Undercabinet Lighting Placement

10 years ago

Using LED strips. If I place them facing down towards the counters, I can see the reflection in the Quartz. If I place them on the back of the front lip pointing towards the backsplash I don't have a reflection, but the lighting isn't as bright. What have others done?

Featured Answer

PRO

MarkJames & Co

10 years ago

We always place them toward the front of the cabinet. Sometimes angled slightly toward the back (15-30 degrees) BUT we always have strips in channels with a diffuser on it. I use Hafele which has two densities of diffuser available, standard translucent and denser milk, as well as multiple depths of channels. Using the milk diffuser requires a higher light output.

The denser diffuser and deeper channel eliminate spots on dark counter BUT on a very dark counter you can still see the reflection of the light, it's just a strip instead of little dots. Some folks prefer dots, some like the strip.

Personally I like working with them on. In the mornings I sometimes leave the overheads off. If all they did was light the backsplash I don't think I'd bother having them (just me).

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Trish C.
10 years ago
I have mine under back lip of cabinet. I have granite countertop. love it.
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
10 years ago
Under the lip of the cabinet will make any tile work look much better, and light the area the same as the lumen output is exactly the same no matter where you place the fixture.
Related Professionals
Miami Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Jackson Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lynchburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Elmira Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Eureka Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Spanish Fork Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Evansville Kitchen Remodelers · Austin Kitchen Remodelers · Lincoln Kitchen Remodelers · Keene Kitchen Remodelers · Janesville Kitchen Remodelers · Augusta Custom Countertops · Orangeburg Custom Countertops · Lancaster Custom Countertops · Durango Custom Countertops
friedajune
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The strips should be placed toward the front of the upper cabinets, just behind the light rail. Placed toward the back, they are mostly lighting the backsplash. Placed toward the front, they are lighting the center of the counter workspace where they are most needed. In addition, if the strips are placed toward the back, you will be able to see them from a sitting position. If they are placed just behind the light rail, it allows the light rail to do its job, which is to shield the light strip from view. The reflection on the counters will be there regardless of where you place the lights. It's worse if your counters are dark just because of the contrast of dark and light.

Electricians like to install lights strips toward the back, just cause it's easier for them. It's a bit more twisting and maneuvering to install them toward the front. But you have to live with the results. Install them toward the front, behind the light rail.
Karenseb
10 years ago
We installed tape lighting facing a very dark backsplash and I really like it. We use overhead recessed lights all the time when working in the kitchen. I have a timer light witch on the wall that turns the under counter lights on in the morning and off at bedtime. I have an otherwise darker kitchen that looks so much better with the under counter lighting.
beachem
10 years ago
I put mine at the front of the cabinet and angled 45 degree.
John 9a
10 years ago
I put mine along the rear of the cabinets. I'm probably going to relocate them to the front to help hide the strips. My strips are quite bright so I would actually like to dim them a bit. I like the diffuser channel idea MarkJames provided.