I hear you on the adhesive issue—my old plaster walls are basically kryptonite for anything sticky. But honestly, I've had great luck with budget LED strips by ditching the included adhesive altogether. Instead, I mounted them using aluminum channels with diffuser covers. It takes a bit more effort upfront, but the result looks clean and professional, plus it protects the LEDs from dust and kitchen grime. Hue and LIFX are definitely slick, but if you're comfortable tinkering a bit, you can get similar results without the premium price tag...and still distract from those charmingly crooked cabinets.
Totally agree about ditching the included adhesive—those strips never seem to hold up long-term, especially in kitchens. Aluminum channels are a great call; I've used them myself and found they really help diffuse the light evenly, making everything look way more polished. Plus, they're recyclable, which is always a bonus if you're trying to keep things eco-friendly.
Another thing I've tried is pairing budget LED strips with smart plugs or switches instead of splurging on Hue or LIFX. You still get voice control and scheduling without paying premium prices for each bulb or strip. And honestly, once they're installed behind diffusers, it's hard to tell the difference anyway.
Also, if anyone's worried about crooked cabinets (been there!), indirect lighting can be your best friend. It draws attention away from imperfections and creates a cozy vibe...perfect for late-night snack raids.
Good call on the aluminum channels—definitely helps with diffusion and durability. Have you noticed any heat buildup issues with budget LED strips inside channels, or is that mostly a non-issue? I've been considering the smart plug route myself, but wasn't sure if responsiveness or dimming control would suffer compared to dedicated smart strips. Glad to hear it's working out for you...might finally give it a shot.
I've used aluminum channels myself and, honestly, heat buildup hasn't been a noticeable issue—even with budget strips. But about the smart plug route... while it's convenient, you might find dimming control pretty limited compared to dedicated smart strips. I tried it briefly and responsiveness was okay, but the lack of smooth dimming drove me nuts. If you're particular about lighting levels (like me), dedicated smart strips might be worth the extra investment. Just something to think about before diving in...
Interesting point about the dimming—I hadn't really considered how much that might bug me until you mentioned it. I've been leaning towards dedicated smart strips myself, mostly for the flexibility and smoother control. But now I'm wondering, has anyone tried mixing smart strips with traditional dimmers or switches? Curious if that's even doable without causing weird compatibility issues...
