I get where you’re coming from—recessed LEDs are definitely the workhorses of kitchen lighting. But I gotta say, after living with just ceiling cans for years, I finally caved and put in under-cabinet strips during my last reno. Didn’t think I’d use them much, but now I flip them on every evening. Makes chopping veggies way easier, and it’s just a softer vibe when you don’t want the whole place lit up like a stadium.
I used to think accent lighting was just for show too, but it’s actually practical in its own way. Plus, the new LED strips barely use any power and last forever. Dimmers are a must though—totally agree there. I guess for me, it’s about layering the light so you’re not stuck with just one harsh option. Never thought I’d care about “ambiance,” but here we are...
Funny, I used to roll my eyes at “ambiance” too, but now I’m all about it.
That’s exactly it—sometimes you just want enough light to make tea without feeling like you’re in an operating room.“Makes chopping veggies way easier, and it’s just a softer vibe when you don’t want the whole place lit up like a stadium.”
I tried those cheap stick-on puck lights under the cabinets once—total fail, batteries died every week. Did you hardwire your strips or go plug-in? I’m always torn between saving money and doing it right.
If You Had to Redo Your Kitchen Lights, What Would You Pick?
I totally get the struggle with those stick-on puck lights—been there, regretted that. They’re fine for a quick fix, but the battery thing drove me nuts too. I ended up hardwiring LED strips under my cabinets, and honestly, it wasn’t as intimidating as I thought. If you’re comfortable flipping breakers and following a YouTube tutorial, it’s pretty doable. The plug-in ones are easier but you end up with cords everywhere, which bugged me. Hardwired feels cleaner and more permanent, but yeah, it’s a bit more work upfront. Worth it for the vibe, though.
Hardwired feels cleaner and more permanent, but yeah, it’s a bit more work upfront. Worth it for the vibe, though.
Couldn’t agree more—hardwired is 100% the way to go. I once replaced a kitchen’s old fluorescent tubes with recessed LEDs and under-cabinet strips. Night and day difference. It’s more effort, but you get that seamless look, no messy cords or batteries dying at the worst time. Stick-ons are just... temporary bandaids, in my opinion.
Hardwired is definitely my go-to too, especially if you’re thinking long-term. I’ve flipped a few places where the previous owners just slapped up those battery puck lights under cabinets—looked fine for about a week, then half of them were dead or crooked. It’s just not worth the hassle.
That said, I get why some folks go for the stick-ons if they’re renting or don’t want to mess with drywall. But if you own the place and plan to stay a while, hardwired is just cleaner. Plus, you can tie it into dimmers or smart switches, which is a game changer for mood and energy savings.
Ever notice how much brighter and more inviting a kitchen feels with proper recessed LEDs? Makes you actually want to cook in there. Only thing I’d say is, plan your layout carefully—nothing worse than shadows right where you chop veggies. Anyone else ever regret not spacing their lights out enough?
