themselves are the easy part. They link together by hand in minutes with no tools. Where a little care pays off is in planning the layout and mounting it level and secure, and neither of those is difficult, they just reward taking your time. That is why most people find the whole job far less daunting than they expected once they start.
The one-line version
Plug and play systems are an easy DIY job. Mains wiring is for a licensed electrician. The practical work of planning and mounting is the same either way.
Difficulty by system type
| System type | Difficulty | Who installs it |
|---|---|---|
| Plug and play cluster | Easy | You, in under an hour |
| Plug and play grid | Easy to moderate | You, allow more time |
| Mains white system | Moderate | Licensed electrician for wiring |
| Large custom grid | Moderate | You, plus an electrician if hardwired |
Tools and what is in the box
A quality kit is designed so you have most of what you need. A typical plug and play kit includes the panels, connectors, a power supply and mounting hardware, plus a control on colour systems. To fit it yourself you generally add:
- Basic hand tools. For mounting the system to the ceiling or wall.
- A tape measure and pencil. To plan and mark the layout position.
- A level. To keep the layout straight, which matters more than people expect.
- A second pair of hands. Helpful on a larger grid to hold the layout while you fix it.
How to install, step by step
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Plan and mark the layout
Measure the area, decide the shape, and mark where the layout will sit so it is centred over the space you want to light.
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Lay out and link the panels
Set the panels out and link them with the connectors, which also carry the power. On plug and play systems this is hand-tight and tool free.
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Mount the system
Fix the linked layout to the ceiling or wall with the supplied hardware, keeping it level and secure.
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Connect the power
Plug a low voltage system into a standard 3-pin plug, or have a licensed electrician connect a mains system into your ceiling wiring.
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Test and finish
Power on, check every panel is even, and tidy the cabling. To expand later, add matching panels and, on a big grid, power injection.
Common installation mistakes
- Mounting before planning. Lay the layout out and check the shape on the floor first, so you are not adjusting it on the ceiling.
- Not keeping it level. A crooked grid stands out. Use a level and take your time marking the position.
- Overloading the power supply. Stay within the panel limit per supply, or add power injection on a large grid, so it stays even.
- Improvising mains wiring. Never wire a light into your ceiling yourself. Use a licensed electrician for any fixed wiring.
- Skipping the surface check. Make sure the ceiling is sound and suitable so the mounting holds.
When to bring in an electrician
If your system is hardwired, or you want a plug-in system converted to a permanent, switched fixture, that is where a licensed electrician comes in. The wiring is the only part of the job reserved for a professional. Everything else, the planning, assembling and mounting, you can do yourself. If you would rather avoid the electrician entirely, choose a genuine plug and play system.
How long installation really takes
People often overestimate how long a hexagon install takes. Most of the effort is in planning and mounting, not in the panels themselves, which connect by hand in minutes. Here is a realistic breakdown for a plug and play system so you can plan your time.
| Task | Rough time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and marking | 20 to 40 minutes | Measure, choose the shape, mark the position |
| Laying out and linking | 10 to 30 minutes | Longer for a bigger grid |
| Mounting | Varies | The main job, depends on size and surface |
| Plugging in and testing | 5 to 10 minutes | Plug and play, check every panel |
A plug and play cluster can realistically go up in under an hour once you have planned the layout. A larger grid is still a single afternoon job for most people, and a helper speeds up the mounting. A hardwired install adds the electrician's time for the wiring, which is usually a short visit if there is already a wiring point in place.
- Plan before you start. Deciding the shape and marking the position up front is the biggest time saver, because you are not adjusting on the ceiling.
- Lay it out on the floor first. Linking and checking the shape at ground level is far quicker than reworking it overhead.
- Have your fixings ready. Make sure you have the right fixings for your surface before you begin, so there is no mid-job trip to the hardware store.
Choosing an easy-to-install system
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Pick plug and play for the easiest job
A low voltage system from a standard 3-pin plug is the simplest to install yourself.
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Check the kit is complete
Confirm the kit includes connectors, a matched power supply and mounting hardware so you are not missing parts.
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Match the layout to your skill and space
A cluster is a quick one-person job. A large grid is still easy but plan more time and a helper.
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Use an electrician for any wiring
For a mains install, book a licensed electrician and choose a compliant system.
Expert tips
A handful of tips that make a hexagon install go smoothly, whether it is your first one or you are fitting out a whole garage.
- Dry-fit on the floor first. Lay out and link the whole layout at ground level so you can see and adjust the shape before anything goes overhead.
- Mark, then measure again. Marking the position carefully and using a level is what separates a sharp install from a crooked one.
- Match fixings to your surface. Plasterboard, concrete and timber each need the right fixings. Have them ready before you start.
- Keep the power feed in mind. Plan where the cable reaches a plug or the electrician's point, so it is tidy and hidden.
- Get a helper for a big grid. A second pair of hands to hold the layout makes mounting quicker and keeps it straight.
- Stay within the supply limit. On a large grid, plan power injection so it lights evenly rather than dimming at the edges.
- Leave the wiring to a licensed electrician. Everything else is DIY, but fixed mains wiring is not.
The panels are the easy part. Planning the layout and mounting it straight is where the care goes, and neither is hard.
HEXA Lighting
Quick summary
Plug and play hexagon lights are an easy DIY install: assemble, mount and plug in. Mains wiring is for a licensed electrician. Plan the layout, keep it level, stay within the power supply limit, and it goes smoothly.
