How To Install Under-Cabinet Lighting: Step-by-Step Guide

If you find yourself squinting to read that recipe card or your home lacks a welcoming glow, then you should learn how to install under-cabinet lighting. Although installing traditional under-cabinet lighting requires electrical experience, there are other options to choose from, too. 

So, you can pick which method is best suited for your skill set and lighting needs. Before we dive into how to install under-cabinet lighting, let's discuss why you should consider adding it to your home.

Why Should I Install Under Cabinet Lighting?

Under cabinet lighting illuminates your countertops and areas beneath it. Not only does under cabinet lighting increase visibility, but it also adds ambiance to your kitchen. 

You can also reduce your electric bill by installing more energy-efficient lighting rather than additional overhead lights. If you opt for traditional under cabinet lighting, you can even increase the value of your home. Plus, this lighting option provides a soft glow to your kitchen, giving off a cozy, upscale look.

How to Prepare to Install Under Cabinet Lighting

Depending on what type of under-cabinet lighting you decide on will determine how you need to prepare. Here are some things to consider and do before jumping into your project.

Confirm Permits

First, you may need an electrical permit to perform the work of adding new lighting structures to your home. When you are installing new wires or electric outlets, you will need a permit. Check with your municipality for their requirements before starting the project.  If you opt for the other wireless options, then you can DIY without getting a permit.

DIY Safety Concerns

Before starting, remember that adding under-cabinet lighting involves working with electricity. Without the proper knowledge and training, you could risk severe injury or damage to your home. 

If you're not confident with your ability to work with household wiring, hire a professional electrician near you to do the job or choose one of the wireless methods below instead to ensure a safe installation.

How to Install Under Cabinet Lighting: 3 Ways to Brighten Up Your Living Space

There are a few popular options to choose from when it comes to under cabinet lighting. Check out the following types to learn how to install and pick which is best for you:

Hardwire New Under Cabinet Light Fixtures

If you are looking to add a significant light source and want to increase your home's value, then you should install light fixtures. However, unless you have electrical experience, then it's best to hire a pro for this option. 

1. Choose the Best Light Fixture

You need to purchase the correct fixture for the space you are installing under-cabinet lighting. For example, if you are adding it to your bathroom, you will want lights that are humidity-resistant. Also, if you are looking for long-lasting and low-heat emission lighting, then you should install LED bulbs. 

Make sure to measure so you purchase the correct size fixture for your cabinets. Typically, you want the fixtures to be about 2 inches shorter than the width of your cabinets.

2. Turn Off Electricity 

Remember, if you are not experienced with electrical work, then you should hire a professional electrician to install your under cabinet lighting. Working with electricity is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe or even fatal accidents. 

If you are familiar with electrical work, turn off the power to the area where you are installing your fixtures. Use a multimeter or a voltage tester to confirm that power is off to all the wires in the electrical box you'll be using. While using power tools, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.

3. Locate the Power Source

Modern kitchen electrical circuits are typically not allowable as power sources for lighting. Locate a 15-amp electrical outlet on an adjacent wall to the kitchen or a nearby room's lighting or receptacle circuit. 

Try to choose a location where you can run wiring without too much difficulty. If finding a source proves impossible, contact an electrician to install a new power source. 

4. Plan Out the Wiring

Choose the most straightforward route to run wires to the kitchen and the new switch, depending on the power source location. Try to select a way to cross as few wall studs as possible. Take advantage of the vertical spaces between studs to run a wire up or down the wall. The goal is to create as few holes as possible when installing the cables. 

5. Outline and Cut Out a Hole for the New Electrical Box

Trace the outline of the remodeling switch box on the wall. Ignore the winged sections. The new  hole should be rectangular only. Use a drywall saw to cut out and remove the shape. For a wall location with tile, use a ceramic drill bit to create a series of holes along the outline and pop out the rectangle. Check to ensure a snug fit for the box, but don't install it yet. 

