There are three ways to put lights in shelves: clip a shelf light to the back edge, use an illuminated glass shelf, or run LED strip in a slim profile along each shelf.
Shelf lighting makes open shelving, alcoves and dressers easier to use and shows off what is on them. This guide walks through each method with the Sensio shelving LED lights that suit it, so you can pick by the shelf you have. Shop the full range of shelf and drawer lighting.
Method 1: a shelf light on the back edge
This is the simplest way to light wooden shelving, open or inside a cabinet, because nothing needs routing and the shelf stays full depth.
Genoa clips onto the back of an 18mm shelf and throws light up and down at the same time. One light lights the shelf above and the one below. It has two pre-installed LED strips behind a diffuser, so the light is even with no visible dots. It is 563mm long and gives 601 lumens in cool white (4500K).
Vertex is a slim shelf light, 6.4mm thick, with the strip already fitted. It sits on the back of the shelf board, so there is no need to cut the shelf short. The power cable exits from the back, so it can run the full width of the shelf with no exposed wires. It gives natural white light (4000K), comes in 462mm, 562mm and 962mm lengths, can be cut to length and fixes with VHB adhesive tape.
Choose Genoa when you want light on the shelf above and below. Choose Vertex for a clean, single line of light.
Vertex LED shelf light.
Method 2: an illuminated glass shelf
Here the glass carries the light, so the shelf itself glows.
Torino is a complete illuminated glass wall shelf. The LEDs sit inside the aluminium frame and the light travels through the tempered glass. It comes in 600mm and 900mm lengths, in black or silver, is 200mm deep and carries up to 10kg. It suits glassware, books and ornaments in kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms.
If you already have glass shelves, Glow attaches to the back of a 4mm to 8mm glass shelf with a push-fit and lights through the glass, so the light flows out into the room. It comes in natural or cool white. Glow Pro does the same with adjustable white, from 2850K to 6000K.
Glow glass shelf light in natural white.
Method 3: LED strip in a profile
For long runs of shelving, alcoves and media walls, LED strip in a slim LED profile along the front or back of each shelf gives a continuous line of light.
Fino is a surface mounted aluminium profile with a diffuser to hide the LED points, in aluminium or black. Linia is a recessed profile for a flush fit, routed into the shelf, with small wings that cover any rough edges. Both are part of our Universal range, which works with any Sensio flexible strip.
For help choosing, read what is an LED profile, how to choose an LED profile and COB vs SMD LED strip.
Linia recessed aluminium LED profile.
Shelf lighting ideas by space
Alcove shelves. Alcoves often have several wooden shelves at the same width. Genoa or Vertex on each shelf lights the whole alcove. For alcoves either side of a TV, see our media wall lighting ideas.
Kitchen dressers. Genoa on 18mm dresser shelves lights plates and jars from above and below. If the dresser has glass shelves or doors, see our display cabinet lighting ideas.
Floating shelves and wall shelves. Torino is a lit glass wall shelf in its own right, so there is no separate fitting to hide.
Bookcases and home office shelving. Vertex gives a slim line under each shelf without cutting it short.
Cupboard shelves with no power. A rechargeable light such as Strata or Opus fits with a magnetic plate and needs no wiring. See all battery lighting.
Back of a wall unit. Expanse is a slim back panel that fits inside a kitchen wall unit and lights the whole cabinet from behind. It gives 1300 lumens in natural white and fixes with magnetic brackets.
Powering and switching shelf lights
Genoa, Vertex, Torino, Glow, Glow Pro and Expanse are all 24V and run from a Sensio 24V LED driver. The 24V side is plug and play. The driver's mains connection should be made by a qualified electrician. To size it, add up the watts of every light and every metre of strip, or read what size LED driver do I need.
A door or PIR sensor can switch the lights on only when a cupboard is open or someone is in the room. See which LED light sensor do you need. Torino, Vertex, Glow and Glow Pro dim with the right receiver or a smart driver.
Torino, Genoa, Vertex and Expanse are covered by the Sensio 7 year guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How do you put lights in shelves without routing?
Use a shelf light that fixes to the back edge. Genoa clips onto an 18mm shelf, and Vertex sits on the back of the shelf board with VHB tape. Neither needs a routed channel.
What is the best shelf lighting for an alcove?
For wooden alcove shelves, Genoa lights up and down from each shelf, and Vertex gives a slim line under each one. For long runs, LED strip in a profile gives a continuous line.
Can I light glass shelves?
Yes. Glow and Glow Pro fit the back of 4mm to 8mm glass shelves and light through the glass. Torino is a complete lit glass shelf.
Do shelving LED lights need an electrician?
The 24V lights plug into a driver, which needs a mains connection by a qualified electrician. Rechargeable lights such as Strata and Opus need no electrical installation.
How much weight does Torino hold?
Torino carries up to 10kg.