Why HEXA is Australia's choice
HEXA is Australia's original hexagon lighting specialist, and the reason so many Australians choose HEXA comes down to range, compliance and support you can rely on.
- Australia's original hexagon specialist. HEXA designs its own hexagon systems, not generic dropship products, so the range, fit and support are built around Australian homes and trade.
- The largest hexagon range in Australia. From a single cluster to full custom grids, HEXA offers the widest choice of hexagon systems in the country.
- Compliant as complete systems. Every HEXA system is certified as a whole system to Australian standards, not just from individually rated parts, so an electrician can install with confidence.
- Backed and supported locally. A 7-year warranty on our compliant systems and a local Australian team behind every order.
7-Year Warranty
Frequently asked questions
Are hexagon lights hard to install?
For a low voltage plug and play system, no. You assemble the panels by hand, mount them, and plug into a standard 3-pin power point. A hardwired mains system is more involved and should be connected by a licensed electrician.
Can I install hexagon lights myself?
Yes, for a plug and play system. Assembling, mounting and plugging in are all jobs you can do yourself. Only fixed mains wiring should be left to a licensed electrician.
What tools do I need to install hexagon lights?
For a plug and play system, usually just basic hand tools to mount it, a tape measure and a pencil to plan the position. The panels connect by hand with no tools.
How long does it take to install hexagon lights?
A plug and play cluster can go up in under an hour once you have planned the layout. A larger grid or a hardwired install takes longer, and mains wiring adds an electrician's time.
Do I need an electrician to install hexagon lights?
Only for fixed mains wiring. Plug and play systems run from a standard 3-pin plug and need no electrician to set up. See our guide on whether hexagon lights need an electrician.
How do hexagon lights attach to the ceiling?
With the mounting method supplied with the system, suited to your ceiling surface. Our guide on how hexagon lights attach to a ceiling covers the options.
Is it hard to plan a hexagon layout?
No. Measure the area you want to light, sketch the shape in panels, and count them. The modular shape is forgiving and a supplier can help you plan a layout that lights the space evenly.
Can I install hexagon lights in a rental?
Plug and play systems suit renters because they need no fixed wiring and can be removed. Check your tenancy agreement and choose a mounting method you can take down cleanly.
What is the hardest part of installing hexagon lights?
Usually planning the layout and mounting it straight and secure. The electrical side is either simple (plug in) or handed to an electrician (mains), so the practical work is the main effort.
Do hexagon lights come with mounting hardware?
Quality kits include the fixings or mounts to attach the system, along with the connectors and power supply. Check the kit contents so you have what you need.
Can one person install hexagon lights?
A small cluster, yes. For a larger grid, a second pair of hands makes mounting easier and helps keep the layout straight while you fix it.
Do I need to drill into the ceiling?
It depends on the mounting method and surface. Some methods fix directly, others use supplied hardware. Follow the system's instructions for your ceiling type.
Will installing hexagon lights damage my ceiling?
Mounted correctly, damage is minimal and normal for any fixture. For renters, choose a removable mounting method and check your agreement first.
Can I move hexagon lights after installing them?
Plug and play systems can be taken down, moved and reset. A hardwired system should be removed by an electrician.
Are RGB hexagon lights harder to install?
No. RGB and RGBW systems are usually plug and play and controlled by remote or app, so they install the same way as white plug-in systems, with no wiring to set up.
What is the easiest hexagon system to install?
A plug and play cluster or kit that runs from a standard 3-pin plug is the easiest, because the panels connect by hand and there is no wiring to do.
Do I need to paint or prepare the ceiling first?
Not usually, but a clean, sound surface helps the mounting hold well and the layout sit flat. Check the surface is suitable before you mount.
What if I make a mistake with the layout?
Because the panels simply link together, you can take the layout apart and rebuild it. That is why it pays to lay it out and check the shape before mounting.
Can I install hexagon lights in one afternoon?
Usually, yes, for a plug and play system. A cluster can go up in under an hour, and even a larger grid is generally a single afternoon job. A hardwired install adds an electrician's visit for the wiring.
What is the biggest time saver when installing?
Planning. Deciding the shape, marking the position and laying the panels out on the floor first means you are not adjusting the layout overhead, which is where the time goes.
Do I need to patch or repaint after installing?
Only minor patching if you remove a mounting later, the same as any fixture. Mounted correctly the first time, there is nothing to repaint. Renters should choose a removable method and check their agreement.
Do I need help to install hexagon lights?
A small cluster is a comfortable one-person job. For a larger grid, a second pair of hands to hold the layout while you fix it makes mounting quicker and keeps it straight.
Can I install hexagon lights on my own the first time?
Yes. Plug and play systems are designed for first-timers. Plan the layout, dry-fit it on the floor, keep it level, and plug it in. The only part to hand over is any fixed mains wiring.
What is the easiest ceiling to install on?
A flat, sound plasterboard or timber ceiling is straightforward with the right fixings. Concrete is fine too with masonry fixings. Sloped or uneven ceilings need more planning.
Do I need to turn off the power to install plug-in hexagon lights?
For a plug and play system you simply plug into a power point at the end, so there is no mains work to isolate. For any hardwired install, the electrician handles isolating and connecting the power safely.
Find an easy-to-install hexagon system
Explore HEXA plug and play hexagon kits that assemble by hand and run from a standard 3-pin plug, all backed by our 7-year warranty on compliant systems.
