How To Install Kitchen Cabinet Lighting

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 For Kitchen Cabinet Lighting:

LED Lighting Kit

Wire to Strip Connectors

B Wire connectors (referred to as “chicklet connectors”

Wireless Remote 2 in 1 Dimmer

Drill

Right Angle Drill Bit Attachment

3/*8″ Speed Bore Drill Bit

Wire Stripper

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 under cabinet lighting.

First, we measured the length of lighting we needed for the under cabinet lighting. 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 of the upper cabinets.

Step 2 – Drill holes where you need to run the lighting.

Our outlet is in the upper cabinets so we started with those. We drilled a small hole in between each cabinet section. The goal was to connect our upper and lower kitchen cabinet 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.

However, 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).

Are you still with me here? Good.

This is how they look under the lower cabinets.

Most importantly (to me anyway) we 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 small wreaths on the cabinet doors, those were a simple DIY project. You can also see how we extended our cabinets to the ceiling which made a big impact in our kitchen. It’s actually makes our small kitchen feel a bit larger.

In addition, we replaced the flooring downstairs since these photos were taken, using another trick I learned to make a room look bigger.

Thanks again to Lamps Plus for sponsoring my kitchen lighting!

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This post was sponsored by Lamps Plus and may contain affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure here.