How to Safely Install Under Cabinet Lighting in Kitchen (with Pictures)

Category: Best Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Under-cabinet lights are more than just decorations in your kitchen. It not only maintains a pleasing visual ambiance but it also makes kitchen work easier by reducing shadows under those cabinets. In the long run, under cabinet lighting can help reduce eyestrain and even stress.

Since under cabinet lighting systems let you use a wide variety of bulbs, you are free to use any bulb types and designs. Now, installing under cabinet lights can be a little intimidating. Let this guide on how to install under cabinet lighting walk you through the process.

Getting a Lighting Set

Determine the type of lighting set you will need for your kitchen. You can choose between LEDs, fluorescents, incandescent, xenon, and halogen. If you can’t decide on a lighting type, then try an LED lighting set. LEDs usually go well with any kitchen design.

Also, since LEDs consume less energy than most of its counterparts, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Under-cabinet lighting sets come in different designs so feel free to choose designs that suit your taste. You can check out various lighting designs on local stores or online sellers.

Sale

WOBANE Under Cabinet LED Lighting kit, 6 PCS LED Strip Lights with Remote Control Dimmer and Adapter, Dimmable for Kitchen Cabinet,Counter,Shelf,TV Back,Showcase 2700K Warm White,Bright 1500lm,Timing

DIY LED light strip: 6 PCS pre-cut strips, total 9.8ft, many kinds of connection option, Great way to upgrade your cabinets, closet, desk, TV back, bookshelf, bed, wardrobe, display case etc
Super Bright & Brightness adjustable: Super bright LED cabinet lights delivers total 1500 lumen, Came with RF dimmer to adjust the brightness. LED's CRI is greater than 82, providing high-quality lighting
RF Wireless remote control: 17-Key RF remote has timing off, dimming, hot buttons, rematch and dynamic function, 60 feet control distance

Sale

MY BEAUTY LIGHT White LED Strip Lights,16.4ft Dimmable LED Light Strip with Memory Function,300 Bright 6500K 2835 LEDs,Strong Adhesive 12v Flexible LED Rope Lights for Kitchen Cabinet Mirror Bedroom

Ultra Bright Premium SMD2835 6500K Leds: The 16.4ft led strip lighting built-in 300pcs high-quality smd2835 leds with high color rendering index, will give off super bright natural white light without blue tint to light up any indoor dark places such as kitchen, bedroom, pantry, cabinet, tv, corners, etc. to make us see things real color
Stepless Dimming: Long press its dimmer switch’s middle button to adjust its brightness to get various kinds of brightness options to satisfy your brightness needs, which can be used as mirror lights, tv lights, under cabinet lights, bedroom lights, desk light, etc.
Extremely Flexible: The led tape light is made of FPCB board with high flexible feature, which can be bent to any shapes to fixed on any corners to satisfy your installing needs

MYPLUS LED Under Cabinet Lighting, 6pcs 12inch Led Light Bar Kit with Cold White 1260 Lumen, 14W, LED Kitchen Counter Light Plug in for Kitchen Cabinet, Counter, Closet, Shelves, Desk

6 Pcs LED Light Bar: 3 pcs plug in led light bar with dimmer control.
Super Bright: Soft lighting with no daz and eye-friendly diffuse light source. each panel 210 lumen 4 watts, bright and energy save.
Durable: ETL certified adapter more safety for use and quality aluminum frame, 33 high bright LED beads per light.

Tesfish LED Strip Lights, 6 PCS x 19.6In RGB Under Cabinet Lighting, Backlight, Waterproof LED Color Changing Rope Lights with Power Adapter and Remote for Home Decor, Kitchen, Bedroom, Shelf

Application: DIY RGB LED strip lights Kit, 19.6In per strip 6 PCS LED pre-cut strips total 9.8ft with 12V power adapter and remote controller for Under Cabinet Lighting, backlight, TV backlight, Kitchen, garden, shelf decoration Lights easy to install, energy saving and safe to use.
Waterproof: LED Strips PCB Boards coverded Silica gel, With astigmatism function (avoid direct light ), waterproof, waterproof level:IP65(Can't be placed underwater).
Easy to install: No need screw, tape lighting with Strong double-sided tape and extra double-sided adhesive buckles we prepared for you, select 1-6 PCS LED strips to conection and install according to your needs.

Your Power Source

If you already have a power source and a switch near the installation spot of your lights then have the wires ready so you can connect the wires after installing the lights.

If you don’t have a power source yet, you will need to tap a connection from other power sources or make a new circuit from the main power line. In case you are not sure how to go about this, you can always hire an electrician to do the work for you. Don’t forget to wear your safety equipment.

Decide on the Layout of the Lights

Lay the lights underneath the spot where you want to install the lights. This should give you a good idea on how the lights would look on your kitchen. You should also include connecting cords in the layout especially if you are going to use one power source for multiple lights.

Certain manufacturers recommend that the lights should around 10-12 inches apart. To get the best lighting, install the lights right at the front edge of the cabinet.

Cleaning The Cabinets

After deciding on the layout of the lighting, you can start with the installation. Before that, you should clean your cabinets and take away things that might distract you. You will likely need to go through the cabinets for installing the wires. So, make sure you remove all the items in your cabinet. Also, ensure the cabinets are dry to prevent electrocution during the installation.

Turn off the Power

During the installation, make sure that the kitchen power is off. In your main panel, find the power switch kitchen area and turn it off. For your safety, test the power supply and see to it that there is no current. You can use a tester for this.

Start Drilling

Drill holes on the installation spots. You will need to make holes for the screws as well as holes for the wires. If you are planning to run the wires outside the cabinet, you won’t need to make holes for the wires.

Mount the Sockets and Run the Wires

Fasten the light bulb sockets under the cabinet with screws. And then, run the wires through the sockets and connect the wire to the electrical switch. This may take some time depending on where you want the wires to run through.

Install the Bulbs

After securing the sockets and wires, mount the light bulbs on the socket. Once you’re done, turn the power back on and test your lighting system. You shouldn’t have any problems when everything is done properly.

Observe the Lights

Check if the lights are properly working. If you see any functional defects on any of the bulbs, feel free to contact the manufacturer. These lights usually come with a warranty. Hence, you can have those defective lights replaced with new ones.

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Having under cabinet lights will not only make your kitchen look better but it will also make kitchen work a lot easier. Under-cabinet lighting system let you customize your light set so you can get the look you desire. When deciding on a lighting set, you would want to pick LEDs since they are energy efficient and come with various designs.