Under-cabinet lighting

Why under-cabinet lights help

Ceiling lights sit behind you when you work at the counter, so your body casts a shadow right where you are cutting. Lights under the upper cabinets throw light straight onto the counter. They also make a kitchen feel finished and work as a soft night light.

Options

• Plug-in LED bars link together and plug into a counter outlet. Cords run along the back of the cabinet.
• Battery puck lights mount anywhere and need no wiring, but need battery changes.
• Low-voltage LED tape with a plug-in driver gives an even line of light.
• Hardwired fixtures connect to an existing switched box under the cabinets, where one exists.

Installation tips

Mount lights toward the front edge of the cabinet bottom so light reaches the front of the counter and the fixtures are hidden from view. Use aluminum channels with diffusers for tape lights to avoid visible dots. Hide cords with clips and route them through the cabinet when possible. Choose a color temperature that matches other kitchen lights.

Scope

Our electrical fixture repairs overview lists the electrical work we take on.

New hardwired switches or junction boxes under the cabinets are not work we take on.

Measuring for lights

Measure each cabinet bottom between the side panels and note the face frame lip depth. Light bars should be a little shorter than the run. Note where the nearest outlets are, since plug-in systems need a cord path. Corner cabinets may need short lengths or connectors.

Color and brightness

Pick a color temperature that matches ceiling lights. Brightness depends on use; prep areas benefit from brighter lights, while display areas can be softer. Dimmable kits give flexibility.

Switching options

Plug-in kits often come with an inline switch, a touch dimmer or a remote. Smart plugs can put them on a schedule. Motion-activated strips turn on when you approach the counter.

Glare and reflections

Shiny counters reflect light. Diffused bars and mounting toward the front of the cabinet reduce glare in the eyes.

What to send

Photos of the cabinets, counter and nearest outlets, and the kit you are considering.

More questions

Do lights heat the cabinet? LEDs produce little heat.

Can lights go above cabinets? Yes, for accent lighting, plug-in.

Can I install them myself? Plug-in kits are DIY-friendly; we help when you want a cleaner install.

Hardwired versus plug-in

Hardwired lighting gives the cleanest look, with no cords and a wall switch. It needs an existing switched circuit and box under the cabinets; without one, a plug-in system is the simpler choice. Plug-in systems cost less and install quickly, with cords tucked along the backsplash. Many owners start with plug-in lights and decide later whether to hardwire.

Cabinet types

Cabinets with a recessed bottom hide lights well. Flat-bottom cabinets may need a light rail molding to hide the fixture. Glass-door cabinets can take small puck lights inside to show off dishes.

Common problems

• Lights flicker: a loose connection between bars or a weak plug-in driver.
• Uneven light: gaps between bars or tape without a diffuser.
• Lights falling: adhesive failed; screw-mount clips hold better.
• Cords visible: route through the cabinet or along the backsplash with clips.

Combining with outlets

Some under-cabinet power strips combine outlets with lights. They connect to existing circuits.

Cleaning

Grease near the stove can coat light lenses. Wipe them with a mild cleaner with the power off.

Planning the layout

Start by sketching the cabinet runs on paper and marking outlets, the sink, the range hood and any corner cabinets. Decide which runs need light most, usually the prep area and the counter next to the stove. Plug-in bars link from one cabinet to the next with short jumper cables that run along the back edge.

Where a run is interrupted by a window or hood, a separate kit or a longer jumper bridges the gap. We mount bars with screws, not just adhesive, so they stay put as the kitchen heats and cools.

Coffee bars and pantries

Under-shelf lights brighten coffee stations, pantry shelves and bookcases. Battery or plug-in strips work well in these spots.

Hiding the strips

Mounting the light toward the front edge of the cabinet bottom throws light onto the counter instead of the backsplash glare. A small lip or valance hides the strip from anyone seated at the table.

Hardwired or plug-in

Plug-in kits run to a nearby outlet and cost less to install. Hardwired kits tie into an existing switch leg when one is available in the wall. We look before you buy.

Glossy counters

On polished stone, diffused strips avoid bright dots reflecting back at you.

Switching

A rocker on the light bar, a touch dimmer, or a wall switch: we help you pick the control that is easiest to reach while cooking.