LED Under-Cabinet Lights

Video Tutorial

Why Under-Cabinet Lighting?

Overhead lights cast shadows right where you're working on the counter. Under-cabinet LED strips light up your workspace directly, make cooking easier, and look amazing. Installation takes 30 minutes.

Benefits:

Better task lighting - See what you're chopping without shadows
Ambiance - Dimmable options create mood lighting
Energy efficient - LEDs use 75% less power than halogen pucks
Cool to touch - No heat like old halogen lights
Long lasting - 50,000 hour lifespan (decades of use)
Increases home value - Buyers love modern kitchen lighting

Materials Needed

Item	Approx. Cost	Buy
LED strip lights (12V, 16ft roll)	$10	Amazon
12V power adapter	$5	Amazon
Aluminum channel (optional but recommended)	$8	Amazon

Optional: Dimmer switch ($8) for adjustable brightness

Tools Required:

Scissors
Wire strippers (if cutting/joining strips)
Alcohol wipes (clean surface before sticking)

Build Instructions

Measure Your Cabinets

Measure the length of cabinets where you want lights. Most kitchens need 10-20 feet total. LED strips can be cut to exact length at marked cut points (every 2-3 inches).

Clean the Surface

Use alcohol wipes to thoroughly clean the underside of cabinets where strips will stick. Remove any grease or dust. Adhesion is critical - dirty surfaces will cause strips to fall.

Install Aluminum Channel (Optional)

Aluminum channel diffuses the light (no visible LED dots), protects the strips, and looks more professional. Mount channel first with screws or strong tape, then press LED strip into channel.

Stick LED Strips

Peel backing off LED strip 3M adhesive. Press firmly onto cabinet underside, working front to back. Position strips as far forward as possible without being visible from below.

Connect Power

If you cut strips, use connectors to join them. All strips connect back to one power adapter. Route the thin wires along cabinet backs where they're hidden. Plug adapter into outlet (inside cabinet if you have one).

Add Dimmer (Optional)

Wire inline dimmer between power adapter and LED strips. Mount dimmer switch somewhere accessible. Now you can adjust brightness from task lighting to subtle ambiance.

Hide the Wires

Use small cable clips to route wires along cabinet backs and sides. Paint wires and channels to match cabinets if desired. Goal: no visible wires from normal viewing angles.

💡 Pro Tips

Color temperature - 3000K (warm white) for cozy kitchens, 4000K (neutral) for modern kitchens, 5000K+ (cool white) for ultra-bright task lighting
CRI matters - Get LEDs with CRI 90+ (Color Rendering Index). Makes food look natural, not washed out. Cheap strips have CRI 70 and everything looks weird
Smart home integration - Use RGB LED strips + WiFi controller for color-changing lights. Control with phone or voice commands
Motion sensor option - Wire in a motion sensor so lights turn on when you enter kitchen at night. Battery-powered sensors are $10 on Amazon
Hardwired version - If you're handy with electrical, hardwire to a wall switch instead of plug-in. Cleaner look, no visible cords
Extra adhesion - In humid kitchens or if strips keep falling, add a dab of super glue every 12 inches in addition to the 3M tape

Comparison: Strip vs Puck vs Bar Lights

LED strips - Cheapest, most flexible, even lighting. Can cut to exact length. What we're building here
Puck lights - Individual round fixtures. Easier to install but create spotty lighting with gaps. More expensive per foot
LED bars - Pre-made rigid fixtures. Professional look but fixed lengths, pricey ($30+ per bar)

For DIY on a budget, strips are the clear winner.

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