Dear Designing Solutions: My wife and I are having floor to ceiling bookshelves made. Where is the best place to have the lighting strip placed? In the front of the bookshelves, under each shelf or in the back of each shelf? We going for the dramatic effect rather than necessarily trying to highlight the things on the shelves like photos, vases, etc. E Clark
Dear E Clark: You will not achieve dramatic lighting with the small lighting strips that are installed inside the shelving unit itself. Think about it and weigh the pros and cons for yourself- these are small lights that are intended to bring life to the objects placed on each shelf. Whether to install them in the front or back of the shelf depends on what is going on the shelf. If you are placing books, keep the lighting in front. Small decorative objects will look good with lighting placed further back.
Another, more dramatic option is to install 3 3/4 inch low voltage recessed lights in the ceiling JUST IN FRONT of the bookshelf units. This lighting will wash the bookshelves in bright light and give a more dramatic, architectural effect. We like to use “pinholes” from Lightolier. The light will be well concealed in the ceiling so that no stray light escapes from the fixture, but the beam is bright and focused and will “pop” your bookshelves. Install one fixture about six inches out from each unit for the best effect.
You can always visit a local lighting design store- most will have these kind of recessed lights on display so that you can see them in action before installing them in your own home.
With Love,
Debbie
Interior Designer to the Slobs
