Home · 2026-06-22

How to Plan Under-Cabinet Lighting That Actually Helps

A practical layout guide for brighter counters, fewer shadows, and cleaner kitchen installs.

7 min read

How to Plan Under-Cabinet Lighting That Actually Helps

TL;DR

Good under-cabinet lighting starts with placement, not product choice: mount lights near the front cabinet lip, use CRI 90+ sources, choose 3000K–4000K, and plan one continuous run per work zone. Bars give the cleanest task light; strips need diffuser channels to look permanent.

Start With the Work Zones

Map the counters you actually use: chopping space, hob, sink, coffee area, and any dark corner under deep wall cabinets. You do not need every cabinet lit equally. Spend brightness where hands, knives, and food prep happen, then use softer accent strips on shelves or display zones.

Place Lights Forward, Not Against the Wall

The most common mistake is mounting the light at the back of the cabinet. That lights the wall beautifully and leaves your hands in shadow. Put bars or strips close to the front lip of the cabinet and aim them down or slightly back. This pushes light across the counter surface and keeps glare out of your eyes.

Choose the Right Source

LED bars produce the most even working light and are easiest to keep tidy. LED strips are better when cabinets vary in shape or you need to turn corners, but they should sit inside aluminium diffuser channels for a dot-free line. For kitchens, CRI 90+ is worth paying for because it makes food, worktops, and skin tones look correct.

Control and Cable Planning

Decide before buying whether the lights should work from a wall switch, a motion sensor, a remote, or a smart routine. Plug-in kits are easiest, but visible cable loops can spoil the look. Route cables along cabinet seams, use small clips, and hide drivers either inside an upper cabinet or above the wall units where heat can still escape.