Hello everyone,
I’m currently thinking about the best way to equip my Ikea Hemnes wardrobe with LED lighting. Since I want to integrate a cozy yet practical light source in the apartment, the lighting should be as discreet as possible while still providing pleasant illumination—both inside the compartments and possibly outside as accent lighting.
What solutions have you tried or can recommend? I’m especially interested in tips regarding power supply (battery vs. mains), which LED bulbs or strips work well, the best way to handle installation, and whether there are significant differences in color temperature that matter for furniture lighting.
Maybe you also have experience with portable wardrobe lamps versus permanently installed strips or with sensors for automatic on/off lighting. I look forward to your suggestions and opinions!
Thanks in advance!
I’m currently thinking about the best way to equip my Ikea Hemnes wardrobe with LED lighting. Since I want to integrate a cozy yet practical light source in the apartment, the lighting should be as discreet as possible while still providing pleasant illumination—both inside the compartments and possibly outside as accent lighting.
What solutions have you tried or can recommend? I’m especially interested in tips regarding power supply (battery vs. mains), which LED bulbs or strips work well, the best way to handle installation, and whether there are significant differences in color temperature that matter for furniture lighting.
Maybe you also have experience with portable wardrobe lamps versus permanently installed strips or with sensors for automatic on/off lighting. I look forward to your suggestions and opinions!
Thanks in advance!
MILOSZ60 schrieb:
Does anyone know of narrow LED strips that can be discreetly installed in shelves or on the sides? Sure! I’d recommend the very slim SMD LED strips, which are usually 8mm (0.3 inches) wide and very flexible. They often come with a self-adhesive backing — they stick really well directly onto wood!
If you want an even more discreet look, you can use matte covers that soften the light and make the strip itself hardly visible. And don’t worry: installation is really easy, just stick it in the desired spot and then run the cable (which you can hide in cable channels).
Hello everyone,
I would like to revisit a point about the power supply. Since the Hemnes is often placed in living areas, safety is an important consideration. Mains power is usually the best option because it provides a stable and continuous power supply.
For cable routing, I recommend using the back sides of the cabinets or installing cable channels along the edges, which can be easily secured. This helps avoid visible cables, making it both more attractive and safer.
If you prefer battery-powered solutions, please make sure to use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries with protective circuits. There are also LED lamps available now with integrated rechargeable batteries and USB charging ports that can be easily removed and charged.
I would suggest a color temperature around 2700–3000 Kelvin (49°F–54°F), as this gives the Hemnes wood a natural and warm appearance.
What do you think?
I would like to revisit a point about the power supply. Since the Hemnes is often placed in living areas, safety is an important consideration. Mains power is usually the best option because it provides a stable and continuous power supply.
For cable routing, I recommend using the back sides of the cabinets or installing cable channels along the edges, which can be easily secured. This helps avoid visible cables, making it both more attractive and safer.
If you prefer battery-powered solutions, please make sure to use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries with protective circuits. There are also LED lamps available now with integrated rechargeable batteries and USB charging ports that can be easily removed and charged.
I would suggest a color temperature around 2700–3000 Kelvin (49°F–54°F), as this gives the Hemnes wood a natural and warm appearance.
What do you think?
MILOSZ60 schrieb:
Does anyone know of slim LED strips that can be discreetly installed inside shelves or along the sides? The latest 3528 or 2835 SMD LED strips are really quite narrow, usually around 8-10mm (0.3-0.4 inches) wide. What I also recommend are aluminum profiles for LED strips with either a frosted or clear cover. These stabilize the strips and provide even lighting without hotspots.
SARBLA1 schrieb:
I would recommend a color temperature around 2700-3000 Kelvin I agree with that. Cool white is more efficient but often feels too sterile for residential furniture.
I would also suggest testing the voltage and current draw of the LED strips beforehand with a multimeter to ensure the power supply is not overloaded. Safety and durability are important here.
If desired, I can also create a simple wiring diagram to show how to connect motion sensors or door contacts.
Additionally: How is the base of the cabinet designed? Is there enough space to hide cables, or is it tight?
Lance schrieb:
If desired, I can also create a simple wiring diagram to show how motion sensors or door contacts are connected. That would be great, thank you! It would help me a lot because, although I’m handy, I’m rather cautious when it comes to electrical work.
Regarding the floor: I have a bit more space, so I could run cables along the back wall and under the floors.
What about dimmable LEDs? Do you need special power supplies and controllers for those, or can they be connected like regular lights?
MILOSZ60 schrieb:
What about dimmable LEDs? Good question! Basically, you need dimmable LED strips and a compatible power supply designed for these types of LEDs, as well as an LED dimmer. The most common LED controllers are PWM-based dimmers, which are installed on the 12V side between the power supply and the strips.
The advantage is that you can adjust the brightness continuously – using a rotary knob, remote control, or even a smartphone if you purchase a suitable wireless module.
Important: Not all LED strips are dimmable. Make sure to check for this feature when buying! The power supply should also be suitable for dimmer operation or at least not be a very cheap unit.
I recommend buying a starter kit with a power supply, dimmer, and LED strips so that everything is compatible and you avoid any unpleasant surprises.
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