Hello everyone,
I recently bought a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA and am planning to install LED strips for indirect lighting. Now the question is: Has anyone in this forum had experience with how to properly and, above all, invisibly hide LED strips in a KALLAX unit?
I am particularly interested in the best ways to route the cables, whether special fasteners are used, or if there are tricks to integrate the lighting as unobtrusively as possible. I want to avoid the strips being directly visible or looking untidy.
Perhaps there are recommendations for specific types of LEDs or practical tips on installing LED strips behind the back panel or in joints without having to modify the furniture extensively.
It would be great if you could share your experiences and solutions here so I can benefit from your insights. Thanks in advance!
I recently bought a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA and am planning to install LED strips for indirect lighting. Now the question is: Has anyone in this forum had experience with how to properly and, above all, invisibly hide LED strips in a KALLAX unit?
I am particularly interested in the best ways to route the cables, whether special fasteners are used, or if there are tricks to integrate the lighting as unobtrusively as possible. I want to avoid the strips being directly visible or looking untidy.
Perhaps there are recommendations for specific types of LEDs or practical tips on installing LED strips behind the back panel or in joints without having to modify the furniture extensively.
It would be great if you could share your experiences and solutions here so I can benefit from your insights. Thanks in advance!
Hello hilda43,
your question about invisibly integrating LED strips into the KALLAX is very interesting. I recently completed a similar project myself and can offer some detailed tips:
1. Choosing the LED strips: Flexible SMD-type LEDs with a self-adhesive backing are ideal. Make sure they are either RGB or warm white, depending on the atmosphere you want to create.
2. Concealing them: I installed the strips on the inside edges of the upper shelves, just below the top panel, so the light shines downward but the strips are not visible from the front. It’s important to make use of the back side of the back panel. The best approach is to slightly loosen the back panel, run the cables behind the shelf, and secure them with thin cable clips.
3. Cable management: A major challenge with LED projects in furniture is neat cable routing. My recommendation: use existing cable channels on the wall or small self-adhesive clips.
4. Additional covers: For a really clean look, you can insert plexiglass strips between the shelves to better hide the light source and wiring.
What exactly do your KALLAX units look like? Do they have different depths and possibly doors as well?
your question about invisibly integrating LED strips into the KALLAX is very interesting. I recently completed a similar project myself and can offer some detailed tips:
1. Choosing the LED strips: Flexible SMD-type LEDs with a self-adhesive backing are ideal. Make sure they are either RGB or warm white, depending on the atmosphere you want to create.
2. Concealing them: I installed the strips on the inside edges of the upper shelves, just below the top panel, so the light shines downward but the strips are not visible from the front. It’s important to make use of the back side of the back panel. The best approach is to slightly loosen the back panel, run the cables behind the shelf, and secure them with thin cable clips.
3. Cable management: A major challenge with LED projects in furniture is neat cable routing. My recommendation: use existing cable channels on the wall or small self-adhesive clips.
4. Additional covers: For a really clean look, you can insert plexiglass strips between the shelves to better hide the light source and wiring.
What exactly do your KALLAX units look like? Do they have different depths and possibly doors as well?
Laukau5 schrieb:
What exactly do your KALLAX units look like? You have different depths and possibly doors, right?Good question! I have the classic 4x4 KALLAX in white, without doors. The shelf stands freely in the room, so I want the lighting to be as soft and indirect as possible, without any strips or cables being visible.
I will try your tip about removing the back panel. How rigid is the back panel, and does removing it affect the stability of the shelf? Do you have any recommendations on how to do this without causing too much damage?
Hello hilda43,
I completely understand your concern—you definitely don’t want the technology to spoil the clean look. I have a similar KALLAX unit myself and initially struggled with the visible cables as well.
That was a bit of a hesitation for me too, but if you carefully remove the back panel using a flat pry tool, you can usually put it back without much loss of quality. Alternatively, you might just pull it out halfway and run the cables behind it.
Another option is to router a small groove on the underside of the shelves to hide the LED strips, although that is a bit more involved.
Keep at it—you will surely find a nice solution. Fingers crossed for you!
I completely understand your concern—you definitely don’t want the technology to spoil the clean look. I have a similar KALLAX unit myself and initially struggled with the visible cables as well.
hilda43 schrieb:
How rigid is the back panel, doesn’t it affect the shelf’s stability?
That was a bit of a hesitation for me too, but if you carefully remove the back panel using a flat pry tool, you can usually put it back without much loss of quality. Alternatively, you might just pull it out halfway and run the cables behind it.
Another option is to router a small groove on the underside of the shelves to hide the LED strips, although that is a bit more involved.
Keep at it—you will surely find a nice solution. Fingers crossed for you!
Wow, there’s some really thoughtful planning here – I totally like it!
I attached LED strips behind the back panel of my KALLAX unit, and the light then shines backward onto the wall – really brilliant, because the strips aren’t visible at all, yet you get great indirect lighting. I hid the cables with small hook-and-loop fasteners, so it looks really clean.
I think that’s super practical!
Just stay calm and get it done, it will turn out great 🙂
I attached LED strips behind the back panel of my KALLAX unit, and the light then shines backward onto the wall – really brilliant, because the strips aren’t visible at all, yet you get great indirect lighting. I hid the cables with small hook-and-loop fasteners, so it looks really clean.
boelnu schrieb:
Maybe you only pull them out halfway so you can route the cables behind them.
I think that’s super practical!
Just stay calm and get it done, it will turn out great 🙂
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