I hear you on the under-cabinet strips—they look great in listing photos, but in day-to-day life, I rarely see people actually using them. In my experience, layered lighting does boost resale value, but if you’re not moving soon, it’s a bit of a toss-up. Motion sensors can be hit or miss... sometimes they’re more trouble than they’re worth if you have pets or kids running around. I usually stick with good overhead LEDs and maybe a dimmer; keeps things simple and functional without overcomplicating it.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the under-cabinet strips. They look sharp in photos, but half the time clients forget to even turn them on after a few weeks. I do like having some task lighting for chopping or reading recipes, but honestly, a good set of overhead LEDs with a dimmer switch covers most needs. Tried motion sensors once—my cat kept setting them off at 2am, so that was a hard pass for me. Sometimes simple just works best.
Tried motion sensors once—my cat kept setting them off at 2am, so that was a hard pass for me.
Haha, yep, been there. My dog decided the kitchen was his new midnight hangout and suddenly I’m blinded by LED strips like I’m on a game show. I do like the look of under-cabinet lights, but honestly, after a month, I forgot they existed. Overhead LEDs with a dimmer just make life easier. Less fuss, less drama, and fewer accidental disco moments at 3am.
I get the appeal of overhead LEDs and dimmers, but I actually rely on my under-cabinet lights way more than I expected. In an old house, the main fixture just doesn’t reach every corner, especially if you’ve got deep counters. I wired mine to a regular switch—no motion sensors, no surprises at night. It’s not fancy, but it beats chopping veggies in the shadows.
Man, under-cabinet lights are the unsung heroes of kitchen renos. I used to think all you needed was a big ol' pendant light and you'd be set, but then I tried making coffee at 6am and nearly sliced my thumb off in the shadows. Under-cabinet LEDs on a regular switch—simple, cheap, and my fingers are grateful. Only regret is not putting them in every rental I own... tenants would probably appreciate seeing what they're cooking.