Have you had a kitchen with under cabinet lighting before? Did you use it. For me, it is not just a splurge, but a complete waste of money. I have had it in numerous houses and never once turned if on. Other people love it, and it does brighten a dark kitchen. Your kitchen choices so far sound like they are exactly what you want.

We have had and not. I think it depends on how much light you get. Our current kitchen is dark and not open concept so we use ours all the time. In our previous open concept house we often used them as ambient lighting when entertaining or watching tv.

When we built our new house we were told that we would never regret under counter lights as we age, or more lights in general. I'm finding this to be true. Also, when we need to keep some sort of light on in the kitchen, I find an under counter light beats leaving the overhead fixture or recessed lights on.

I love mine. Light strips on Amazon were cheap. The wiring was expensive. Electrician put in big boxes to make connections under the cabinets, they were visible and ugly... It was an ordeal, but I found smaller connectors... He was a jerk... But I got what I wanted. Oh, and put them on dimmers.

Put me in the "definitely add under cabinet lighting, it's not a splurge" camp. Your choices are beautiful, especially that stone. Judging by picture, with the amount of natural light your kitchen will get (not much) I don't think you will regret the extra light for a second and it will be particularly effective bouncing off the light tile and counter top.

The large boxes referred to above are the transformers required for LED lighting, but it is possible to get a single transformer that will run up to 6 LED interconnected pucks and the best practice way to hide it is inside one of your cabinets, not underneath.

I have used slim line 12 diode square LED pucks instead of LED strip lighting on my last two kitchen projects and they cost about $25/light plus $50 for the transformer in Canada. They seem to give a wider pool of light which is more effective as a task light.

As others have stated, under cabinet lighting is also lovely by itself for ambient lighting at night or while entertaining.

Good luck with your project.

Under-cupboard lighting is "task lighting" -- an absolute requirement for anyone who does any serious cooking. If you don't have it, you're likely to have a central light behind you, so whatever you're doing, you'll be doing it in your own shadow.

Under-cupboard lighting can also add a great deal of atmosphere to the room -- far prettier to leave those lights on in the evening than a ceiling light, and perfectly economical if they're LED.

Aside from LED being inexpensive to run, they're also low temperature which will make a difference if you expect to have them on for hours and you store food in the cupboards above.

Have you taken a look at Ikea's fairly new line of slim LED lights?

I say under cabinet lightning. Our kitchen is closed off with little light and it helps with the shadows. And as one said very helpful when cooking. Would take a pic but my kitchen is a mess. My husband installed ours and spent about 150.00.

I designed my ©VieH2O Dream Kitchen from a dream I had waking up at 3:00 in the morning sketching exactly how my kitchen should look! I'm elated Home Depot Contractor, Frank Carlisle and Home Depot's Kitchen Designer, Ernesto Romero were so very cooperative, copiously building my kitchen according to my sketch explicitly:

I had M. Teixeira Soapstones install Anastasia Soapstone countertops and full backsplash, top-of-the-line Thomasville Shaker maple cabinetry, I bought the pot filler and the Minka Lavery Pendant lights from Amazon, I bought the Bosch dishwasher and overhead stove vent from Sears (I didn't replace the refrigerator because I bought it 2012), kitchen faucet from Lowes, the 15-gauge stainless steel Farmer's sink was purchased from Ms. T. Cummins' Homeplace URL via Chemcore, the GE Cafe gas range and Incinerator garbage disposal I bought from Home Depot, a complete LED lighting packaging installed inside and outside the cabinetry, LED can lights installed, LED compatible dimmer switches for all LED lighting, and I ordered Barcelona travertine floor tiles for my kitchen flooring . . . My entire kitchen and the rest of my home is operating on LED lighting; in addition, my home's electrical system is a solar system which is totally, completely off-grid!

My realtor who sold me my home visited me recently, expressed how impressive my kitchen design enhanced the overall equitable value of my home; I was so enthralled hearing how much I gained by designing my ©VieH2O Dream Kitchen exactly according to my dream: I literally have my ©VieH2O Dream Kitchen I designed and I'm so elated!

