I'm looking to add some under-cabinet lighting to my kitchen cabinets. We have an above-cooktop microwave with cabinets on either side, plus some cabinets to the right of the refrigerator. There's an outlet above the microwave and another behind the refrigerator, so I want to know what the best lighting options are for these areas. Any suggestions?
7 Answers
I put Artika LED lights under my cabinets, and I love them! They’re low voltage and can be daisy-chained, plus they have adjustable color options. I ran the power cord through a small hole I drilled and set everything up to be controlled by a smart plug. They even come with a nice wave-to-turn-on feature!
What about smart lights that can be voice-activated? Or discreet tap lights under the cabinets? If you use the outlet near your microwave, the installation can be simpler! You could just drill a hole under the cabinet for the lights.
That's a solid idea! I was actually considering using an Alexa-enabled plug to control them, but I'm a bit unsure about the space available between the cabinets and microwave. What do you mean by 'drop a lot ne in gap?'
If you're comfortable with wiring, I recommend running a line from the countertop receptacle to a switch for your under-cabinet lights. There's usually an outlet on those counter sections that you can tap into.
For our kitchen remodel, we installed some lights that work perfectly. I hid the transformer behind a cabinet, so it’s out of sight. The lights are set to turn on at dusk through their app, and I can change colors based on the season, too.
That sounds cool! I'm curious about how easy they are to install, especially between the microwave and the cabinet.
I got some plug-in lights from Amazon a couple years back, and they work well. We leave them on most of the time, and they don’t take up too much space since we have plenty of outlets. Just look for something with an extension cord option if you need to route the wire over your sink!
There are a ton of options out there, which can be overwhelming. I'd suggest browsing on Amazon or checking out a cabinet showroom for some hands-on insight. Look for light strips or compact light assemblies. I prefer the flat, low-voltage lights; they're easier to install and keep tidy. Just make sure the adhesive is good or use clips to secure them!
I recently bought some rechargeable light strips from Amazon that are magnetic and come with adhesive plates for easy mounting. They have motion sensors, so they turn on automatically. They're super handy and my wife really likes them! If you're looking for a plug-in option, I suggest checking those out before going for these.
I appreciate the tip! I prefer using AC-powered lights with outlets that I can attach to smart plugs, but I'll consider these if I end up wanting a portable option.
Are these the ones? [https://www.costco.com/artika-stream-led-under-cabinet-3-light-set.product.100726477.html](https://www.costco.com/artika-stream-led-under-cabinet-3-light-set.product.100726477.html) I’ll check for similar ones on Amazon.