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A Matter Alpha how-to report describes adding Govee COB strip lighting to IKEA’s YXSTABY gaming side table without drilling or making permanent changes. The method uses eight 3D-printed fixtures fitted into existing screw holes, then connects the light to a Matter-compatible smart-home platform.
Matter Alpha has published a guide to adding Govee COB strip lighting inside IKEA’s YXSTABY gaming side table, using 3D-printed mounts that fit existing screw holes rather than drilling into the furniture. The approach is designed to illuminate the table’s enclosed storage and let users control basic lighting functions through a Matter-compatible smart-home platform.
The installation uses a Govee COB Strip Light 2 Pro and eight small printed fixtures: four for upper mounting points and four for lower ones. The report says the mounts are available as downloadable designs on MakerWorld. They hold the strip in place by fitting into screw holes already used in the table’s assembly, avoiding glue and additional screws.
The guide recommends installing the lights before fitting the table’s bottom panel and feet, because the open frame makes it easier to route the strip. Owners of an already assembled table can still attempt the installation, but the report says access is more difficult and requires moving the sliding panel to reach the mounting points. It describes the project as easy to moderate and says it requires a 3D printer, but no soldering.
After routing the strip around the fixtures, the installer trims the unused portion at a marked cutting point, with the power disconnected. The power cable exits through a hole in the bottom panel. The guide then pairs the light with a Matter-compatible platform such as Apple Home, Home Assistant or SmartThings. It says Matter provides basic controls, while Govee’s app offers additional effects and a calibration step for the shortened strip.
A Reversible Lighting Upgrade
The method offers YXSTABY owners a way to add interior lighting without altering the furniture. Using existing holes may appeal to people who want to avoid drilling, preserve the table’s original structure or keep the installation removable. The printed mounts also address a practical issue the report identifies: the strip’s adhesive may not hold well on the table’s wooden surfaces.
The smart-home element is also relevant for people who already use Matter devices. The guide says the light can join a compatible platform for basic power, brightness and color controls, while more elaborate animations remain in Govee’s app. That means Matter integration does not necessarily replace the manufacturer’s app for every feature.
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How the Mounting Method Works
IKEA’s YXSTABY collection was developed with Xbox for gaming spaces. The side table includes enclosed storage for controllers and other gear; the report’s author says that space is dark and saw it as a place for ambient lighting. The project adapts the table’s existing assembly points instead of treating the furniture as a surface for permanently attached lighting.
The report favors a COB strip because it produces a more continuous-looking glow than conventional strips with visibly separated LEDs. It also cautions that COB strips are relatively thick and elastic, so they can be harder to bend around tight corners. The fixtures are intended to hold the strip in a broad circular route rather than forcing sharp bends.
The author printed the mounts in translucent PETG on a Bambu Lab P2S and says PLA may also work, though the fit can vary. The guide calls for supports in the slicer. Its instructions advise checking the fit of each mount and routing the power cable through the intended opening before closing the bottom of the table.
““without drilling extra holes or making permanent changes to the furniture””
— Matter Alpha report
Fit and Feature Limits
The report documents one author’s installation and does not provide independent testing of how securely the mounts fit across different printers, materials or YXSTABY units. It says PETG was used and that PLA should work, but notes that the fit may vary; it suggests a small amount of tissue around a loose PLA mount as a workaround.
It is also unclear from the supplied report whether the printed files have been tested by a broad range of users or whether IKEA or Govee endorses the modification. The guide describes basic Matter controls but does not specify that every Govee effect or setting is available through Matter. It says advanced effects remain in the Govee Home app.
Trimming is a permanent change to the light strip: the report warns that the removed section cannot be reconnected. The source does not provide long-term results on the strip’s durability, mount retention or performance inside the table.
Check the Files and Fit
Readers following the project can download the upper and lower fixture designs from the MakerWorld listing referenced by Matter Alpha, print four of each and test the fit before installing the strip. The guide recommends keeping the strip’s power disconnected while cutting and using only its marked cut points. Anyone starting with an assembled table should allow extra time to reach the mounting locations and route the cable.
After pairing the light, users can check the Govee app’s calibration process so its effects match the remaining strip length. The supplied source gives no scheduled follow-up or wider test results, so user reports about fit and performance are the next available indicator of how consistently the method works.
Key Questions
Does the installation require drilling into the YXSTABY table?
No. The guide uses printed fixtures placed in screw holes already present in the table’s assembly. It says no extra holes, glue or additional screws are needed.
What equipment does the project require?
The report lists an IKEA YXSTABY gaming side table, a Govee COB Strip Light 2 Pro, a 3D printer and PETG or PLA filament, plus a Matter-compatible smart-home platform. A motion sensor and energy-monitoring smart plug are listed as optional.
Can the light be controlled with Matter?
The report says pairing it with a compatible platform enables basic controls such as power, brightness and color. It says Govee’s app is still needed for some advanced effects and animations.
Can the cut-off part of the light strip be reused?
The guide says the removed portion cannot be reconnected. It instructs users to disconnect power and cut only at one of the strip’s designated marks.
Source: matteralpha.com
