Hello everyone,
I am currently planning to install LED interior lighting in my IKEA Besta wall unit to better illuminate the shelves and give the furniture a more modern look. I have a few questions about the best way to install LED lighting inside the BESTA components.
I am especially interested in the following points:
- Which LED system is best suited – LED strips, light bars, or prefabricated modules?
- How can I mount the LEDs neatly inside without damaging the furniture surfaces?
- What kind of power supply is recommended, especially regarding safety and appearance (hiding cables, etc.)?
- Are there any special considerations for routing power cables through the usually quite narrow and sometimes not fully continuous side panels?
- How should I proceed if I want to control the lighting via remote control or an app?
Maybe someone in this forum has experience with this exact furniture and can provide a step-by-step guide or tips.
I look forward to your replies and thank you in advance!
I am currently planning to install LED interior lighting in my IKEA Besta wall unit to better illuminate the shelves and give the furniture a more modern look. I have a few questions about the best way to install LED lighting inside the BESTA components.
I am especially interested in the following points:
- Which LED system is best suited – LED strips, light bars, or prefabricated modules?
- How can I mount the LEDs neatly inside without damaging the furniture surfaces?
- What kind of power supply is recommended, especially regarding safety and appearance (hiding cables, etc.)?
- Are there any special considerations for routing power cables through the usually quite narrow and sometimes not fully continuous side panels?
- How should I proceed if I want to control the lighting via remote control or an app?
Maybe someone in this forum has experience with this exact furniture and can provide a step-by-step guide or tips.
I look forward to your replies and thank you in advance!
Thank you, Curtis and kinbu, for your suggestions!
Honestly, I had underestimated the heat generation. This is quite important for my Besta shelf with plexiglass doors, as the heat could be reflected inside.
Working with aluminum profiles sounds interesting, but I haven’t used them in furniture before. Do you have any recommendations for installation? Do I need to drill or can the profiles simply be glued? And what about the cables that need to run through the profiles – are there standard solutions for this?
Also, how large are ventilation slots usually so they don’t stand out too much? At first, I thought it might be safer to use so-called “micro-LEDs” or even lower wattage lights to reduce heat, but that probably means less light output.
I’m looking forward to your opinions on this.
Honestly, I had underestimated the heat generation. This is quite important for my Besta shelf with plexiglass doors, as the heat could be reflected inside.
Working with aluminum profiles sounds interesting, but I haven’t used them in furniture before. Do you have any recommendations for installation? Do I need to drill or can the profiles simply be glued? And what about the cables that need to run through the profiles – are there standard solutions for this?
Also, how large are ventilation slots usually so they don’t stand out too much? At first, I thought it might be safer to use so-called “micro-LEDs” or even lower wattage lights to reduce heat, but that probably means less light output.
I’m looking forward to your opinions on this.
As an addition:
- Aluminum profiles for LED strips are usually attached with double-sided tape or small screws. In the case of BESTA furniture and thin side panels, I definitely recommend the adhesive solution to avoid damaging the furniture.
- The cables are routed along the sides of the profiles and can be secured with clips, which can also be glued on.
- Ventilation slots do not need to be large or numerous. Typically, 2-3 slots about 5mm (0.2 inches) wide and 20-30mm (0.8–1.2 inches) long at the rear, preferably hidden along a back edge, are sufficient.
- If a more visible look is desired, small ventilation grilles (e.g., made of plastic) can be used, which allow airflow while remaining discreet.
- Regarding LEDs, I recommend choosing good brands and correct specifications (manufacturer information on heat generation and maximum power consumption) to avoid overheating.
In general, when properly designed, heat generation is not an issue. LEDs with 12V/24V are well suited for residential furniture applications.
Best regards
- Aluminum profiles for LED strips are usually attached with double-sided tape or small screws. In the case of BESTA furniture and thin side panels, I definitely recommend the adhesive solution to avoid damaging the furniture.
- The cables are routed along the sides of the profiles and can be secured with clips, which can also be glued on.
