ᐅ Has anyone installed LED strips neatly inside a KALLAX unit?

Hello everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone has successfully integrated LED strips into an IKEA KALLAX shelving unit in a way that is both elegant and functional. I’m not just thinking about simply clipping on the strips, but rather a solution where the lighting is discreet, evenly distributed, and without visible cables – possibly even with a diffuser or clever clip mounts. It’s also important to me that the mounting method is flexible enough for future adjustments while remaining stable enough to stay securely in place over time.

Additionally, I’d be interested to know how you have handled power supply if you want to avoid visible cables, or how you solved the issue of reconnecting or repositioning the lights when needed. Does anyone have practical tips or experiences specifically tailored to the KALLAX shelving unit? I’m looking forward to your ideas and maybe some challenges you encountered during installation.

Thanks in advance!

I glued LED strips under the shelves, which hold well and look clean. I simply routed the cables out the back and secured them with cable ties. For the diffuser, I use frosted plastic profiles specifically designed for this purpose. It works great.

TEORAFAEL schrieb:
I’m wondering if any of you have successfully integrated LED strips in a truly elegant and functional way into an IKEA KALLAX shelf.

That’s an interesting challenge. Generally, it’s best to first clearly define the intended use and the desired lighting effect. KALLAX shelves are usually modular with 5x5 compartments; the edges are sharp, and the sides are often open. For LED strips, I would suggest the following approach for an elegant solution:

1. Choose flexible LED strips with a low profile (e.g., 4-6 mm (0.15-0.24 inches)) and a warm white color temperature to create a cozy atmosphere.
2. Attach the strips directly behind the edges of the shelf units, for example under the shelves or on the vertical dividers, to achieve indirect lighting.
3. Use transparent or frosted diffuser profiles made of plastic to soften the light and visually conceal the LED dots.
4. For power supply, consider building a busbar mounted on the back of the shelf. Adhesive copper pads or connector strips can be used to keep cable management minimal and neat.

TEORAFAEL schrieb:
How did you handle the power supply if you wanted to avoid visible cables, and how did you manage reconnecting the strips when needed?

I installed small distribution boxes with screw terminals that can be opened. This makes it possible to modify or extend the LED strips as needed. Be sure to use a power supply adequately rated, as each meter of LED strip consumes about 12 watts.

One more tip: Since KALLAX shelves are made from wood fiberboard, mounting the strips with double-sided tape is easy but may fail over time under load. Therefore, additional clips or holders fixed with small screws are recommended, which won’t significantly affect the appearance.

I hope this helps! If you want, I can provide more detailed information about how I organized my wiring.

kulau schrieb:
I installed small junction boxes at my place that can also be opened with screw terminals. This makes it possible to modify or extend LED strips easily.

That’s a good point I’d like to build on. For anyone wanting to install LED strips in a KALLAX shelf, here is a short guide that I find very practical:

1. Preparation: Get flexible LED strips with protective coating (IP20 is usually sufficient for indoor use, but an IP65 profile can be useful if dust or moisture is expected).

2. Installation: Stick the strips with their self-adhesive backside to the inner edges of the shelf, ideally under the shelves or on the back panels. To create more pleasant lighting, I recommend using aluminum LED profiles with diffusers – these profiles are easy to mount and also protect the LED strips.

3. Power cables: Use a cable channel behind the shelf or flat cable ties on the back, so no cables are visible and everything looks neat.

4. Connection and protection: Use small connectors with screw terminals to join the LED strips together. This way, you can replace or extend individual segments separately.

5. Control: For maximum flexibility, it’s worth installing an LED controller with a remote control in case you want to change colors or brightness.

6. Safety: Make sure to use appropriate power supplies that match the total length of the strips. Cheap power supplies often fail quickly and can also be dangerous.

TEORAFAEL schrieb:
a solution where the lighting is discreet, distributed, and without visible disruptive cables

You can achieve this best with flat cable channels and precise measurements. If you’re handy, building a frame from MDF panels as a diffuser rail tailored to the KALLAX edges is worthwhile.

If you want exact measurements or tips for the right profile, just ask!