Hardwiring LEDs under the cabinets was a game changer for me, even with plaster walls. It took some creative routing, but the consistent light is worth it. Rechargeables never lasted through dinner prep anyway. If you can swing it, it’s worth the hassle.
- Totally agree on the hardwired LEDs—once you’ve got them, it’s hard to go back.
- Plaster walls are a pain, but honestly, I found fishing the wires behind my 1920s lath less stressful than constantly recharging those stick-on lights.
- Only thing I’d add: dimmer switches. Game changer for late-night snack raids when you don’t want to wake the whole house.
- If you’re worried about patching plaster, painter’s caulk and a steady hand go a long way... trust me, I’ve made my share of “oops” holes.
- Rechargeables are fine for closets, but for kitchens? Nah, I need something that actually lasts through a Sunday roast.
- Hardwired LEDs all the way—no contest. I tried those rechargeable puck lights in my last place and spent more time charging them than actually using them.
- Plaster walls are brutal, but I found a flexible drill bit made things way easier. Still ended up with a few “extra” holes, though... painter’s caulk definitely saved me there.
- Dimmer switches are underrated. My partner is a light sleeper, so being able to sneak in for a midnight snack without blinding everyone is key.
- Only thing I’d add: under-cabinet lighting. Makes chopping onions at 7am way less dangerous.
Ever tried running low-voltage LED tape under the cabinets? I’ve seen folks go with the hardwired puck lights, but the tape gives such a clean, even glow—no weird shadows when you’re slicing stuff. Curious if anyone’s run into issues with those over time, though... like, do they start to peel off or lose brightness after a couple years?
On the plaster wall front, did you patch your “extra” holes before painting, or just caulk and call it good? I’ve had clients who get pretty particular about wall texture matching, especially in older homes where nothing’s flat. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth chasing that perfect patch or just living with a little character.
And about dimmers—do you go for smart switches or stick with the old-school ones? I’ve had mixed results with smart dimmers glitching out, but maybe that’s just me.
Honestly, I’m not sold on LED tape for under-cabinet lighting long-term. I’ve had to replace a few installs after a couple years—adhesive just doesn’t hold up in kitchens with all the heat and humidity, and yeah, you’ll notice dim spots over time. Hardwired pucks might cast more shadows, but they’re way more reliable if you want something that lasts.
On plaster, I never just caulk and paint. Texture matching is a pain, but if you skip it, those patches stick out like a sore thumb. Clients might say they don’t care, but once the light hits it wrong, they always notice.
As for dimmers, I stick with old-school every time. Smart switches are cool until they aren’t—too many callbacks for random glitches or connectivity issues. Sometimes simple is just better.