How do I install under-cabinet kitchen lighting?

Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting Installation Guide

Under-cabinet lighting is one of the most impactful kitchen upgrades — it eliminates the shadows cast by upper cabinets on your countertop workspace and adds a warm ambiance to the kitchen. Here's how to do it in your New Brunswick home.

Types of Under-Cabinet Lighting

LED strip lights (tape lights)

• Thin, flexible adhesive-backed LED strips


• Very even, continuous light with no hot spots


• Available in warm white (2700K–3000K), neutral (4000K), and colour-changing (RGB)


• Can be cut to exact lengths at marked intervals


• Require a driver (transformer) to convert 120V to 12V or 24V DC


• Cost: $15–$40 per metre for quality strips, plus $20–$50 for the driver

LED light bars (linear fixtures)

• Rigid aluminium housings with integrated LEDs


• Professional appearance with built-in diffuser lens (no LED dots visible)


• Linkable — connect multiple bars end-to-end


• Available in plug-in or hardwired versions


• Cost: $30–$80 per bar (12–24 inches each)

LED puck lights

• Small round fixtures (2–3 inch diameter) mounted individually


• Create pools of focused light rather than even illumination


• Good for highlighting specific areas but can create uneven lighting with dark spots between pucks


• Available in battery, plug-in, or hardwired


• Cost: $10–$25 per puck

For most NB kitchens, LED strip lights or light bars provide the best results. Strips offer the most even illumination; bars look more finished and are easier to install.

Plug-In vs. Hardwired

Plug-in installation (DIY):

• The driver or light bar plugs into an existing outlet (usually inside or below an upper cabinet)


• No electrical work required


• No TSANB permit needed


• Wire/cord may be visible unless carefully routed behind cabinets


• Can use a simple toggle switch, remote, or smart plug for on/off control


• Cost: $50–$200 in materials

Hardwired installation (electrician recommended):

• Connected directly to a junction box behind the cabinets


• Controlled by a wall switch (can include a dimmer)


• No visible cords or plugs — cleaner appearance


• Requires running new wiring from a switch to the cabinet locations


• TSANB permit required if new wiring is run


• Cost: $300–$800 (materials + electrician labour)

DIY Plug-In Installation Steps

For LED strip lights:

Measure your cabinet lengths — measure each section of upper cabinet that needs lighting. Order strip lights to cover the full length.

Choose mounting location — mount the strip at the front edge of the cabinet bottom (lights your work surface) or toward the back (lights the backsplash). Front-mounted provides better task lighting.

Clean the surface — wipe the mounting area with isopropyl alcohol for strong adhesive bond. The adhesive backing on LED strips fails quickly on dusty or greasy surfaces.

Install an aluminium channel (optional but recommended) — a U-shaped aluminium channel ($10–$20 per metre) with a frosted diffuser cover gives a professional look, protects the strip, and eliminates visible LED dots. Mount the channel with screws or adhesive.

Apply the LED strip — peel the adhesive backing and press the strip into the channel or directly onto the cabinet bottom. Cut at the marked cut lines (every 50–100mm on most strips).

Connect the driver — plug the strip's connector into the LED driver. Place the driver inside an upper cabinet or on top of the cabinets (out of sight).

Route the power cord — run the driver's power cord to the nearest outlet. Inside-cabinet outlets (common in NB kitchens for microwaves and range hoods) work well. Use cable clips to keep the cord tidy.

Add a switch — options:

- Inline rocker switch on the cord ($3–$5)
- Wireless remote switch ($15–$30)
- Smart plug ($15–$25) for voice or app control
- Touch dimmer module ($10–$20) for brightness control

Colour Temperature Matters

This is the most common mistake homeowners make. Mismatched colour temperatures between under-cabinet lights and overhead lights look terrible.

• Match your existing kitchen lighting — if your pot lights or pendants are 3000K (soft white), use 3000K under-cabinet strips
• 2700K (warm white): Cozy, yellowish, good for traditional kitchens
• 3000K (soft white): The most popular — warm but bright enough for food prep. Recommended for most NB kitchens.
• 4000K (neutral white): Brighter, slightly clinical. Good if the under-cabinet lights are your primary task lighting.
• Avoid 5000K+ (daylight) for under-cabinet — too harsh and contrasts poorly with warmer overhead lighting

Dimming

Dimmable under-cabinet lighting lets you use full brightness for cooking and lower brightness for ambient evening lighting. For LED strips, you need:

• A dimmable LED driver (not all drivers are dimmable)


• A compatible dimmer — either inline, remote, or wall-mounted


• PWM (pulse width modulation) dimmers work best with LED strips — they don't cause the flickering that TRIAC dimmers can

For hardwired light bars, use an LED-compatible wall dimmer ($30–$60).

Costs Summary

| Approach | Materials | Labour | Total |
|----------|-----------|--------|-------|
| DIY plug-in LED strips (12 ft of cabinets) | $60–$150 | $0 | $60–$150 |
| DIY plug-in LED light bars (4 bars) | $120–$320 | $0 | $120–$320 |
| Hardwired LED strips + wall dimmer | $80–$200 | $300–$600 | $380–$800 |
| Hardwired LED light bars + wall dimmer | $150–$350 | $300–$600 | $450–$950 |

NB Tip

With New Brunswick's short winter days and long dark evenings, under-cabinet lighting serves double duty as task lighting and ambient room lighting. Many NB homeowners leave under-cabinet lights on (at low brightness via dimmer) as evening mood lighting instead of harsh overhead pot lights — it makes the kitchen feel warmer and more inviting during those 4:30 PM sunsets from November through February.

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