Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the perfect atmosphere and functionality in any kitchen. One of the most popular and effective ways to enhance your kitchen’s lighting is by incorporating under cabinet lights. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or simply looking to upgrade your lighting, understanding the different types and benefits of under cabinet lighting is essential. This complete guide to under cabinet lighting will help you navigate your options, from installation tips to energy-saving solutions, ensuring that you make the best choice for your kitchen.

5 Reasons You Want to Have Under Cabinet Lighting

When designing your new kitchen, lighting is just as important as the layout, appliances, and finishes. While traditional overhead lighting has its place, under cabinet lighting offers targeted illumination that can enhance both the functionality and ambiance of your space.

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Under cabinet lights provide the perfect balance of style and practicality, eliminating shadows on countertops and making cooking, prep work, and reading recipes easier. Whether you opt for LED strips, puck lights, or hardwired options, this simple upgrade can transform your kitchen into a well-lit, inviting area.

In this complete guide to under cabinet lighting, let’s explore also the top five reasons you should consider adding this lighting solution to your kitchen.

  • Enhanced Task Lighting: Under cabinet lighting provides the perfect solution to eliminate shadows on your countertops. It makes tasks like chopping, measuring, or reading recipes easier and more efficient.
  • Flexible Lighting Solutions: Whether you’re preparing a meal or creating a mood for a special evening, under cabinet lighting lets you adjust your lighting levels to suit your needs. It works well alongside overhead lighting or on its own to offer a softer glow.
  • Added Ambiance: Customizing the ambiance of your kitchen or dining area is easy with under cabinet lights. Use them to create the right atmosphere for everything from casual late-night snacks to romantic dinners.
  • Energy Efficiency: Despite their small size, under cabinet lights, especially LED options, are incredibly energy-efficient. With a dimmer switch, you can minimize power usage while still enjoying optimal illumination.
  • Low Cost: Upgrading your kitchen with under cabinet lighting is an affordable option compared to other remodeling choices like new countertops or appliances. It’s an inexpensive way to enhance your space and boost its overall appeal.

If you have traditional kitchen cabinets, under cabinet lighting can add a modern touch while highlighting the classic appeal of your cabinetry. The warm glow can complement the natural wood finishes and intricate designs, making your kitchen feel both functional and inviting.

The Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting

Before we start with the benefits of under cabinet lighting, let’s get the terminology correct: We’re talking about under cabinet lighting, which is lighting mounted on the underside of the upper wall cabinets. If you have Italian kitchen cabinets, under cabinet lighting can enhance their elegance and functionality. This is often called under counter lighting, however, that’s an incorrect term. You can also have under counter lighting, which would mean you mount a small strip of lights on the underside of the countertop. This type of lighting is purely decorative.

under cabinet lighting
  • Increased Quality of Light: One of the benefits of under cabinet lighting is that under cabinet lighting enhances your kitchen’s lighting by illuminating the countertop, ensuring you have better visibility when working, especially in areas where overhead lighting creates shadows. This is a key point in any complete guide to under cabinet lighting.
  • Improved Work Environment: Direct lighting on the countertop creates a more pleasant and functional workspace, making kitchen tasks easier and safer.
  • Easy Installation: Whether you’re installing under cabinet lighting during a kitchen renovation or afterward, the process is simple and straightforward.
  • Energy Savings: Under cabinet lighting can help reduce your energy bills by providing focused lighting on the work area without needing to illuminate the entire room. Energy savings increase when using LED lights and controlling lighting sections with separate switches.
  • Increased Home Value: A beautifully lit kitchen boosts the value of your home. On average, you can expect to recover about 60% of the cost of a major kitchen remodel, with higher payback in a hot market. Adding affordable, well-designed features like under cabinet lighting is an excellent way to improve your return on investment.

Types of Under Cabinet Lights

When selecting under cabinet lighting, the two most popular options are strip lights and spotlights:

  • Strip Lights: These feature a long, narrow sequence of lights, either as a continuous bulb or a flexible band with multiple LEDs. They provide seamless illumination across a wide area, making them ideal for task lighting and ambiance.
  • Spotlights: These are individual lights that focus illumination on a specific area. They can be used independently as accent lighting or arranged in a series for a more targeted effect.

In addition to the lighting style, the type of bulb you choose plays a significant role in functionality:

  • Fluorescent Lights: A budget-friendly, energy-efficient option with a long lifespan, though they take up to a minute to reach full brightness.
  • LED Lights: The preferred choice in any complete guide to under cabinet lighting, LEDs offer high energy efficiency, a long lifespan, and instant full illumination. They can also be paired with a dimmer switch for adjustable brightness.

