Hardwired LEDs are hands-down the way to go if you can manage it. I’ve seen way too many folks get frustrated with those stick-on lights—batteries always die at the worst times, and the adhesive just doesn’t hold up long-term, especially in kitchens where humidity and heat are a factor. I’ve had clients try to save a buck with wireless options, but most end up calling me back within a year to install something permanent. It’s more upfront work, but you only have to do it once and you’ll never look back.
Hardwired LEDs are definitely tempting, but man, I still get nervous thinking about cutting holes in my ceiling. I tried those stick-on puck lights once—looked great for about a week, then they started falling off every time I opened a cabinet. My cat thought it was a new game. Lesson learned... batteries and kitchens don’t mix.
I get where you’re coming from—cutting into the ceiling can feel pretty permanent, especially if you’ve never done it before. But honestly, once you map out your layout and double-check for joists or wires, it’s not as intimidating as it seems. Patchwork is always an option if you change your mind down the road.
Those stick-on puck lights are notorious for that. I tried them under my cabinets once and half of them ended up in a drawer within a month. Batteries just don’t hold up in high-use spaces like kitchens, especially with the heat and humidity.
Have you looked into surface-mount LED fixtures? They’re low-profile, bright, and don’t require any big holes—just a standard electrical box. Might be a good middle ground if you’re not ready to commit to recessed cans. How’s the rest of your kitchen lighting holding up—do you have any natural light to work with, or is it all artificial? Sometimes that can change what works best.
I’ll be honest, I was dead set against cutting into my ceiling at first too. But after living with those battery puck lights for a year (and constantly replacing batteries), I finally bit the bullet and installed recessed LEDs. Best decision I made—no more weird shadows or dim corners. Surface-mount LEDs are a solid compromise though, especially if you’re not ready to patch drywall. Natural light’s great, but in my place it’s all artificial, so good overheads made a huge difference. If you’re on the fence, just remember: drywall mud covers a lot of sins...
- Here’s my take after a couple kitchen renos: energy-efficient LED panels (surface-mount or recessed) are the way to go for both brightness and lower power bills.
- I’d lean toward dimmable fixtures, since you can adjust for task lighting vs. mood.
- If you’re worried about cutting into drywall, surface-mount LEDs are super slim now—almost as low-profile as recessed, but easier to swap out later.
- One thing I wish I’d done differently: layered lighting. Under-cabinet strips make a massive difference for counters, and they don’t use much power.
- If you’ve got any chance of adding a skylight or solar tube, even a small one, it’s worth considering—natural light just feels better, even if it’s not always practical in every kitchen.
Drywall patching is annoying but not impossible… and honestly, good lighting is worth the hassle.
