ᐅ How can you install lighting inside a Pax wardrobe without drilling?

If you choose battery-powered lights, you can attach them using magnets. No installation is needed, and you can remove and charge them anytime. Alternatively, adhesive LED strips are recommended.

A stable and visually appealing solution without drilling requires good preparation. It is important to degrease and clean the adhesive surfaces. I personally used high-quality 3M adhesive tapes on a plexiglass panel, and the result was permanently durable. For cabinet lighting, small aluminum profiles or light strips with adhesive backing can also be used to ensure better heat dissipation for the LEDs. Cables are best concealed in flat, thin cable ducts, which are also fixed with adhesive material.

Hello On_kla, I’d be happy to give you a more detailed recommendation, as the question is quite complex.

First, you should know that there are basically two technical approaches: 1) LED strips connected directly to the power supply or 2) standalone solutions with batteries or rechargeable batteries that work wirelessly.

Regarding no-drill options: Adhesive mounting is the most practical method. For example, 3M develops adhesives with very good adhesion and temperature resistance. Make sure the surface is truly free of grease, clean, and dry. This means cleaning it with isopropanol or a similar cleaner before attaching.

Magnetic mounts are also an option, but you should check whether the inside of your Pax wardrobe is magnetic or if you can attach a small metal plate (in this case, stick it on, don’t drill!).

For cable routing, I recommend flexible flat cables with adhesive backing or narrow self-adhesive cable channels to guide the cable neatly. The cable gauge must also be compatible with your LED lights; otherwise, you might experience voltage drop.

As an alternative, you could consider battery-powered LED panels activated by a motion sensor that require no cables. However, pay attention to battery status and charging cycles.

What are your exact requirements, On_kla? Do you have access to a nearby power outlet, or would a battery solution be needed? And how large should the illuminated area be approximately?

Thanks in advance for the many helpful tips! @bapar: Very helpful, especially with your follow-up questions. I have a power outlet nearby, but the cable access is somewhat inconvenient, so I’m looking for adhesive solutions with as discreet cable routing as possible. The surface is about 1.5m (5 feet) wide, so rather long LED strips that I need to guide around corners. At first, I wanted to exclude a battery-powered solution because I don’t want to have to constantly think about recharging. The idea of using aluminum profiles for better heat dissipation is new to me, but it sounds interesting.

How well do these adhesive strips hold up over longer distances and corners? I’m a bit worried that the strips might come loose after a while.

On_kla schrieb:
How well do these adhesive strips hold up over longer distances and around corners? I'm a bit worried that the strips might come off after some time.

If you prepare the surfaces really well and use the original 3M adhesive strips, they will hold for a very long time, even on corners. It becomes critical with greasy or rough surfaces.

The bit about the adhesive tapes is true; I was a bit cautious at first as well. One trick is to warm the adhesive areas (e.g., with a hairdryer) before sticking them on, which increases the adhesive strength. Also, when placing LED strips around corners, try to use a small radius to protect both the strip and the adhesive.