Kitchen Design and Photos ©VieH2O Dream Kitchen-Shirley M. Jones, April 20, 2014

So we built our home 2 years ago and the electrician was also a jerk. He argued with me about this same thing. Why he would care what I wanted is beyond me since he was getting paid regardless. We ended up not going with them mostly because I was tired of arguing with him and we are doing okay without them. This works because our can lights shine down in an efficient way, however in the mornings I have to turn my overheads on dim to make coffee where it would be more convenient to have under counter lighting there. I agree with the prior post, your natural lighting may not be enough for you. Good luck...so many decision and never enough money, our life story also. Looks beautiful so far!

I made my own undercabinet lights from half of a 5 meter string of LEDs ($10 I think) and a 12V dimmer from eBay, mounted in a stock steel U channel. I run it off a 12V power supply in the cellar. One other light over the table, and that's all we need.

Definitely do it, the space will be far less shadowy, you will be so pleased. They are utilitarian as well as pretty. Mine are the last to go off before everyone goes to bed.

I would definitely go for the under cabinet lights. I love mine, I use them every night when I enter my kitchen and turn them off when I go to bed. It creates a nice soft ambiance and it is very useful. I really like the granit and cream tile you chose. It's very classy and elegant. The under cabinet lights will show them off.

I agree.........you will never regret under cabinet lighting and the LED are the way to go. We love ours. I love your granite too and I am not generally a granite fan.

I would do as mentioned with the led tilted lighting you can order on line not expensive and well worth it. We have a washed out dark green cabinets barn wood flooring and tan with decorated 2x2 tiles thought out. A small kitchen and with the the undercount lighting it lights up the kitchen as well as accent the granite and cabinets.

I find that the softer, under-counter light is nice to have when dining in an adjacent dining room. You don't have glaring ceiling lights in your peripheral vision, but the kitchen isn't a dark, black hole over there either.

As a builder we preferred to utilize 120V dimmable LED lighting under the cabinets due to the energy conservation and longevity of life aspects and use of 14 ga. romex wiring. WAC Lighting makes an LED Light Bar that we like, if I reall the last purchase was for three @ a total of about $500. I believe you are better off to avoid the use of low voltage lighting due to the required use of a transformer and the potential problems related thereto. Depending upon your objectives you may want to focus on a warmer light, perhaps something in the 2700K - 3000K range.

We did our kitchen last winter and the eight LED ceiling pot lights wouldn't have provided enough light alone. I have led strips under the cabinets and they get used more than any other source. I also have pendants over the sink and pennisula and a light in the range hood. The cost was minimal and installation was part of the total electrical ( almost a complete rewire). I purchased on line from Home Depot..two coils of LEDS, plus connectors and transformer....at around $200. The electrician provided the other necessary wire.

Totally worth every penny. I love my under cabinet lighting. You never work in a shadow and they provide a lovely ambiance at night.

I cleaned the kitchen and here it is:

1st pic with all lights on except the over sink not installed yet.

2nd pic with only under cabinet lighting on.

3rd pic with only chandelier on.

if you are not sure you can buy temp stick on led puck lights that run on batteries for about 5-10$ and see if you like the extra light or not.

I cleaned the kitchen and here it is: (having trouble uploading 3 pics at one time) so separate posts they come...

1st pic with all lights on except the over sink not installed yet.

I cleaned the kitchen and here it is:

1st pic with all lights on except the over sink not installed yet.

2nd pic with only under cabinet lighting on.

3rd pic with only chandelier on.

I cleaned the kitchen and here it is:

1st pic with all lights on except the over sink not installed yet.

2nd pic with only under cabinet lighting on.

3rd pic with only chandelier on.

