ᐅ What are your experiences with the Ikea Pax LED light strips?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering installing the Ikea Pax LED strips in my new wardrobe. Since I have no prior experience with this type of lighting, I would like to know about your experiences with it. I am especially interested in:

- How easy or complicated is the installation, especially for someone with limited DIY skills?
- What is the quality of the light like? Is it bright enough while still being comfortable?
- Are there any issues with durability or power supply?
- How flexible are the strips in terms of positioning and cutting?

I want to avoid having major problems or disappointments after assembly. So please feel free to share detailed or brief reports—I look forward to your feedback!

plolen schrieb:
How easy or complicated is the installation, especially for someone with less DIY experience?

At first, I was also a bit intimidated by the installation since I had little experience. In reality, the whole system is surprisingly user-friendly. The strips connect quite easily with plug-in connectors, and the mounting is mostly done with clips or adhesive tape, both of which are manageable.

plolen schrieb:
How is the light quality? Is it bright enough but still comfortable?

In my opinion, the color temperature is very pleasant—not too cold, but a warm white. However, the strips are mainly intended as accent or supplementary lighting—they are not meant as the main light source but are great for illuminating the inside of cabinets or providing privacy lighting.

plolen schrieb:
Are there any issues with durability or power supply?

So far, I haven’t had any problems with failures. You just need to make sure to install the power supply in a dry location to prevent moisture from getting in. The power supply operates unobtrusively.

Overall, I’d encourage you not to worry if you’re concerned!

Installation is straightforward, no professional needed.
The lighting is acceptable, not too bright.
So far, I have not been able to critically assess the durability.

To complement my experiences with the Ikea Pax LED strips:

The installation went smoothly for me, but it’s important to plan the wiring inside the wardrobe carefully in advance. The LED strips have a limited length and can be cut if needed, but only at designated points—specifically where the lines on the PCB are located. Cutting at the wrong place may cause short circuits or damaged sections.

During installation, make sure the strips adhere securely. Some users have reported adhesion issues on smooth surfaces, such as certain types of laminates.

Technically, the LEDs have a color temperature of around 3000 Kelvin, which produces a warm white light that is very pleasant for a wardrobe. I also found Ikea’s power supply to be underpowered for longer cable runs, so I recommend keeping the distance between the strips and the power supply as short as possible.

Additionally, securing the cable connections with cable ties after installation is advisable. This prevents the connectors from coming loose when moving or handling the wardrobe.

I’m curious whether you plan to use your setup primarily for accent lighting or as the main light source—this will significantly affect the number and placement of the strips.

Le_kin schrieb:
I’m curious whether you plan to use your setup more for accent lighting or as the main lighting – that significantly affects the planning of the number and placement of the strips.

Thanks for the hint! I primarily want to improve the interior lighting in the wardrobe because the main lighting in my bedroom sometimes isn’t enough when I’m looking for clothes. So it’s more about functional lighting that illuminates the wardrobe well without causing glare or discomfort.

Do you or others have any tips on the best way to position the strips to ensure good illumination of the contents? Also, regarding the power supply, you mentioned undersizing – how can I tell if that applies to me? I want to avoid voltage drop or flickering.

Good morning!

Regarding the positioning of the Ikea Pax LED strips, I can recommend the following:
- Install the strips as parallel as possible to the clothing rod or shelf level to ensure even illumination.
- Avoid having the LEDs shine directly into your eyes, as this causes unnecessary glare.
- Use angle clips so the strips can be securely mounted at 90-degree angles on the edges.

About the power supply: Ikea specifies the maximum current consumption for the strips; if you connect many strips in series (which is technically possible to some extent), you might exceed the capacity of the supplied power supply.

Common mistakes include:
- Too long cable runs, which lead to voltage drops
- Too many strips connected to a single power supply

So, if you want to install multiple strips, check the wattage Ikea provides and add them up. Do not exceed this total.

In summary: good planning beforehand will ensure a functional, comfortable lighting setup.