I've always wanted undercabinet lighting!
When talking about subtle but powerful upgrades to the home under cabinet lighting always pops up. It can create an atmosphere change or simply light up shelving and counter tops. When searching for the proper lighting, questions like these always come up:
- What kind of lights do I need?
- Do I need to run power to the lighting and a switch?
- what lighting color is best for my enviornment?
- How long will it take to install?
- Do I need to hire a professional?
- How much will this cost me?
- How bright will it be?
The truth of the matter is that this project can be as difficult or as simple; as cheap or expensive as you wish. With all of the different products out there, there is a solution for every situation!
Let's discuss the different features
Every question can have a multitude of answers. With under cabinet lighting there are many different kinds so lets go over the key differences:
- Wired or battery powered
- Attached using screws or adhesive
- Switch or remote
- Normal or color changing
- Puck lights or LED bars
Some of these differences come down to preference. What color the light is, if it’s a puck versus a bar, if it can change colors, etc. For your lighting color, you should try to match what color is already in your home.
- Warm white (2700K)
- Soft white (3000K)
- Neutral white (3500K)
- Bright white (4000K)
As far as the puck versus LED bar, it really depends on your installation space. If you have the space under the cabinet, the bar will output light more evenly. There are also some great puck light solutions.
But how do I choose???
No worries! Your Lively Home has chosen some options that should suit most needs. We understand not every DDIYer has the skills or tools; so we have picked professional and DIY friendly products.
Quick note: It is always better to get more lumens and dim down for brightness. If you are unsure of what color to choose, I would suggest soft white or neutral white as they are more neutral.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
LED Bars:
This kit includes four color options and six LED bars that connet to each other via daisy chain connectors. Each bar is 2000 Lumens and comes with a dimmer. You plug this set into an existing plug and is controlled by the dimmer which takes the brightness from 0~100%. It has the option to screw to the cabinet or use double sided sticky tape.
Torchstar 6 Piece 12″ LED Strips:
This six piece kit includes six LED strips with two color buying options. This kit has many options other than just under the cabinets in your kitchen. It can be connected to Alexa and activated by voice control. It plugs into a regular receptacle and has an inline dimmer switch.
BLS 14″ 180 Lumen Adjustable Motion Light:
This light is a special pick because it is small, simple, and adjustable. It can adjust to the desired angle between 90~180 degrees. With the motion sensor, you wouldn’t have to worry about manual activation. We would recommend choosing a better suited light for your kitchen; but this light is a diverse option for closets, shelves, etc.
Lepotec 12″ 300 Lumen Rechargable Motion Light (2pack):
As the previous light, this one is special being rechargable, magnetic, and motion activated. With a 2500mAh battery and USB charging, this light provides options much more than just in your kitchen.
Puck Lights:
This set comes as a 1, 4, or 6 piece kit with a remote for power and dimming. The remote also comes with the ability to set a timer to automatically turn the lights off. These puck lights do require batteries and make for a good solution for smaller areas.
Brilliant Evolution Puck Lights:
This puck light set comes in quantities of 1, 2, 3, and 6 pieces. They have 100 hour run time at 100% brightness of 55 lumens. These puck lights are battery operated and come with a remote to control brightness and an included timer.
For a hardwired option, this set of ten pucks can be hardwired or plugged into a receptacle. It comes with a remote and two color options, daylight and warm white. This makes for a great option if you don’t want to have to worry about changing batteries every few months.