My electrician was here yesterday wiring for my new upper cabinets that purposely won't go to ceiling (vaulted). I will have LED light strips under the cabinets and transformers will go inside cabinets. Will also have low light rope lights across top of cabinets for up lighting to accent the SW OutGoing Orange paint the matches the accent wall surrounding the to the ceiling travertine fireplace on opposite side of open concept great room. The kitchen is 10' long galley style but in the darkest area of the 26' x 24' room. Uplifting will be on a timer so it will serve as nightlight for that area. As I age (now 69) I find I like having more light available. The under and up lighting were my first priority for my remodel.

And he also ran the wiring so a recessed 5' vertical light strip will illuminate my narrow but tall built in pantry with roll out shelves.

Now if only I cooked!

No contest! You HAVE TO have undercounted lighting. Scrimp on something else but even with all white, you get shadows and dark areas when you're trying to work. Many times cans are placed so there is your own shadow over your work area- bad planning, but even if they hit the countertops you need additional light.

I agree that having the under cabinet lights, no matter what type, is great. I have them also on top of the cabinets, but hardly use those.
All are on separate switches with dimmers. I use them most of the time except for some cooking and washing up dishes, when I turn on the overheads....but dimmed a bit.

Just re-did my kitchen and opted for undercabinet LED lights with dimmer and electrical plugs. track is up under the cabinets and virtually invisible. No electrical plugs in the backsplash tile makes for a cleaner line. Used Adorne system and it's beautiful. I leave them on all the time at the lowest setting, upping the setting for task lighting. No need to turn on the overhead lights in the middle of the night to get a glass of water I love them especially with the electrical plugs in the track. One wall of my kitchen now has as many plugs as was in the whole kitchen before. No need to unplug one appliance in order to plug in another. If you don't need many plugs in one area, you can put in a blank spacer. plugs are available about every 6" or as needed. Tracks come in a variety of lengths to accommodate wall space and can be shortened as needed to fit. One dimmer switch can control a whole wall even around corners. I didn't upgrade the electrical panel so I was warned not to plug in and run many high energy appliances on one circuit, but I have enough plugs throughout the kitchen now so this should not be a problem.

I had can lights on the ceiling and kept them but most of the time I just use the LED lights. No matter how you place the cans there is always a shadow. With the track light, no shadow on the prep area.

I cleaned the kitchen and here it is:

1st pic with all lights on except the over sink not installed yet.

2nd pic with only chandelier on.

I cleaned the kitchen and here it is:

1st pic with all lights on except the over sink not installed yet.

2nd pic with only chandelier on.

Go for it! Have the under cabinet lighting installed with a dimmer so it is functional on high and casts a lovely glow in your room when on low in the evenings. This is my fav upgrade in our new kitchen.

Kitchen Design and Photo ©VieH2O Dream Kitchen-Shirley M. Jones, April 20, 2014.

Greetings, Michella:

I'm a film cinematographer so, I'll help you solve, addressing your kitchen's lighting issues . . .

First, you must address color issues:

1. Dark colors make an already small kitchen appear smaller; if all the walls and the ceilings are the same, muted color, the lighting won't "bounce."

2. Painting the ceiling a brilliant white is so advantageous by allowing, affecting the quality of illumination within the kitchen area by the characteristics of key, "bounce" lighting effects.

3. Choosing a lighter, wall color will help illuminate your kitchen very well by permitting the lighting to fan outward; that is what cinematographers like myself do when lighting a dark area.

4. Choosing lighting is simple and uncomplicated; however, the TYPE of lighting you choose will determine the appearance and the effects lighting plays in your kitchen: Positively choose LED lighting such as specific, LED dimable cans, LED dimable strip lighting inside and underneath the cabinetry surely will play an integral part with the overall, dramatic appearance as you saw with my kitchen's photos I posted. I installed glass shelving inside the cabinetry making the lighting bounce and dramatically illuminate the cabinetry's interior.

5. Reiterating, dramatic lighting effects you choose will surely affect your kitchen's design, appearance, and daily usage. Also, installing the LED dimmer switch controllers inside the overhead stove vent's cabinet like I did, will hide the unsightly "wire city!"