- Ventilation slots do not need to be large or numerous. Typically, 2-3 slots about 5mm (0.2 inches) wide and 20-30mm (0.8–1.2 inches) long at the rear, preferably hidden along a back edge, are sufficient.
- If a more visible look is desired, small ventilation grilles (e.g., made of plastic) can be used, which allow airflow while remaining discreet.
- Regarding LEDs, I recommend choosing good brands and correct specifications (manufacturer information on heat generation and maximum power consumption) to avoid overheating.
In general, when properly designed, heat generation is not an issue. LEDs with 12V/24V are well suited for residential furniture applications.
Best regards
In addition to the points mentioned earlier, I would like to provide a few technical notes:
- For power supply, you can choose a 12V power adapter with a current rating of 1–2 amps depending on the total power consumption of the LED strip. Ideally, the power supply should be placed in a well-ventilated cabinet.
- The length of the LED strips should be planned so that you can cut them at the designated cutting marks without damaging the electronics.
- Pay attention to the polarity (+/-), which is usually marked on the top side of the strip. Incorrect connection can destroy the LEDs.
- If controllers (e.g., remote control units) are used, they must be installed between the power supply and the LED strip.
- Even though the voltage is low, connectors and adapters should be of good quality to avoid contact issues and loose connections.
- Finally, test the LEDs thoroughly before the final installation!
If you have any further questions, I am happy to help.
- For power supply, you can choose a 12V power adapter with a current rating of 1–2 amps depending on the total power consumption of the LED strip. Ideally, the power supply should be placed in a well-ventilated cabinet.
- The length of the LED strips should be planned so that you can cut them at the designated cutting marks without damaging the electronics.
- Pay attention to the polarity (+/-), which is usually marked on the top side of the strip. Incorrect connection can destroy the LEDs.
- If controllers (e.g., remote control units) are used, they must be installed between the power supply and the LED strip.
- Even though the voltage is low, connectors and adapters should be of good quality to avoid contact issues and loose connections.
- Finally, test the LEDs thoroughly before the final installation!
If you have any further questions, I am happy to help.
rune63 schrieb:
Working with aluminum profiles sounds interesting, but I haven’t used them in furniture before.Aluminum profiles are really easy to work with! Just measure, stick them in the right spot (using 3M adhesive, which holds very well), slide in the LED strips – done. No drilling, no hassle.
And regarding heat: they actually keep LED housings cool. Plus, they look much better than bare LEDs.
Bonus: some profiles can even be fitted with small diffuser caps, which spread the light more evenly and pleasantly, eliminating harsh spots.
Keep it neat and stay relaxed!
I agree with the previous statements but would like to add that many “basic” LED strips often fall short of their promises in terms of color quality and lifespan.
For me, CRI is a key criterion, especially if you want the contents of the BESTA shelves to be well-lit and appear authentic. Cheap LEDs often show colors inaccurately, which is especially noticeable with books or textiles.
My recommendation: Don’t save money in the wrong place. Choose branded products and make sure the LEDs are marked as dimmable and remote-controllable. Otherwise, you might get frustrated after just a few months.
Regarding wiring and installation: Cleanliness and safety are important, so cable management should ideally be done using cable ducts or special clips, which also ensures long-term avoidance of loose connections.
Gafiel schrieb:
Make sure the CRI values (Color Rendering Index) are above 80 to ensure the light appears natural.
For me, CRI is a key criterion, especially if you want the contents of the BESTA shelves to be well-lit and appear authentic. Cheap LEDs often show colors inaccurately, which is especially noticeable with books or textiles.
My recommendation: Don’t save money in the wrong place. Choose branded products and make sure the LEDs are marked as dimmable and remote-controllable. Otherwise, you might get frustrated after just a few months.
Regarding wiring and installation: Cleanliness and safety are important, so cable management should ideally be done using cable ducts or special clips, which also ensures long-term avoidance of loose connections.
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