Upgrade Bathroom Cabinets With An IKEA Find That'll Illuminate Your Space

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Bathroom cabinets don't have to be dark and boring. Yes, they're typically more optimized for function than style, but that doesn't mean you can't give them a literal glow up. You can upgrade bathroom cabinets with simple IKEA spotlights that will illuminate your space. Adding these to the dark corners of a cabinet is also a great way to make your bathroom storage easier to use. 

These cabinets tend to become catch-alls for hygiene products, makeup, and even medication. Because bathroom cabinets declutter your countertops, they can greatly benefit from more light. And since there isn't much space to spare in those cabinets, spotlights need to be small and installed with minimal wiring. IKEA's MITTLED LED spotlights are a fantastic way to do just that: They are small, round LED lights that attach with adhesive or screws inside of cabinets. Often, these spotlights are best installed in closets and kitchen cabinets, but they can do a great job in bathrooms, too. 

This is a great solution for people who want something that looks professional and modern, but don't feel comfortable doing electrical work themselves. Water and moist environments significantly increase the risk of electrocution, which deters lots of people from trying it themselves. If you'd rather not spend the big bucks to hire a professional, these small LED spotlights are perfect. This requires some minimal wiring and drilling, but even beginners can figure it out with a simple drill. 

Before you dive in, come up with a plan for how many spotlights you'd like to use in your cabinet. They can attach to the ceiling of the cabinet, on the sides, or under shelves. The spotlights come with a small piece meant to conceal the wire along the surface it is attached to, but you will need to drill a small hole to allow the wire to get out of the cabinet. To attach the actual spotlight, you can screw it into the surface, or use some Hasaky 3M double sided tape for a renter-friendly setup. 

This project costs less than hiring a professional to do custom cabinet lighting, but it's not super cheap either. Each spotlight costs $15 and you'll need an IKEA RODRET wireless dimmer to turn the lights on and off, which costs an extra $9. You'll also need to spend $15 on the ANSLUTA LED driver cord necessary to attach the spotlights to an outlet. All in all, you can pay $54 for an installation with two spotlights, and $84 for four. 

If you'd prefer to skip the wiring altogether, look into cordless lighting ideas instead. For example, rechargeable LED lights, like these MCGOR Store under cabinet lights, can do the job without any cables. Of course, the issue with battery-powered lights is that you need to charge them regularly, which can be a struggle when they're stuck to the very top of your cabinet or in a back corner. Nonetheless, this might be a good solution if there are no outlets near your cabinet that could power the IKEA spotlights.