Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_439434499

LED uplighting above kitchen cabinets. UNHAPPY.

last month

The LED strip lighting delivers a hideous, cold light quality like for some industrial or commercial application. Contractor is summoning the electrician to alter the light quality. Is this possible, post installation? Thank you.

Comments (8)

  • PRO
    last month

    Contractor is summoning the electrician to alter the light quality. Is this possible, post installation?

    See what the electrician is able to do first. If you are not satisfied, work with the electrician and your contractor to resolve the problem.

    No one here knows what things look like, or the specific lighting you have.

  • last month

    Light comes in many color temperatures. With some LED lights, you can change the color temp right in the fixture (I have some like this).

    Our electrician talked to us about what color light we wanted for our undercabinet lighting. It's a shame yours didn't do the same.

  • last month

    The LED strip lighting delivers a hideous, cold light quality like for some industrial or commercial application. Contractor is summoning the electrician to alter the light quality. Is this possible, post installation? Thank you.

    100% possible, as are most things with enough money.

  • last month

    Is this the light under your upper cabinets? If yes, it can definitely be changed.

    Electricians tend to pick the cheapest/easiest choice, available that day, at their preferred electrical supply shop. Hopefully your contractor will cover some of the cost, since they did not offer you options.

    The electrician probably used 4000K or 5000K LED strips. They might be an adjustable version, but can still be changed out if they aren't.

    I had specified 3500K LED throughout most of my house. The electrician got the correct ones for the kitchen, but got 2700K/warmer ones for the laundry room. Don't love them, but not worth changing in the laundry room. Mine are not adjustable.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    porkchop_z5b_MI is correct. Most likely, though, is that the color temperature is not adjustable so the fixture or LED strip will have to be replaced. I'd consider replacement fixtures that have an adjustable color temperature (e.g, 2700k, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K) so you can set them to the temperature you prefer. I'd use 3000K or 3500K LED strips if you go that route. If the fixtures or LED strips are controlled by a wall-mounted dimmer, make sure the new lights are dimmable and that the dimmer supports LEDs.

  • last month

    “Is this the light under your upper cabinet?” I’m thinking not; since OP referred to uplighting I think they may have lighting above their uppers. But since OP hasn’t come back with more info or pictures, the best we can do is guess.

  • PRO
    last month

    Yes, this can usually be corrected. I’d first ask the electrician whether the existing LED strip has an adjustable color temperature. If not, replacing it with a warmer 3000K option would make a huge difference — that cold commercial look can completely change how a room feels.

    I’d also consider adding a warmer decorative light elsewhere in the room rather than relying entirely on the LED strip for atmosphere. I recently compared 8 very different moon-inspired lights, and it was surprising how much some of them changed the mood of a space. You might find some useful lighting inspiration here:
    https://youtu.be/g-R98L8EdII

Sponsored
Van Metre Homes
Average rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars19 Reviews
Loudoun County's Leading Home Builder | 5x Best of Houzz