Hello everyone, I am currently considering how to retrofit my IKEA Billy bookcases with LED lighting. My goal is to achieve subtle yet sufficiently bright illumination for books and decorative items without dealing with a lot of cable clutter or making the installation too complicated. Does anyone know good solutions for the best way to install LED strips or spotlights, which power supply and control systems make sense, and what should be taken into account during planning? I have some DIY skills but no experience with built-in LEDs in furniture. I am especially interested in tips for a clean integration without visible cables and with a simple on/off option. Thanks in advance for your information!
Hello galeo,
I can contribute quite a bit to your project, as I recently retrofitted my BILLY shelves with LED lighting. It is important that you know the exact size and number of shelves before purchasing the LEDs, as this affects the length of the LED strips or the number of spotlights needed.
I recommend flexible LED strips with a 12-volt operating voltage, as they are easier and safer to install than 230V systems. You will need a suitable LED power supply (driver) that ideally has enough spare capacity so you can add extra strips if necessary.
For the power supply, I hid the power supply unit in the back panel of the shelf – if you have access from behind, this is a good option. When routing the cables, it is best to use cable channels to keep a clean appearance and avoid cable clutter.
You can include an on/off switch with a simple inline switch directly on the cable, or opt for a remote-controlled dimmer that offers more convenience and allows for customized lighting moods.
One more tip: pay attention to the color temperature of the LEDs – warm white (about 2700K to 3000K) feels cozier and suits wood shelves better than cool white. Cool white can increase the impression of brightness but often appears more clinical and cold.
How many shelves do you have exactly, and are you planning to install the lighting in just one or multiple shelves?
I can contribute quite a bit to your project, as I recently retrofitted my BILLY shelves with LED lighting. It is important that you know the exact size and number of shelves before purchasing the LEDs, as this affects the length of the LED strips or the number of spotlights needed.
I recommend flexible LED strips with a 12-volt operating voltage, as they are easier and safer to install than 230V systems. You will need a suitable LED power supply (driver) that ideally has enough spare capacity so you can add extra strips if necessary.
For the power supply, I hid the power supply unit in the back panel of the shelf – if you have access from behind, this is a good option. When routing the cables, it is best to use cable channels to keep a clean appearance and avoid cable clutter.
You can include an on/off switch with a simple inline switch directly on the cable, or opt for a remote-controlled dimmer that offers more convenience and allows for customized lighting moods.
One more tip: pay attention to the color temperature of the LEDs – warm white (about 2700K to 3000K) feels cozier and suits wood shelves better than cool white. Cool white can increase the impression of brightness but often appears more clinical and cold.
How many shelves do you have exactly, and are you planning to install the lighting in just one or multiple shelves?
chentan schrieb:
How many shelves do you have exactly, and are you planning to install the lighting in just one or multiple shelves?Hi, thanks in advance for your detailed reply! The shelf is a standard BILLY, 80 cm (31.5 inches) wide, 202 cm (79.5 inches) tall, with 5 shelves. I want to install the lighting in this one shelf, with one light source or a continuous LED strip per shelf.
Hiding the power supply at the back sounds good; I have enough space there. I could also get used to having a dimmer, as long as the installation isn’t too complicated. It’s important to me that each shelf’s light can be turned on and off individually, because sometimes I only want to highlight one area.
How did you handle having multiple switching options in your installation? Do you need special splitters or controllers for that?
Hello galeo,
your question about multiple switching options is very valid, and I am happy to give you a structured answer.
1. Basically, you can either use a central power supply from which the LED strips for each shelf branch off. It is recommended to connect the strips in parallel to the power supply to ensure the voltage remains the same across all shelves.
2. For control, you can use simple inline switches for each individual circuit if you prefer manual switches. These are affordable at electronics stores and are easy to install between the power supply and the strip.
3. If you want more convenient operation, you could use a multi-zone LED controller. These are special control units with remote control that can operate several channels separately. This is more complex to install and more expensive, but it looks very neat and is practical.
4. Regarding installation itself: make sure to attach the strips to the wooden surface of the shelves (usually with adhesive backing) and route the cables along the back panel or inside cable ducts. This avoids visible wires and keeps the installation tidy.
