Under-cabinet lighting really does make a world of difference. I put in some LED strips last year, and honestly, it’s wild how much easier it is to see what you’re doing—no more chopping onions in the shadows. I will say, though, I went with a plug-in setup because I was intimidated by the idea of hardwiring anything myself. The cord situation isn’t perfect, but I managed to hide most of it with some sticky clips and a bit of creative routing behind my toaster.
One thing I didn’t expect: the reflection off my glossy backsplash. It looks cool, but sometimes it’s almost too bright if the lights are on full blast. Anyone else run into that? I’m debating whether a dimmer switch would help or if I just need to get used to it.
Curious if anyone’s tried toe-kick lighting under the lower cabinets. Is it actually useful, or just for the “wow” factor? I keep seeing those photos online and wondering if it’s worth the extra effort.
Curious if anyone’s tried toe-kick lighting under the lower cabinets. Is it actually useful, or just for the “wow” factor?
I’ve wondered about toe-kick lighting too. It looks super fancy in all those Pinterest kitchens, but I’m not sure if it’s actually practical or just another thing to vacuum around. My kitchen reno budget is already stretched by my “genius” idea to add a pot filler (which I’ve used exactly twice).
About the glossy backsplash—yep, been there. Mine basically turns into a disco ball when the under-cabinet lights are on full blast. A dimmer helped a ton, though I still get blinded if I lean in too close looking for that one rogue garlic clove.
Has anyone tried those motion sensor strips? Like, do they actually work or do they just turn on every time your cat walks by? I’m all for less fumbling with switches, but I don’t need my kitchen turning into a runway at 2am...
Toe-kick lighting is one of those things that looks amazing in photos, but in my 1920s kitchen it felt a bit out of place. I tried a battery-powered strip for fun—honestly, it was more helpful than I expected for late-night snack runs, but it did highlight every crumb and dust bunny. As for motion sensors, mine went off every time my dog wandered through, so I ended up just sticking with a dimmer switch. If you love a little drama, it’s fun, but I wouldn’t call it essential.
Title: If You Had to Redo Your Kitchen Lights, What Would You Pick?
I get where you're coming from about toe-kick lighting feeling a bit out of place in an older kitchen, but honestly, I think it’s underrated for resale value. Every time I tour a property with under-cabinet or toe-kick lighting—even in homes from the ‘20s—buyers light up (no pun intended). It’s one of those things that feels like an upgrade, even if it’s not historically accurate.
Yeah, you’ll see more crumbs, but that’s just motivation to keep the place tidy... or maybe that’s just me. Motion sensors can be a pain with pets, totally agree there. But if you wire them to only trigger at certain times or use a smart system, it’s less of an issue.
I’d probably still add some kind of accent lighting if I was redoing a kitchen, especially since it doesn’t cost much and makes a big impact during showings. Not essential, sure, but sometimes those little details help seal the deal.
I get why accent lighting gets so much hype for resale, but honestly, I’d rather focus on practical, energy-efficient solutions. LED recessed ceiling lights give you way more bang for your buck—less energy use, less maintenance, and they actually light up the whole space instead of just looking fancy. Toe-kick or under-cabinet lights are cool for showings, but how often do people really use them day-to-day? I’d rather invest in good daylight bulbs and dimmers than chase the latest trend.
