LED under cabinet tape lights- diffuser yes or no

4 years ago

Under cabinet lighting question for those who have them. Should I use the diffuser or just the LED tape only for my under cabinet lighting?

*LED tape would be placed on the inside edge of the cabinet facing towards the back splash.

*Diffuser with the tape light- lights would face down towards counter

Granite countertops, BM White Dove cabinets and off white tile backsplash. Ugh! First tile choice is no longer available so searching for tile now. Tile will go to the ceiling around the window. Hood vent will have a stained wood trim and stained wood shelves in the corner which you can’t see in this pic. Island is stained.

My research gives conflicting information on diffusers or tape only so I need your help! Thank you for sharing you experience and thoughts

Featured Answer

User

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

yes. LED light strips are basically a row of little tiny bulbs. since your counter is polished, they will likely reflect off of with in little dots of light that personally I think looks unattractive. worse, that might put out an unpleasant glare. the diffuser takes are of all that. (the "dots" would be more noticeable at night with less ambient light around, and also more noticeable with dark counters, but it can still happen with light colors.)

if your counter was matte, that might not really be such a problem. but I can see yours is shiny.

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Comments (6)

loralu
4 years ago
I bought diffusers for my under cabinet LED lights and didn't find they made much of a difference re: the dots you will see on counter. Ended up using just the tape light over butcher block counters, which I love, and none over the polished marble countertops. I bought the tape light from Home Depot and the diffusers from a specialty lighting store.
Maribeth thanked loralu
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Maribeth
Original Author
4 years ago
SeattleMCM do you think the dots would glare as much if the tape is placed where the lights face the backsplash instead facing down directly on the countertop?
User
4 years ago
It depends on how shiny your backsplash is. They might reflect/glare off of appliances too.

Why not try out a test: tape one of the strip lights under the cabinet and see how it looks. Be sure to view it at night as well, with the overheads turned off. You might like these lights just fine w/o diffusers.
Debbie Klausing
2 years ago
I know it has been awhile and this may not be seen.
Maribeth I’m interested in what you decided about your lights. Your cabinets are so pretty. Mine will be similar and same color. Also your granite is very nice- I haven’t seen anything like it in granite. I’ve chosen a quartzite- which looks kind of like your granite, not exactly though. Thanks!
chispa
2 years ago
Lighting technology is constantly changing. Mine were installed in 2022 and the tape light has a solid "beam" of light, so no more dots. No idea what brand. I just told my electrician I wanted good quality, 3500K to match recessed lights and dimmable. No diffuser needed.