I've had accent lights in my cabinets a couple years now... and yeah, they do show dust a bit more clearly. But honestly, it's not as bad as you'd think. Quick tip: go for warmer LED strips—they're softer and way less harsh on fingerprints and smudges.
"Quick tip: go for warmer LED strips—they're softer and way less harsh on fingerprints and smudges."
Totally agree with this. I learned the hard way when I first installed super bright, cool-white LEDs under my cabinets. Thought I'd achieved kitchen nirvana until I flipped them on at night and saw every crumb, fingerprint, and mysterious splatter illuminated like a crime scene. My wife joked we could start a CSI spin-off right there in our kitchen.
Ended up swapping them out for warmer LEDs, and it made a huge difference. Still bright enough to prep food comfortably, but way more forgiving on the eyes (and my cleaning habits). If I had to redo it again, I'd probably add some dimmers too—sometimes you just want a subtle glow for late-night snack raids without feeling like you're under interrogation lights.
Warmer LEDs definitely help, but placement matters too. I found that mounting strips closer to the front edge of cabinets rather than against the backsplash reduces shadows and glare. Makes food prep easier without highlighting every tiny mess... learned that one through trial and error myself.
Totally agree, front-edge placement helps a lot. Also, if you're on a tight budget like me, consider dimmable LED strips—lets you adjust brightness easily and saves energy. Just make sure they're compatible with your existing switches... learned that one the hard way.
Front-edge placement definitely has its perks, but honestly, after redoing the lighting in my old Victorian kitchen, I have to say I'm not totally sold on LED strips. Don't get me wrong—they're energy-efficient and budget-friendly, sure—but they just didn't vibe with the character of my place.
When we first moved in, the kitchen had these ancient fluorescent tubes that buzzed louder than a swarm of bees. My wife joked that it was our home's way of protesting modernity. Anyway, we decided to upgrade and went with dimmable LED strips under the cabinets at first. Installation was easy enough (minus a few choice words when I realized our switches weren't compatible either—glad I'm not alone there!), but once they were up... something felt off.
Maybe it's just me being picky or sentimental about preserving the historic feel, but the LEDs felt too clinical and modern for our creaky old kitchen. It was like putting neon sneakers on your grandpa—functional, yes; stylish... debatable. Eventually, we swapped them out for some vintage-style pendant lights with Edison bulbs. Sure, they're probably less energy-efficient and a bit pricier in the long run, but man do they set the right mood. Warm glow, cozy vibes—perfect for late-night snacks or early-morning coffee grumbles.
I guess what I'm saying is that while LEDs are great practically speaking, sometimes aesthetics win out over efficiency—especially if you're dealing with an older home like mine. But hey, maybe that's just my inner history nerd talking...
