I'm remodeling my kitchen and trying to add under cabinet lighting that I can control easily. I want to be able to dim the lights from a wall switch, adjust the color temperature from the same switch, and also set a schedule for when they turn on and off. I'm not interested in using any apps or remote controls for this.
I thought about using a Kasa smart dimmer switch paired with a dimmable power inverter, which covers three of my four needs:
1. Dimmable lights - YES
2. Wall-mounted switch - YES
3. Programmable schedule - YES
4. Color selection - NO
However, I found out that if I wire the lights to an AC powered dimmer switch, I lose the ability to change the color temperature. Does anyone have suggestions for a product or setup that can meet all these requirements? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
I faced the same challenge and ended up installing Philips Hue gradient under cabinet lighting, which gives you awesome options. It has both white and color features with a nice diffused look. Yes, it's pricey and required new outlets, but it integrates well with other lighting in my home, like uplights, and offers a lot of customization. Plus, I have a physical four-button tap switch that makes it easy to adjust settings without needing an app. Now, my kitchen dims to a nightlight setting automatically each night, which is a bonus!
Check out flexfireleds.com. They might have what you need since they allow color control with a separate remote, while you can switch it on using a regular switch. It's a decent compromise for what you're after.
Make sure the lights you're considering can be controlled externally for color. Ideally, they should have a simple interface for that. It's common that if you want dimming and color selection, you might have to choose one over the other due to how the inverter works. I still haven't found an inverter that manages both features—it's tricky!
I've heard the same thing! It seems like making both work together is tough. Thanks for the heads-up!
That sounds like a great solution! I'm definitely looking into Hue now, especially with the motion detection feature.