Glass Cabinet LED lighting

2 years ago

Hello all,

In the middle of a kitchen remodel. I have 10' ceilings and my wall cabinets go all the way to the top (60" with top 18" being glass). I've ran the appropriate wiring for both undercabinet and top in cabinet lights with the intention of using Inspired LED COB strips. I've just realized that my cabinets are "Frameless" and hence I can't "hide" the strips in the glass cabinets. I was going to run the stip in a inverted U shape in the front of the cabinet as suggested by Inspired. With frameless, am I stuck using a puck in the top center or are they any other creative ideas?

While I am asking questions, what brand of recessed/wafer ceiling lights do you recommend and from where? There are cheap Amico on Amazon and ther is 5-10 times more expensive ones on ProLighting.com with brand names such as RAB, Lotus, Sylvania etc.

Thanks in advance for any help

Sarat

Featured Answer

wdccruise

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

You could attach a surface-mount puck light to the top of the cabinet. LED versions are much thinner (example) than the the old halogen lights.
You could install a recessed puck light (example) which would be even thinner.
You could attach a tape/strip light in an aluminum channel (example) to the top of the cabinet, just behind the door. This would provide more even lighting and wouldn't be visible when the door was closed.

None of the above would make sense if the shelves were wood as only the top shelf would be illuminated.

If you were able to cut a vertical slot into one side of the cabinet close to the door, you could insert a tape/strip light in an recessed channel (example) into the slot. You could use wood or glass shelves as light would shine from the side, not the top.
You could insert a tape/strip light in an surface-mount channel attached to a stile. You could use wood or glass shelves as light would shine from the door. The light would be visible only when the door was open BUT you would have to use a flexible cable between the cabinet and the tape light attached to the door.
If you were able to cut a vertical slot into a stile, you could insert a tape/strip light in an recessed channel (example) into the slot.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

wdccruise
2 years ago
How thick are the cabinet boxes (e.g., 3/4") and how wide are the glass door stiles? What is the distance between the front edge of the shelves and the front edge of the cabinet box (i.e., how deeply are the shelves recessed)? What is the shelf material?
Sarat Vemuri
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for your help. 5/8" Plywood boxes. Glass door stiles are about 3". Shelves are wood (finished edges), but I could change them to glass. Shelves are about 1/2" recessed. Are you thinking that I could affix them to the box even without frame. I guess they won't be visible when the doors are closed and will only be in your face when you open them..
Related Professionals
Alexandria Interior Designers & Decorators · North Platte Interior Designers & Decorators · South Bend Furniture & Accessories · Honolulu Furniture & Accessories · Marinette Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Juneau Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Twin Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Kalispell Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Alexandria Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Orange County Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Carlsbad Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ardmore Kitchen Remodelers · Buffalo Kitchen Remodelers · Los Angeles Kitchen Remodelers · Olympia Kitchen Remodelers
Sarat Vemuri
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for the response. It turns out that there are no shelves in the top glass part so I will probably install a strip in channel and tape it to the top of the cabinet.
wdccruise
2 years ago
"I will probably install a strip in channel and tape it to the top of the cabinet"

Be sure to attach the LED strip close to the front of the cabinet. Otherwise it will be visible when you look at it from below. Also, LED strips are low voltage (12 or 24 volt) so you'll need to find a place for the transformer. If you have several cabinets, you can link the strips together with wires through the tops of the cabinets.
Sarat Vemuri
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for the pointer. Low Voltage wires were already ran. All set. Thanks again