TL;DR
Get kitchen gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A Matter Alpha report describes adding a Govee COB light strip inside IKEA’s YXSTABY gaming side table, using 3D-printed mounts that fit existing screw holes instead of drilling or permanent fasteners. The lights can be paired with a Matter-compatible smart-home platform, while Govee’s app provides additional effects and strip-length calibration.
Matter Alpha has published a DIY guide for adding Govee COB lighting inside IKEA’s YXSTABY gaming side table without drilling new holes or permanently altering the furniture. The installation uses small, 3D-printed fixtures seated in the table’s existing screw holes, and the light strip can be paired with a Matter-compatible smart-home platform.
The project addresses the table’s enclosed, dark storage area by routing a Govee COB Strip Light 2 Pro around the inside of the furniture. The report says the strip’s continuous-looking illumination and multicolor effects suit ambient lighting, but its thickness and elasticity can make it difficult to bend around tight corners. Its adhesive backing may also be unsuitable for some of the table’s wooden surfaces.
Rather than relying on that adhesive, the guide uses two types of printed mounts: four for upper mounting points and four for lower points. They press into holes already used during IKEA assembly, so the report says the fixtures require no extra screws or glue. The author printed the parts in translucent PETG and says PLA may also work, though the fit can vary. The files are available through MakerWorld, according to the report.
The light strip is routed through the mounts, shaped into a broad loop and trimmed at a marked cutting point after the power is disconnected. Its cable exits through a hole in the table’s bottom panel. After installation, users can add the strip to a platform such as Apple Home, Home Assistant or SmartThings for basic controls including power, brightness and color. The guide says Govee’s own app is still needed to recalibrate the shortened strip and access more advanced effects.
A Reversible Lighting Upgrade
The project offers a practical option for people who want lighting inside gaming furniture without drilling into a new table or committing to adhesive that may not hold well. Using existing mounting holes makes the change reversible in principle: the printed fixtures can be removed, and the supplied report describes no permanent furniture changes.
It also shows the distinction between Matter’s core controls and a manufacturer’s app features. Pairing the strip with a smart-home platform can bring basic lighting controls into a broader setup, but the report says custom animations and other advanced options remain in Govee Home. Buyers seeking a single-app experience should not assume Matter exposes every effect.
Products Worth Considering
Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO 11-Inch Crepe Pan with Rateau
Ninja PossibleCooker PRO 8-in-1 Multi-Cooker, 8.5 qt, Sea Salt Gray (MC1001)
Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Black
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
YXSTABY and the Lighting Setup
IKEA’s YXSTABY collection was developed with Xbox for gaming spaces, according to the supplied report. The side table has storage for controllers, accessories and other gear, but its enclosed compartment can be dim. The lighting project uses that interior as the location for an ambient strip rather than adding an external light source.
The installation is described as easy to moderate, with no soldering required, but it does depend on access to a 3D printer and careful assembly. The guide recommends installing the mounts while the table is partly assembled, before fitting the bottom panel and feet, because the open structure makes routing easier. People working with an already assembled table may need to reposition the sliding panel to reach the mounting points.
“The installation requires no drilling, soldering or permanent modification to the furniture.”
— Matter Alpha report
Fit, Compatibility and Limits
The supplied report does not give independent testing of the fixtures’ long-term hold, their fit across different printers or filament settings, or whether repeated removal affects the table’s existing holes. It says PETG was used by the author and PLA may work, but the fit may vary. Users should check the printed parts and strip placement before closing the table.
The source also does not specify the installed strip’s final length, provide measured brightness or power-use results, or confirm that every feature works identically across Matter platforms. It identifies Apple Home, Home Assistant and SmartThings as examples, while noting that some effects stay in Govee’s app. Compatibility and available controls may depend on the platform and product setup.
Pairing and Final Setup
After installing the strip, the guide’s next steps are to power it on, pair it with a chosen Matter-compatible platform and open Govee Home to recalibrate the cut length. Users should follow the strip’s marked cutting points and disconnect power before trimming, as the report says the removed section cannot be reconnected.
The supplied material does not announce a follow-up test or product release. Anyone attempting the project will need to consult the MakerWorld files and IKEA’s assembly guide, then check that the cable is routed through the bottom-panel opening before completing assembly. The report does not provide a schedule for further updates.
Key Questions
Does this installation require drilling into the YXSTABY table?
No. The guide uses 3D-printed fixtures fitted into existing screw holes and says it makes no new holes or permanent changes.
What lighting does the project use?
The report uses a Govee COB Strip Light 2 Pro. The strip is routed around the interior of the table and trimmed at a marked cutting point to fit.
Can the lights be controlled through Matter?
The report says the strip can be paired with a Matter-compatible platform such as Apple Home, Home Assistant or SmartThings for basic controls, including power, brightness and color. It says some advanced effects remain in Govee Home.
What equipment is needed to make the mounts?
The project requires access to a 3D printer and filament. The author used translucent PETG; the report says PLA may also work, though the fit can vary. The mount files are listed on MakerWorld.
Can the project be done after the table is assembled?
The guide says it can, but reaching the mounting points may be more difficult and require moving the sliding panel. It recommends fitting the lights while the table is partly assembled, before adding the bottom panel and feet.
Source: matteralpha.com