6. Install the Wires

Remove the power source outlet and disconnect the wiring. Pry the electrical box off the wall stud and remove it from the wall, leaving the wires behind. Remove the baseboards between the source and the switch for power sources not on the same wall as the new switch or more than a stud space away.

Cut the drywall away below the height of the baseboards and use a 1-inch spade bit to make holes in the bottom of the studs. Run the wiring through the holes from the source and up to the switch location. Replace the baseboards to hide the drywall holes.

Decide the location of the first light fixture, and find the knock-out plug on the light fixture. Hold the fixture in place, and mark a drill location for a wiring hole. Use a ½-inch spade bit to make a hole in the wall directly under the upper cabinet.

Install the wire from the switch location to the fixture using fish tape. If necessary, run additional wires from one fixture to the next by running a cable down the inside of the wall and cutting holes in the back of the lower cabinets and wall. Use the 1-inch spade bit to get through wall studs. 

Adding a junction box and flexible metal conduit through the base cabinets can simplify this step. Save the discarded sections of the cabinet and drywall for repairs later.

7. Install the Light Fixture

The hard part is over. Now let's install some lights. Remove the electrical connection box cover from the light fixture, remove the knock-out hole plug, and install a cable clamp. Insert the wiring from the wall into the fixture while holding the fixture in place.

Use an electric drill with a screwdriver bit to attach the fixture to the underside of the upper cabinet. Tighten the cable clamp screws to secure the wire. Repeat the procedure for each fixture and wall wiring location. For connectable fixtures, install the connecting cables.

8. Connect the Wiring

You’ll need a basic understanding of fixture and switch wiring connections for this part of the project. Connect the bare ground wire to the fixture's ground screw or wire. Use the cable ripper to expose a few inches of the wires. Strip about a ½-inch of sheathing from the black and white wires. 

Use wire nuts to connect the black and white fixture wires to the black and white wall cable wires. Replace the fixture's electrical box cover, and repeat for each fixture if necessary.

9. Wire the Switch and Install the Faceplate

With the remodeling switch box not yet in its hole, insert the wall cables into the back of it and pull out several inches. Place the box in the hole and tighten the screws to secure it. 

Use the cable ripper tool to expose a few inches of wires on both cables. Strip ½-inch of sheathing from each wire, and use a wire nut to connect the white wires. Twist the ground wires and a pigtail wire together and secure them with a wire nut. Connect the pigtail ground wire to the light switch's ground screw.

Connect one black wire to the top conductor on the switch and the other to the bottom conductor. Install the switch and cover plate into the box.

10. Connect the Wiring to the Power Source

Now, let's get some power going. At the power source location, insert the cables into the back of a new remodeling box. Install the box and tighten the screws to fasten it in place. 

Rip the sheathing and strip the wires for wiring connections. Connect the ground wires and a pigtail wire together with a wire nut. Attach the pigtail wire to the receptacle grounding screw. 

Connect the black wires to the hot side of the outlet and the white wires to the neutral side. Install the outlet and cover into the box, and install the light bulbs (if you're not installing LED lighting).

Install Wireless LED Puck Lights

If you aren't familiar working with electricity and wondering how to install under cabinet lighting without hiring an electrician, then going with a wireless option is the answer. One of the easiest ways to install under cabinet lighting is with battery-operated LED puck lights. You can install them yourself in a cinch:

1. Choose an LED Puck Light Kit

You can purchase LED puck light kits online or at your local home improvement retailer. Typically, for good lighting, you will need to install one puck light for every 8 to 12 inches of cabinet space. How many lights are included depends on the kit you buy. You can also add a festive feel and get them in various color-changing options. 

2. Insert Batteries Before Installing

Like most things, batteries are usually not included unless you buy a kit that says they are. Most puck lights will take AAA or AA batteries. Unscrew the back and install the batteries before installing them under your cabinets.

3. Install with Included Tape or Screws 

Kits will include 3M double-sided tape to make installation a breeze. You simply put the tape on the back of the light and then place the light where you want your lighting to be beneath your cabinets and push it firmly in place. 

