Under-Cabinet & In-Cabinet Lighting (2025 Guide): Kelvin, Lumens, and Placement That Make Cabinets Pop

Under-Cabinet & In-Cabinet Lighting (2025 Guide): Kelvin, Lumens, and Placement That Make Cabinets Pop

Under-Cabinet & In-Cabinet Lighting (2025 Guide): Kelvin, Lumens, and Placement That Make Cabinets Pop

Lighting can make or break a kitchen. Done right, it sharpens tasks, flatters finishes, and keeps counters clutter-free. This guide explains color temperature (Kelvin), how bright (lumens), the best LED types, foolproof placement rules, power/control basics, and a ready-to-use spec sheet.

1) Why lighting matters (task vs. ambient vs. accent)

  • Task: bright, shadow-free light for prep—primarily under-cabinet strips at the front rail.

  • Ambient: overall glow—ceiling cans, tracks, or linear slots.

  • Accent: mood—glass-cabinet lighting, toe-kick night lights, shelf/backsplash washes.

2) Color temperature (Kelvin) made simple

  • 2700K = warm, cozy (traditional spaces, warm stones/woods).

  • 3000K = warm-neutral (most kitchens; plays well with warm whites and oak).

  • 3500–4000K = crisp modern (cooler whites, concrete tones, stainless).
    Rule: Keep all task lighting the same Kelvin; don’t mix 2700K and 4000K on the same run.

3) How bright (lumens) to specify

  • Under-cabinet task: 250–450 lm/ft (dot-free linear strips or bars).

  • Inside glass cabinets: 150–250 lm/ft (dimmable).

  • Toe-kick night light: 50–120 lm/ft.

  • CRI: Aim for CRI ≥ 90 so stone/wood colors read true.

4) LED types & when to use them

  • Linear strips (COB/diffused): cleanest, shadow-free task light under uppers—#1 pick.

  • Rigid bars: durable, quick install on long runs.

  • Pucks: spot accents (glass displays); avoid for task—create scallops/shadows.

5) Placement rules that always work

  • Mount strips at the front rail of uppers (closest to the counter edge) to eliminate backsplash shadows.

  • Run continuous light—avoid gaps at cabinet joints.

  • Inside cabinets, place a vertical strip at the hinge side for even illumination.

  • Add toe-kick strips as a low-glare night light.

  • Keep drivers accessible (end cabinet, pantry, or basement below).

 

6) Glass, stone & slab specifics

  • Edge-lit glass shelves for display cabinets.

  • Slab backsplash wash (linear above counter) = modern glow.

  • Matte stones look best around 3000–3500K; glossy marbles tolerate warmer (2700–3000K).

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