"Rechargeables could definitely be a good compromise—have you noticed any difference in brightness or battery life compared to regular batteries?"
- I've tried rechargeable batteries in under-cabinet lights before, and honestly, brightness was pretty comparable to regular batteries.
- Battery life though...that's another story. Had to recharge them more often than I'd hoped, especially if you're using them daily.
- Have you considered low-profile plug-in LED strips instead? They're super thin, easy to hide, and installation doesn't always mean tearing up drywall—just a thought.
I've had similar experiences with rechargeables—brightness was fine, but yeah, battery life wasn't amazing. LED strips are a solid suggestion...have you thought about dimmable ones? Adds some nice flexibility without much extra hassle.
Dimmable LED strips are definitely a good shout. I put some in my kitchen last year, and honestly, they're one of the best decisions I've made. Being able to tone down the brightness when you're just grabbing a midnight snack (guilty as charged...) is surprisingly nice. Plus, it saves energy, which is always a win in my book.
I did try rechargeable puck lights under the cabinets before that, and yeah, battery life was pretty disappointing. They'd start out bright enough, but after a few weeks, they'd dim noticeably and I'd find myself constantly recharging them. Got old real quick. Eventually, I just bit the bullet and wired in some low-voltage LED strips. Took a weekend to install properly, but totally worth it.
One thing I'd suggest if you're going the LED strip route—look into color temperature options. I went with warm white (around 2700K) because I prefer that cozy vibe, especially in the evenings. But if you do a lot of cooking or food prep, something closer to daylight (4000K-ish) might be better for visibility. Or you could even get adjustable ones that let you switch between warm and cool tones depending on your mood or task.
Also, don't underestimate the power of good placement. I initially put mine too close to the backsplash and got some weird shadows. Had to reposition them closer to the front edge of the cabinets—made a huge difference.
Anyway, whatever you choose, I'm sure it'll turn out great. Lighting upgrades always feel like such a small thing until you actually do them...then suddenly your whole kitchen feels brand new again.
Yeah, dimmable LED strips are solid. I usually recommend them for clients too. Personally though, if I redid my own kitchen, I'd probably add some recessed lights overhead—makes prep work way easier without shadows getting in the way.
"Personally though, if I redid my own kitchen, I'd probably add some recessed lights overhead—makes prep work way easier without shadows getting in the way."
Totally agree on recessed lighting for task areas. A few extra thoughts:
- Consider choosing fixtures with adjustable trims or gimbals so you can angle the beam exactly where you need it.
- Pay attention to color temperature—I usually suggest around 3000K for kitchens; it's crisp enough for tasks but still warm and inviting.
- Also, spacing matters more than people realize. Too close together feels harsh, too far apart creates annoying shadow zones.
I redid mine a couple years back and tweaking these small details made a huge difference...
