Alcove lighting/LED strip advice

[drives]

Hi all,

I'm renovating a fireplace in our living room as part of a complete refurb. I've attached a photo of what it looks like now, and an AI generated image of what it will roughly look like when done hopefully. It will be clad in tiles with oak shelving:

My query is how best to install the alcove lighting strip. What I believe I need is some form of concealed compartment somewhere to have power, and store the LED driver. The fluted tiles that I have are actually full height so installing some form of hidden compartment with a removable tile section at the front will break the grout lines. Any suggestions of how best to approach this? It is an external wall.

There's definitely no other way is there, without having some form of void space to have a plug socket and the LED driver? It is only around 170mm deep

 

[ericmark]

I have found, unless you can easily turn it on/off when entering or leaving the room, after 6 months never used. So my lighting is all WiFi connected, so a single voice command can turn it off, this often means it needs a fair bit of space and a socket to supply it. I have the units hidden behind ornaments, but at this stage you can arrange some sort of box to put it all in.

 

[jj4091]

What are you going to do with the openining. You may be able to get a supply from the clock socket and run a cable down into it then through the side to your leds and conceal any controls in the chimney breast.

 

[SUNRAY]

Leave the timber shelf loose and create a void under it.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

would look better if you could get rid of the old clock socket whilst the work is in progress

 

[drives]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

I have found, unless you can easily turn it on/off when entering or leaving the room, after 6 months never used. So my lighting is all WiFi connected, so a single voice command can turn it off, this often means it needs a fair bit of space and a socket to supply it. I have the units hidden behind ornaments, but at this stage you can arrange some sort of box to put it all in.

Good shout. I was going to look at smart lighting options. We have a load of hue stuff so that's the obvious choice. Not sure if they are adjustable length though to fit in that alcove. Will need to check.

What are you going to do with the openining. You may be able to get a supply from the clock socket and run a cable down into it then through the side to your leds and conceal any controls in the chimney breast.

I was wondering what that socket was

We are probably going to put a fire of some description in it (probably bioethanol)

Leave the timber shelf loose and create a void under it.

I think that is the best potential solution- thanks!

would look better if you could get rid of the old clock socket whilst the work is in progress

Yes if that is the strange looking socket above the current mantlepiece then it is definitely going.

 

[CrazeUK]

Leave the timber shelf loose and create a void under it.

I definitely second this one.
It will make it serviceable.

Additionally I would add, putting the strip in a aluminium channel that can be removed (i like slightly over engineering), as many LEDs will go faulty and start looking untidy.

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you knock the bricks out from the left of the fireplace and rebuild with a wooden frame, that will create more space (unless you dont need it).

 

[drives]

I definitely second this one.
It will make it serviceable.

Additionally I would add, putting the strip in a aluminium channel that can be removed (i like slightly over engineering), as many LEDs will go faulty and start looking untidy.

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you knock the bricks out from the left of the fireplace and rebuild with a wooden frame, that will create more space (unless you dont need it).

Thanks. Good suggestion with wooden frame.

 

[ericmark]

I look at my own and I want to improve it. I have never used the grate, it is there for emergency, should I have a problem with the oil fired central heating. The Labour government in 1978-9 resulted in wanting the ability to heat the home without electric. And the chimney is handy to put the AC exhaust up in the summer. But most of the time, not used, so I can see how it would be good to design a fire surround which can be altered quickly and look less utility to my own.

Clearly the chimney and floor vent need to remain, but having something to hide them when not in use seems a good idea. I also want something to the side of the fire place so used an Ikea unit it was selected to fit under the TV but keep the TV low enough to be view as a reasonable compromise angle.

I would be looking at something like this which will allow you to hide some items behind doors. Well likely keep the existing stone look, would give me a use for my new angle grinder.

 

[drives]

@ericmark interesting idea. Probably not for me in terms of incorporating built in cupboards as I like the simplicity of our proposed design. Good luck with your project though as and when you start it. Will be making a start on mine next week

 

[Murdochcat]

Replace the clock socket with a standard switch and run the supply to the driver from there

 

[ericmark]

Clock sockets had a 1 amp fuse, 13 amp sockets are 13 times bigger, so need to work out what the supply is, maybe from the lights, one can fit grid switch 13 amp sockets with a fuse included, or simply mark socket lights only, can label under plug so only seen when lights are unplugged, but before you use the clock socket, do check what the supply is. The clock sockets today are very expensive, I did like them, but not at today's prices.