How to Add Lighting Under Cabinet

Under cabinet lighting is one of the most impactful kitchen upgrades you can make. It eliminates the shadow your body casts on the counter when working under overhead lights, dramatically improves food prep visibility, and adds a polished, professional look to any kitchen. Here's how to choose and install the right option.

Why Under Cabinet Lighting Makes Such a Difference

When you stand at a kitchen counter, your body blocks the overhead light — casting a shadow exactly where you're working. Under cabinet lights shine directly onto the counter surface from above and in front, eliminating this shadow entirely. The result: better visibility for chopping, reading recipes, and any counter task.

Types of Under Cabinet Lighting

LED Strip Lights (Most Popular)

Flexible LED strips with adhesive backing mount to the underside of cabinets and provide continuous, even illumination across the full counter length. Available in plug-in and hardwired versions.

Pros: Even light distribution, low profile, easy to cut to length, available in color-changing versions

Cons: Adhesive can fail over time in humid kitchens; requires a power source at each cabinet run

LED Puck Lights

Round LED discs that mount at intervals under the cabinet. Battery or plug-in powered.

Pros: Easy to install, no wiring, good for accent lighting

Cons: Creates pools of light with darker areas between pucks; less even than strip lights for task lighting

LED Bar Lights

Rigid LED bars that mount under the cabinet in one piece. Available in plug-in and hardwired versions.

Pros: Very even light distribution, durable, professional appearance

Cons: Fixed length — must match cabinet width; more expensive than strip lights

What You'll Need

RGB Under Cabinet LED Strip Lights Kit — app and remote control, music sync, ETL-listed power adapter, covers 16.4 feet. Adhesive mount, plug-in — no hardwiring needed. Color changing with white light modes for task lighting.
Yiliaw LED Puck Lights — battery operated alternative for cabinets without nearby outlets. Remote control, dimmer, timer included.

How to Install Plug-In LED Strip Lights Under Cabinets

Tools Needed

Measuring tape
Scissors or LED strip cutter
Cleaning cloth and isopropyl alcohol
Optional: cord clips or cable channel to manage the power cord

Step-by-Step Installation

Measure the cabinet run: Measure the total length of counter you want to illuminate. The RGB LED Strip Kit covers 16.4 feet — enough for most kitchens.
Clean the mounting surface: Wipe the underside of the cabinet with isopropyl alcohol and let dry completely. The adhesive won't bond well to a dusty or greasy surface.
Plan the layout: Decide where to position the strip — mount toward the front of the cabinet underside (closest to you) to direct light onto the counter rather than the backsplash.
Cut to length if needed: LED strips can be cut at marked cut points (usually every 2–3 inches). Cut only at the marked lines to avoid damaging the circuit.
Peel and stick: Remove the adhesive backing and press the strip firmly onto the cabinet underside. Start at one end and work toward the other, pressing firmly every few inches.
Connect sections: If your counter has multiple sections separated by a corner or gap, use the connector clips included with the kit to join strip sections.
Route the power cord: Run the cord along the cabinet underside and down the inside of the cabinet to the outlet. Use cord clips or a cable channel to keep it tidy and hidden.
Plug in and test: Connect to the power adapter, plug in, and test all sections before finalizing the cord routing.

Placement Tips for Best Results

Mount toward the front: Position the strip 1–2 inches from the front edge of the cabinet underside. This directs light down onto the counter rather than straight back at the backsplash.
Avoid the very back: Strips mounted at the back of the cabinet underside illuminate the backsplash more than the counter — less useful for task lighting.
Hide the strip behind a valance: If your cabinets have a front lip or valance, mount the strip behind it so the LED chips aren't directly visible from normal standing height.
Use 4000K for task lighting: Set the strip to cool white (4000K) for food prep — it provides the best visibility and makes food colors look accurate.

Hardwired Under Cabinet Lighting

For a permanent, cord-free installation, hardwired under cabinet lights connect directly to the home's electrical system. This requires running low-voltage wire inside the cabinets and connecting to a junction box — a job for an electrician or experienced DIYer.

When to choose hardwired:

During a kitchen renovation when walls are open
When you want a completely cord-free appearance
For a permanent installation in a home you own

Estimated cost: $200–$500 for an electrician to install hardwired under cabinet lighting in a standard kitchen.

Under Cabinet Lighting for Other Spaces

Bathroom vanity: Under-cabinet strips below the vanity cabinet illuminate the countertop for grooming tasks. Use 3000K–4000K with CRI 90+ for accurate skin tone rendering.
Workshop / garage workbench: LED bar lights or strip lights under overhead cabinets illuminate the work surface. Use 4000K–5000K for maximum visibility.
Laundry room: Under-cabinet strips above the folding counter help spot stains and sort laundry. Use 4000K for accurate color rendering.
Home bar: Color-changing LED strips under the bar cabinet create ambiance. The RGB mode of the RGB LED Strip Kit is perfect for this application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do under cabinet lights need to be hardwired?

No — plug-in LED strip lights work excellently and are much easier to install. The main downside is the power cord, which needs to be routed to an outlet. In most kitchens, there's an outlet inside a cabinet or nearby that makes this straightforward. Hardwired is only necessary if you want a completely cord-free appearance.

What color temperature is best for under cabinet kitchen lights?

4000K cool white is ideal for kitchen task lighting — it provides crisp visibility for food prep and makes food colors look accurate. If you want the option to switch between task lighting and ambiance, a color-changing strip like the RGB LED Strip Kit lets you use 4000K for cooking and warmer tones or colors for entertaining.

How do I hide the LED strip power cord?

Route the cord along the underside of the cabinet using adhesive cord clips, then run it up through a small hole drilled in the cabinet bottom into the cabinet interior, and down to an outlet inside the cabinet. Alternatively, use a paintable cord channel that mounts to the wall and blends with the cabinet color.

Will the adhesive hold long-term in a kitchen?

In most kitchens, yes — but heat and humidity near the stove can weaken adhesive over time. For strips near the stove, supplement the adhesive with small mounting clips or screws through the strip's mounting holes. Clean the surface thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol before installation for the best adhesive bond.

Quick Installation Summary

Measure counter length and choose strip length accordingly
Clean cabinet underside with isopropyl alcohol
Mount strip toward the front of the cabinet underside
Cut to length at marked cut points if needed
Route power cord inside cabinet to outlet
Set to 4000K cool white for task lighting
Enjoy shadow-free counter illumination

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