ᐅ Billy shelving unit with LED lighting: How to install it successfully?

Hello everyone,

I want to equip my Billy shelf with LED lighting, but I’m not yet sure how to best handle the installation without damaging the look of the shelf or ending up with messy cables. My idea is to attach slim LED strips to the underside of the shelves.

I’m particularly interested in which type of LED lighting you would recommend (for example, 12V or 230V LEDs, with or without a power supply), the best way to run the power supply, and which tools and materials are essential for a clean and safe installation.

Do you have experience with LEDs in the Billy shelf and can you offer tips on how to proceed without leaving unattractive drill holes or visible cables?

Also, any advice on alternatives like battery packs or rechargeable batteries would be appreciated if running cables turns out to be too complicated.

Thanks in advance for your support!

I would recommend 12V LED strips and using a small power supply placed near the shelf. You can hide the cables on the back of the shelf with cable clips. Screws or double-sided tape work well for mounting the LED strips.

Hello Marcos,

I would like to address your project in detail, as the proper installation of LED lighting in a Billy bookshelf involves several important aspects.

First, regarding the LEDs themselves: 12V LED strips are generally recommended because they operate with a separate power supply and usually generate relatively little heat – this protects the wood and reduces fire risks. In contrast, 230V LEDs require special safety precautions and are somewhat more complex to install.

For the power supply, a plug-in power adapter with at least 12V/1-2 A is often sufficient. It is advisable to place the power supply behind the bookshelf on a shelf or attach it to the side if there is space. For cable routing, you can use cable channels or self-adhesive cable clips along the inside edges of the bookshelf. Be careful not to bend the LED strips excessively, as this can damage them.

For mounting: Many LED strips have a self-adhesive backing, but depending on the surface of the bookshelf, it is better to secure them additionally with small nails or clips to ensure long-term stability. I advise against drilling directly through the shelves to avoid compromising stability or damaging the wood.

If you want to avoid cables, there are also battery-powered LED strips that can be controlled via remote. However, these have the downside of limited runtime and often lower brightness. For continuous operation, the wired option is more reliable.

One more question about positioning: Are you planning to install LEDs on all shelves or just on some? This will affect power requirements and cable management.

I hope this helps you for now! 🙂

Laukau5 schrieb:
I advise against drilling directly through the shelves to avoid losing stability or damaging the wood.

This is a very important point.

I would like to add a small tutorial here:

1. Preparation: Choose LED strips, ideally IP20 for indoor use. 12V is safer and better for furniture.

2. Clean the mounting surface: Thoroughly dust the underside of the shelves to ensure the adhesive backing of the LEDs sticks well.

3. Attachment: Double-sided, strong adhesive tape usually works well on the underside of shelves. Alternatively, small aluminum profiles can be used if available.

4. Cable management: For routing cables, I recommend plastic cable ducts that can be neatly attached to the back panel or along the sides of the shelves. Self-adhesive cable ties are also an option.

5. Power supply: The power supply unit can be well concealed at the bottom, for example in a power strip behind the shelving. Using an extension cord is best, so nothing gets pinched or pulled when moving the shelves.

6. Final test: Before permanently fixing everything, briefly connect and test all LED strips to ensure no defective strips are installed.

If you want, I can provide specific product recommendations or tips for connecting the LED strips (pay attention to polarity!).

MARCOS_BEN schrieb:
Do you have experience with LEDs in the Billy shelf and can you give tips on how to proceed without unsightly drill holes or visible cables?

Cable clips or cable ducts are your best friends; this way everything stays tidy and no drilling is needed.

Hello Marcos,

I completely agree with your points and would like to share a few tips from my own experience:

I powered LEDs in my Billy shelf using a 12V power supply and attached the strips under the shelves. It is important to carefully measure the exact length of the LED strips needed before installation and to include a few centimeters (inches) of extra length as a buffer.

To avoid visible cables, I ran the wires behind the shelf and secured them to the shelf supports with self-adhesive cable ties. For mounting, the adhesive strips that come with the LEDs usually work well, but I also used small brackets specifically designed for LED strips—this provides extra security, especially if you plan to move the shelf occasionally.

If you choose a battery-powered option: the lighting duration is limited, and switching on and off as well as checking the battery level can be somewhat inconvenient, particularly if you want to illuminate several shelves.

One more important tip: when buying the power supply, make sure it provides enough current to at least cover the power requirements of the LED strips. Underpowered supplies can cause flickering or reduce the lifespan of the LEDs.

If you have any further questions or need advice on selecting products, I’m happy to help 🙂