When selecting your lighting, consider the aesthetics of your space, especially if you have modern kitchen cabinets. Sleek, contemporary cabinetry pairs perfectly with under cabinet lighting, providing both function and style. By understanding the different lighting structures and bulb types, you can make an informed decision when following this complete guide to under cabinet lighting, ensuring the perfect setup for your kitchen.

under cabinet lighting
Integrated LED lights like these are placed behind a piece of frosted glass creating subtle, even lighting.

Mounting & Installation

Understanding the installation of under cabinet lighting is key. How does under cabinet lighting work? Integrated lighting is typically hidden behind frosted glass or polycarbonate, providing an even wash of light across the countertop. Strip lights or puck lights should be mounted on the underside of upper cabinets toward the front for optimal coverage. Mounting them too far back will reduce the lit area.

 

Where to Install It

Both strip lights and spotlights offer unique installation benefits, allowing you to customize your kitchen lighting based on the features you want to emphasize. Whether you’re looking for a modern touch or enhanced functionality, there are several ways to arrange under cabinet lighting to achieve the perfect look.

  • Low Lights: Installing under cabinet lights at the base of your kitchen units creates a sleek, contemporary effect. If you can’t fit lights around the entire layout, consider highlighting one wall for a stylish accent. This approach is also popular in ideas for laundry room cabinets, adding a touch of sophistication to utility spaces.
  • Create a Zone: Designate a food prep area by placing under cabinet lights above an integrated chopping board or worktop. This enhances both function and style, making your kitchen workspace more efficient. This zoning technique is also useful about bathroom design, where lighting can define specific areas like vanity spaces or shower enclosures.
  • Illuminate the Entire Kitchen: If your kitchen is small or lacks natural light, installing under cabinet lighting throughout the entire layout adds brightness and enhances functionality. This is particularly helpful in kitchens with limited ceiling space, ensuring ample light for both cooking and socializing.
  • Showcase Your Treasures: Under cabinet spotlights can be used creatively to highlight a cherished artwork or display an elegant set of crockery. Placing them beneath an open cabinet can draw attention to your prized items on the shelf below.

By following this complete guide to under cabinet lighting, you can choose the best installation method to elevate your kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom space.

under cabinet lighting
The temperature of the lighting in your kitchen should reflect the temperature of the color scheme you choose.

Choosing the Perfect Colors and Finishes

A wide variety of colors and finishes are available to complement your chosen décor. In our kitchen under cabinet lighting guide, you can explore elegant metallic tones like bronze, nickel, silver, brass, copper, gold, chrome, pewter, and stainless steel.

For a subtle touch, clear and glass finishes will illuminate your kitchen while maintaining the integrity of your existing design.

If you’re feeling adventurous, bold colors such as blues, greens, oranges, and reds can make a striking statement. For a more neutral aesthetic, options like grays, browns, blacks, whites, and transparent finishes are perfect.

To add a warm, inviting feel, consider a wood finish, which blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchen cabinets and adds a natural element to under-cabinet lighting.

How to Style Your Kitchen with Under Cabinet Lighting Ideas

You can enhance your kitchen design by incorporating under cabinet lighting that complements your space.

For example, glossy, light-colored surfaces reflect light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. If your kitchen lacks natural light, consider using gloss-finished cabinets and worktops along with under cabinet lights to make the space feel more lively. A kitchen under cabinet lighting guide can help you choose the right setup for your needs

On the other hand, darker colors or wooden finishes absorb light, giving your kitchen a calm and cozy ambiance. Pairing under cabinet lighting with rich or matte-colored cabinets and countertops can help create a more relaxed mood.

Whether you’re chopping salad, flipping through a magazine, or enjoying a delicious dessert, under cabinet lighting is a simple addition that can instantly transform your kitchen’s look and feel. As part of our complete guide to under cabinet lighting, always ensure electrical work is done by a licensed professional. Our installation experts are available to help you brighten up your space.

To bring these kitchen cabinet lighting ideas to life, contact us to schedule a visit to your nearest showroom.

Conclusion

Under-cabinet lighting is an essential element for both enhancing the ambiance and improving the functionality of your kitchen or workspace. By choosing the right type of lighting, ensuring proper installation, and considering factors like energy efficiency and design, you can create a well-lit environment that enhances both aesthetics and practicality. This complete guide to under-cabinet lighting has provided you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, ensuring your lighting choices perfectly complement your space while offering optimal brightness and energy savings.

Ready to plan your kitchen? Download our kitchen design guide