Some kits include both tape and screws for installation. Follow the manufacturer's directions and use the recommended tools to install the puck lights correctly. 

Add LED Strip Lighting

Another excellent choice for under cabinet lighting is LED strip lights. They are simple to install and are a cost-efficient way to add additional lighting to the dark corners of your spaces. Here is how to install strip lights under your cabinets:

1. Measure Your Cabinets and Pick Out Your Strip Lighting Kit

First, you will need to take measurements so you know how much strip lighting you will need. Similar to puck lights, you have various choices when it comes to strip lighting. They come in different colors, and you can purchase rolls of them or pre-cut kits.

If you want to box out lighting beneath your cabinets, then you will need to purchase enough strip lighting and you will also need to purchase L-shape connections to be able to add the lighting around corners. Single strips can be installed towards the front of the cabinet underneath. 

Whichever kit you choose, make sure you opt for water-proof strip lights and one that comes with a power supply to make installation easier.

2. Clean the Surface and Test the Lights

You need to clean the surface where you will be installing strip lighting. Dust and other substances can make it difficult for the lighting to stick. Before installing, plug in your lights to the power supply and test them to ensure they work. Disconnect before installation. 

3. Install Cable Clips

Your lights have to have a power source adapter that needs to be plugged in. Install adhesive cable clips where the power strip cord will connect to the strip lights. This will give it a clean look and also prevent the cord from being pulled down.

4. Peel and Stick to Install 

Strip lights are easy to install because they have sticky adhesive backing, and you peel off the protective covering and stick them to the surface. However, if you remove the lighting, it can remove paint and cause damage to your cabinets, so keep this in mind before installing them. 

You will want to peel and stick small sections at a time to the cabinets to ensure a smooth installation. Remember to place the lights towards the front of the cabinets to ensure proper light distribution. 

You can purchase additional supplies such as LED extensions, L-shape connectors, and other accessories to customize your strip lighting.  

5. Trim Excess Strips if Necessary

Cut light strips at the recommended place if they are too long. Refer to the instructions to ensure you cut at the right spot. If the lights are able to be trimmed, there is usually a symbol to show exactly where you can trim them.

6. Connect to Power Supply

Once everything is properly installed, then you can connect the power supply to your strip lighting. Most will come with a remote control, and you should refer to the manufacturer's instructions to set that up correctly. 

Tips for Choosing the Best Under Cabinet Lighting for Your Home

Now you know how to install under cabinet lighting successfully. Here are a few tips on how to choose the best type of lighting for your home:

• Choose based on skill set: Traditional under cabinet lighting is optimal for the best light source and for adding value to your home. However, it's challenging to do it yourself, and if inexperienced you will need to hire a professional electrician near you to take on the project.

• Pick what is best for your budget: If you are searching for the most cost-efficient way to brighten up your home, then battery-operated puck lights or LED strip lights are the best options. Installing light fixtures requires many tools and supplies, or you may have to hire a pro. 

• Opt for lighting that suits your needs: Do you need to brighten up your kitchen so you can see better while you're cooking, or do you just want to add an ambiance to your space? Consider what your lighting needs before you start, and pick the correct bulb color and temperature that's best for under your cabinets.

• Keep your schedule in mind: Installing fixtures takes up a bit of time. You need to gather more supplies and tools, and it takes much longer than the other options. So, if you want to install under cabinet lighting quickly, then puck or strip lighting is the better option. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

As mentioned above, it’s possible to DIY under-cabinet lighting installation for simpler methods like installing wireless LED puck lights or LED string lights, but you should hire an electrical or cabinet professional for hardwiring light fixtures. The average cost of under-cabinet lighting installation is around $265 per fixture.  

To save time and money, bundle services by hiring a cabinet installation professional near you to install new cabinetry and under-cabinet lighting during the same service. Inputting an under-cabinet light source during cabinet installation is a great way to upgrade your entire kitchen set-up in one service.