The retrofit installation of LED strips is relatively easy in many locations. The most important factor to consider is determining where to get the power supply for the LED strip. In most cases, low-voltage LED strips are preferred, as they provide more flexibility and customization options. These strips always require a driver. Therefore, it is important to consider how to route the power to the driver and from the driver to the LED strip.
It’s also important to determine how the LED strip will be controlled. Our selection includes drivers and receivers that can be operated with wireless switches—meaning it’s often enough to simply provide power to the driver from any nearby source.
If your home already has a lighting control system in place, it’s best to choose a driver that is compatible with that system.
Our sales team is happy to help you find the right products for your needs!
Light for the TV stand or feature wall
When it comes to LED lighting for a TV stand or feature wall, it’s a great chance to get creative. In most cases, the purpose of the lighting here is to create a cozy and ambient atmosphere, rather than provide strong illumination.
Lighting under the TV stand is often easy to implement, as there are usually power outlets nearby for other electronics. All you need is to supply power to the driver, which then powers the LED strip. The driver can be controlled using wireless switches, which can be placed wherever is most convenient.
Retrofitting an LED strip into a TV corner is easiest when custom wall structures are built. In the example image, one of our customers has created a stunning TV corner where both the lighting and the TV are beautifully integrated into the background.
These types of wall solutions make it possible to hide cables and technical components, ensuring that nothing unsightly remains visible.
Retrofit installation of an LED strip behind a cornice board
Lighting installed behind a cornice board has been popular for quite some time—earlier, similar setups were often done with fluorescent tubes. Nowadays, LED strips are the go-to solution behind cornice boards.
Retrofit installation of an LED strip behind a cornice board is extremely easy. Often one of the simplest places for LED strip installation. In most cases, the driver fits between the cornice board and the windows, meaning the only visible part of the setup is the cable running down to the outlet.
If you’re replacing an old fluorescent light with an LED strip, there’s often no visible cabling at all, as the power supply is usually already in place behind the cornice board.
The solution adds ambiance and extra light, but it cannot serve as the room’s only light source, as the light doesn’t project strongly enough from behind the cornice board to illuminate the entire space.
One of the greatest advantages of this type of lighting is that when using a sheer curtain, an LED strip installed between the window and the curtain lights up the fabric—creating a soft glow that also helps block the view into the home from outside.
Retrofitting an LED strip in the living room
Retrofitting an LED strip in the living room is relatively easy. All that’s needed is a power source for the driver, and from there, a connection to the LED strip.
Living rooms typically have multiple power outlets, and often there are shelves or cabinets where the driver can be neatly hidden from view.
In most cases, LED strip lighting in the living room is desired near the ceiling or along the wall. The LED strip profile works best when installed from end to end across the room, allowing the power feed to be neatly routed down to the driver in a corner.
Of course, there are exceptions, and if you’re considering an LED strip retrofit installation, it’s a good idea to consult a professional for tips and guidance.
Retrofitting an LED strip on a wall
Retrofitting an LED strip on a wall requires more careful planning. Where will I hide the driver? Where should the power be routed from? What type of profile should I choose for the installation?
If you want a profile that emits light both upward and downward, it’s best to install it about 40–60 cm from the ceiling (in rooms with standard ceiling height). Next, consider how to route the wiring cleanly to the driver. For example, if there’s a closet on the other side of the wall, the cable can be run through the wall into the closet, and the driver installed there. This way, no wiring remains visible on the LED strip side.
If the driver will remain in the same room, it’s best to run the cables neatly from the profile down to the floor in a cable duct. The cleanest result is achieved when the wiring can be routed through a corner of the room.
LED strip installed under a bathroom or WC countertop
Retrofitting an LED strip under a WC or bathroom countertop can sometimes be a bit challenging. In WC and bathroom spaces, it’s uncommon to have a power supply near the floor. When installing under the countertop, it’s important to consider moisture protection requirements and determine where the power will come from. If part of the vanity is full-height, the power cable can often be discreetly routed—using, for example, a tall cabinet like a mirror cabinet—to bring the supply down to the underside of the countertop.
If you want the LED strip to turn on automatically when entering the space, a motion sensor can be used. Alternatively, if you prefer to control the LED strip with a wall switch, that’s also possible. Control can be achieved using either wireless switches or a traditional wall switch—by connecting the LED strip to the same circuit as, for example, a mirror cabinet.
Retrofit installation above kitchen cabinets
Retrofitting an LED strip above kitchen cabinets is usually easy, depending on the cabinet structure. The most important thing to determine first is where to get power for the LED strip’s driver. Common sources of power in the kitchen include behind the range hood, behind the refrigerator, or behind the microwave.
Here too, the lights can be controlled with wireless switches if desired. In most cases, an LED strip installed above kitchen cabinets serves as ambient or accent lighting, rather than general lighting—it doesn’t help illuminate the inside of the cabinets.
Retrofit installation for base board
Retrofitting an LED strip into a kitchen base board is possible, depending on the availability of power. When installing LED strips in the kitchen base area, it’s important to consider appliances and any ventilation grilles they may have. In some cases—for example, with dishwashers that tilt forward—the profile mounted under the cabinet may become detached. In such situations, it may be better to use a profile that can be mounted directly onto the base board itself, such as a 45-degree angled profile.
Retrofitting an LED strip under or at the head of a bed
Retrofitting an LED strip under or at the head of a bed is easy in most homes, as there are typically power outlets on both sides of the bed from which the LED strip’s driver can be powered.
An LED strip installed under the bed works excellently as a night light when you want to avoid overly bright lighting. This type of setup is effective because it also prevents glare. It works well in both modern and more traditional homes. If desired, it can create the illusion of a “floating bed” by installing the LED strip all the way around the bed frame. A wireless switch should be placed close to the bed so it can be easily found in the dark of night.
You can create a variety of solutions with an LED strip for the headboard—the only limit is your imagination! In the headboard, the LED strip can be used as a reading light or to create ambiance, depending on the installation method.
Retrofitting an LED strip in a sauna
As with other locations, we recommend first determining the installation spot for the driver in a sauna. Retrofitting an LED strip into a sauna is often quite straightforward, as the power can usually be taken from the existing sauna light.
The most popular choices are installing the LED strip in the backrest or under the bench. The LED strip used in a sauna must be moisture-protected. We also recommend reinforcing the ends after the strip has been installed in its profile. In a sauna, I would only ever use low-voltage strips due to the moisture. In addition to moisture, the temperature must be considered: LED strips cannot withstand high heat, which is why we do not recommend ceiling installations.
The driver should be installed in a location where it won’t be unnecessarily exposed to heat, such as under the bench. It must be moisture-protected or placed in a moisture-protected enclosure. The cables from the driver to the strip should be heat-protected—especially if the strip is installed in the backrest.
You can control the strip either with the sauna’s existing switch or with wireless buttons. The control method, along with the desired features of the strip, will determine the choice of driver.