FYI: The county building inspector determined whether or not my kitchen should have power strips hidden underneath my kitchen cabinetry or not but, due to the county's wiring code, the electrical switches and plugs had to be mounted on the soapstone backsplashes.

6. More importantly, installing LED light bulbs throughout your kitchen and your entire home will save money and emit less heat due to incandescent lighting contributes more heat to an already steaming, hot kitchen; most importantly, the heat emitting from the kitchen will infiltrate, permeating heat to your entire home.

7. The county building inspector holds the determining decision and key factors whether he'll pass your kitchen and your entire home building inspection or not (the building inspector demanded I install updated 2014 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout my home or he wouldn't let my kitchen pass code or give me my kitchen remodeling building permit!); therefore, it is in YOUR best interest, stressing, DO NOT choose cheap materials on ANY electrical components in your kitchen because if you do, your kitchen won't pass code, you won't receive your remodeling building permit, and sadly, you won't be able selling your home!

Seriously, should you have more questions, please don't hesitate contacting me; I'm here making sure you don't spend more money than you already have remodeling your kitchen! Remodeling my kitchen took THREE MONTHS but, of course, you see the results of purchasing top-quality materials remodeling my kitchen; I passed the building code inspection with flying colors! The county building inspector even took photos of my kitchen, informing me he's going to design his kitchen exactly like my kitchen, "Ms. Jones-Your kitchen is GORGEOUS! May I have your permission using your kitchen design for my kitchen?"

Cheers!

I will never regret having under cabinet lighting installed when we reno'd our kitchen in 2012. I only regret I didn't insist on the cooler spectrum instead of the yellow, because it totally changes the paint color it took me much longer to decide on!

Yes to under cabinet lights! You will not regret it.

It will make those countertops dazzle! Go for it!

Good lighting makes the space. Since you are already doing a kitchen remodel now you should include the light under the cabinet light not expensive but its necessary if you like to cook also make your counter top stands out.

I never shut my under cabinet lights off! I love the way they highlight my back splash and granite during the day and at night, they serve as a great night light in the house. And it goes without saying, they are a fantastic source of task lighting that you just don't get from overhead lighting. Better to have and not need then want and not have! I really cannot imagine not having it especially as older eyes require more lighting.

Absolutely add under cabinet lighting, but choose color of lamps carefully. Lighting displays at store will demonstrate cool vs warm lamps. You will be pleased to have the lower lighting on for a soft relaxed after dinner mood. as well as good task lighting-.

T

Undercabinet lighting is really important task lighting, at least for me. It would be the first upgrade I'd make to a kitchen if I were moving somewhere without it. For me it's not so much about highlighting the space (although I think it does this very well) but about having correct lighting for tasks. Especially as I age, I hate low light.

I've got up lighting, down lighting, pendants over the island, cans in the ceiling and a lamp on the Baker's Rack and it covers ever lighting mood I might have. I just say go for it because I have found you can never have enough lighting in a kitchen!

I agree with chrissiekirk - I even want the 'omg, I feel like I'm in an operating room!' lighting option for when the kitchen gets thoroughly deep cleaned so I really CAN see every last nook and cranny.

I wanted them installed. I dislike shadows caused by lighting behind me, whether its coming from can lights, pendant lighting, middle-of-the-room ceiling fixture, etc.

Some of your decision will depend on how much natural light comes in, but at night NO natural light comes in. How much are you cooking later in the evening? I do a lot of canning later at night. I need LIGHT!

YES........add the under counter lights on a dimmer. I would not even question anything about that decision.

I use incandescent night lights for my under counter lighting. They are warm, inexpensive, require no installation and look good. They also do not require that ugly wiring under the cabinet...

kitchen counter lighting

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>I am building a new house. Will install
Under cabinet lighting though the builder charges outrageous prices
I know I can be done much cheaper .
But this something I cannot do it later
Because of the wiring in the walls etc... builders upgrades are triple what it usually cost . And that make me mad