First LED Strip Frustration

[Spinny]

Just testing first LED strip - see photo.

Just annoyed that the kitchen fitter cut the profile slot in the centre of the shelf depth without asking. Really wanted the strip not far from the front of the shelf so it actually illuminates what is on the shelf from the front.

 

Is it remotely possible to rout a shelf panel from underneath while it is insitu ?

 

 

[Nickfromwales]

50 minutes ago, Spinny said:

Just testing first LED strip - see photo.

Just annoyed that the kitchen fitter cut the profile slot in the centre of the shelf depth without asking. Really wanted the strip not far from the front of the shelf so it actually illuminates what is on the shelf from the front.

 

Is it remotely possible to rout a shelf panel from underneath while it is insitu ?

 

 

Less shadows the way it is now.

[Andeh]

If you do manage to route out a new one, having two strip lights is even less shadows!!

 

Surely the self adhesive ones only sit a few mm proud, and would never be seen unless you stick your head in the cupboard?

[Spinny]

9 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

Less shadows the way it is now.

Valid point.

I am not a fan of the rear shelf lighting often installed as I always feel it silhouettes whatever is on the shelf rather than illuminating it. You always light a picture from above but in front. The front book cover is illuminated but the spines are in shadow. The dotted thing is lit at the top but not on the front face.

 

The other annoyance is now well lit - the three holes top right and left. The 'shelf unit' is only a wall unit without doors so it comes with holes for wall mounting predrilled in the back panel - nobody tells you in the showroom discussions of course. There are some grommets but I have kept some waste offcuts in the hope of drilling my own matching plugs.

Edited 2 hours ago by Spinny

[Nickfromwales]

You could buy a decor end panel, or squeeze the “designer” for a free one, and line the rear of the cabinet. 

[Spinny]

1 hour ago, Andeh said:

If you do manage to route out a new one, having two strip lights is even less shadows!!

 

Surely the self adhesive ones only sit a few mm proud, and would never be seen unless you stick your head in the cupboard?

Good points. The two strip lights is interesting. The fitter had somehow dissassembled the shelf unit when he routed the existing profile recess. So maybe I could persuade him to disassemble again (if he hasn't glued it up) and rout a second channel further forward and have 2 strip lights. That is if he doesn't rout me a new ****hole for being such a PITA.

 

[-rick-]

1 hour ago, Spinny said:

That is if he doesn't rout me a new ****hole for being such a PITA.

 😆

 

Offering more money will generally solve this problem. Disassembly would likely be quicker if no glue. But this could be done in place, though likely requiring a lot more time and some manual chiselling.

 

Before you do that though, I think what you've got looks fine. If you have a strip near the front you are far more likely to see it and it may have some unwanted wash onto the floor that looks weird*. Maybe live with it for a while and if still not happy then mock up something so you can see the difference.

 

Generally, when I've seen people do good looking front illumination they do it with 45 mounted strips aimed inside the unit mounted on face frames or strengthening bars (not sure if that the right name). Doesn't look like your units have been designed for that.

 

* Looks like even now you could likely benefit from a more directional lens on the strip (or maybe you haven't fitted it yet).

Edited 22 minutes ago by -rick-