5. When selecting LEDs, always consider the current draw and the power limits of the power supply, especially with multiple strips. It’s better to plan some spare capacity.
In brief: for individual switches, use inline switches connected in parallel on each circuit; for convenience, a multi-zone LED controller. If you like, I can suggest some example products.
your question about multiple switching options is very valid, and I am happy to give you a structured answer.
1. Basically, you can either use a central power supply from which the LED strips for each shelf branch off. It is recommended to connect the strips in parallel to the power supply to ensure the voltage remains the same across all shelves.
2. For control, you can use simple inline switches for each individual circuit if you prefer manual switches. These are affordable at electronics stores and are easy to install between the power supply and the strip.
3. If you want more convenient operation, you could use a multi-zone LED controller. These are special control units with remote control that can operate several channels separately. This is more complex to install and more expensive, but it looks very neat and is practical.
4. Regarding installation itself: make sure to attach the strips to the wooden surface of the shelves (usually with adhesive backing) and route the cables along the back panel or inside cable ducts. This avoids visible wires and keeps the installation tidy.
5. When selecting LEDs, always consider the current draw and the power limits of the power supply, especially with multiple strips. It’s better to plan some spare capacity.
In brief: for individual switches, use inline switches connected in parallel on each circuit; for convenience, a multi-zone LED controller. If you like, I can suggest some example products.
BauSimon schrieb:
If you want, I can suggest some example products. Hello BauSimon, yes, that would be great – I don’t have any idea yet which brands or types of LED strips, drivers, or controllers are reliable and easy to obtain.
Also, do you have any tips for wiring in case I need to extend it later? What’s the best way to handle this for a neat and safe installation, especially since I don’t want to fully disassemble the shelf later?
Can LED strip connector clips be easily disconnected again, or is it better to solder directly? I want to stay flexible but avoid a makeshift solution.
Hello everyone,
First of all, I want to mention that many fundamental questions about LEDs and BILLY shelves have already been answered here, but I’m happy to share some practical tips.
Regarding brands: For LED strips, I recommend brands like Philips Hue for Wi-Fi controlled systems or the good and affordable 12V LED strips from OSRAM, which often offer clear color rendering. I have also had good experiences with generic products from Amazon, but you should pay attention to the reviews.
For power supplies, it’s important to buy a constant 12V output power supply – not cheap universal adapters. Brands like Mean Well are highly recommended here.
For wiring: Soldered connections are the most stable and reliable, but connectors or solderless terminal blocks can give you a lot of flexibility, especially if you want to expand or modify the installation later. Flexible flat cables work well for the shelves and can be discreetly fixed with cable clips.
If you need extensions, make sure the cable cross-sections are adequately sized to avoid voltage drops – with 12V systems this can otherwise cause undesirable dimming of the lights.
One last tip: If you’re comfortable with cable channels, you can also install slim LED profiles that add more stability and light diffusion to the lighting.
I hope this helps you!
First of all, I want to mention that many fundamental questions about LEDs and BILLY shelves have already been answered here, but I’m happy to share some practical tips.
Regarding brands: For LED strips, I recommend brands like Philips Hue for Wi-Fi controlled systems or the good and affordable 12V LED strips from OSRAM, which often offer clear color rendering. I have also had good experiences with generic products from Amazon, but you should pay attention to the reviews.
For power supplies, it’s important to buy a constant 12V output power supply – not cheap universal adapters. Brands like Mean Well are highly recommended here.
For wiring: Soldered connections are the most stable and reliable, but connectors or solderless terminal blocks can give you a lot of flexibility, especially if you want to expand or modify the installation later. Flexible flat cables work well for the shelves and can be discreetly fixed with cable clips.
If you need extensions, make sure the cable cross-sections are adequately sized to avoid voltage drops – with 12V systems this can otherwise cause undesirable dimming of the lights.
One last tip: If you’re comfortable with cable channels, you can also install slim LED profiles that add more stability and light diffusion to the lighting.
I hope this helps you!
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