Last year when we did our kitchen makeover, one item on the to-do list was installing cabinet lighting in both the new upper cabinets and under the existing lowers. We finally just got around to finishing up that project recently (things take time around here!) and what a difference it makes! It’s really pretty easy to do too!
I worked with Lamps Plus* on the lighting for my kitchen. In addition to these amazing pendant lights, we also ordered these LED tape lights for the cabinet lighting.
What You Will Need:
B Wire connectors (referred to as “chicklet connectors”
Drill
Right Angle Drill Bit Attachment
One thing to keep in mind with this project is you will need an outlet in the area. When we added our upper cabinets, my husband installed an outlet for the microwave. Also note, my husband is very experienced with electrical work, and though this is relatively easy and low voltage if you’re not at all experienced with electrical, you may want to hire someone for this. (Read my full disclosure here)
Step 1- Plan the path for your lights.
We first measured the length of lighting we needed for under the lower cabinets. We cut one strip for the cabinets to the left of the microwave and one for the cabinet on the right. Be sure to follow the directions on the lighting on where to cut. We also cut sections for each the upper cabinets.
Step 2 – Drill holes where you need to run the lighting.
We started with the uppers, because that’s where our hidden outlet is. We drilled a small hole in between each cabinet section. We wanted to connect our upper and lower lighting so that they would all be on the same circuit. In order to connect the upper lights to the lowers we also drilled holes in the cabinets on either side of the microwave in order to run this wire from top to bottom.
Step 3- Add connectors.
The next step is to connect all of the lighting together. Add the wired connectors to the tape lighting by just sliding them into where the metal contacts meet the tape lights.
Step 4 – Splice the wires.
Assemble the lighting in the cabinets and then splice the 18/2 gauge wire and attach each section as shown below. Use the wire strippers to strip about 1/4″ of the wire to expose the copper leads.
My husband also used a T25 staple gun to secure the wiring into the corners to keep them neatly in place. These lights have a sticky backing, you just peel off the paper and stick them into place. If your cabinets are older or dusty you may want to just wipe them down with some rubbing alcohol first so it adheres better. Here is how they look in the uppers. (Clearly, I never finished painting the inside of my cabinets during the one room challenge).
This is how they look under the lower cabinets.
We also picked up a wireless remote to turn our lights on and off, which is really awesome. I would probably never use them if I had to climb up on a step stool to turn them on. The remote, the wire and the connectors were all purchased separately from the lighting kit.
I’ve been asked a lot about the wreaths on the cabinet doors, those were a simple DIY project. You can see how I made the mini book page wreaths here. Thanks again to Lamps Plus for sponsoring my kitchen lighting!
This post was sponsored by Lamps Plus and may contain affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure here.
This look awesome! Cabinet lights are one of those features that feel so fancy, I had no idea it was so simple to do!
That looks fantastic, Roxanne! Loving your kitchen. 🙂
Get out of town! That looks so easy. We have old under cabinet lights that desperately need to be replaced. I’m sending this post to my husband!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
{BIG hugs}
~ Ashley
This looks so amazing! I am definitely adding lighting to my new kitchen (when we get a chance to finally redo it).
What a great job and it make the cabinet as a focal point! I have some on my cabinet and they are great look at night and just those lights on.
Maria
I was just telling my husband I would love some cabinet lighting. This seems so simple and I love how it looks in your kitchen!
I love the light! What a great idea. It looks so nice.
I love this! I wonder if it would be good for a stairwell also?
Thinking I may be able to pull this off myself! (68/widow/DIYer). Where did you place the under cabinet lowers ~ closest to the backsplash or the cabinet front?
Hi Jane, we placed it closest to the front of the cabinets. You can totally do this yourself!!
Hey Roxanne, love ❤️ your kitchen, so clean and classic. I know what you mean by things take awhile to get done. I think I could totally do it with your great pictures you posted, nice job.
Curious how you drilled holes underneath the cabinets from one section to the other. All of our cabinets have a piece separating them that we have to drill through but not sure how to.
Yes, my husband did drill holes through those dividing pieces inside the cabinets to run the lighting through. I am not sure exactly what drill bit he used, but there is a photo of it in the post. Hope that helps!