If I could do my kitchen lights over, I’d probably go for those adjustable LED tape lights too. I was super skeptical at first—figured they’d peel off or stop working after a month, especially with all the steam and crumbs floating around. But my neighbor swears by hers, and she’s got two cats that treat her counters like a jungle gym, so maybe they’re tougher than I thought.
I’m still on the fence about the color temp thing. Warm light is nice for late-night snacking, but I’ve definitely almost sliced a finger off under those old yellow bulbs. Adjustable seems like the sweet spot, though I’d probably get stuck playing with the settings for hours. Guess it beats rewiring the ceiling every few years...
Anyone regret not installing a dimmer? I feel like that would be the cherry on top, but maybe I’m just overthinking it.
- Totally get the skepticism about tape lights—my brother’s been using his for two years and the only thing that’s peeled off is his will to clean under them.
- Color temp is a weird rabbit hole. I went with adjustable and now I just keep it on “not blinding” mode.
- Dimmers are nice, but honestly, I just use the “off” switch when I want mood lighting (aka darkness).
- If you’re on the fence, at least you’re not rewiring the ceiling every time you want a vibe shift... that’s a win in my book.
Had a client last year who was dead set on tape lights under the cabinets—swore by them after seeing a friend’s kitchen. We went with a decent quality brand, but I’ll admit, I was skeptical about longevity. Two years in, they’re still stuck tight, but I did get a text about dust bunnies collecting behind them. Guess that’s the trade-off.
Color temp is a weird rabbit hole. I went with adjustable and now I just keep it on “not blinding” mode.
That made me laugh. I’ve installed everything from 2700K warm to 5000K daylight, and honestly, most folks end up dialing it back to something cozy once the novelty wears off. Adjustable is nice in theory, but in practice? People just want their coffee at 7am without feeling like they’re in an operating room.
Dimmers are worth it if you cook late or host—otherwise, yeah, “off” is the ultimate dimmer. At least we’re not busting out drywall every time someone wants to change the mood... small mercies.
I hear you on the adjustable color temp.
Couldn’t agree more. I tried fancy options in my last reno, but honestly, a basic warm white with a dimmer did the trick. Tape lights are handy for task lighting, but I went with puck lights—easier to clean and swap if needed. Less fuss, less dust, and no regrets on cost.“Adjustable is nice in theory, but in practice? People just want their coffee at 7am without feeling like they’re in an operating room.”
I get the appeal of keeping things simple, but I actually found adjustable color temp more useful than I expected. Maybe it’s just me, but in winter when it’s pitch dark at 5pm, I like being able to bump the lights cooler for cooking—makes it easier to see what I’m chopping. Then later, I’ll switch back to warm for dinner or winding down. The upfront cost was a bit higher, but honestly, the flexibility’s been worth it.
Puck lights are definitely easier to swap out, but I had some issues with uneven lighting and shadows under the cabinets. Tape lights gave me a more even spread, though yeah, dust is a pain. Guess it comes down to how much you care about the little details... For me, spending a bit more on lighting made the space feel way more functional. Not sure everyone would agree, but just my two cents.
